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!!
Jo
Pickled eggs are amazing to snack on. I’m a huge fan of eggs, eggs in any form. This will be great with drinks on friday night
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
These pickled eggs are just like the ones you find in the pubs. ENJOY!
Imee
I have learned a new recipe from this blog, I haven’t tried pickled eggs before, and I never thought we can also pickle eggs. Will surely try this recipe.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
So glad you found something new on the blog today. Hope you give these pickled eggs a try soon.
Jamie
I love all the detailed instructions you listed for these eggs! I have about a dozen eggs in the fridge and I’ll be making this soon. This looks simple and delicious!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
These eggs are so easy to make. Enjoy!!
Daniela
Wowie I’ve never pickled eggs and am so inspired to after reading your recipe! Def wanna pickle eggs now! Thanks so much for sharing :).
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome. Hope you enjoy this pickled eggs recipe.
Neha Khanuja
I have to admit, I never tried pickling eggs before even when I love to pickle all that I can. Thanks for giving me another ingredient to work with, sounds so yum!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
It’s always fun to find new recipes to try. ENJOY!
Chandice Probst
I’ve been looking for this recipe everywhere, thank you so much! I love how easy to follow it too.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
You are very welcome. I hope you love these pickled eggs as much as my family does.
Jenny
I love pickled eggs so much but never made them. Always thought it would be too complicated. but your recipe is easy and delicious. Thanks so much!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Nothing complicated here….hope you give this super easy recipe a try. The hardest part is peeling the eggs.
Paula Montenegro
I never made pickled eggs and I love pickles so much. This recipe is a must-try! I love how the pickling spice can be customized, I might start having it ready at all times. Thanks for sharing.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
You are welcome. Hope you give this recipe a try. It is hubby approved.
Heidy
I have always made pickled eggs with beets and onions but came across this recipe and I have to tell you they were outstanding! Bookmarking to make them again!!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
AWESOME…so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for letting me know.
Rebecca
great idea! I love everything pickled!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Hope you give these pickled eggs a try.
Lisa
These pickled eggs are LEGIT. Totally snack-able with the perfect balance of flavors. My husband’s favorite game day snack.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
My hubby loves these too….maybe it is a guy thing?? ENJOY!
Toni
I loved it!! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! So good!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
You are very welcome. So glad you enjoyed the recipe.
Ashley Marie Lecker
One of my favorite snacks at a bar is a pickles egg. It is very traditional to see them in large jars in the older taverns. I would love to snack on one right now! I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Yes, they are traditional for sure. Hubby’s family is from England…very popular there.
Kushigalu
I have never tried pickled egg earlier. Sounds very interesting. Thanks for sharing. Trying this soon
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Enjoy….hope you find the recipe interesting and delicious.
Amy D
When I was a kid we always enjoyed pickled veggies and eggs. I miss the tradition of my father getting a jar to eat before dinner.
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy
Well, now you can make them for yourself. Funny the food memories we do have that hold dear to our heart.