10 Easy Recipes for Pickled Eggs without Pickling Spice
Looking for pickled egg recipes that don’t use pickling spice? Check out this list of 10 amazing pickled egg recipes!
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We love pickled eggs in our house – and that’s a good thing because we have an abundance of fresh eggs this time of the year!
Soon after pickling my first jar of eggs, I realized that recipes using pickling spice were not for us.
No one in the house liked them! I think it was the strong clove flavor, but I can’t be certain. All I know, is that they were definitely not a hit.
I wasn’t ready to give up on making pickled eggs at home yet though. So, I set out to create and find great recipes that are made without pickling spice.
The following pickled egg recipes are all made without pickling spice! They offer a wide range of flavor, including spicy, salty and sweet. You’re sure to find one you love!
(Affiliate disclosure : This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, this means I will earn a small commission if you purchase through my link. This is at no extra cost to you.)
What exactly is a Pickled Egg?
Pickled eggs are exactly what they sound like – hard boiled eggs that have been peeled and soaked in a brine. The brine is usually made from water, vinegar, spices and/or seasonings, and pickling salt.
You can add in fresh vegetables as well. Common fresh vegetables that are commonly added are garlic, onion, jalapeno, and beets.
Flavors of pickled eggs vary greatly depending on the brine you create. Some pickled eggs will be sweet while others have more of a salty flavor.
They are used for appetizers, snacks, or additions to recipes. They are commonly known as a “bar food” – but here, they are just a good, cold treat.
It is important to give your eggs time to soak. If you taste the eggs after just a day or two, you’ll notice that they don’t have much flavor. Small eggs will probably take at least a week before they really start to soak up the flavor.
The larger the egg, the more soaking time they will need – possibly up to 2 weeks before you notice the flavor!
Supplies for Pickled Eggs
There’s really not a lot you’re going to need. Other than your ingredients, you’ll want to have a quart mason jar ready to go.
I purchase these Ball Quart Sized Mason Jars with the wide mouth. A quart size jar will hold roughly one dozen chicken eggs and three dozen quail eggs.
One of these stainless steel funnels can also come in handy for pouring the hot liquid over your eggs.
How to Use your Pickled Eggs
Personally, we usually just eat them as a snack. But they can also be a great addition to various salads – egg salad, potato salad, tuna salad. You can also slice them in half and turn them in to deviled eggs!
Best Pickled Eggs Recipes Without Pickling Spice
- Cajun Spiced Pickled Eggs
- Pickled Eggs with Beet Juice
- Easy Classic/Old Fashioned Pickled Eggs
- Spicy Pickled Egg
- “Pickle Juice” Pickled Eggs
- “Award Winning” Pickled Eggs
- Pickled Mustard Eggs
- Garlic Eggs
- “Alligator Eggs”
- Spicy Siracha Eggs
1. Cajun Spiced Pickled Eggs
Easy Spicy Pickled Quail Egg Recipe for Beginners
This is a good recipe for anyone who doesn’t care for the flavors you get from whole pickling spice. The pickling brine uses Cajun seasoning to give the eggs a salty kick. Add in fresh jalapenos and garlic for additional flavors.
2. Pickled Eggs with Beet Juice
Quick Pickled Eggs and Beets Recipe | Allrecipes
Looking for a recipe to make beautiful beet-colored eggs? You have to give this one a try. The beets make a great addition to this already healthy snack.
You’ll use vinegar, sugar, and sliced beets in your brine (cinnamon is optional). The end result will be a sweet, pickled egg – and the beets are yummy too!
3. Easy Classic/Old Fashioned Pickled Eggs Recipe
Old Fashioned Pickled Eggs – Fox Valley Foodie
This recipe includes simple ingredients to give your eggs a “classic pickled egg” flavor. The pickling liquid – made with bay leaf, white sugar and a garlic clove- give your eggs a sweet and slightly tangy flavor. Look for options to substitute the white vinegar with apple cider vinegar in the original post.
4. Spicy Pickled Egg Recipe
Spicy Jalapeno Pickled Eggs (These Are So Addictive!) – Nurtured Homes
Next, we have a simple recipe that uses black peppercorns, jalapeno and mustard seeds to create a delicious and spicy brine. The eggs really soak up the spicy flavor, so if you love a snack with some heat, you have to try this recipe.
