BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe - How to Make Deviled Eggs | Downshiftology (2024)

Home Recipes Courses Appetizers and Snacks Classic Deviled Eggs

by Lisa Bryan

758 Comments

Updated Nov 13, 2023

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Deviled eggs are a classic recipe and perfect for the holidays, Easter, potlucks, parties and other gatherings.

My best deviled eggs recipe is a combination of a few simple ingredients including hard boiled eggs, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. That’s it. Along with a little sprinkle of paprika that extra pop of flavor.

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Deviled eggs win as a healthy snacks or appetizer. They’re easy to make, only have a handful of ingredients and most people love them.

I’ve loved them for years, but it wasn’t until recently that I asked the question that had long been rolling around in my brain – “why are deviled eggs called that?

So I Googled it. And here’s the response from Wikipedia: The term “deviled”, in reference to food, was in use in the 18th century with the first known print reference appearing in 1786.In the 19th century, it came to be used most often with spicy or zesty food, including eggs prepared with mustard, pepper or other ingredients stuffed in the yolk cavity.

Ah, makes sense. And now you can rest assured that there’s nothing truly sinister about deviled eggs!

BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe - How to Make Deviled Eggs | Downshiftology (3)
BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe - How to Make Deviled Eggs | Downshiftology (4)

How to Make Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are easy to make and you can make themeven easierby hard boiling your eggs ahead of time. But the key to the BEST deviled eggs is boiling your eggs perfectly and not overboiling and ending up with that green tinge around your yolk. Trust me, no guests want green-tinged deviled eggs.

Make sure to watch my video on how to boil eggs perfectlyto get it right!

After your eggs have boiled and cooled, the rest of this recipe is a breeze. Slice your eggs in half lengthwise, scoop out the yolk to a small bowl, smash it with a fork and place the egg white on a serving tray.

To the egg yolk add mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper and stir it all together until creamy. Use a small spoon to scoop out some of the deviled egg mixture and place it back into the egg white. Sprinkle a little paprika for that extra dash of devil-ness and serve them up to some happy guests.

BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe - How to Make Deviled Eggs | Downshiftology (5)
BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe - How to Make Deviled Eggs | Downshiftology (6)

Deviled Egg Recipe Flavor Variations

The deviled egg recipe I’m sharing with you today is the best classic recipe. But you can also have fun with deviled eggs. Make them sweeter, more savory, more spicy or just more jazzed up.

Consider additional ingredients such as bacon, chives, shallot, cajun spices, sriracha sauce, jalapeno, goat cheese and more. Of course a variety of herbs such as dill, basil and tarragon would also pair beautifully with those ingredients as well.

So keep your deviled eggs classic or get creative – it’s up to you! And if you’ve got an awesome flavor variation you love, let me know in the comments below. Enjoy!

For More Delicious Egg Recipes

  • Perfect Poached Eggs
  • Classic Egg Salad
  • Avocado Egg Salad
  • Baked Eggs in Avocado
  • Spiralized Sweet Potato Egg Nests
  • Zucchini and Prosciutto Egg Muffins
  • Huevos Rancheros

And want more delicious deviled egg variations? Then whip up my delicious Bacon Deviled Eggs, Avocado Deviled Eggs, Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs, and Spicy Deviled Eggs. You can make a variety of deviled egg recipes!

BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe - How to Make Deviled Eggs | Downshiftology (7)

BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe

4.91 from 554 votes

Prep: 20 minutes mins

Cook: 14 minutes mins

Total: 34 minutes mins

Servings: 12 deviled eggs

Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Deviled eggs are hard boiled eggs where the yolk is mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. The little sprinkle of paprika on top is the perfect finishing touch. Watch the video below to see how easy it is to make this recipe!

Video

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil. Reduce the heat to low (or off) to ensure the water is no longer boiling or has bubbles and use a skimmer to place the eggs in the water. Then increase the heat back to high and set a timer for 14 minutes.

    BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe - How to Make Deviled Eggs | Downshiftology (8)

  • While the eggs are boiling prepare an ice water bath and set aside. After 14 minutes, remove the eggs from the water and place in the ice water bath.

    BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe - How to Make Deviled Eggs | Downshiftology (9)

  • Once the eggs have cooled completely, peel them and slice in half lengthwise. Remove the yolk to a small bowl with a spoon and place the egg whites on a plate.

    BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe - How to Make Deviled Eggs | Downshiftology (10)

  • Mash the yolks with a fork and add the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. Stir everything together until it's smooth.

    BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe - How to Make Deviled Eggs | Downshiftology (11)

  • Use a spoon to add a portion of the deviled egg mixture back into the hole of each egg white. Sprinkle on paprika for garnish.

    BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe - How to Make Deviled Eggs | Downshiftology (12)

Lisa’s Tips

  • Make sure to watch my video above for a tip on easily removing the egg yolk from the white. You can also use a piping bag to make the yolk mixture prettier if you’d like.
  • I do recommend Dijon mustard rather than yellow mustard for more flavor. This Dijon mustard is also Whole30 compliant, if you’re doing a Whole30.
  • Please watch the measurements on the vinegar as well, some people have accidentally added 1 tablespoon of vinegar, but it’s 1 teaspoon of vinegar. If you’re not a fan of vinegar, you can use pickle juice as well.
  • You can store the deviled eggs for up to two days in a sealed storage container. This means you can make them the day before a party, potluck or gathering.
  • If you’re in need of a platter to display your deviled eggs, this ceramic one is my favorite. And if you’re transporting them, this travel carrier is great.

