Fitness / May 12, 2023

How to Make Pickled Eggs

Is there a better snack than pickled eggs? Packed with protein and pickled to perfection, these go-to bites should be a mainstay in any fridge.

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Hard-boiled eggs: you either love them or you hate them. To those of you who love them, I salute you. Hard-boiled eggs are, to me, the perfect snack. They’re so easy to make, they fill you up, and contain lots of good protein — especially important for vegetarians or those who worry about getting enough in their diet.

For those of you who detest them or those who love them but are looking for ways to spruce them up, have you tried pickling them? It’s super easy; once you buy the ingredients and make the brine, it’s as simple as storing the eggs inside. What’s more, you’re in control of just how “pickley” the eggs get. If you want something a bit spicier or sweeter, you can make a few easy adjustments.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Pickled eggs are a great healthy snack to have in the fridge.
The recipe is simple, easy to follow, and requires only a few ingredients.
You will love the flavor of the spices and garlic in the pickling brine.

Are Pickled Eggs Healthy?

Eggs are a great source of protein and this is an easy way to eat them.
Apple cider vinegar helps with digestion and blood sugar levels.
Making your own pickling brine is the healthiest way to do it. The sugar is really low in this one because we made it ourselves.

INGREDIENTS

Here is the basic list of ingredients. Further below I make suggestions for substitutions, depending on which sort of taste you’re going for.

10 hard-boiled eggs, peeled
1 cup water
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp white sugar
1 tbsp pickling spice
1 tsp salt
2 cloves garlic
2 bay leaves
2 serrano chilis (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine

In a small pot over MEDIUM heat, combine the water, sugar, pickling spice, and salt. Bring to a boil, then turn down and stir.

Add

Once the sugar has dissolved, add the garlic and bay leaves and remove from the heat.

Fill

Gently fill a large jar with the eggs. Slide in the serrano chilis and pour in the pickling brine.

Can I Reuse the Brine?

Yes, you can, provided you’ve been storing it in the fridge. But first, follow these steps:

Filter the brine with a sieve to remove any eggs bits or spices that may have settled at the bottom of the jar.

Kill off any bacteria by boiling the brine, then letting it cool to room temperature.

Return the brine to the jar and add new eggs. Make sure the eggs are fully submerged.

The brine may have gotten diluted; if so, add more vinegar and spices.
Throw the brine out if it gets too cloudy or has an off smell.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of chili?

Absolutely, use whichever you have on hand. Jalapenos, habaneros, and Thai chilis are all decent replacements. You can also leave it out if you don’t like spicy foods.

My eggs taste too vinegary. What can I do?

Try lowering the amount of vinegar or adding more sugar to balance out the flavors. You can also add honey if you prefer eggs that are slightly sweetened rather than pickled.

Can I make my own pickling spice?

Of course. Pickling spice usually consists of 1 or 2 tablespoons of coriander seeds, mustard seeds, whole allspice, black peppercorns, whole cloves, ground ginger, cinnamon sticks, a bay leaf, and red pepper flakes.

What other ingredients could I add?

Sliced onions are a nice addition, as is fresh dill, which injects a freshness to the brine.

How to Store Pickled Eggs

If you’ve been following this recipe, the pickled eggs should be ready for storage. Just make sure the eggs are fully submerged in the brine before screwing on the lid tightly. They should last in the fridge for 4-6 weeks. Note that the longer the eggs are stored in the brine, the stronger they will taste.