It’s not Easter without deviled eggs on the table. This spring party staple is as common as marshmallow Peeps in April, but how many times have you tasted one and just thought “meh?” Deviled eggs are a perennial favorite for a reason: when you eat a really good one, it rocks your world. So how do you make sure your deviled eggs live up to the hype?
As a child of the Midwest, I’ve sampled deviled eggs at dozens of potlucks, graduation parties, and family gatherings. I’ve also made quite a few of my own. Here’s how to make sure your deviled eggs are everything they're cracked up to be.
1. Steam Your Eggs
True fact: the best way to boil eggs is actually to not boil them at all. Steaming is faster and more efficient because you don’t need to use as much water or wait for them to boil.
If you don’t have a steaming basket, don’t worry. Just add ½” water to a large pan and bring it to a simmer over high heat. Add the eggs, cover the pan, reduce the heat to medium low, and steam for 10 minutes before carefully removing the eggs and letting them cool out of the pan.
Get the recipe: Classic Deviled Eggs
2. Whip The Yolks With a Hand Mixer
You can make an acceptable deviled egg by simply mashing the yolks in a bowl with the other filling ingredients, but if you want to make a truly next-level version, you’ve gotta use a hand mixer. Blending the filling mechanically ensures that it’s SUPER smooth, but it also works air into the filling, giving it a lightness to balance out the richness from the egg yolks, mayo, and any other fatty goodness you’ve decided to throw in there.
You could also do this in a stand mixer with a whisk attachment—but I’d only recommend that if you’re planning to make a BIG batch (say, two to three dozen). Otherwise, a hand mixer and a regular bowl are your best friend.
3. Spice and Acid Are Key
Let’s be real: deviled eggs are incredibly rich. That’s why everyone loves them so much. But if you’re gonna be whipping egg yolks with mayo, you need to add some spice and acidity to balance it all out. Assistant food editor Francesca Zani likes a little smokiness, so she recommends paprika. Food editor Brooke Caison loves mixing in relish or chopped pickles. And mustard is a classic addition that can also bring a lot of acidity, especially if you use dijon, which can often be very punchy, depending on the brand. Whatever ingredients you throw in to amp up those yolks, make sure there’s a little heat and a little tang to cut through the fat.
4. Use a Piping Bag With a Ridged Tip
Your deviled eggs might have a filling that’s rich, tangy, and light as air, but if they don’t look special, they might not get a second look. There’s no way around it: you’ve got to get that filling in a piping bag. I highly recommend using a ridged piping tip here as opposed to a straight round one– otherwise you risk the top of the eggs looking like the infamous poop emoji!
Is it a little fussy? Sure. Will the eggs taste any better because of it? No. But if you want to make the ultimate deviled eggs, they have to look as good as they taste. So pipe for greatness.
3 Of Our Favorite Deviled Egg Recipes
5. Go Over-The-Top With Toppings
You can present a platter of beautifully piped deviled eggs dusted with paprika, and get a solid A for effort. But if you want to take them over the top, you’ll literally top them off with something fun. Crispy bacon or a sprinkling of finely sliced chives are both great choices, but don’t feel limited to what’s usual. Let your imagination run wild. Try a sprinkling of everything bagel seasoning, a few capers, finely sliced pickles, diced jalapeño, or even a little prosciutto or smoked salmon. A bit over-the-top? Maybe. But these are the best deviled eggs of your life: they deserve it.
FAQs
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 do Christians 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 is the danger zone for deviled eggs? ›
Never leave cooked eggs or egg dishes out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours or for more than 1 hour when temperatures are above 90° F. Bacteria that can cause illness grow quickly at warm temperatures (between 40° F and 140° F).
What is so devilish about deviled eggs? ›
"Deviled" goes back to the late 18th century as a way to refer to something that's spicy or grilled with spice. Deviled eggs are "deviled" because they're generally made with paprika and black pepper.
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 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.
What did the Romans call deviled eggs? ›
Wealthy Roman diners were served a first course called “gustatio” – which was basically boiled eggs seasoned with some sort of spicy sauce. By the 1400s, different versions of stuffed eggs became popular across Europe and recipes can be found in medieval cookbooks.
Can you eat 2 week old hard-boiled eggs? ›
The FDA recommends consuming hard-boiled eggs within a week, and two weeks is well past that deadline. Since spoiled hard-boiled eggs can make you sick, it's best to be safe and toss out any leftover hard-boiled eggs that have been in the fridge for more than one week.
Why do deviled eggs get watery overnight? ›
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.
Can I eat 5 day old deviled eggs? ›
Properly stored, deviled eggs can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days, but always check for signs of spoilage and give them a sniff to ensure they're still safe to consume.
Growing up, Perry and her siblings were not allowed to eat the cereal Lucky Charms as the word "luck" reminded their mother of Lucifer, and were also required to call deviled eggs "angeled eggs". Perry primarily listened to gospel music, as secular music was generally discouraged in the family's home.
What is a nickname for deviled eggs? ›
With eggs, especially spicy and zesty eggs made with mustard, pepper, or other ingredients like paprika stuffed into the empty yolk cavity of half an egg, they are called “deviled,” though in some places they're also referred to as stuffed eggs, dressed eggs, or even Russian eggs.
What is a fun fact about deviled eggs? ›
“Deviled,” a term first used to describe spicy foods in late 18th century Britain, presumably because the “heat” of the seasoning was associated with the fires of hell, refers to the eggs' picant flavoring.
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.
How does Martha Stewart make her deviled eggs? ›
Directions
- Prep ice bath and cook eggs: Prepare an ice bath with a bowl of cold water and ice. ...
- Remove eggs from heat and let stand: ...
- Drain, move to ice bath, then peel and halve: ...
- Combine yolks, mayo, butter, and mustard in food processor: ...
- Place mixture in piping bag: ...
- Fill each egg, garnish, and serve:
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.
Why are deviled eggs called Devil? ›
The term likely comes from the connection between spiciness and the presumably hot temperatures in hell. Since the word "devil" does have negative connotations, though, some groups of people prefer to call the dish "stuffed eggs," "salad eggs," or "dressed eggs."
What does the egg symbolize in Christianity? ›
Christianity adopted eggs as a symbol of fertility, resurrection, and eternal life. From the outside, eggs appear stone cold, yet inside they nurture young life. Just as a grave keeps life locked in, eggs stood for the tomb in Jerusalem, from which Christ rose from death 'like a bird hatching from an egg'.
What are holy eggs? ›
The church prohibited the eating of eggs during Holy Week, but chickens continued to lay eggs during that week, and the notion of specially identifying those as Holy Week eggs brought about their decoration. The egg itself became a symbol of the Resurrection.
Why deviled eggs on Easter? ›
But Christians relate Easter eggs to Jesus' emergence from the tomb and resurrection. And Easter is certainly a time for eggs! In this case deviled means cooked with hot seasoning. The classic deviled egg recipe isn't very spicy, but you can certainly choose to spice it up depending on the type of mustard you use.
