Let’s brighten things up a bit! During this time of year, the tradition of dyeing eggs can be something that sends us straight back to being a kid. Whether you invite your peeps over to dye ‘em, or plan for your fam, a safer solution might be as close as the tea drawer. 

Ditch the chemicals and add even more color to your Easter basket by replacing food coloring with these six superfoods! 

Turmeric

You had me at yellow. When it comes to dyeing eggs, turmeric is top notch. Not only is it the least messy, there’s no prep work and it will give your eggs the most beautiful yellow color! 

INGREDIENTS 

3-4 white eggs, hard-boiled
1 tablespoon ground turmeric 
2 cups boiling water
2 tablespoons white vinegar 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place turmeric in a medium bowl. Pour boiling water over the turmeric and let steep for at least 30 minutes and up to 2 hours to extract the color.


2. Stir vinegar into the dyeing liquid; add the eggs. Refrigerate the eggs in the dye for at least 4 hours or up to 1 day. Soaking longer will give a more vivid color, but limit soak time to 24 hours.


3. Remove the eggs from the dye with a slotted spoon. Rinse of any excess spice residue, then let dry on a wire rack. If you plan to eat the eggs, refrigerate for up to 1 week.


Hibiscus

Let spring bloom with stunning blue hues! Pick up some hibiscus to get beautiful shades ranging from robin’s egg blue and turquoise, to denim and midnight blues. 

INGREDIENTS

3-4 white eggs, hard-boiled
4 tablespoons dried leaves/flowers
1 tablespoon vinegar 
1 ½ cups water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Bring water and dried leaves or flowers to a boil and then simmer for 10-15 minutes.


2. Turn off heat and strain dye into a jar or bowl and add vinegar.


3. Add a hard boiled egg to the dye bath and let sit for minutes to hours, depending on dye or desired color. 


Beets

Let’s face it, pink is pretty much unbeetable. Make Easter memorable with a recipe that gives your eggs a pop of magenta! 

INGREDIENTS

3-4 white eggs, hard-boiled
1-2 beets (about ¾ pound)
1 quart water
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon white vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Roughly chop beets.  


2. Combine beets with water, vinegar and salt in a saucepan. 


3. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 30 minutes.


4. Strain, reserving the liquid for dyeing. 


5. Let liquid cool and place eggs in dye, allowing eggs to soak until they have reached desired hue. 


Coffee

Love your morning latte? Turns out that cup of joe can actually give you a deep, rich brown color for those Easter eggs! It’s almost like it was meant to bean. 

INGREDIENTS

3-4 white eggs, hard-boiled
1 quart strong black coffee (brewed)
2 tablespoons white vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Place coffee in saucepan and add white vinegar.


2. Bring to a boil, then lower heat.


3. Allow ingredients to simmer for 30 minutes.


4. Strain dye into a bowl. 


5. Place eggs in cooled dye.


Tip: For a dark, rich brown boil eggs in black coffee for 30 minutes. For a light brown, soak eggs in room-temperature black coffee for 30 minutes. 

Hop to it! Add some (healthy) DIY to your Easter weekend with these colorful, bright and natural dyes for your eggs.