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.

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.
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 and pickled 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 basement 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.

Those days of traditional canning does not happen in my house.
Simple Pickling Ingredients
Like with ALL quick pickles, ingredients are easy to find.
- hard-boiled eggs
- white vinegar
- water
- salt
- *(affiliate) pickling spice
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!

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.
- 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.
- Have your hard-boiled eggs cooked and peeled (the hardest part is peeling those eggs).
- Place them in the jar.
- Boil the brine ingredients in a small pot.
- Pour over the eggs.
- Put on the lid.
- Let cool slightly, then place in the fridge.
- Let sit until seasoned (at least 3 days). Ok…this is the second hardest part.

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

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.
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.
Yes for food safety you will want to keep them in the fridge.
The hard-boiled eggs are peeled before they are put into the pickling brine. Unpeeled eggs will not work in this recipe.
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.
Still Looking For Some Great Egg Recipes?
Here are some of our favourites:
- Flavoured Devilled Eggs
- Poached Eggs and Lentil Hash
- Egg Tacos with Smoked Salmon
- Egg Muffin Baked Omelette
- Sausage and Egg Breakfast Tacos
Be sure to CLICK THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON located in the TOP MENU.


Easy Old Fashioned Pickled Eggs
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
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!!





Lisa
When using pickling spice do you strain the pieces out while pouring in the jar, or leave them all in?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I like to leave the spices in the jar. I find it keeps the brine nice and flavourful. If you prefer, you can remove them.
StanK
So as not to make too much or too little brine, I put the eggs in a jar, add water to cover generously. Then pour the water into a measure and make the brine with appropriate ratios. Makes the perfect amount. I use distilled water.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
That is a great idea, thanks so much for sharing. Enjoy!!
Scotty B.
Too much pickling liquid when I followed this. Haven’t tried them yet but looks great. Please cut the blogging down. I almost gave up looking for the recipe.
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Yes the amount of liquid can be adjusted to suit your needs…less or more depending on the amount of eggs and the size of the jar. As for the blogging, I am not sure what you mean? You can always just go to the recipe card.
RG Patterson
You can remove the cloves. I’m no health inspector but every bar & honky tonk I’ve graced had a big jar on the bar, I refrigerated🤷♂️. At least they usually used clean tongs 🤣
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
You sure can remove the cloves, and I always keep mine in the fridge.
Nick
Can you add beets to this recipe to get the color?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I would not add beets, but perhaps a bit of pickled beet juice would work.
Theresa
Thank you for posting a no sugar recipe that’s easy! As a diabetic AND as a quail owner, this is sure a tasty treat!
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
OMG pickled quail eggs would be fantastic….ENJOY!!
Rosa M Ortiz
Where do I get the pickling spice at?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Grocery stores, online or if you are in Canada, Bulk Barn carries it as well.
Melissa L
If you’re in Canada you can get pickling spice at any grocery store. Bulk Barn is expensive in comparison to getting it at the grocery store here. (Born and raised in Canada, lived in two different provinces)
Fay
Can you please tell me the size of the kilner jar or other types of jars for this ratio of pickle brine that you use.
I live in kirkcaldy fife scotland
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
Honestly, all that matters is that the eggs fit in the jar, and there is enough room to cover them in brine.
CAROLYN
IS THAT PICKLING VINEAGAR
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
No, the recipe card states white vinegar and pickling spice.
Avis
Can the brine be reused?
Gloria Duggan | Homemade & Yummy
I have never reused the brine. I prefer to make it fresh each time I make pickled eggs.