Pickled Egg Appetizer

Featured in Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers and Snacks for Any Occasion.

Unleash these eye-popping, pink pickled eggs on your party table! Soaked in a zingy beet juice brine, they gain striking color while their creamy centers mix mayo, tangy mustard, vinegar, and a dash of spice for a flavor-packed bite. Add fun garnishes like dill or radishes to turn up the flair. Chill them before serving, and watch them vanish in no time!

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Updated on Wed, 09 Apr 2025 17:55:53 GMT
A variety-filled plate featuring colorful toppings. Pin it
A variety-filled plate featuring colorful toppings. | chefmelt.com

These show-stopping pink deviled eggs turn an everyday snack into a dazzling starter by dunking them in beetroot liquid. The eye-catching mix of deep pink whites and smooth yellow centers makes a gorgeous plate that'll wow everyone with both looks and taste.

I whipped these up for a spring get-together and couldn't believe how fast they vanished. Everyone was shocked that the bright pink came just from beets, and now folks always ask me to bring my fancy pink eggs to parties.

  • Hard boiled eggs: They're the main ingredient and soak up the beet flavor really well
  • Canned sliced beets: Give that amazing color and slight sweetness without any extra cooking
  • Apple cider vinegar: Makes everything pop with tanginess and helps the pickling magic happen
  • Sugar: Cuts the sour taste and makes the pink color even prettier
  • Peppercorns: Add a bit of spicy background flavor during soaking
  • Mayonnaise: Makes the filling super smooth
  • Dijon mustard: Gives a nice zip to the yolk mix
  • Hot sauce: You can skip it, but a few drops really wake up the earthy flavors

Easy Cooking Guide

Mix Your Soaking Liquid:
Pour the beet juice into a pot and save the beet pieces for something else. Throw in the vinegar, sugar, salt, and peppercorns with the juice, then warm it up on medium. Keep stirring until all the sugar melts away, usually around 3-5 minutes. Take it off the heat and wait about 20 minutes until it's totally cool so it won't start cooking your eggs.
Soak Those Eggs:
Find a container that's just big enough to hold your eggs with liquid covering them completely. Put your peeled eggs inside and pour the cool beet mix over them. If they're not fully covered, add a splash more vinegar. Seal it up tight and stick it in the fridge at least 12 hours, though a full day makes them much pinker. Remember - the longer they sit, the brighter they'll be.
Make The Stuffing:
Cut each pink egg down the middle lengthwise with a sharp knife. Scoop out the yolks into a bowl without tearing the colored whites. Smash those yolks with a fork until they're all broken up, then mix in mayo, mustard, vinegar, and hot sauce if you want some kick. Add salt and pepper until it tastes right. Want it super smooth? Toss everything in a small blender.
Put It All Together:
Spoon the yolk mix back into each egg half, or use a piping bag if you're feeling fancy. No piping bag? Just use a sandwich bag with a tiny corner cut off. Top with fun things like thin radish slices, dill sprigs, black olive bits, chopped chives, or that crunchy bagel topping for extra flavor and prettier eggs.
A tray of eggs with pink and yellow yolks. Pin it
A tray of eggs with pink and yellow yolks. | chefmelt.com

The first time I brought these to a family dinner, my grandma didn't believe me when I said I didn't use food dye. When I told her it was just beet juice, she smiled and told me her mom used to do the same thing back during hard times to make simple food look special. That little bit of family history made these eggs mean so much more to me.

Stunning Do-Ahead Party Snack

These pink deviled eggs are perfect when you've got company coming because you have to make them early. The soaking part needs at least 12 hours, so you can get them ready the day before your get-together. On party day, you just need to cut, fill and decorate. You can even put them all together up to a day ahead, but I'd wait to add any fresh herbs until right before you serve them so they look their best.

