An easy guide to achieve rustic-looking natural Easter eggs using onion skins and fresh herbs. This is a Ukrainian tradition that is still followed by many families through this day. It’s a creative, fun and meaningful activity to do as a family the day or night before Easter day.
Fill a medium pot with onion peels, add water and submerge onion peels into the water by pressing down with a spoon.
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer onion peels, covered with lid for 10-15 minutes.
Remove from heat and leave the pot with onions peels and water soaking overnight or up to 24 hours to allow the onion skins release all the color possible.
How to Dye Easter Eggs Naturally:
Heat. Bring the pot with water and onion skins back to a boil over medium heat.
Prep Eggs. Meanwhile, wrap parsley or other herbs around the egg. Place a cut piece of stocking on one hand and place the egg over it, grab a hold of the egg with your stocking hand and wrap your fingers around it being careful to keep the herbs from wrinkling or folding. Wrap the egg into stocking, then tighten by connecting the ends of cut stocking together and tie with thread to secure the stocking. (If you want the herb prints, you really need nylons to tightly keep herbs on the eggs.)
Boil Eggs. Add 6-7 eggs at a time (for best results), making sure eggs are fully submerged in water. (Overcrowding will bring down water temperature and will take longer for water to start boiling again, overcooking the eggs as well). Give few seconds for water to start boiling again and set a timer. Boil eggs for 7-8 minutes or to desired color and texture (9-10 minutes for hard-boiled). Keep in mind that the effect of the dyes depends on how concentrated the dye is, what color of onion peels you’re using and how long the eggs are boiled.
Ice Water. Once the timer is up, transfer eggs immediately into a bowl with ice water. Leave eggs in cold water until cooled to room temperature, for about 10-15 minutes. Then use scissors to cut away the stocking, rinse off herb remains and wipe eggs with paper towel to dry. Refrigerate eggs until ready to serve.
Notes
Eggs: White eggs work the best to show contrasting leaf design. If trying to achieve darker rustic solid color, brown eggs work great. A gallon plastic bag of onion peels will dye up to 5 dozen eggs before the dyes start to lose their color.
Marbleized Color: Use same method above, but wrap each egg with enough fresh peeled onion skins to cover the egg fully, making sure no white is showing.
Solid Rustic Color: Place the eggs directly into the pot with onion peels or into stocking without any herbs (stocking will help take out all eggs at once). Wait for water to re-boil and cook eggs for 7-10 minutes to desired color and texture.
Stainless Steel Pot: If possible, use ‘older’ stainless steel pot. The dyes from onion peels are strong and it’s easier to clean stainless steel pot with baking soda or bar keepers friend.
Room Temperature Eggs: Bring the eggs to room temperature before you start dyeing the eggs. If cold eggs are placed into boiled water, they will crack. Clean the eggs so there are no particles sticking to their shells.
Herbs: Herbs such as parsley and cilantro work the best because they are soft and sit tightly around the egg creating contrasting designs. Stiff leaves let in the water between the leaves and egg shell and the design on the egg is not as clear.
Shiny Easter Eggs: For an attractive shiny finish, put some oil on a paper towel and rub the eggs with it.