Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (2024)

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Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe is a true pub favourite.

Popular bar styled food made at home with this easy no canning method. All you need is a nice big jar, hard-boiled eggs, and a brine to make the best-pickled eggs ever.

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Who would have thought a hard-boiled egg cured in vinegar or pickling brine would create such a great snack and appetizer?Egg pickles!

Since I was a kid, my mom made these all the time. In fact, she was a true “canner”. All kinds of pickles, fruits, jams, canned tomatoes, sauces and of course sauerkraut, lined the walls of the cold cellar.

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RECIPE and INSTRUCTIONS for this old fashioned pickled egg recipe is at the bottom of this post.

I am more of a quick pickle person. This recipe is a no canning method, just like my zucchini pickles andpickled onions recipe! According to my husband, she made the best pickled eggs, until he tried them done my way.

If you love pickles without all the work, check out this roundup 30 Easy Refrigerator Pickles.

I still remember that room in the basem*nt of my parent’s house. It was dark and only had a small light bulb that did not provide much light at all. The door was hard to open, and the cement floor was uneven. Inside the wooden shelves were lined with various sizes of glass jars.

She also made homemade sauerkraut, which we called kapusta. It is so delicious in the traditional Ukrainian Kobasa Kapusta recipe. Often seen on the holiday dinner tables.

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Those days of traditional canning does not happen in my house.

Simple Pickling Ingredients

Like with ALL quick pickles, ingredients are easy to find.

Mom would make these for every stag or bachelor party that was hosted by the family. Seems the guys loved eating these, especially when they drank beer.

I guess that is why they are a pub favourite, especially in the UK. They are found in fish and chip shops too.

I thought they were Ukrainian pickled eggs. Who knew they would be SO DELICIOUS!

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Of course, my husband happens to be one of those people who loved my mom’s recipe. He would always be so happy when mom made them. In fact, she would make a jar just for him.

Now my grandkids can say grandma’s pickled eggs are the BEST! Just like the kind you can find in the bar.

How To Make Easy Pickled Eggs

This is a super easy no canning method.

  1. Sterilize a clean large glass jar. I add boiling water to it and let it sit for 5 minutes. Pour the water out and you are good to go.
  2. Have your hard-boiled eggs cooked and peeled (the hardest part is peeling those eggs).
  3. Place them in the jar.
  4. Boil the brine ingredients in a small pot.
  5. Pour over the eggs.
  6. Put on the lid.
  7. Let cool slightly, then place in the fridge.
  8. Let sit until seasoned (at least 3 days). Ok…this is the second hardest part.
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After looking at my mom’s recipe, I just could not see how this would be tasty. Vinegar, salt, and mustard powder? Really? What happened to balance? Isn’t there supposed to be water, sugar, and seasoning?

The typical British recipe uses vinegar, salt and sugar. Mine is a no sugar recipe.

I knew I needed something different. I wanted my recipe to be infused with more flavour.

Egg Pickle Variations

  • Brines can be all vinegar (usually white vinegar or malt vinegar)
  • You can use beet juice or pickle juice in the brine
  • Some recipes include salt and vinegar
  • Some use only one or the other
  • Additional seasonings such as dill, onion, jalapeno (for a kick of heat) can be added
  • You can also use a pickling spice blend
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Ok now for the test. I let hubby do the honours. Well to my surprise, he LOVED them. In fact even better than moms!!

This DIY easy pickling recipe is a must-try. You can make them YOUR way. Spicy, flavoured, coloured. Skip the eggs in a jar from Costco. These are better than store-bought hands down.

Recipe Tips

  • If you want the pickling brine to be clear (like the ones you see in the store) do not use the pickling spice (cloves turn the brine brown).
  • Be sure to let the eggs sit for AT LEAST 3 days in the fridge before eating.
  • You can experiment with the brine ingredients, creating the brine you prefer.
  • Be sure to serve at room temperature.
  • Ways to serve pickled eggs include: snacks, party appetizers (especially game night) and sandwich fillings.
  • The longer the eggs stay in the brine, the stronger the taste.
  • Prolonged time in the brine tends to create a rubbery texture.

How Long Do Pickled Eggs Last?

I would say safely 3-4 months. Since this is a quick pickle method, the shelf life is not as long as the traditional canned method, or the ones purchased in the grocery stores.

Do You Need To Keep Them Refrigerated?

Yes for food safety you will want to keep them in the fridge.

Do You Have To Peel The Eggs?

The hard-boiled eggs are peeled before they are put into the pickling brine. Unpeeled eggs will not work in this recipe.

Can You Use Pickle Juice?

People have used pickle juice to make pickled eggs. This recipe uses a seasoned brine. If you use dill pickle juice, the eggs will have a dill pickle taste.Pickled eggs with beet juice will make them pink.

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Easy Old Fashioned Pickled Eggs

Eggs pickled in a brine, no sugar and no canning. Just like in thehe pub.

4.93 from 179 votes

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Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: British

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 3 days days

Total Time: 3 days days 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 servings

Calories: 64kcal

Author:

Ingredients

  • 12 large eggs (hard boiled & peeled)
  • 4 cups white vinegar
  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 ½ teaspoons course sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon pickling spice

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • Sterilize a large mouth jar.

  • Hard boil and peel the eggs.

To make the Brine:

  • In a pot combine the vinegar, water, salt and pickling spice.

  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

To Pickle:

  • Place peeled eggs into the clean jar.

  • Pour brine over eggs.

  • Seal jar. Leave on kitchen counter for about 1 hour, then place in fridge.