A plate of food with a variety of toppings. Pin it
A plate of food with a variety of toppings. | chefmelt.com

Fix Common Problems

If your eggs aren't getting pink enough, there could be a few reasons why. First, check that they're totally covered in the liquid. Sometimes eggs float a bit, so I put a small heavy thing like a shot glass on top to keep them underwater. Also, make sure your beets gave enough color - the dark red ones work way better than any other type. Lastly, don't use super fresh eggs. They're harder to peel and sometimes don't soak up the color as well.

Tasty Twists

The basic filling tastes great, but you can switch things up lots of ways. Try mixing in a spoonful of chopped pickled beets for more color and flavor. Want something creamier? Use half mayo and half mashed avocado. Make them taste Mediterranean by adding some tiny capers and dill. For something different, mix in a bit of horseradish or some curry powder. All these ideas work really well with the light beet flavor in the whites.

Keeping Them Fresh

These pink deviled eggs will stay good in the fridge for about three days. Keep them in one layer in a container with a tight lid so the filling doesn't get squished. If you want to work ahead, you can keep the pink egg halves without filling for up to 5 days and make the filling separately, then put them together just before serving. Don't try freezing the finished eggs, but you can pickle extra whites and freeze the yolk mix if you need to.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long do eggs need to soak for great color?

Let them sit in the brine for a minimum of 12 hours. If you want a deeper pink, up to 24 hours works beautifully.

→ Can I swap canned beets for fresh ones?

Totally! Roast fresh beets, peel, and slice them. Use their juice to mix up your brine.

→ What toppings can I use for variety?

Switch it up with chives, Everything Bagel seasoning, thin radish slices, dill fronds, or even black olives.

→ How soon can I make these ahead of time?

You can pickle and prep the eggs a full day ahead. Add your garnishes last minute for the freshest look and taste.

→ Can I tweak the filling flavor?

Go for it! Play with the amounts of mustard, vinegar, and hot sauce until the balance of creamy, tangy, and spicy feels just right for you.

Pickled Egg Appetizer

Bright pink eggs with a rich, tangy center. A bold and memorable addition to your gathering.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
5 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 stuffed eggs)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Beet Mixture

01 6 large eggs, hard-cooked
02 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
03 1 teaspoon salt
04 2 tablespoons white sugar
05 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
06 1 (15-ounce) can of sliced beets

→ Egg Filling

07 A pinch of freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste
08 A sprinkle of radish slices, chopped chives, dill, black olive slices, or Everything Bagel seasoning (if desired)
09 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
10 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
11 Hot sauce, a dash (optional)
12 3 tablespoons mayonnaise

Instructions

Step 01

Pour the liquid from the canned beets into a small pot and keep the beet slices separate. Mix in the cider vinegar, sugar, salt, and peppercorns. Heat it gently on medium while stirring until the sugar melts, around 3-5 minutes. Take it off the heat and let it sit until fully cooled, about 20 minutes.

Step 02

In a jar or bowl that fits all the eggs snugly, arrange your boiled eggs. Pour the cool beet mixture into the container, adding some extra vinegar to fully submerge the eggs if needed. Cover it up and chill in the fridge for 12-24 hours, depending on how vibrant you want the pink shade.

Step 03

Carefully slice the pink eggs in half along their longest side. Scoop out the yolks and toss them into a bowl. Use a fork to smash the yolks until smooth. Stir in mayonnaise, mustard, cider vinegar, and hot sauce if you're using it. Add salt and pepper to your liking. A small food processor can make it super smooth if preferred.

Step 04

Use a spoon or transfer the egg yolk filling to a piping bag to neatly fill the egg whites. Add your favorite toppings like radish, dill, chives, olive slices, or seasoning. Serve and enjoy right away.

Tools You'll Need

  • A small pot
  • A jar or bowl
  • A sharp knife
  • A mixing bowl
  • A fork
  • Piping bag or plastic bag, optional

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Eggs
  • Mayonnaise (has eggs in it)
  • Mustard

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 94
  • Total Fat: 7 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 3.5 g
  • Protein: 5 g