Easter is just around the corner, and one of the fun things that I like to do with the kids every year is color Easter eggs! But I do not really like eating the eggs after they have been dyed with regular coloring kits. So, I like to use more natural alternatives. Here is a list of several foods that you can use as natural dye for Easter Eggs.
I have been trying to remove processed foods, preservatives, and artificial flavors from the foods that I buy and from the meals that I make for my family. So, instead of using regular dye, we decided to use foods to dye Easter eggs naturally.
Usually, I just let the kids color the eggs and then we throw them out because the chemicals and dye soak through the egg shell and into the egg white. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to eat that and I certainly don’t want my kids eating that! This year, we won’t have to waste those beautifully colored eggs because we will be using fruits, vegetables, and juices to color our eggs.
The colors are not going to be the bright, vibrant colors that you get from the artificial dyes. However, I think the pastel eggs are so pretty… they have a vintage Easter look…
Items needed to dye Easter Eggs naturally
The basic recipe for making the dye is the same when using food, berries, or herbs. You will need to boil the food item in 3 cups of water and then add 3 tablespoons of white vinegar. Let cool before you color the eggs.
If you are using juice though, you only need to add the vinegar to the juice to color the eggs. You will not need to boil the juice or mix with water.
How long does it take to color Easter Eggs naturally?
That depends. You will probably want to allow eggs to soak at least 15-30 minutes in order to pick up very much color. If you want deeper colors, you may choose to soak them in the solution overnight in your refrigerator.
Foods that can be used to make natural dye for Easter Eggs
Pink:
- Beets—chop 1 medium beet and add to 2 cups of water and boil. Add 2 Tbsp. vinegar when cool.
- Cranberry Juice—mix 2 cups cranberry juice and 2 Tbsp. vinegar.
Purple:
- Blueberries—add 1 cup blueberries to 3 cups water and boil, add 3 Tbsp. vinegar when cool.
- Grape Juice—mix 2 cup grape juice and 2 Tbsp. vinegar.
Blue:
- Red cabbage—cut ¼ of a head of red cabbage into chunks and add to water.
- Dried elderberries—boil ½ cup of dried berries in 2 cups water, add vinegar.
Yellow:
- Turmeric—add 3 Tablespoons turmeric or cumin to 2 cups boiling water, add 2 Tbsp. vinegar.
- Cumin—same directions as turmeric
Green:
- Spinach—add 2 cups spinach to water and boil, add 2 Tbsp. vinegar.
- Mint—use sprigs of peppermint or spearmint, boil in 2 cups water, and add vinegar for a yellowish-green.
Teal:
- Lavender—add several sprigs of lavender to water and boil, add 2 Tbsp. vinegar.
Orange:
- Yellow Onions—take the skin of 6 yellow onions and simmer in 2 cups water for 15 minutes; strain. Add 3 teaspoons white vinegar.
- Chili Powder—add 3 Tbsp chili powder to water and vinegar solution.
Tweet ThisIf you are looking for colorful cookies, without using food coloring or dyes, check out my Easter Drop Sugar Cookies. I use blackberries, strawberries, lemons, and limes for color and flavor! And they are so pretty too!
More Easter Fun!
- Make a cute Paper Bag Bunny Puppet with your kids over at Aileen Cooks
- If you want to go beyond regular colored eggs for Easter, check out these 15 Super Cute Easter Egg Decorating Ideas for Kids over at Fun Money Mom
- If you want to fill your kids’ plastic eggs with some Easter Egg Candy Alternatives this year, Daily Momtivity has some great ideas!
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