Great Deviled Eggs Recipe (2024)

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The best deviled eggs are creamy, savory, punchy, and light, made with good Dijon mustard, homemade mayo, and good olive oil.

By

J. Kenji López-Alt

Great Deviled Eggs Recipe (1)

J. Kenji López-Alt

Culinary Consultant

Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.

Learn about Serious Eats'Editorial Process

Updated September 25, 2023

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Great Deviled Eggs Recipe (2)

Why It Works

  • Using homemade mayo makes the dish stand apart from versions made with store-bought mayo.
  • Boiling the eggs until the yolks are perfectly done and shocking them in ice water prevents the egg yolks from developing off flavors.
  • Adding the oil in a steady stream while processing the filling makes for a light, fully emulsified deviled egg filling.

Growing up, I was never a fan of deviled eggs (or anything mayonnaise-related, for that matter). Then again, deviled eggs back then consisted mainly of overcooked, slightly sulfurous hard-boiled eggs, mashed up with Hellmann's mayo and a bit of yellow mustard and served too cold. They were the default "serve them anyway, someone will eat them after the guacamole's gone" option at the potluck. I thought I'd sworn them off forever.

Well, times have changed. Or, more likely, my ability to surround myself with people who know how to make awesome deviled eggs has changed.

To be precise, the first truly outstanding deviled eggs I tried as an adult were fromOleanain Cambridge, Massachusetts. I hadn't actually gone in intending to find the key to my devilish chastity belt, but as it happened, I was a poor college student at the time, and in way over my head pretending I could afford to be at a restaurant that I really couldn't. So I did what any well-intentioned but underfunded kid would do: I ordered a co*cktail and the cheapest dish on the menu. Both were outstanding.

For one thing, Chef Ana Sortun really knows how toproperly cook a hard-boiled egg.The key is starting them in cold water, bringing them up to a boil, then removing them from heat and letting them rest in the cooling water. Starting them cold helps them come up to temperature more evenly, preventing the whites from overcooking and, even better, preventing the dreaded green ring from forming around the yolk—a reaction between the sulfur in the egg white and the iron in the yolk, and a sure indication that your eggs are overcooked (and stinky).

At Oleana, Sortun combines these yolks with plenty of really good olive oil, tuna that's been slowly confited in more of that olive oil, along with some black olives and parsley. That's all well and good, and the tuna and olives are a nice addition to deviled eggs, but the real key to getting them to taste awesome is the perfect cooking, coupled with the great olive oil and plenty of acid and salt.Anythingtastes better with really good olive oil and more acid.

Since then, I've had plenty of great deviled eggs, and I like to boil more eggs than I need so that I can add extra yolks and overstuff each of the egg halves. (I eat the leftover whites with some Frank's RedHot—I also add a dash of it to the filling—or mix them into Hambone's dog food.) You can never have too much egg yolk. Chives or parsley, with some nice crunchy Maldon sea salt and a sprinkle of good paprika or crushed red pepper (Spanishpiment d'Espeletteif you're lucky, or a good planner) finish 'em off.

The only other bit to look out for is that, just like when you're making a mayonnaise, if you try to add too much olive oil to your egg yolks too fast, the filling will break, turning grainy and greasy.The key is to slowly drizzle the olive oil in while your food processor is running(or while whisking vigorously, if you like to go manual).

2:21

How to Make Deviled Eggs That Are Really Deviled

September 2011

Further extensive testinghas demonstrated that starting eggs in already-boiling water or steaming them is a superior method for easier peeling.

Recipe Details

Great Deviled Eggs

Active20 mins

Total20 mins

Serves16 deviled egg halves

Ingredients

  • 12 large eggs, not too fresh (see notes)

  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) mayonnaise, preferablyhomemade

  • 1 tablespoon (15ml)Dijon mustard

  • Up to 1 tablespoon (15ml)white wine vinegar

  • 1/2 teaspoon (3ml) Frank's RedHot sauce

  • 1/4 cup (60ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided (see notes)

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 3 tablespoons (85g) thinly sliced chives

  • Crushed red pepper or hot paprika

  • Crunchy sea salt, such as Maldon

Directions

  1. Add 1 tray of ice cubes to a large bowl and fill with water. Fill a large pot with 1 inch of water. Place steamer insert inside, cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Add eggs to steamer basket, cover, and continue cooking over high heat for 12 minutes. Immediately place eggs in bowl of ice water and allow to cool for at least 15 minutes before peeling under cool running water. Slice each egg in half lengthwise.

  2. Place all yolks in the bowl of a food processor. Select 16 of the best-looking egg white halves and set aside; reserve remaining 8 for another use. Add mayonnaise, mustard, 1/2 tablespoon (7ml) vinegar, and hot sauce to food processor and process until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary.

  3. With machine running, slowly drizzle in 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil. Season mixture to taste with salt and remaining vinegar (if desired). Transfer to a zipper-lock bag. Filling and egg white halves can be stored in the refrigerator up to overnight before eggs are filled and served.

  4. Cut off a corner of zipper-lock bag and pipe filling mixture into egg whites, overstuffing each. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and sprinkle with black pepper, chives, crushed red pepper or paprika, and sea salt. Serve immediately.

Notes

For the best results, use really, really good olive oil.

I like overstuffing the eggs, which leaves you with a few extra whites. Just eat 'em (or feed them to the dog). Eggs that are a couple of weeks old will peel more easily than very fresh eggs.

