Vegetarian Chinese Tea Eggs

Discover the rich, aromatic flavors of Vegetarian Chinese Tea Eggs, a plant-forward twist on a classic Chinese delicacy. These beautiful marbled eggs are infused with a luxurious blend of soy sauce, black tea, star anise, cinnamon, and Chinese five-spice powder, creating a savory and slightly sweet depth of flavor. The eggs’ intricate design is achieved by gently cracking their shells before simmering them in the flavorful tea broth, which can be enhanced with a hint of citrusy orange peel. Perfect as a protein-packed snack or a visually stunning side dish, this quick-prep recipe allows for easy customization—let the eggs marinate overnight for a stronger flavor and even bolder patterns. Easy to make and ideal for meal prep, these Vegetarian Chinese Tea Eggs will elevate your snack game with their unique taste and striking presentation.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:60 mins

Total Time:70 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 large eggs
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup soy sauce
• 2 black tea bags
• 2 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 10 black peppercorns
• 1 orange peel (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Place the eggs in a pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the water to a gentle boil over medium heat and let it cook for 10 minutes.

Step 2

Remove the eggs and immediately place them into a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process. Allow the eggs to cool completely.

Step 3

Once cooled, gently roll the eggs on a hard surface to crack the shells evenly. The cracks should be consistent but the egg should remain intact.

Step 4

In a large pot, combine the 4 cups of water, soy sauce, tea bags, star anise, cinnamon stick, sugar, garlic cloves (smashed), Chinese five-spice powder, salt, black peppercorns, and optional orange peel.

Step 5

Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 6

Add the cracked eggs into the tea mixture, making sure they are fully submerged.

Step 7

Simmer the eggs in the mixture for at least 30 minutes. For more intense flavor, you can marinate for several hours, or even overnight, in the refrigerator.

Step 8

Before serving, peel the shells to reveal the marbled design. Serve warm or cold as a snack or side dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1616.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	838.6

Total Fat 33.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Cholesterol 1116mg	0%
Sodium 12035.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 85.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 12.1g	0%
Total Sugars 39.1g
Protein 63.9g	0%

Vitamin D 240IU	0%
Calcium 532.0mg	0%
Iron 16.0mg	0%
Potassium 1860.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 33.7%

Protein: 28.4%

Carbs: 38.0%