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

Pin Recipe Print Rate Save

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 do you let pickled eggs sit before eating? ›

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. If small eggs are used, 1 to 2 weeks are usually allowed for seasoning to occur. Medium or large eggs may require 2 to 4 weeks to become well seasoned.

How do you make pickled eggs not rubbery? ›

How do you avoid pickled eggs with a rubbery texture? The vinegar in the pickling liquid will toughen the egg's texture, making pickled eggs more rubbery over time. To avoid rubbery eggs, plan to eat the pickles within two weeks.

Do you have to boil vinegar for pickling? ›

The most common method usually involves heating a combination of vinegar, spices, salt, and sugar in a pan: Start by adding whole spices to a pan and gently toasting them over a low heat until their aromas are released. Pour in your base vinegar and sugar. Bring it to the boil and let it simmer.

How many eggs fit in a quart mason jar? ›

As a general rule, 10 eggs fit into a quart mason jar*. Usually, it is desirable to get your jar as close to full as possible, so it may be necessary to vary batch size or jar size to keep the jars full.

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.

Can you pickle eggs by just putting them in pickle juice? ›

Add the boiled eggs directly to the jar of pickle juice or put eggs and juice in a clean mason jar. Refrigerate for at least 3 days before eating. The longer the eggs are in the juice, the more pickled and flavorful they'll become. Eggs will last 3 months in the fridge.

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? ›

The process involves immersing hard-boiled and peeled eggs in a flavorful pickling liquid, typically consisting of vinegar, spices, and other seasonings. Over time, the eggs absorb these flavors, resulting in a fantastic tangy flavor and a longer shelf life.

Why do my pickled eggs taste like vinegar? ›

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.

Which 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 I use regular vinegar instead of pickling vinegar? ›

As long as your pickling vinegar is in the 5 to 7% range, then we'd suggest that they could all be used interchangeably, and as long as the vinegar you use is at least the % stated in the tested recipe you are using, you're good. Just remember that the minimum strength you want is 5%.

How do you prevent botulism in pickled eggs? ›

Pickled eggs left at room temperature developed botulism in the yolk, which had been pricked with a toothpick, before the acid pickling solution was able to equilibrate throughout the egg. To prevent botulism toxin from forming in non-canned foods, low-acid foods need to be refrigerated after they are cooked.

What is egg glassing? ›

Water glassing eggs involves submerging clean, unwashed, eggs in a pickling lime and water solution to seal off the shell and preserve them for 12-18 months. The result is perfectly fresh, unspoiled eggs, just like they were the day the hen laid them.

How to preserve eggs for years? ›

The most common practices used to preserve eggs are freezing and dehydrating. However, it is also necessary to discuss the following two techniques, water glassing eggs and freeze drying. As a poultry keeper and homesteader it is necessary to prepare for the time when egg production decreases and even stops.

Can you eat pickled eggs right away? ›

How Long Before You Can Eat Pickled Eggs? Give the eggs at least 24 hours in the pickling brine before you eat one. That way, the flavors have time to penetrate the egg. A few days is even better.

How long can you keep eggs in pickle juice? ›

Next, add the peppercorns to the jar and the fresh sprigs of dill, if you're using them. Pour the pickle juice into the jar until the eggs are completely submerged. Place a lid on the jar and refrigerate for a minimum of two weeks before eating. Dill Pickled Eggs will keep safely in the fridge for at least 4 weeks.

Are pickled eggs good for your stomach? ›

Pickled Eggs are Good for Your Gut Health. First off, did you know that pickled eggs are good for your digestive health? 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!

How to tell if pickled eggs are bad? ›

  1. Cloudiness: While a slight cloudiness in the brine is normal, excessive cloudiness or haziness indicates potential spoilage. ...
  2. Mold Menaces: The presence of mold, even a speck, is an absolute no-go zone. ...
  3. Color Cues: Vibrant yellow, orange, or even a pinkish hue are hallmarks of healthy pickled eggs.
Jan 27, 2024

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