This guide to Natural Easter Eggs dyed with onion skins introduces you to a Polish tradition that many families still follow today. This simple, gorgeous, and natural technique creates stunning Easter eggs. Onion skin-dyed Easter eggs are a perfect way to decorate hard-boiled eggs—and they’re completely safe to eat!
SAVE THESE EASY INSTRUCTIONS FOR NATURAL EASTER EGGS ON PINTEREST!
The holidays always bring back numerous traditions and memories from my childhood. Since leaving Poland, I’ve never missed having onion skin-dyed eggs for Easter. I continue the Easter egg decorating traditions, creating special memories that I hope my children will cherish for a lifetime.
Dyeing Easter eggs with onion skins is the exact method my mom and grandma have used for decades. We would collect onion skins for weeks; the more onion skins we had, the deeper the dye would be. These habits have stuck with me to this day—whenever I get onions, I always collect the peels and store them in a container for Easter.
I have always loved the look of the deep orange, cherry-warm brown, and earthy terracotta Easter eggs. I like to make the dye using regular yellow onion peels as well as some red onion peels to create different shades of brown. The dyes from onion skins are permanent, so when you peel the eggs, the egg yolk stays white and dye-free, and they don’t taste like onion. There are so many great and fun methods for coloring Easter eggs using onion skins; it’s my favorite.
NATURAL EASTER EGGS DYED WITH ONION SKINS AND HERBS
I like to use herbs to create beautiful and intricate designs on the eggs. This method doesn’t require any artistic skills, yet the effects are simply stunning! All you need are onion skins, fresh herbs, and nylon stockings. By placing nicely shaped herbs on the eggshell and wrapping them tightly in clean stockings, you’ll create beautiful patterns on the outside of the egg after boiling.
I hope you will make these beautiful, natural symbols of Easter and start your own tradition.
Keep in mind that the depth of the color on your eggs depends on several factors, including the concentration of the dye, the type of onion peels you use, and how long you boil the eggs. For a richer, deeper color, you can let the eggs sit longer in the dye, while shorter boiling times will yield lighter shades.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- Eggs – You can use a plain white eggs, or you can use a light brown eggs.
- Onion peels – Dry outer peels from onions. I like to use a mix of yellow and red onions skins for more reach color.
- Some pretty herb leaves – A few sprigs of fresh parsley, cilantro, or edible flowers (to create a pattern on the eggs).
- Water
- Old nylon stockings – You need nylon tights or nylon stockings to stuff the eggs into while they dye and imprint with the herbs.
- Thread – Used to tie the ends of cut nylon stockings around eggs and make sure that the herbs don’t slip around.
- Scissors
- Stainless steel soup pot or sauce pan.
- Slotted spoon (ladle with holes).
- Olive oil (or other edible oil, to polish the eggs at the end).
HOW TO DYE EGGS NATURALLY
- Place the onion peels in a pot with 2 liters of water and submerge them by pressing down with a spoon. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer the onion peels, covered with a lid, for about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
These instructions assume you start with raw eggs, which are then decorated and boiled along with the onion skins:
- Carefully wash the eggs with lukewarm water to remove anything that might be clinging to the surface. Then, dry them with a kitchen towel. Cut the nylon stocking into 5-inch squares.
- Each egg needs to be wrapped individually. Place one sprig of cilantro, parsley, or a flower over the egg, being careful to keep the herbs from wrinkling or folding. Wrap each egg gently in the stocking, then tighten by connecting the ends of the cut stocking and tying with thread to secure it. (If you want the herb prints, nylons are essential to tightly keep the herbs in place on the eggs.) Cut off the excess stocking. Repeat with the remaining eggs.
HOW TO BOIL EGGS WITH ONION SKINS FOR NATURAL DYE
- Carefully place the eggs in the pot with onion peels using a slotted spoon, making sure the eggs are fully submerged in the water and covered with the onion skins (for the best results, add 6 eggs at a time). Once the eggs are in the pot, return it to the heat, set a timer, and boil over medium heat for about 10-12 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let the eggs rest in the dye until they are cool enough to handle. The longer the eggs sit in the dye, the deeper the color will be. If they are not red enough, allow them to sit in the warm liquid for at least 10 more minutes or until the desired color is achieved.
