19 All Natural Easter Egg Dyes to Make At Home

Basic Easter Egg Coloring How-to

iStock/gpointstudio

1. Gently wash eggs with soapy water and dry.
2. Place a single layer of eggs in a non-metal pot with the dye (see next slides for colors and sources).
3. Add 2 tablespoons vinegar to 1 quart water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer for 15-20 minutes, and remove pot from burner. If you like the color as it is, dab off excess dye with a paper towel and set the eggs on a rack to dry. To deepen the color, leave eggs in the pot until cool. To get even richer shades, put cool eggs in a bowl, strain the dye water, and pour it over the eggs. Store the submerged eggs in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.

Note: Quantities are based on 1 quart of liquid. Amounts of dyeing ingredients are approximate; more dyestuff and longer dye baths produce the deepest colors. All boiled eggs should be stored in the refrigerator, and any that have soaked in hot or warm water for several hours should not be eaten.

Brewed coffee

iStock/Andyd

Quantity: 1 quart strong coffee plus water to cover the eggs

Color: Brown

Blueberries

iStock/Pictac

Quantity: Up to 4 cups

Color: Lavender

Yellow onion skins

iStock/OLEKSANDR PEREPELYTSIA

Quantity: Up to 4 packed cups

Color: Sienna

Beet juice

iStock/tovfla

Quantity: Half strength or more of the vinegar water

Color: Deep pink

Cranberry juice

iStock/Tarek El Sombati

Quantity: Full-strength

Color: Light pink

Paprika

iStock/AntiMartina

Quantity: 3 tablespoons or more

Color: Brick red

Turmeric

iStock/karandaev

Quantity: 3 or more tablespoons

Color: Yellow-green

Purple grape juice

iStock/Donald Erickson

Quantity: Half or more of the liquid

Color: Blue-gray

Red cabbage

iStock/Kaan Ates

Quantity: 4 or more cups, chopped (boil and then soak overnight)

Color: Robin’s egg blue

Spinach or grass

iStock/Creativeye99

Quantity: Up to 4 cups

Color: Green

Red wine

iStock/dgcampillo

Quantity: Full strength or diluted with water only

Color: Deep purple

Orange Peels

iStock/Kardash

Quantity: 6 oranges

Color: Light Yellow

Red Onion Skins

iStock/VictorH11iS

Quantity: 6 onions Color: Jade Green

Avocado Skins

iStock/budgaughQuantity: 6 avocados

Color: Light Pink

Chopped Carrot Tops

iStock/ugurvQuantity: 4 ounces

Color: Rich Yellow

Red Zinger Tea

iStock/gehringjQuantity: 1 bag Color: Lavender

Dill Seed

iStock/Alina555Quantity: 2 Tablespoons Color: Brown/Gold

Raspberries or Blackberries

iStock/AlasdairJamesQuantity: 4 cups of mashed berries

Color: Pink to Purple

Amaranth flowers

iStock/yogesh_moreQuantity: 4 ounces

Color: Light Pink