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!!
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen
I only tried pickled eggs once or twice that I recall and didn’t care for them. My Mom used to make these pickled beets with eggs in them, the eggs had great color but tasted pretty awful.
Homemade & Yummy
Yup I think it a love or hate relationship with pickled eggs.
Molly Kumar
Now, this is something very new to me as I’ve never pickled eggs ever at home but have had it many a times outside. Infact, it looks so easy to make our own pickled version and I’ll give it a try soon.
Homemade & Yummy
They are not difficult, but I really do think they are a “love”or “hate” food item.
Byron Thomas
I’m a huge fan of anything pickled. I can’t seem to get enough of it. I love the sugary, acidic taste of pickled food. Although I’m not sure I’ve ever tasted pickled eggs before. These will be next on my list. How long would they last?
Homemade & Yummy
Well let me know how you like them. Seriously I really think they are a “guy” thing…and least more guys like them.
Kristine
I’ve actually never had pickled eggs before! I love eggs in all form so I’m sure I would love these. I must try this recipe!
Homemade & Yummy
If you try them,let me know what you think!!
Swathi
Gloria, I haven’t eaten pickled eggs. I Never thought that one existed. But your post made me think that I am wrong. Love that you made a perfect pickled eggs, mom are always best inspiration when comes to cook as we grow up eating the food made by them. Still I find difficult in recreating my mom’s few recipe. I don’t know I will pickle the eggs may be in future.
Homemade & Yummy
Well don’t feel bad if you don’t do pickled eggs….it took me 40 years of marriage to try them too!!
Sarah @ TheFitCookie
I don’t think I’ve ever tried pickled eggs before, but there are some Wyoming companies that make pickled quail eggs that I have been curious about. My husband would probably love these with some of his favorite beer made in, Milk Stout Nitro
Homemade & Yummy
Well they seem to go well with beer….so he may just like them.
Arlene Mobley
I’ve never eat a pickled egg myself. Seem like they are man food. I have made them years ago but you are braver than me. I didn’t taste them. Just handed them off to the guys LOL.
Homemade & Yummy
Yup…I hear ya. Took me forever to give them a try myself.
Margot
This is very interesting recipe. I often eat pickled cucumbers and even make them sometimes at home but it would never crossed my mind to pickle eggs. I’m not really sure if I would like it or not but I definitely need to try it out.
Homemade & Yummy
Well don’t feel bad, it took me a long time to give these a try. It just might be a “love” or “hate” relationship for this one.
Jacqueline Piper | PiperCooks.com
My aunt’s house used to have that same little creepy cold cellar, we’d always run in and out with a flashlight too – scary! I’ve never tried a pickled egg, but this looks like a really interesting recipe!
Homemade & Yummy
HAHA…see it is creepy right!! One day you might give these a try…it took me a LONG time to finally try time too.
Julia (@imagelicious)
This would be a nice hostess gift for someone who loves beer. Just imagine – a nice basket filled with a few artisanal beers, a packet of crisps and a jar of these pickled eggs!
Homemade & Yummy
Well I would have to agree….a beer lover would love this idea. In fact, we were bottling wine today…and the store owner was intrigued as well.
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I love the story behind your pickled egg recipe! These look a lot better than the ones I see at bars!
Homemade & Yummy
Well the story is really what made me finally make them.
Stephanie@ApplesforCJ
I’ve never tried pickled Eggs either. Not sure Why since I love hard boiled eggs and pickles..Just seems like it would be a good combination. But I’ve never really canned anything so maybe that’s why. Glad Hubby loved these 🙂
Homemade & Yummy
Well I love hard boiled eggs too…and it took me this long to give these at try.
Natalie | Natalie's Food & Health
I never tried pickled eggs before but I’m curious now. We eat a lot of hard boiled eggs for Easter. I might just go and try something different this year. Lovely story 😉
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you like them…and have a great Easter!!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
Your pickled eggs really fascinate me. I’ve never seen in the States except for beet juice pickled eggs and they turn a neat purple. Now, I would try these because I do like hard cooked eggs. Now, if you’re a guy don’t read the rest—- but guys tastes go out the door when they’re drinking beer. They will try all sorts of disgusting things. That being said — this is definitely not disgusting. I’m anxious to try it.
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH…well it sure took a long time for these to make an appearance in my house. As you can tell from my story….I wasn’t a fan. Hubby is glad I experimented in the kitchen for him.
Mark S.
I’m loving your version of pickled eggs. It’s not something I eat very often but I think it’s going to happen soon after reading your post. I’ll let you know how they turn out.
Homemade & Yummy
HAHA…well I hope they turn out for you. ENJOY…and I would love to know how you like them.