- Carefully remove the eggs with a slotted spoon. Then, use scissors to cut away the stocking and carefully remove the herbs, leaves, or flowers, discarding the herbs. Continue until all the eggs are uncovered. Place the eggs on a plate and let them dry. Do not rub the eggs while they’re still wet. Add some olive oil to a paper towel and gently rub each egg until it is shiny all over. Refrigerate the eggs until ready to serve.
WHAT HERBS AND FLOWERS TO USE
When dyeing Easter eggs naturally, you can use a variety of herbs and flowers to achieve different patterns. Just make sure the plants you choose are not poisonous! Here are some common options:
- Cilantro
- Italian Parsley
- Mint leaves
- Rosemary
- Rose Leaves
TIPS
- Save red and yellow onion skins throughout the year so you have enough for dyeing Easter eggs when the holiday comes around.
- Use a stainless steel pot: The dyes from onion peels are strong, and it’s easier to clean a stainless steel pot with baking soda.
- You can achieve darker, deeper tones by boiling the onion peels longer before adding the eggs, or you can soak the onion skins for a few hours—or overnight—to obtain even richer colors.
- Dyed eggs, when colored with onion skins, can be eaten as is or used to make egg salad or deviled eggs.
FAQs
- How do you make dyed eggs shiny?
To make dyed Easter eggs shiny, allow the eggs to cool completely after dyeing and drying. Once cooled, rub each egg with a light coating of vegetable or olive oil using a paper towel or soft cloth.
- How long do naturally dyed Easter eggs last in the fridge?
Naturally dyed Easter eggs can be eaten within four days if stored properly in the fridge. Keep them in an airtight container and check for any signs of spoilage before eating. The dye does not affect the eggs’ shelf life as long as they are cooked and stored correctly.
SIMPLE RECIPES FOR YOUR EASTER TABLE
- Polish Easter Babka
- Orange Chocolate Bundt Cake
- Citrus Curd Linzer Cookies
- Orange Bundt Cake
- Red Cabbage Coleslaw Recipe
Enjoyed making these Natural Easter Eggs? Let me know how it went by leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a review below. ❤️ I genuinely appreciate your feedback and I am always here to answer any questions you may have.
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Happy Easter egg decorating! – A
NATURAL EASTER EGGS
Materials
- 12 large eggs
- 3 cups yellow onion skins mixed with red peels (packed)
- 2 qt water
- fresh cilantro sprigs parsley, other greens or flowers (for decoration)
- nylon stocking and thread
Instructions
Homemade Natural Easter Egg Dye:
- Place the onion peels in a pot with 2 liters of water and submerge them by pressing down with a spoon. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and simmer the onion peels, covered with a lid, for about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
Method #1: Herb Patterns
- Carefully wash the eggs with lukewarm water to remove anything that might be clinging to the surface. Then, dry them with a kitchen towel. Cut the nylon stocking into 5-inch squares. Each egg needs to be wrapped individually. Place one sprig of cilantro, parsley, or a flower over the egg, being careful to keep the herbs from wrinkling or folding. Wrap each egg gently in the stocking, then tighten by connecting the ends of the cut stocking and tying with thread to secure it. (If you want the herb prints, nylons are essential to tightly keep the herbs in place on the eggs.) Cut off the excess stocking. Repeat with the remaining eggs.
- Carefully place the eggs, one by one, in the pot with onion peels using a slotted spoon, making sure the eggs are fully submerged in the water and covered with the onion skins (for the best results, add 6 eggs at a time). Once the eggs are in the pot, return it to the heat, set a timer, and boil over medium heat for about 10-12 minutes for hard-boiled eggs.
- Remove the pot from the heat and let the eggs rest in the dye until they are cool enough to handle. The longer the eggs sit in the dye, the deeper the color will be. If they are not red enough, allow them to sit in the warm liquid for at least 10 more minutes or until the desired color is achieved.
- Carefully remove the eggs with a slotted spoon. Then, use scissors to cut away the stocking and carefully remove the herbs, leaves, or flowers, discarding the herbs. Continue until all the eggs are uncovered. Place the eggs on a plate and let them dry. Do not rub the eggs while they're still wet. Add some olive oil to a paper towel and gently rub each egg until it is shiny all over. Refrigerate the eggs until ready to serve.
Method #2: Solid Woodsy Colours
- Place the eggs directly into the pot with the onion peel, ensuring the eggs are fully submerged in the water. No pantyhose or additional materials are needed for this simple method. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes to achieve hard-boiled eggs. Once cooked, allow the eggs to cool in the dye for deeper color or remove them immediately for a lighter hue.