Devilishly Good.
Mayo, mustard and a little pour of pickle juice (just trust us on this one) make these the very best deviled eggs you’ve ever had. It’s a simple formula, really. Fluffy, tangy, creamy filling, plus perfectly-cooked eggs (you know how to make those, right?) are all it takes to make a perfect deviled egg. The only problem with this recipe is that once you know how easy it is to make truly great deviled eggs, you might just find yourself craving them more than ever before.
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Why Are They Called Deviled Eggs?
The term “devil’ has been used for at least 200 years (and probably longer) to refer to highly-seasoned, often-spicy foods. Foods—often seafood, but sometimes chicken, eggs (clearly) or ham—devilishly seasoned with chili peppers, a generous sprinkle of black pepper or even just a host of ultra-flavorful spices. It can also refer to foods that take on a twinge of fire-y red coloring—like many deviled eggs do (though not our recipe) thanks to a sprinkle of paprika. In other words, the word “devil” in this context basically means exactly what you think it does!
The Best Deviled Eggs Begin with the Best Deviled Egg Ingredients
This is a totally classic deviled egg recipe. Why mess with perfection? When we crave perfectly creamy deviled eggs, we season them simply with:
- Dijon mustard. A little spicy, a little tangy, a hint of creaminess—in other words, perfect.
- Mayonnaise.
- Pickle brine. Hear us out! Pickle brine is actually a really classic deviled egg ingredient. Most recipes call for at least a dash of vinegar, and pickle brine is similarly acidic and tangy, with a bonus. Often seasoned with a bit of garlic or chili, and certainly dill, pickle brine is just an even-more-flavorful version of vinegar. That said, if you don’t have pickle brine in the house, just substitute an equal amount of apple cider vinegar.
How To Make Deviled Eggs
To be quite honest, the first time we set out to make deviled eggs we were kind of floored by how much work it is. But these devilish little bites of heaven are just so worth the effort. Here’s how to make the best deviled eggs:
- Start with perfectly-done hard-boiled eggs.
- Peel and chop! When the eggs are cool, peel them, and then cut the eggs in half.
- De-yolk the eggs! Use a spoon to gently scoop the yolk out, and collect the yolks in a bowl.
- Make the filling! Mix mayo, Dijon, pickle brine, salt and pepper into the yolks using a food processor, immersion blender, or a fork (in a pinch).
- Fill the eggs! While you can use a spoon to carefully fill the eggs, the deviled eggs will look a lot prettier if you pipe the yolk mixture into the egg whites. If you don’t have a piping bag, just use a large zipper-top bag, with one corner cut off.
- Eat the eggs! Yay! The best part. While you can make these a day ahead, they taste best when enjoyed right away.
Dress Up Your Deviled Eggs
Also called “dressed eggs”, deviled eggs—though they’re delicious as-is— get a little boost from even just a simple garnish. Here are some deviled egg topping ideas to get you started:
- Radish slices. Not only is the vibrant pink pretty against the yellow yolk filling, the radish’s crunch is a great contrast to the creamy deviled egg.
- Microgreens.
- Fresh chopped chives.
- Crispy cooked bacon pieces
- A dusting of paprika—the most classic! A hint of flavor, and a burst of color.
- Pickles. Relish is a classic deviled egg ingredient, and our recipe calls back to that classic ingredient with its use of pickle brine. Tie it all together with a pickle slice egg topper—the crunch and tanginess is a great match for the richness of a deviled egg.
Tools You’ll Need:
- Mixing bowl.
- Zipper-top bag (like a Ziploc)
- A food processor or immersion blender is helpful, but not necessary.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
Most days, we love a good balanced meal for dinner. But sometimes, we give in to our snacky desires and have snacks for dinner! And those are good days. Here are a few of our recent faves:
The Devil’s in the Details
These deviled eggs are just lovely served simply as-is, but if you make a batch, what we’d really love to see is how you dress them up! Garnished with crisp bacon pieces, or a pickle slice, or even a restaurant-y crown of microgreens? Show us your stuff! Snap a photo of your deviled eggs and tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!
