Pickling Eggs (2024)

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Pickling Eggs (1)

Do you have extra eggs? Try pickling them! Pickled eggs are delicious as a main course, an addition to a salad or as a snack or appetizer.

Unfortunately, there are no research supported home canning processes for pickled eggs. The information and recipe provided here are all meant for the pickled eggs to be stored in the refrigerator. Another option for keeping eggs for a longer period would be to freeze eggs.

What are Pickled Eggs?

Pickled eggs are hard-cooked eggs that are peeled and put into a solution of vinegar, salt, spices, and other seasonings. Pickling solutions are heated to a boil, simmered for 5 minutes, and poured over the peeled eggs.

Tips for Pickling Eggs
  • Small or medium eggs are good for pickling as seasoning will more readily penetrate the egg.
  • Fresh eggs used for pickling will ensure the highest quality product. However, eggs that are a few days old will peel better after boiling.
  • The container used for pickled eggs should be able to close tightly. 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.
  • The pickling solution must completely cover all hard-boiled eggs.
  • Once eggs have been combined with a pickling solution, a period of 1 to 3 weeks is required for seasoning to fully penetrate the eggs.
  • Use pickled eggs within 3 to 4 months for best quality.

Dark and Spicy Pickled Eggs

  • 1 ½ cups cider vinegar
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 Tablespoon dark brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon mixed pickling spice
  • ¼ teaspoon liquid smoke/hickory smoke salt
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  1. Wash hands with soap and water.
  2. Pack no more than 12 peeled, hard-cooked eggs into tight-sealing container.
  3. Bring all pickling ingredients to a boil, reduce and simmer for 5 minutes.
  4. Pour hot pickling solution over eggs assuring all eggs are covered.
  5. Cover and refrigerate immediately.
  6. Use within 3 to 4 months.
  7. Always store in the refrigerator.
  8. Use a clean tool to remove eggs from the brine. Do not re-use the brine.

Additional pickling brine recipes are available from the National Center for Home Food Preservation.

Sources:

  1. Pickled Eggs, National Center for Home Food Preservation

  2. Pickled Eggs, American Egg Board

This article was written in 2022 and has been peer-reviewed.

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Pickling Eggs (2024)

FAQs

How long after pickling eggs can you eat them? ›

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.

Why are my pickled eggs tough? ›

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.

How many pickled eggs can you eat? ›

How many pickled eggs should (can) I eat a day? So, we did some more digging, and found that eating one egg a day wasn't going to kill you; 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!

Are pickled eggs unhealthy? ›

Heavy metals in the eggs, especially the lead oxide once used in preserved eggs, pose a health risk to consumers, while the residual heavy metals in the pickling liquid can harm the environment if not properly disposed.

Do pickled eggs expire? ›

Commercial pickled eggs can also contain sodium benzoate, which is a common preservative that keeps food stable on store shelves. In general, all pickled eggs can last up to four months in the refrigerator before experiencing decreased quality.

How many times can you reuse pickled egg juice? ›

You can usually reuse picking liquid once. Because the nature of pickling is to draw water out of food, after two uses it is usually too diluted to do its job. You could probably reduce it by simmering it for a while,but at that point you might as well use fresh spices.

Can pickled eggs sit out overnight? ›

After making the eggs, the eggs require some time to season (i.e., pick up the flavors from the pickling brine). Keep them refrigerated at all times.

Should pickled eggs float? ›

Since the eggs will float up to the top, make sure the jar is filled up to the rim with pickling solution to minimize air up there. If you don't have enough pickling solution, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar and 1 tablespoon of sugar until it is up to the rim.

What is the point of pickled eggs? ›

Pickled eggs are typically hard-boiled eggs that are cured in vinegar or brine. As with many foods, this was originally a way to preserve the food so that it could be eaten months later.

Why do people eat pickled eggs while drinking? ›

The point, then, was to offer some sustenance to counter co*cktails so patrons wouldn't get sloppily drunk, but the eggs were also there to make people thirsty enough to order more drinks.

How long to boil eggs? ›

How long to boil an egg
  1. 5 minutes: set white and runny yolk – just right for dipping into.
  2. 6 minutes: liquid yolk – a little less oozy.
  3. 7 minutes: almost set – deliciously sticky.
  4. 8 minutes: softly set – this is what you want to make Scotch eggs.
  5. 10 minutes: the classic hard-boiled egg – mashable but not dry and chalky.

How long should eggs be left to pickle? ›

Put the boiled eggs in a sterilised jar where they all fit, about 1 litre, and pour over the cooled pickling liquid to cover. Seal and leave in a cool, dark place for at least two weeks, or up to three months. Once opened, keep in the fridge and eat within two weeks.

How long does it take for pickled eggs to be ready to eat? ›

Your eggs can be eaten after only a few hours of marinating, but for best results, allow your eggs to pickle for 5-7 days, which allows that salty-vinegar brine to penetrate the eggs and produce a deeper flavor. Once they're sealed in an airtight jar, your pickled eggs will last for up to 3 months in the fridge!

Can diabetics eat pickled eggs? ›

A person living with type 2 diabetes may find that adding pickled or fermented foods to their diet is beneficial. Fermented foods can have health benefits, such as providing antioxidants.

Can we eat egg after pickle? ›

Don't consume eggs with pickled foods.

Do pickled foods need to be refrigerated? ›

Canned pickles must be refrigerated once they're opened. Putting fermented pickles in the fridge slows the process to a crawl, keeping them at your preferred flavor and crispness. Quick pickles and fresh, unprocessed pickles are made and then stored at fridge temp from day 1.

Are pickled eggs easy to digest? ›

A serving of fermented pickled eggs will usually contain various types of gut flora that can aid in digestion. These microbes are known as probiotics! Probiotics are really good for ensuring that your digestion goes smoothly.

Can you reuse pickle juice after pickling eggs? ›

Yes, you can definitely reuse pickle juice to pickle eggs.

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