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Pickled Eggs

These vibrant pickled eggs are a striking addition to any picnic spread, salad bowl, or savoury snack platter. By gently cracking the shells before soaking them in a spiced vinegar brine, you create a beautiful marbled effect on the egg whites that is sure to impress guests. This recipe uses natural ingredients to achieve its bright hues, offering a choice of earthy beetroot red, golden turmeric yellow, or a deep blackberry purple, depending on your preferred palette.

As a versatile vegetarian snack, these homemade eggs are as practical as they are decorative. Preparing them in advance allows the acidic brine to infuse the eggs with a sharp, tangy flavour that perfectly balances the rich yolks. Enjoy them halved with a pinch of sea salt, or use them to add a sophisticated, colourful twist to a traditional platter of devilled eggs.

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Ingredients for Pickled Eggs

  • 240ml distilled white vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt

  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar

  • One of the following depending on desired colour: 2 small red beets, shredded on a box grater, 2 tablespoons ground turmeric, or 240ml blackberries

  • 6 unpeeled Hard-Boiled Eggs

Heat vinegar, salt, brown sugar, and 240ml water with desired coloring ingredient in a small saucepan over medium until hot. Remove brine from heat.

Gently tap eggs to crack shell all over but keep intact. Carefully add eggs to brine and chill at least 8 hours and up to 3 days.

Remove eggs from brine and peel.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.

Article history

The information on this page is peer reviewed by qualified clinicians.

  • 28 Jan 2026 | Originally published

    Authored by:

    UK recipe editors

    Peer reviewed by

    UK recipe editors
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