Special Equipment

Large pot with steamer insert, food processor

Make-Ahead and Storage

You can boil the eggs and make the filling one day ahead of time.

Read More

  • Deviled Eggs With Confit Tuna, Olives, Tomato, and Olive Oil
  • 9 In-Your-Face Deviled Egg Variations
  • Two-Minute Mayonnaise
  • Stovetop
  • Boiled Eggs
  • Deviled Eggs
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
96Calories
8g Fat
0g Carbs
5g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories96
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8g11%
Saturated Fat 2g9%
Cholesterol 140mg47%
Sodium 192mg8%
Total Carbohydrate 0g0%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 0mg2%
Calcium 23mg2%
Iron 1mg4%
Potassium 57mg1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Great Deviled Eggs Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to make deviled eggs day before or 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.

How do you make deviled eggs creamy and not lumpy? ›

The best part of deviled eggs is the creamy filling. And it's at its best when it's super smooth and free of lumps of whole egg yolk. Follow this tip: For a smooth, lump-free filling, use a fork or a potato masher to thoroughly break up the egg yolks before adding the other filling ingredients to the bowl.

What is deviled egg filling made of? ›

Arrange the egg white halves on a serving platter. Make the filling: Using a fork, mash up the yolks and add mustard, mayonnaise, onion, tabasco, and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Add more mayonnaise as necessary to get to the creamy consistency you want.

How far in advance can I boil and peel eggs for deviled eggs? ›

If you are responsible for bringing deviled eggs, you can give yourself a head start with these tips: Boil the eggs up to 48 hours in advance. Peel, cut in half, and remove yolks. Place egg whites on tray, cover with plastic wrap, and store in fridge.

Is it better to make deviled eggs when they are warm or cold? ›

Be sure to transfer them to an ice bath right away to stop the cooking process and cool them down quickly, which makes the eggs easier to peel and ensures that the yolk isn't too warm when mixed with the mayonnaise and mustard (which risks creating a runny filling).

How do I make boiled eggs easy to peel? ›

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. This makes the eggs easier to peel.

Why is vinegar added to deviled eggs? ›

Deviled eggs are a naturally rich, decadent food so adding something acidic such as vinegar or lemon juice in the mixture can brighten the flavors and keep them from tasting too rich.

What are church lady deviled eggs? ›

Disney Springs' Chef Art Smith's Homecoming Church Lady Deviled Eggs are a Southern-inspired delight, boasting creamy yolks blended with tangy mustard, mayo, and a sprinkle of paprika, offering a nostalgic and flavorful twist on a classic appetizer.

Can you put too much mayo in deviled eggs? ›

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.

What is a true deviled egg? ›

Deviled eggs are hard-boiled eggs that have been peeled, cut in half, then stuffed with a paste made from the yolk and other ingredients. Basic deviled egg filling is made with egg yolks, mayonnaise, relish, mustard, salt, and pepper. The eggs are often seasoned with spices like paprika or cayenne pepper.

What causes deviled eggs to get watery? ›

While proper cooking techniques are the first step to avoiding weeping, experimenting with certain deviled egg ingredients, unfortunately, can result in a watery, sloppy appearance on the plate. Ingredients with a high water content, like tomatoes or cucumbers, can help create this wet scenario.

What do Southerners call deviled eggs? ›

At church functions in parts of the Southern and Midwestern United States, the terms "stuffed eggs", "salad eggs", and "dressed eggs" occur instead, to avoid reference to the word "devil". For this reason, the term "angel eggs" is also occasionally used.

What to use instead of mustard in deviled eggs? ›

This recipe for Deviled Eggs Without Mustard tastes just like classic deviled eggs but with apple cider vinegar in place of dijon mustard. They're a creamy, delicious appetizer everyone should try!

How many deviled eggs per person? ›

How many deviled eggs do you need per person? Plan 2 to 3 deviled eggs per person for your get-together. A dozen eggs will make 24 deviled eggs, and that will be enough for 8 to 12 people. If you have leftovers you can store them in the fridge for 24 hours and snack on them the next day.

Can you over boil eggs for deviled eggs? ›

Hard boiled eggs should be cooked for about 10-12 minutes. This timing avoids a powdery, dry yolk that comes from overcooking while keeping it solid enough for applications like devilled eggs or egg salad.

What is the best way to store deviled eggs overnight? ›

When it's time to serve, snip off a corner of the bag and pipe the filling into the egg whites. If you'd rather fully assemble the deviled eggs in advance, be sure to store them in a single layer in an airtight container, and hold off on garnishing them until right before serving time.

Can I peel hard-boiled eggs the night before? ›

It depends on whether they're peeled or unpeeled. With their shells on, hard-boiled eggs will stay good in the fridge for up to a week. Once you peel them, though, their shelf-life decreases to about three days (at the most).

Is it better to use old or new eggs for deviled eggs? ›

Fresh eggs, with their smaller air sacs, are more likely to have a smooth ovoid shape when peeled, which looks more appealing in applications as deviled eggs. OFF-CENTER YOLK: Fresher eggs are more likely (though not guaranteed) to have centered yolks, again leading to more attractive deviled eggs.

How to keep deviled eggs from getting watery? ›

Luckily there is a handy trick to achieving the perfect filling consistency, aside from your egg cooking technique. And it's easy to do. To help absorb excess liquid, fold some potato flakes into the yolk mixture. A few spoonfuls of the dried flakes add starch and richness to the yolk mixture.

References

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