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

Home Recipes Courses Appetizers and Snacks Classic Deviled Eggs

by Lisa Bryan

766 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.

BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe - How to Make Deviled Eggs | Downshiftology (2)

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

4.90 from 558 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

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

Assemble deviled eggs no more than a day in advance.

Pipe the filling to the egg whites and store them in the fridge covered in a container up to 12 hours ahead or overnight. If you make them more than one day in advance, the filling won't be its best.

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.

How do you boil eggs perfectly? ›

Allow the eggs to sit in the hot water for the following times according to the desired doneness: 3 minutes for SOFT boiled; 6 minutes for MEDIUM boiled; 12 minutes for HARD boiled. Prepare a bowl of ice water. Transfer the cooked eggs to the ice water to cool completely before peeling.

How do you not mess up deviled eggs? ›

When making deviled eggs, these are some common mistakes:
  1. Using super-fresh eggs. ...
  2. Overcrowding the pot. ...
  3. Not chilling in ice water. ...
  4. Not peeling under running water. ...
  5. Not grating the yolks. ...
  6. Not spicing it up. ...
  7. Messy piping. ...
  8. Not using an egg tray.
Feb 12, 2024

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 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.

What is the best way to mash yolks for deviled eggs? ›

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.

How do you fix too much mayo in deviled eggs? ›

The easiest way to go about, Pantry & Larder shares, is to just add more egg yolks. This should get the balance of ingredients back on track. If, however, you've depleted your batch of eggs, there are three other options: breadcrumbs, xanthan gum, and instant mashed potatoes.

Do you add eggs before or after water is boiling? ›

You might have heard that you should drop your eggs into room temperature or cold water and then bring the water to a boil. This is a myth. In our tests, bringing the water to a boil first and then lowering the eggs into the bath made for easy peeling and more accurate timing.

Do you boil eggs covered or uncovered? ›

Bring water to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to moderately high and cook eggs at a gentle boil, uncovered, 10 minutes. Pour off hot water. If using eggs right away, shake pan gently so eggs bump into one another (to crack shells). Run cold water into pot to stop cooking.

Why put paprika on deviled eggs? ›

The paprika will determine the depth of flavor of each bite. You can garnish with any kind (hot or sweet Hungarian, or hot or sweet smoked), but the better the quality, the more complex the flavor.

How do you boil eggs so they peel easily for deviled eggs? ›

Don't overcook eggs. I normally put them in cold water, bring them up to a boil, then pull them off the range, cover them with a lid, and let them sit for 15 minutes. Then, plunge them in cold water until they are cooled, and peel them immediately.

Why do deviled eggs get rubbery? ›

You've got this backwards: it's the “cooked all the way through” that is the problem. Basically the white sets more firmly the higher the temperature. If you boil your eggs in rapidly-boiling water, the white will be rubbery. If you boil them in just-barely simmering water, the white will be more tender.

How do you keep deviled eggs fresh overnight? ›

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.

Do deviled eggs keep well overnight? ›

Once prepared, deviled eggs should be stored in the refrigerator immediately. They should be consumed within three to four days, which is generally considered the maximum amount of time deviled eggs remain safe to eat when stored in the refrigerator.

Can you prep eggs the night before? ›

You can prepare eggs in advance to eat throughout the week. Eggs can last for several days in the fridge or for several months when frozen. There's a huge variety of egg-based dishes to choose from, and many of them can be meal prepped.

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.

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