Dyeing Easter eggs using onion skins and other natural dyes is easy and a lot of fun. The Assyrians have used this method of dyeing eggs with onion skins for centuries. Decorated eggs can be used as beautiful Easter centerpieces, and you can use boiled eggs to make keto deviled eggs.
I first introduced this method in my cookbook, Mom’s Authentic Assyrian Recipes, published in 2008. Since then, the idea seems to have really taken off. Mom only used onion skins to dye Easter eggs, but we will also try other natural dyes such as cabbage, tea, coffee, and beetroot.
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🧐 Why this recipe works
Using onion skins and other natural materials to dye Easter eggs is a great way to remember the past and how many cultures, including Assyrians and Greeks, dyed Easter eggs. Once you teach it to your children, you can pass on the tradition to your children.
Using a variety of herbs, leaves, plants, and flowers, you can create beautiful and intricate designs without using chemicals or purchasing dyeing kits. This is the same concept as making Ukrainian Easter eggs, the part of the egg covered in wax is not dyed.
These beautiful eggs are the perfect addition to your Easter charcuterie board.
🛒What you need to dye eggs with onion skins
🔖 Materials and Substitutes
Eggs: To dye Easter eggs, you obviously need eggs, preferably white eggs. Herbs: Various plants, flowers and herbs (to make egg patterns). Fabric or paper towels: You can use paper towels, nylon stockings, or pieces of fabric to wrap the eggs. Rubber bands: Rubber bands or string are used to tie paper towels or cloth in place.
🥚How to dye eggs with onion skins
Step 1: Place a sprig of cilantro or Italian parsley on top of each egg. Carefully cover the eggs with cloth or nylon. Gather the material back and tie a knot, or secure the material in place with a rubber band or twine. Repeat with remaining eggs.
Pro tip: Lay the leaf flat on top of the egg. Keeping the egg moist first will help the herbs stick better.
Step 2: Carefully place the eggs in an electric kettle or pot. Don’t overcrowd the eggs. Cover the eggs with onion skin and fill a pot or kettle with water.
Step 3: Boil the water. If you are using an electric kettle, it will stop when the water boils. Otherwise, boil for 5 minutes, then turn off the stove and leave the eggs in the dye until they are cool enough.
Step 4: Carefully remove the eggs using a slotted spoon. Unwrap the eggs and gently remove the herbs, leaves, and flowers. Continue until all eggs are exposed and display your beautiful eggs proudly.
🌼 Other natural egg dye options
Over the years, I have experimented with various natural egg pigment ingredients to achieve different colors. The materials I used included:
Tea, coffee, turmeric, food coloring
Experiment with other natural ingredients to see what colors you can create. In the photo above, each pot contains a different dye, including onion peels, turmeric, red cabbage, and beets.
What material is the egg wrapped in?
I’ve tried different things to wrap the eggs and they all work. It depends on what you have on hand. If you’re making eggs in a group, it’s a good idea to have each person use a different type of egg wrap so you know whose egg it is when you take it out.
Here are some materials that have been used successfully to wrap Easter eggs.
napkin pantyhose very thin fabric
What herbs and flowers to use
In addition to using different dyes and different materials to wrap the Easter eggs, we also experimented with different leaves, flowers, and herbs to achieve different patterns.
Part of the fun of making naturally dyed Easter eggs is finding flowers and foliage from your own garden. Make sure the plants are not toxic.
Some of the plants and flowers I used are:
Italian parsley coriander rosemary rose leaf nasturtium impatiens
👩🏼🍳Pro Tips
My mother collected red onion skins and yellow onion skins all year long, so when Easter came around she had lots of onion skins to dye eggs. I’m doing the same thing now. My mom used cloth pieces and string to secure the herbs, but I find it more convenient to use disposable paper towels and rubber bands. Add a few tablespoons of white vinegar, if desired. It is said that using vinegar will help the color stay better, but my mother didn’t use it. Dyed eggs can be eaten or used to make egg salad or deviled eggs.
Mom’s eggs were always so dark in color that no vinegar was needed, just Mom’s special touch. To achieve this color, double the amount of onion skin.
Another great Easter tradition is to make Tomb Is Empty Resurrection Cookies. These delicious cookies tell the Easter story in a fun and creative way that kids will love.
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📖Recipes
Easter eggs (dyed with onion skins)
Beautiful Easter eggs dyed with traditional Assyrian onion skins.
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Quantity: 12 egg
calorie: 68kcal
Instructions
Place one sprig of cilantro or Italian parsley on top of each egg. Carefully cover the eggs with cloth or nylon. Gather the material back and tie a knot, or secure it in place with a rubber band or twine. Repeat with remaining eggs.
Carefully place the eggs in an electric kettle or pot. Don’t overcrowd the eggs. Cover the eggs with onion skin and fill a pot or kettle with water.
Bring the water to a boil. If you are using an electric kettle, it will stop when the water boils. Otherwise, boil for 5 minutes, then turn off the stove and leave the eggs in the dye until they are cool enough.
Carefully remove the eggs using a slotted spoon. Unwrap eggs and gently remove herbs, leaves, and flowers. Continue until all eggs are exposed and display your beautiful eggs proudly.
Precautions
Place the leaf flat on top of the egg. Keeping the egg moist first will help the herbs stick better. My mother collected red onion skins and yellow onion skins all year long, so when Easter came around she had lots of onion skins to dye eggs. I’m doing the same thing right now. My mother used cloth pieces and string to secure the herbs, but I find it more convenient to use disposable paper towels and rubber bands. Add a few tablespoons of white vinegar, if desired. It seems that using vinegar will help the color stick better, but my mother didn’t use it. Dyed eggs can be eaten or used to make egg salad or deviled eggs.
nutrition
Provided by: 1egg | calorie: 68kcal | carbohydrates: 0g | protein: 6g | fat: 5g | fiber: 0g | sugar: 0g
