How to Dye Eggs with Onion Skins
Dyeing Russian Easter Eggs with onion skins is a popular way to dye eggs in Russia, former Soviet states and Orthodox countries. The color is meant to come out red, which symbolizes the blood of Christ, and the hard shell symbolizes the tomb. When dyeing eggs with onion skins, the colors usually range from dark orange, to brown to a red brown. They are similar to Greek Orthodox Easter Eggs.
It’s a great chemical free way to celebrate Easter. The other way we naturally dye eggs is using red cabbage. The eggs turn out an amazing blue color, check out the recipe here. With all natural dyes, the longer the eggs sit in the natural dye, the deeper and darker the colors will be, regardless if you use white or brown eggs.
Russian Easter Egg Traditions
Traditionally we take these dyed Russian Easter Eggs and take turns trying to crack each others eggs. One person holds the egg and the other taps the top of their egg, hoping not to break their own, but their opponents. The winner is the person who successfully cracks their opponents egg. The cracked egg symbolizes Christ’s resurrection from the tomb. As we celebrate Easter, we greet each other with Христос воскрес (Christ is Risen) to which we reply Воистину воскрес (He is Truly Risen).
Eating Easter Eggs
These Easter Eggs aren’t just for decoration, you eat them of course! I usually just eat the eggs with salt, but with so many eggs, I also make Olivye – Russian Potato Salad and Shuba Herring Salad, or Mimosa Salad; essentials at a Russian celebration table. Remember to keep the dyed eggs refrigerated until serving. It seems wasteful to make Easter Eggs and not to eat them!
It’s easy dyeing eggs with onion skins. Plus you get the benefit of naturally dyeing your Easter Eggs without harsh chemicals and dyes. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!
Russian Easter Eggs with Onion Skins + Video
How to naturally dye Easter eggs using onion skins - a wonderful rustic and simple Russian tradition without harmful chemicals. Russian Easter Eggs with Onion Skins (пасхальные яйца)
Ingredients
- onion peels from 10-12 onions
- water to cover the onion peels and eggs
- 1 dozen uncooked eggs at room temperature
Instructions
-
Place the onion peels and water into a saucepan and bring to a boil for about 20 minutes.
-
Allow to cool to around room temperature. Place the eggs inside the saucepan with the onion peels. Bring to a boil and cook for about 20 minutes. If you are unsatisfied wiht the color, allow the eggs to cool in the onion mixture for a deeper color. Remove with a slotted spoon and allow to dry.
-
Optional: Gently rub the eggs with a bit of cooking oil for a nice shine. Keep the eggs refrigerated until you are ready to eat them on Easter morning.
Recipe Notes
If you are in a hurry, you can place all the ingredients in a saucepan together, allow to boil for about 20 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon. The color will be more rusty brown than red. If you place cold eggs into the boiling hot water, they will crack. If you place eggs in warm to hot water (warming them up) before placing them in the hot onion water, you will reduce the likelihood of cracked eggs.
©PetersFoodAdventures.com
I started this website as a way to capture the recipes that I grew up with, and pass them onto the next generation. Being world travellers, there are foods from all over the world, but my passion is primarily the Russian foods I grew up with. 
That sounds like a fun thing to do. I like the idea of natural dyes.
Thanks for checking it out Susan, I agree, much better than store bought dyes that leach into the eggs….
I’ve never heard of this kind of egg dye. How interesting! And how beautiful.
Thanks for checking it out Jeff! Natural and chemical free, and it doesn’t taste like onions! Lol
Very nice Peter… Just in time for me to make it this week for Easter. XPUCTOC BOCKPEC (x3)
Thanks MsCanada! Воистину воскрес! x3