Homemade Golden Turmeric Pickled Eggs: A Zesty, Healthy & Easy Snack

Golden Turmeric Pickled Eggs offer a delightful twist on a classic. Each egg transforms with a vibrant, sunshine-yellow hue, infused with the invigorating flavors of turmeric, ginger, garlic, and a hint of spicy pepper. These zesty, protein-packed bites are perfect for using up an abundance of eggs, satisfying your pickle cravings, and serving as a fantastic low-carb, paleo, and keto-friendly snack. They’re simple to prepare and keep well in the fridge, making them an ideal savory treat to have on hand.

As the seasons shift, whether you’re celebrating Easter or simply enjoying a bountiful harvest from your backyard flock, you might find yourself with an excess of hard-boiled eggs. While classic deviled eggs or salads are always popular choices, these Golden Turmeric Pickled Eggs present a unique and exciting alternative. Imagine pulling a jar of these vibrantly colored, flavor-infused eggs from your fridge – a perfect grab-and-go snack or a flavorful addition to any meal. They are truly a treat for both the eyes and the palate, bringing a touch of sunshine to even the dullest days.

Here at our homestead, we’ve recently been experiencing an egg abundance of our own. Our beloved old hens, who seemed to have taken a luxurious sabbatical from laying last fall, decided to spring back into action! Coincidentally, just before the arrival of 24 new chicks, our older hens ramped up their production, once again providing us with nearly a dozen eggs daily. This happy predicament meant getting creative with our egg recipes, and these turmeric pickled eggs quickly became a family favorite.

Beyond the practical need to use up eggs, raising chicks brings immense joy, especially when winter seems to linger with snow still on the ground and temperatures stubbornly below freezing. Visiting the coop to check on these fluffy little bundles cavorting under the heat lamp always fills me with a sense of hopeful anticipation for spring’s imminent arrival.

Just a few hours after hatching, they were already full of personality:

And a couple of days later, they were exploring their new surroundings, already showing signs of new feather growth:

Aren’t these little ones simply the cutest?

And speaking of waiting for spring, just look at that lingering snow – when will it finally disappear?

Our older hens seize any opportunity on warmer days to venture outside. They are eagerly awaiting the snow’s retreat so they can resume their favorite activity: scratching and foraging in the rich, earthy soil.

When you’re faced with a surplus of eggs – even after sharing with neighbors and friends – it’s time to get creative. Beyond deviling and baking, these zesty golden turmeric pickled eggs have become a go-to solution. They’re a vibrant and more intensely flavored variation of my Classic Pickled Eggs, designed to inject a little extra punch and specialness into your snack routine. The gorgeous bright yellow color is almost a petition to spring to arrive sooner! Turmeric not only imparts its sunny hue but also adds earthy undertones and boasts incredible health benefits. The inclusion of fresh ginger and garlic delivers a powerful flavor boost, while a dash of cayenne pepper introduces a subtle yet satisfying kick.

Unveiling the Power of Turmeric in Pickled Eggs

Turmeric, often hailed as a “superfood,” is much more than just a spice for coloring. Its vibrant golden pigment comes from curcumin, a potent compound known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Incorporating turmeric into your pickled eggs means you’re not just getting a visually stunning snack, but also one that offers a little wellness boost. It contributes a warm, slightly earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the tangy vinegar, creating a complex taste profile that is both unique and addictive.

Crafting Your Own Golden Turmeric Pickled Eggs: A Simple Guide

Making these flavorful turmeric pickled eggs is surprisingly straightforward. The process begins with perfectly hard-boiled eggs and then quickly moves to creating a fragrant brine that will work its magic.

Step 1: Preparing Your Hard-Boiled Eggs

First, you’ll need to prepare a dozen hard-boiled eggs. Achieving perfectly cooked eggs that are easy to peel is key. To do this, place eggs in a single layer in a saucepan and cover with about an inch of cold water. Bring to a rolling boil, then immediately remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 10-12 minutes. Transfer the eggs to an ice bath for several minutes to stop the cooking process and aid in easier peeling. I find that cracking the shells all over against the side of the sink and peeling them under gently running water, allowing the shells to fall into a colander, makes the task much simpler.

Step 2: Crafting the Flavorful Brine

Next, gather all your brine ingredients – vinegar, water, salt, fresh ginger slices, garlic cloves, ground turmeric, whole black peppercorns, cayenne pepper, and bay leaf – and combine them in a small saucepan. Bring this mixture to a vigorous boil for a few minutes. This process allows the spices to fully infuse the liquid, creating a rich and aromatic pickling solution.