Nutrition

Serving: 2deviled eggs halves | Calories: 125.3kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.7g | Protein: 6.4g | Fat: 10.5g | Saturated Fat: 2.4g | Cholesterol: 189.4mg | Sodium: 125.7mg | Sugar: 0.6g

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: best deviled eggs, deviled eggs, deviled eggs recipe, how to make deviled eggs

©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

Recipe originally posted October 2018, but updated to include new information.

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

Read More About Me

BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe - How to Make Deviled Eggs | Downshiftology (2024)

FAQs

What is deviled egg filling made of? ›

Deviled eggs are hard boiled eggs where the yolk is mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. The little sprinkle of paprika on top is the perfect finishing touch.

Why do you add vinegar to deviled eggs? ›

A light-colored vinegar, like the white-wine vinegar we use in these creamy deviled eggs, brings a touch of acidity to the filling and balances the richness of the yolks and the mayonnaise.

What is the best way to boil eggs for deviled eggs? ›

Place eggs in a medium pot and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, then cover the pot and turn off the heat. Let the eggs cook, covered, for 9 to 12 minutes, depending on your desired done-ness (see photo). Transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water and chill for 14 minutes.

Should you make deviled eggs the night before or the day of? ›

Prep deviled eggs too far in advance, and you'll have dried out filling and stinky boiled egg whites. For the best results, prep your deviled eggs up to two days in advance and keep the egg whites and filling separate until you're ready to serve. This prepping method also applies if you're not even leaving the house.

What is a true deviled egg? ›

Deviled eggs, also known as stuffed eggs, curried eggs or dressed eggs, are hard-boiled eggs that have been peeled, cut in half, and filled with the yolk, mixed with other ingredients such as mayonnaise and mustard. They are generally served cold as a side dish, appetizer or a main course during gatherings or parties.

What are deviled eggs called in the South? ›

The term dates to the 19th century, and it was used to refer to foods that were spicy or zesty with the addition of mustard or pepper. In some regions of the South and the Midwest, deviled eggs are also called salad or dressed eggs when they are served at a church function, to avoid the term "deviled."

How do you make Paula Deen deviled eggs? ›

Mash yolks with a fork and stir in mayonnaise, pickle relish and mustard. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Fill egg whites evenly with yolk mixture. Garnish with paprika, pickles and pimentos.

Why are my deviled eggs not creamy? ›

If you add too much mayo, it may overpower the filling and make it runny. For a dozen eggs, ½ cup mayonnaise will make a smooth, creamy filling that can sit up high when spooned into the egg. One way to ensure you get a good yolk-to-mayo ratio is to cook a few extra eggs.

How long should deviled eggs sit before serving? ›

At a minimum, you'll need to allow for 20 to 25 minutes of chill time before serving. You can make deviled eggs up to 2 days in advance; be sure to store the egg whites and the yolk filling separately.

What do you put in eggs when you boil them to make them peel easier? ›

According to our friends at Delish, adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your boiling pot of water will help the shell peel off seamlessly. Why? The alkaline in the baking soda will help your egg whites loosen up from the shell, making it easier to peel.

How long do you keep eggs in cold water after boiling? ›

Bring water to a rolling boil. Once water is boiling, add the eggs and adjust the temperature to maintain a rolling boil. Start a timer for 12 minutes and prepare an ice bath. When the timer goes off, remove eggs from the pot and immediately place into ice bath for at least 10 minutes before peeling.

Should I boil my eggs the night before for deviled eggs? ›

I cook the eggs the day before and (when cooled) cut them in half. I prep the egg yolk mixture (and refrigerate). I place the egg whites, cut side down, onto 1-2 paper towels in a container with a lid. I put one or two paper towels between each layer of egg whites.

Why are my deviled eggs runny the next day? ›

It's common for deviled eggs to "sweat" in the fridge, which can make them kinda soggy in a day or two. The paper towels will absorb the extra moisture and keep them fresh much longer! Change the paper towels every other day if you haven't already devoured them by then.

How many deviled eggs per person? ›

This amount can vary depending on the crowd size and how many appetizers are served at the same time. If you have a smaller group of 4-12 people, 2-3 deviled eggs per person are plenty, but you may want to reduce the serving size to just 2 for larger crowds and if other appetizers are present.

What can I use instead of mustard in deviled eggs? ›

If you preferred to have no mustard flavor, a prepared curry powder or paste adds delicious flavor to deviled eggs. You could also reach for sriracha, smoked paprika, harissa, horseradish, wasabi, pesto, pureed avocado, pickle relish, I could go on forever.

What do you put in the middle of a deviled egg dish? ›

Horseradish, caviar, chives, crumbled bacon, chopped cooked shrimp, lump crabmeat, baked ham, deviled ham, jalapeno, finely chopped green onion, finely shredded cheese, fresh salsa from the deli, sweet baby gherkin pickles, sliced into thin strips, and chopped pimento are also a few good suggestions.

What makes a deviled egg deviled? ›

The term deviled egg comes from an 18th-century culinary term that the Oxford English Dictionary originally used to describe a fried or boiled dish that was highly seasoned. and this was eventually used to also include spicy, condiment-filled dishes, as well.

How do you thicken deviled egg filling? ›

To thicken up runny deviled egg filling, adding in some extra egg yolks is the first easy fix to try. This method thickens up the base of the filling without altering the taste. Now for a more out-of-the-box (literally) fix, try mixing some instant mashed potatoes into your filling instead.

What is the difference between stuffed eggs and deviled eggs? ›

Deviled eggs are the same thing as stuffed eggs or dressed eggs. It's essentially eggs that have been hard-boiled, peeled, cut in half, and stuffed with a classic mixture of the cooked yolks mashed together with mayo, mustard, and spices (typically paprika).

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