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
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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!!
Angie B
This recipe is perfect! They are delicious!
Homemade & Yummy
So glad you enjoyed them. They are a favourite of hubby’s for sure.
Tommy Stelzer
Excellent recipe from an excellent writer.
Thank You. I really enjoyed reading this article.
Tom
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Mel
I”m happy to see a recipe for pickled eggs that doesn’t include sugar. This is the closest I’ve been able to find to my dad’s recipe. I’ll be making these this weekend for sure. Thanks!
Homemade & Yummy
So happy, hope they turn out well for you. I agree…no sugar needed.
James
THANKS Homemade and Yummy!!
I’ve been wanting to pickle eggs and CAN’t WAIT to try yours!!
THANKS SSOOO VERY MUCH FOR SHARING!! Sounds like EXACTLY what I want!!
James
Homemade & Yummy
Well I sure hope you enjoy them!!
DODSTIL L DEMPSEY Jr
I’m glad you decided to make these pickled eggs for your husband. I have looked for a recipe for pickled eggs but everyone I’ve found has had Sugar in it. Thank You for this recipe. Also it amazes me that so many people have never heard of nor tried pickled eggs. My Mom used to use beet juice from her pickled beets and I loved them but everyone I know that makes them adds sugar and I don’t like sweet pickled eggs.
Homemade & Yummy
HHAH….well he had to wait a VERY long time for these. Hope you give this recipe a try. He loved it….and it is hard to top something mom makes right??
Char
I accidentally boiled the brine longer than it said to. Do I have to start over?
Homemade & Yummy
No I think it should be fine, unless it was WAY over time.
Jenny
Will eggs go bad if canned and place in a cool area with my other canned items?
Homemade & Yummy
Seriously I don’t know how long these will actually last. I can say I have made them and kept them in the fridge for several weeks. You can buy them in the grocery store here….so they will last for quite some time….in the fridge….at least that is where I would keep them.
Lynn | The Road to Honey
How nice of you to recreate your mom’s famous pickled egg recipe for the hubby Gloria. I have to say that I don’t think I have ever had pickled eggs but I bet they make a nice addition to salads.
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks…it took me a LONG time to do it, but he is happy I did.
Billy
I totally get the creepiness of the basement / cellar. We had a wine cellar that I would often be convinced into venturing in to grab things from. Whether that was pickled goods, wine, whatever it may be. It really wigged me out. I could see why that would add an element of skepticism when it comes to pickling things! Now that I have broken down that barrier I love pickling! I hope I have time to try your recipe soon, thank you for sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
HAHAH…yes the creepy cellar….so funny. Hope you give these a try.
Jennifer Medders
Do you have to stick them in the fridge? I remember my aunt making them all the time but hers was always on the counter which her house stayed cool. So I am just wondering if you have to stick them in the fridge?
Homemade & Yummy
I keep mine in the fridge, because I make them and the last a few months. In bars they keep them on the counter…but would go through them faster than us for sure. You can always bring out a few and let them get to room temperature if you like…either way they are delicious. Hope you give them a try…my hubby LOVES them. Too bad it took me so long to make them for him.
Kristen R.
This looks so simple! Thank you for sharing!
Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome….ENJOY!!
Traditionallymodernfood
I have never tried picklesd egg this looks interesting will try
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you enjoy them.
Alyssa Mosher
Making me hungry!
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy
I am SO intrigued by these!!! YUM!
Homemade & Yummy
Well it certainly too me a LONG time to make them and eat them.
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons
I’ve never tried them, but I like a little vinegar pucker and pickling spice, so who knows? Might be my new favorite!
Homemade & Yummy
The are unique that is for sure. Hope you give them a try.
Amanda
Can’t wait to try this!
Homemade & Yummy
Hope you enjoy them!!
Megan @ MegUnprocessed
Great pictures. Beautiful shot.
Homemade & Yummy
Thanks so much…hope you give them a try.