20-Minute Beet-Pickled Eggs

Prep: 15 min4 servingsmedium
Beet-Pickled Eggs with Apple Cider Vinegar

Vibrant purple pickled eggs infused with sweet beet brine and warming spices. The beet juice creates a stunning magenta color while apple cider vinegar and cloves add tangy, aromatic notes. Perfect as a colorful appetizer, bar snack, or protein-rich addition to salads and charcuterie boards. This eye-catching twist on traditional pickled eggs makes an impressive conversation starter at parties and gatherings.

Ingredients

4 servings
  • 4 hard-cooked eggs, peeled
  • 1 15 oz can sliced beets
  • ¼ cup sugar
    honey1:1vegetarian

    slightly different flavor profile

    Full guide →
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
    white vinegar1:1basic

    less complex flavor

    Full guide →
  • 3 whole cloves
    bay leaves2-3 leavesaromatic

    different spice profile

Instructions

  1. 1

    Place peeled hard-cooked eggs in a pint-size glass jar, preferably wide-mouth

  2. 2

    Drain liquid from canned beets into a 2-quart saucepan, reserving beets for another use

  3. 3

    Add sugar, apple cider vinegar, and cloves to the beet liquid

  4. 4

    Heat over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar, until mixture comes to a boil

  5. 5

    Remove from heat and carefully pour hot liquid over eggs

  6. 6

    Cool completely for about 1 hour

  7. 7

    Cover jar tightly with lid and refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving

Tips

Tip 1

Use wide-mouth jars for easier egg removal and better presentation when serving

Tip 2

Reserve the drained beets for salads or side dishes to minimize waste

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate in covered jar for up to 1 week

Make Ahead

Best made at least 4 hours ahead for flavor development

Serve With

Serve chilled as appetizer or slice for salads

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't skip the cooling step to avoid cracking the jar with hot liquid

Watch

Use wide-mouth jars to prevent eggs from breaking during removal

Substitutions

apple cider vinegar
white vinegar1:1basic

less complex flavor

Full guide →
sugar
honey1:1vegetarian

slightly different flavor profile

Full guide →
cloves
bay leaves2-3 leavesaromatic

different spice profile

Find more substitutions →

FAQ

How long do beet-pickled eggs keep?

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to one week. The color and flavor will continue to develop over time.

Can I reuse the pickling liquid?

It's not recommended to reuse the liquid as it may harbor bacteria after contact with eggs.

What can I do with the leftover beets?

Use the drained beets in salads, as a side dish, or blend into smoothies for added nutrition.