Naturally Dye Easter Eggs with the Scraps from Your Wonky Box

The long weekend’s here. You’ve got time to potter, the kids are buzzing, and your veg drawer is looking a little… artsy. Sounds like the perfect moment to get your creative flair on.

This Easter, turn your veg scraps into natural dyes – cabbage cores and all! Think onion skins, beetroot peelings, and other Wonky bits transformed into egg-decorating magic. It’s an easy, low-waste way to try something new over the long weekend.

Whether you’re going all-in with egg-decorating flair or just having a crack with what’s on hand, this is your sign to get a little crafty.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:

• 2 cups water
• Natural dye source (see ideas below!)
• Fine-mesh strainer
• Distilled white vinegar
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Neutral oil (like vegetable or canola)

THE DIY DYE METHOD

Pop 2 cups of water and your chosen veggie or fruit dye source into a small saucepan and bring to a boil.

Lower the heat, cover it up, and let it simmer for 15–30 minutes until the colour deepens nicely.

Once done, take it off the heat and let it cool completely. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, pressing the solids to get every last drop of dye out.

Add 1 Tbsp of white vinegar per cup of dye liquid and give it a stir – this helps the colour stick to the eggs.

Place your boiled eggs into narrow jars or containers. Carefully pour the dye over each one until they’re fully submerged.

Pop them in the fridge and leave for a few hours or overnight, depending on how bold you want your colours. Want it punchier? You can repeat the dunk.

When you’re happy with the shades, gently pat each egg dry with a paper towel (don’t rub too hard – the colour is delicate). Rub a tiny bit of neutral oil on each one and polish with a clean cloth to give them a natural glossy glow.

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NATURAL COLOUR CHEAT SHEET:

• ‍Blue: 2 cups chopped red cabbage + 2 cups water‍
• Pink: 2 cups grated beetroot + 2 cups water‍
• Maroon: 2 cups red onion skins + 2 cups water‍
• Orange: 2 cups brown onion skins + 1 cup carrot skins‍
• Yellowy green: 2 Tbsp matcha powder + 2 cups water‍
• Greeny yellow: 2 cups red cabbage + ½ cup turmeric‍
• Dark brown: ½ cup used coffee grounds + 2 cups water‍
• Dark blue: 2 cups blueberries + 2 cups water‍
• Red: 2 cups brown onion skins + 2 cups water

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Tried it out? We’d love to see how your naturally dyed eggs turned out – send us a picture or tag us in your creations. These veggie-based dyes also work well on fabric scraps, paper, and other crafty bits, so don’t be afraid to experiment. However you use them, have fun getting creative with what’s already in your kitchen!