5. “Pickle Juice” Pickled Egg Recipe
Easy Recipe for Pickled Eggs in Dill Pickle Brine
If you prefer more of a tart flavor, this easy recipe is on you need to try! These eggs are soaked in a pickle brine with jalapenos and garlic. The end flavor is tangy and reminiscent of a dill pickle.
You’ll use Mrs. Wages pickling spice to mix up a simple brine. You’ll have a large jar full of neon yellow/green eggs after just a couple days of soaking. The jalapenos are also really good alongside the eggs.
6. “Award Winning” Pickled Eggs
Kansas Award-Winning Pickled Eggs – Gubba Homestead
This brine is made using a couple tablespoons of sugar, lime juice, and red pepper flakes. The little bit of sugar in this brine doesn’t leave them as sweet as some of the previous recipes, so this one may be a winner if you’re not a fan of super sweet pickled eggs!
7. Pickled Mustard Eggs
Pickled Mustard Eggs (asimplehomecook.com)
So, I’ve never tried this one personally, but I am intrigued by the list of ingredients and will be trying it out soon. As someone who loves the tanginess of mustard, I have to assume I’ll enjoy these eggs.
The brine is made with prepared yellow mustard, mustard seed, onion and sugar. After a few days of soaking, you’ll notice the eggs start to take on the yellow mustard color.
8. Garlic Pickled Eggs
Garlic Pickled Eggs Recipe | Allrecipes
Do you love garlic? I do! The primary ingredient in this pickling brine is just that – fresh garlic cloves. Let the eggs soak for about a week in the fridge and enjoy!
9. “Alligator Eggs”
Florassippi Girl: Alligator Eggs (Cajun Pickled Eggs)
Next, we have “alligator eggs”. No, these are not actually alligator eggs, but they are delicious!
Chicken or quail eggs soaked in a crab boil brine give you what is referred to as Alligator Eggs. Give this one a try if you want a salty, slightly spicy, egg.
10. Siracha Pickled Eggs
I’m sensing a theme with spicy eggs here – but these are so good!
If you enjoy the flavor of siracha sauce and some heat, you’ll have to try this one. I personally do not follow the instructions found here for water bath canning the eggs. I always store my pickled eggs in the fridge and will recommend that you do, too.
Aside from that, this recipe is absolutely delicious and a good option to add to your egg recipe collection.
There you have it! A list of delicious pickled egg recipes without pickling spices! I think you’ll definitely find a winner or two amongst the list.
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Pickled Egg FAQ
Why would you pickle eggs?
Aside from being a low carb and delicious snack, pickling eggs is actually a method of home food preservation. When done correctly, the eggs can be saved to eat at a later date. This is common amongst backyard poultry owners who are looking for an easy way to store their dozens of eggs. Eggs stored in the refrigerator (which is where they should be store for safety) can last 3-4 months.
What type of eggs can you pickle?
In general, you want to use fresh eggs that are only a few days old to get the best quality. This means you probably won’t be pickling the eggs from the grocery stores. If you don’t have your own source of fresh eggs, reach out to a homesteading friend or local farm to see about purchasing from them.
You also want to stay away from large eggs. Stick with medium or small eggs to allow the flavor to penetrate the egg whites. Small chicken eggs and tiny quail eggs are good options.
Your eggs should be clean and the shells without cracks.
Preparing and Storing
The National Center for Home Food Preservation provides this great article on properly preparing and storing pickled eggs. You want to be sure to follow safety protocol for storage, including not leaving your eggs at room temperature for more than 2 hours at a time.
There are currently no recommended guidelines for home canning of pickled eggs. The eggs are stored in a jar, with a lid, in a fridge for up to 3-4 months. The CDC warns of possible botulism concerns with homemade pickled eggs that are stored at room temperature.
You also want to follow general food safety guidelines, including always using a clean jar and utensils to store your eggs in.
What type of vinegar should you use?
You can use apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar with a 5% acidity. You will notice a difference in flavor based on the vinegar you use. Each recipe I listed above will tell you what they used, but you can also play around with it to see if you prefer the flavor of one vinegar more.
More posts you may enjoy:
Supplies to Raise Your Own Quail – Beginners Guide