Step 3: Marination and Patience

Once the brine has boiled, carefully fish out the ginger, garlic, and bay leaf, placing them into the bottom of a clean quart-sized (1-liter) mason jar or an empty pickle jar. Gently add your peeled eggs to the jar, then pour the hot brine over them, ensuring the eggs are completely submerged. Using hot brine helps to tenderize the egg whites, resulting in a more pleasant texture. If you have extra brine, ensure any remaining peppercorns are added to the eggs before discarding the excess liquid.

Allow the jar to cool completely before sealing and refrigerating. To ensure an even golden color, gently tip the jar, shake it slightly, and set it back upright once a day for about a week. This motion helps the vibrant yellow brine circulate around all sides of the eggs. If the eggs are too tightly packed against the glass, some white spots might remain where the brine couldn’t penetrate. While you can certainly sample these pickled eggs after just three days, they truly develop their best flavor and color after a full week of marinating. Stored in the refrigerator, they will happily last for several months, ready whenever a craving strikes.

Why Pickled Eggs are a Must-Have Snack

As a child, I admit, I overlooked the simple pleasure of pickled eggs. What a missed opportunity! Now, I find immense satisfaction in munching on these little balls of mouth-puckering sunshine. They are incredibly protein-rich, making them a powerhouse snack that truly curbs hunger and satisfies cravings. It’s astonishing how often a sweet snack craving can be completely diverted by the savory, tangy goodness of a pickled egg. They leave me feeling full and content, eliminating the desire to reach for unhealthy sweets.

Beyond their delightful flavor and health benefits, the vibrant golden color of these turmeric pickled eggs makes them incredibly versatile. While they are certainly delicious eaten plain, they also elevate a variety of dishes. Try quartering them and adding them to a festive charcuterie platter for a pop of color and flavor. Slice them up to enhance your favorite sandwich or chop them finely to incorporate into a green salad for an extra protein boost. Having a jar of these Golden Turmeric Pickled Eggs in your fridge is truly like having culinary gold in the bank – always ready to add a gourmet touch to your meals and snacks.

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Discover even more creative ways to utilize your extra hard-boiled eggs with these fantastic recipes:

Creamy Egg and Quinoa Bake

Eiersalat – German Egg Salad with Apples & Pickles

Springtime Egg and Chive Pasta Salad

Bacon, Egg, and Spinach Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

Ham ‘n Egg Salad with Flax Crackers

Classic Pickled Eggs

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Kitchen Frau Notes: For optimal results with this recipe, medium-sized eggs are generally recommended. A dozen of these eggs will fit comfortably into a quart-sized mason jar, allowing for a more even color distribution from the brine. While large eggs can certainly be used, you might find them to be a tighter fit, which can sometimes lead to small white spots where the golden brine struggles to reach between tightly wedged eggs. If using larger eggs, consider using 9 to 10 eggs per jar to allow more space for the brine to circulate.

Another helpful tip for easier peeling: the fresher your eggs are, the more challenging they can be to peel. For hard-boiling, I typically save eggs that are at least one to two weeks old. This little trick makes the peeling process much smoother and less frustrating, ensuring beautiful, intact eggs for your pickling project.

Golden Turmeric Pickled Eggs Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups (360ml) white vinegar
• ½ cup (120ml) water
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
• a 1-inch (2.5cm) piece of fresh ginger root, thinly sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• ½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 bay leaf, torn into 3 or 4 pieces
• 12 hard-boiled eggs, medium-sized, peeled

Instructions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the white vinegar, water, fine sea salt, thinly sliced fresh ginger root, garlic cloves, ground turmeric, whole black peppercorns, cayenne pepper, and torn bay leaf. Bring this flavorful brine mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.

2. Once boiling, carefully remove the ginger slices, garlic cloves, and bay leaf from the brine using a slotted spoon. Place these aromatic pieces into the bottom of a clean quart-sized (1 liter) mason jar or an empty quart-sized pickle jar.

3. Gently drop the peeled hard-boiled eggs into the prepared jar, ensuring they fit comfortably. Carefully pour the hot brine over the eggs, making sure they are completely submerged. Using hot brine helps create wonderfully tender egg whites. If any brine is left over, be sure to transfer any remaining peppercorns to the jar with the eggs before discarding the rest of the excess liquid.

4. Allow the jar to cool completely to room temperature before sealing it tightly with a lid and transferring it to the refrigerator. For the first week, make it a habit to gently tip the jar, give it a soft shake, and then set it back upright once a day. This simple action helps the vibrant yellow brine circulate around all the eggs, ensuring an even and beautiful golden color. If the eggs are too tightly packed, some white spots might remain where the brine couldn’t fully penetrate.

5. While these delicious pickled eggs can be enjoyed after just three days of marinating, their flavors truly deepen and meld beautifully after a full week. Once ready, they will keep well in the refrigerator for several months, providing you with a convenient and tasty snack whenever you desire.

Makes 12 golden turmeric pickled eggs.

Guten Appetit!

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