This Natural Easter Egg Dye is a fun and natural way to dye Easter eggs using all food items. No need to use food coloring or artificial dyes made with harmful chemicals. Instead, we use food items such as turmeric, red cabbage, and beets. This process is both fun and educational for kids as it doubles as a cool science project. Such a great way for the whole family to participate in this traditional Easter activity.
Place 12 large white eggs in a large pot. Fill pot up with enough water to cover eggs. Place pot on stovetop and turn heat on high. Bring water to a boil and boil eggs for 12 minutes.
Fill up a large bowl with ice and water. Once eggs are done boiling, drain and place eggs in ice water. This will stop the cooking process and cool eggs down. Let eggs sit in ice water while you prepare the colors.
We are starting off with making 3 base colors to dye the eggs; red, yellow and purple. From here we will then make more colors.
Peel beets and place in a small pot. Fill up with 4 cups of water and place on stovetop. Turn heat on high and bring to a boil. Allow beets to boil for 5-8 minutes. The longer the better as more red juice will be released resulting in brighter red eggs. However, I wouldn't boil the beets more than 10 minutes as the water will start to evaporate decreasing it's volume. Turn heat off and let beets sit in water as it cools-off.
Drain beets over a large bowl making sure all the red water is poured into it. Stir in distilled vinegar making sure it is well mixed in with the juice. Set aside.
Pour 4 cups of water in a small pot. Place on stovetop on high heat. Add turmeric root and ground turmeric stirring the water. Bring to a boil and allow to boil for 5-8 minutes. Again, the longer the better, but keep in mind no more than 10 minutes. Turn heat off and let water it sit until it cools-off.
Strain water into a large bowl. Add distilled white vinegar mixing well with the yellow water. Set aside along with red water.
Place shredded red cabbage in a large pot and fill up with 8 cups of water. Place on stovetop on high heat and bring to a boil. Allow cabbage to boil for 10-12 minutes. Turn heat off and let cabbage sit in water as it cools-off.
Place a strainer over a large bowl and strain cabbage into it. Make sure all the water gets into the bowl. Stir in white vinegar into purple water. Set aside along with red and yellow waters.
Measure 2 cups of the purple water and stir in 2 tsp baking soda. As you stir the water you will notice it will turn blue. Set aside.
Measure 1 cup of blue water and 1 cup of yellow water. Mix together in a bowl and it will turn into green. Set aside.
Measure 1 cup of yellow water and 1 cup of red water. Mix together and it will turn into orange. Set aside.
Take 6 mason jars that are at least 12 pints (16 oz) and line them up along a flat surface such as the kitchen counter or table.
Place two boiled eggs into each mason jar.
Pour about 2 cups of each colored water into each one of them. Make sure it's enough water to completely cover eggs but don't overfill mason jars.
Tightly seal mason jars and place in the fridge. Refrigerate overnight for best results.
The next day, remove mason jars from the fridge. Place some towels or paper towels on kitchen counter or table.
Drain each jar carefully and remove all the eggs. Gently place each egg over the towel or paper towel and allow eggs to air dry. Do not pat dry because this will make the colors dull or remove them from the eggs.
Use the eggs as desired for your Easter festivities! Enjoy!