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!!
Choclette
Your eggs look really nice. the only pickled eggs I’ve ever eaten were tinged with brown from the vinegar which doesn’t make them particularly appealing. You used to get them in fish and chip shops all the time, but I haven’t seen any in years.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
If you use white vinegar that should make a difference. Cider vinegar will certainly give them a bit of colour. The pickling spice might as well.
Bruce Grieve
I have always loved pickled eggs, and now that I am venturing into a low/no sugar diet eggs will be a big part of my diet. I will certainly be adding fresh garlic and possibly red pepper flakes too and might experiment with liquid Hickory smoke too. Thanks for this recipe!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I think the added flavours will be amazing. ENJOY!
Emma Quiroz
what kind of pickling spice would you recommend?
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
You can use whichever kind you like. I just got mine from a bulk food store. ENJOY!
Russell
Very good, but they needed some fresh garlic and pepper flakes.
I made a double batch, placing the eggs in the 1/2 gallon jar first, and then pouring in the liquid.
That way I didn’t have any waste and the eggs were covered.
I figured I was boiling the liquid anyway, so why not.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
So glad you experimented with this recipe to make it YOUR way. ENJOY!
Patricia Sumner
I used to make pickled eggs when my family was young. But what intrigued me was that you pickled SMOKED hard-boiled eggs! That sounds wonderful. By chance, I just bought a small, virtually hand held smoker, and I think I’ll try your recipe next after smoking some eggs.
Thank you! Patricia
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Making them with smoked eggs sounds fantastic…let me know how they turn out. The pickling spice gives them a smokey flavour. I am intrigued for sure.
Lyne
This is the recipe I was looking for! They remind me of my grandpa who was taking me to the café where they served those eggs and we would always get some. I loved them then and still love them today!
My question is, since I have 4 kids the eggs disappeared quite fast and I was wondering if I can just cook more eggs and throw them in the same brine as the previous batch or do I have to make a new brine every time?
Thank you so much for the recipe!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
I am so glad you found this recipe. Love the memories it has created for you. I have responded to you via email. Here is the answer: As long as the brine is not TOO old, I do not see an issue. Alternatively, get a larger jar and make more at a time. So awesome the kids like these too.
Trish Bozeman
OK, I’m going to admit that I’ve never had a pickled egg! I honestly just don’t come across them very often. But you have me very intrigued! I’m a pickle lover, so I’ve got to try it out right? Love that there’s no canning involved and these are super easy to make. Trying for sure!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Let me know how these turned out for you. Have fun.
Carmy
I’ve somehow never tried pickled eggs before! Love how clearly this is explained because I’m going to have to give it a go! I’d also love to try your mom’s version.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
ENJOY….let me know which one you like the best.
Lisa
I admit- i’ve never tried pickled eggs. I think I’ve had the same skittishness as you did. But your talk of stag parties and pub food make me think I’ve been a little close-minded. This would be a great high protein- low carb snack too— so I’ll have to try your recipe!?
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well you just might be surprised. Let me know if you try them.
Michelle
I’ve never tried pickled eggs, but it seems like one of those “have to try it at least once” kind of foods.” This recipe looks like a great place to start. All the tips are amazing!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome. Let me know if you give this recipe a try.
Erika
I’ve never thought to pickle eggs before. What a cool idea!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well lots of people like them. It is one of those love or hate foods.
Genevieve
This recipe looks good and sounds super easy to make.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes they really are super easy to make. The hardest part is peeling the eggs.
Maxine Crawford
Ok just where are y’all from…never had pickled egg??? Wow y’all have been missing out.i love them along with pickled onions pickled asparagus pickled sausage. Oh my possibility is endless lol.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well, I will admit it did take me YEARS to try one myself. So glad you like them.
Whitney
I have a love/hate relationship with eggs. I eat them often or not at all. I haven’t had a pickled egg but you may have convinced me to try one, lol.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Always fun to try something new. Let me know how it goes.
Noelle
Wow, such a simple recipe! Love the flavor it brings to an egg
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes it sure does change the humble hard-boiled egg to something different for sure.
Peter W Jackson Australia
Thanks for your recipe. I am about to give it a try. I have forgotten my original recipe. It must be 50 years since I ate my own pickled eggs. I do remember I used brown sugar a few cloves and Malt vinegar the rest escapes me. Some folks didn.t like the brownish colour it gave the eggs. I may try white vinegar this time. Seasons greetings to you.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Hello Peter. I hope you find this recipe as delicious as you remember them. You can certainly play with this recipe to get the exact results you are looking for. Happy Holidays!!