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
CLICK THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON located in the TOP MENU. You will get recipes delivered to your inbox ONCE A WEEK.
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!!
Chef Mireille
this is brand new to me – now you are inspiring me to try a pickled egg
Homemade & Yummy
Well it sure took me a long time to give them a try.
Marlynn | UrbanBlissLife
I’m just now at this later stage of life starting to enjoy the taste of pickled food, and I’ve never tried pickled eggs before. Such a wonderful read!
Homemade & Yummy
Glad you enjoyed the read. I does bring back memories for me…so I just had to share.
Janette@CulinaryGinger.com
I remember eating a lot of these growing up, but since moving to the U.S I haven’t had any. I need to try this recipe.
Homemade & Yummy
You were way braver than me that’s for sure.
amy
Such a funny post! I’ve never tried pickled eggs either, and honestly, I’m a little scared to! Lol. But you make it seem really approachable!
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH…well I totally understand the “scared”….took me long enough to give them a try.
Lisa | Garlic & Zest
I’m with you sister — pickled eggs – not so much. There are so many other things I want to eat pickled — like pickles, I’m not going with the eggs – but I absolutely love the story about your Mom’s room lined with canned items and how you did this for your husband. My hats off to you!
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much….he was thrilled I did too.
Diana
I’ve never had pickled eggs before, but have seen them in a restaurant once. Now I really need to give these a try!
Homemade & Yummy
Well enjoy the experiment. You just might be surprised with the results too.
Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed
What a great read Gloria. I love pickled vegetables but I’ve never tried a pickled egg. They’re always on the counter with the pickled onions at the Fish and Chip Shop but I’ve never fancied them with a chip supper somehow, although I do have a pickled onion. Maybe it’s time to have a try 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Well it sure took me long enough to give them a try. Hubby is so happy I finally took the plunge!!
Nicole
This really made me laugh! While I love pickled vegetables, I’m also slightly apprehensive about the pickled egg. But they seem so popular, it would be a shame not to give it a go! I look forward to trying your recipe.
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH…well I am glad you had a good laugh. However….your apprehension is totally understood. It took me 40 years of marriage to give these a try.
Aish Das-Padihari
This is new for me and I’m totally taken by this. I’m definitely going to give this dish a try.
Homemade & Yummy
They are very popular in the UK…and of course in many pubs. I do know that hubby is very happy I finally gave them a try.
Platter Talk
Great recipe and so timely with Easter just around the corner!
Homemade & Yummy
Well if this is you cup of tea, hope you give them a try. Took me long enough.
Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry
Pickled eggs are such a classic British snack food. I know someone who would like these
Homemade & Yummy
Hope they enjoy them.
Dale Desmarais
I never realized pickled eggs were popular anywhere else other than in small town bars in Saskatchewan(Canada) I love pickled eggs. I have since I was a kid. I made hard boiled eggs in my instant pot(it’s a game changer!) Not that hard boiled eggs are difficult to make but the ones from the instant pot peeled so easily. I’ll be making this recipe tonight and I’ll post how they taste in 3 days when they’re ready ?
Homemade & Yummy
Awesome…hope you like them. My husband still reaves about them…guess that means he wants more.
Fred
Never tried these but it does sound interesting with the vinegar and salt, I would actually love to try it.
Homemade & Yummy
Well it sure took me a long time to try them…so that’s ok!!
Veena Azmanov
Oh this sounds so delish. I cannot remember the last time I had pickled eggs. Must be years!! and they do go well with alcohol as I recall. I must try these..
Homemade & Yummy
Well it took me YEARS to make them…so it’s a balance right. As for the alcohol, apparently it does.
Gillian Thompson
I”ve don’t think I’ve ever had a pickled egg, pickled onion yes but not an egg. I’ve had 100 year old Chinese preserved egg, which are kind of green and murky looking and I actually quite like them, occasionally! Not sure I’ll be pickling eggs just yet, I need to taste one first – have you any left???? 😉
Homemade & Yummy
HAHA…yes there are a few left. Hubby keeps dipping into the jar. I do think I will have to make them again for sure…for him!!
Julia
I’m with you, Gloria! I haven’t tried pickled eggs and the idea of them is a bit scary! After your description I am not as scared of trying them though but it’s not something that appeals to me. Your pictures, however, are lovely! And I love your story of the “science experiment” basement with the jars. Back in Russia my grandparents also had a similar space.
Homemade & Yummy
I still remember that creepy room. Thanks for the comment…and hope you give them a try.