Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best, including this one!
This deviled eggs recipe is a favorite side dish to serve for brunch, breakfast, or even next to a holiday dinner.
We love that they’re easy to make ahead and a crowd favorite.
A Classic Side Recipe
So, what are deviled eggs? These are hard boiled eggs that have the yolks removed, mashed into a creamy mixture, and added back into the egg whites for serving. They’re a holiday staple for almost every meal from Easter dinner to Thanksgiving.
- Add your own favorite variations from dill pickles to minced olives or green onion.
- Deviled eggs are a naturally low-carb snack and keep well for a few days.
- They are made with just a few simple ingredients that are generally found in most kitchens.
- And finally, deviled eggs are the best to make ahead for a crowd. They also look pretty served on a platter or a plate with some cheese and/or crackers.
What does “deviled” mean? Back in the 1700s, foods prepared with vinegar, mustard, and spicy or zesty ingredients were termed deviled although it mainly referred to meats and not eggs at the time.
Ingredients & Variations
EGGS: Any eggs will do for this recipe. Remember to peel them gently so the shell does not tear at the white flesh of the egg.
THE FILLING: The yolk, mayonnaise, vinegar, and a tiny bit of mustard are the traditional ingredients in this recipe. Season with salt and black pepper of course!
Variations
This is a basic deviled egg recipe and we love it just as is but you can add any of the following to change the flavor.
- sweet pickle relish, chopped pickle, or pickle juice
- sprinkle with crumbled bacon and jalapenos
- minced celery or mashed avocado
- garnish with some crispy bacon or capers
- swap the mustard for dijon mustard or a little horseradish for a bolder flavor.
- swap some or all of the mayo for Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
How to Make Deviled Eggs
- Cook Eggs: Hard boil eggs (see our favorite methods below), drain and place in an ice bath.
- Mash yolks: Slice the eggs in half lengthwise & remove the yolks (per the recipe below). Use a fork to mash them with mayonnaise & seasonings until creamy.
- Fill the eggs: Spoon the egg yolk mixture (or pipe with a piping bag) into the egg whites.
Garnish with paprika, chives, or a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired.
Cooking Eggs for Deviled Eggs
Cook the hard boiled eggs using any of the following methods (air fryer is my favorite followed by Instant Pot):
- air fryer – favorite method, no water or pan needed
- stovetop – easy to cook in a saucepan
- instant pot – perfect every time
PRO TIP: Once cooked, place eggs in an ice bath (a large bowl of cold water with ice cubes) regardless of the method used to cook them. The ice bath stops the cooking process, keeping the yolk a nice bright yellow color and helps make them easier to peel.
Tips for The Best Deviled Eggs
- Older eggs peel better than fresh eggs. Instant pot and air fryer eggs are the easiest to peel.
- Peel under cool running water allowing the water to slip between the shell and the egg while peeling off the shell.
- For an extra smooth filling, pulse it in a food processor if you’d like.
- Spoon the filling into the eggs or place it in a piping bag to make it pretty.
Storing Deviled Eggs
To make ahead, cook eggs and keep whites & yolk mixture separate for up to 2 days. Place the egg white halves on a plate and wrap in plastic wrap, keep the yolk mixture in a ziptop bag. When ready, fill the egg whites with the yolk mixture, garnish, & serve!
Any leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to 2 days. Leftovers can be mashed with a fork and made into an egg salad sandwich for lunch!
Serve them any time with any meal from pork chops to French dips.
What’s your favorite way to make Deviled Eggs? Let us know in a comment below!
Deviled Eggs Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 eggs
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Smoked paprika and fresh dill weed for garnish
Instructions
- Hard boil eggs in an instant pot, air fryer, or on the stove top. Cool eggs completely.
- Peel eggs gently so the whites remain intact and slice in half lengthwise
- Remove the yolks and place in a medium bowl, place the whites on a serving platter.
- With a fork, mash the yolks into a fine crumble.
- Add mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper, mix until smooth.
- Just before serving, fill each egg white with the creamy yolk mixture with a spoon or a piping bag.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of paprika and fresh dill weed.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine American© SpendWithPennies.com. 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. Please view my photo use policy here.
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Instead of vinegar I use sweet pickle juice!! Awesome!!! Adds a subtle hint of sweetness that enhances the richness of the egg . I also add a dash of heavy cream to compliment and deepen the flavor experience
Easy, fast and perfectly delicious!
Really delicious recipe. I love it yummy!!! It’s really awesome.
For my deviled Eggs’s I add dill, WASABI, or pinch Habanero like A KICK
I love that, Birdi! That is definitely adding a kick!
wow really enjoyed this easy recipe.i made a dozen eggs doubled ingredients except for vinegar.i used brown spicy mustard and yellow mustard.my family thought they were the best ever! ty
You’re welcome Nina!!
Very Nice Variety to choose from—-and then Try others –another time —and that is GOOD for All of us !!! Ruth in IOWA
It tasted way too much like vinegar for my taste
Sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy these eggs as much as we do Haley! Thank you for trying the recipe.
No Pickle Juice ???? Really!!!
Pickle Juice in Deviled Eggs ???? Really!!!
I had someone prepare them for our family once and they used dill pickle juice Ugh. I love the sweet pickle juice.
Greetings!
Perhaps you can help put this twelve-year conflict regarding deviled eggs to rest. My mother-in-law says that what makes a deviled egg a deviled egg is putting deviled ham in them. If that’s the case, then what makes deviled ham DEVILED HAM? Does it have a devil in it? LOL In my opinion, the egg yolk is deviled – a process of mashing it up & adding other ingredients. Just like deviled ham is ground up with added ingredients. Seems simple to me. I could be wrong. What say you?
Thanks,
Stephanie
Deviled ham stuffed eggs sound delicious Stephanie! To the best of my knowledge, deviling is the process of preparing the egg. But both sound like great reasons to call it a deviled egg to me!
Hey Stephanie!
Historically speaking, the description of a food being “deviled” just means it has a loT of spices in it. Nothing to do with the actual devil :’)
I personally don’t believe there’s anything such as a “make ahead deviled eggs”. You see… they tend to disappear. Often times one by one as if an invisible hand sneaks them away…
Lol!! This is true, maybe I should’ve said “eat ahead”. ;) Enjoy!
What are the ingredients for the Cracker Barrel Hashbrown Casserole?
Hi Carol, You can find the recipe here:
https://www.spendwithpennies.com/cracker-barrel-hashbrown-casserole-recipe/
Holly, your recipe is spot in. Surprisingly with my Thai family, I have had to get get creative, Wasabi Deviled Eggs and Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs they will gobble down. And I am right there with you, set a tray of deviled eggs in front of me, you may need to watch your fingers and arms :) This is highly recommend for the classic Deviled Egg.
Love these classics!