The BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe (So Easy!) - Oh Sweet Basil (2024)

FAQs

The BEST Deviled Eggs Recipe (So Easy!) - Oh Sweet Basil? ›

Notes and Tips...

No time for the whole thing. 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.

Notes and Tips...

No time for the whole thing. 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.

People put paprika on deviled eggs as a garnish for serving. A dusting of paprika contrasts nicely with the white and yellow of the egg for visual effect and it also adds a smoky, sweet flavor to the deviled egg.

Follow this tip: Our favorite method is to cover the eggs with water, bring the water to a boil, and then let the eggs sit off the heat for about 10 minutes. This makes whites that are firm but still tender and yolks that are set but still creamy.

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.

The eggs can be hard-boiled and peeled up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated. You can also make the filling up to 1 day ahead and store it in a piping bag or in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed onto the surface in the refrigerator.

Salt and Pepper

Specifically, salt suppresses bitter tastes to help bring out the eggs' natural taste, while pepper adds a pop of outside spice. You can switch up your eggs' flavor by using different types of pepper. While black and white pepper come from the same plant, they have slightly different tastes.

Remove from heat when eggs are clumpy, but soft. Season with freshly ground black pepper and garnish with a sprinkling of chopped chives.

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. It's not necessary, but it does add a layer of complexity and contrast to the creamy filling.

What happens if 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.

Press the yolks through a sieve

Using a silicone spatula or wooden spoon, push the yolks through the sieve and into a bowl. The tiny mesh texture will break the yolks into tiny pieces, which will make them less prone to lumps. (This is the same reason we recommend using a potato ricer for lump-free mashed potatoes).

The green-gray color (and the whiff of sulfur smell that often accompanies it) comes from the reaction of iron in the egg yolk and sulfur in the egg white. When heated, the two can combine to make green-gray ferrous sulfide and hydrogen sulfide gas.

Instant mashed potatoes (which doubles as a surprising thickener for soups) can save your deviled eggs. To pull this off, all you need to do is add the flakes directly to your filling in small doses, mixing well each time.

Baking soda is said to raise the pH level of eggs and therefore make them easier to peel. Add 1 teaspoon baking soda to a pot of eggs, as in our Perfect Boiled Eggs recipe.

Salt intensifies the egg flavor, pepper adds some spice, and the paprika adds a subtle warmth and a sweetness. Of course, depending on what kind of paprika you use, you can really play around with flavor a lot! Some will make for a spicy fried egg while others will make it more savory and sweet.

Paprika is a mellow ingredient, bringing beautiful color and a hint of sweetness. Use paprika to add flavor and vivid red color to pretty much any dish. It works great with lighter colored foods such as potato salad and deviled eggs. Since paprika has a mild flavor, larger amounts can be used.

Think of paprika as the gentler, sweeter cousin of hot chili peppers. It enlivens your favorite dishes with fruity notes and a toasty red color without ever taking over the show. Picture that iconic dusting of bold red color atop deviled eggs.

Sprinkle the paprika in the oil as well

"Putting this spice in the oil flavors the oil, it toasts the spice at the same time, which deepens its flavor; it then flavors the eggs as well, as you are spooning the oil over the eggs, and then your sauce is delicious too," Miglore says.