  • Let eggs sit in brine for at least 3 days before eating.

  • ENJOY!!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 64kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 164mg | Sodium: 354mg | Potassium: 66mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg

Notes

***Always keep the pickled eggs refrigerated until ready to eat*** These will keep for several months.

You can take them out of the brine and bring them to room temperature before eating if you wish.

You can make less brine if you wish. I wanted to make sure I had the eggs completely submerged in the liquid.

Tried this recipe?Take a picture and tag @homemadeandyummy

Nutritional information on this site is generated via a plugin. I am not responsible for the accuracy of the plugin information.
Easy Classic Pickled Eggs Recipe | Homemade & Yummy (2024)

FAQs

How long should eggs be pickled before eating? ›

Add the eggs, make sure they are submerged (you can top them off with an additional 1-2 tablespoons water if you need to). Cover and chill overnight. The eggs will intensify in flavor and color the longer they are pickled. We suggest waiting at least 2-3 days before eating them.

How do you make pickled eggs not rubbery? ›

And If the eggs sit in that liquid too long, you get rubbery eggs. There's a simple enough way to avoid this problem. You want the pickling liquid to do its job in the beginning, and then after the eggs have reached the proper degree of pickling, you can dilute the solution with some water.

Do you have to boil vinegar for pickling? ›

Vinegar-based pickling is a much faster process than fermentation pickling. In its quickest form, you'll just boil a vinegar solution, pour it over the the object of your pickling desire, let it all cool and stash it in the fridge.

How long can you keep eggs in pickle juice? ›

Kept in the pickling solution in the fridge with a tight lid, they are good for 3-4 months. That means if we start pickling eggs now, when the girls start slacking off this summer, we can still enjoy eggs!

Why put sugar in pickled eggs? ›

Quick Pickled Egg Tip

I like adding sugar because it helps balance the acidity of the vinegar and I like a slightly sweet pickle.

Do you have to refrigerate eggs after you pickle them? ›

Glass canning jars work well. A quart-size canning jar will hold about one dozen medium-sized eggs. Pickled eggs need to be hard-boiled and peeled prior to making the brine solution of vinegar, salt, spices, and other seasonings. Pickled eggs MUST be always stored in the refrigerator.

Is apple cider vinegar better than white vinegar for pickled eggs? ›

For pickled eggs, swapping white vinegar for apple cider vinegar is a no-brainer. While white vinegar has a pretty even taste and doesn't affect the eggs much in terms of color, apple cider vinegar brings a complexity of flavors and provides the eggs with a unique hue.

Why don t pickled eggs go bad? ›

While recipes can vary from brand to brand, store-bought pickled eggs are often submerged in pickling solutions consisting of ingredients like beet juice, vinegar, water, and sugar. Commercial pickled eggs can also contain sodium benzoate, which is a common preservative that keeps food stable on store shelves.

Why do my pickled eggs taste like vinegar? ›

Pickled eggs have a flavor that's all their own, and it can be tough to put into words. The first thing you'll taste is the tangy, sour flavor of the pickling solution. This solution is usually made with vinegar, salt, and other spices, giving the egg a distinct sweet and sour taste.

What type of vinegar is best for pickling? ›

Most pickle recipes call for distilled white vinegar. This is the clear, colorless vinegar made by fermenting grains. It has a mellow aroma, tart acid flavor and does not affect the color of light-colored vegetables or fruits.

What is the best ratio of vinegar to water for pickling? ›

The basic ratio for quick pickles is 1:1 vinegar to water, and includes some combination of salt and sugar. Another ratio that is commonly followed is the 3:2:1 method, using three parts vinegar, two parts water, and 1 part sugar.

Can you use straight vinegar for pickling? ›

Any basic vinegar is game — white vinegar, apple cider, white wine, and rice vinegar all work well. You can use these vinegars alone or in combination. Steer clear of aged or concentrated vinegars like balsamic or malt vinegar for pickling.

Can homemade pickled eggs go bad? ›

Like commercial brands, homemade pickled eggs usually have a maximum four-month lifespan when refrigerated appropriately. However, using the right pickling technique is essential to ensure your eggs will keep well for as long as possible.

How many pickled eggs can you eat a day? ›

So I did some more digging and found that eating one egg a day wasn't going to kill me; in fact, it may actually REDUCE heart disease. Other studies have shown no ill effects on people who have consumed up to 12 eggs a week!

How to tell if pickled eggs are bad? ›

Slimy Surprise: Pickled eggs should have a smooth, firm texture. If you encounter slimy or mushy eggs, it's a strong indicator of spoilage. This sliminess is caused by bacterial growth that breaks down the egg white's protein structure.

How long does it take to pickle eggs in the fridge? ›

But you do need to pickle them about 4 days for the eggs to "purple" all the way through to the yolk.

How do you know if pickled eggs are still good? ›

Color Cues: Vibrant yellow, orange, or even a pinkish hue are hallmarks of healthy pickled eggs. However, dullness, discoloration, or the presence of off-putting green or gray tones signal trouble. These color changes often stem from oxidation or bacterial growth and indicate spoilage.

How do I get hard-boiled eggs to peel easily? ›

Baking soda is said to raise the pH level of eggs and therefore make them easier to peel. Add 1 teaspoon baking soda to a pot of eggs, as in our Perfect Boiled Eggs recipe.

Do pickled eggs have to seal? ›

Also, make sure that the containers are perfectly sealed. It's best to store pickled eggs in the refrigerator and only take them out before eating. Doing this will keep them cool and prevent any spoilage from occurring due to heat exposure.

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