This classic deviled eggs recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients like mustard and mayo. It's a crowd-pleasing appetizer for potlucks and holidays!
This deviled eggs recipe is one of my favorite appetizers! A few years ago, Jack’s mom taught me how to make deviled eggs using her tried-and-true method. Since then, I’ve made this recipe for countless potlucks, parties, and holidays like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. So many people have told me that these are the best deviled eggs they’ve tried!
These deviled eggs have a rich, creamy, tangy filling, and a pinch of paprika takes them over the top. I love them so much that I could polish off half a batch myself. I think you’ll love them too!
Why You’ll Love This Deviled Eggs Recipe
- It’s easy to make. You just need 6 simple ingredients!
- It’s super flavorful. Peppery Dijon mustard, a little pickle juice or apple cider vinegar, and a dash of paprika fill these deviled eggs with bold, tangy flavor.
- You can prep it ahead. I love a make-ahead party appetizer, don’t you? You can fully assemble this recipe a few hours in advance, and you can cook the hard boiled eggs up to 5 days ahead.
Deviled Eggs Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy deviled eggs recipe:
- Eggs, of course! Prepare them according to this hard boiled eggs recipe. My simple method makes them easy to peel, and they come out with sunny yellow yolks every time.
- Mayonnaise – It makes the filling rich and creamy.
- Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar – For tangy flavor. The mustard also adds a nice peppery kick. Feel free to sub yellow mustard for Dijon if you prefer.
- Salt and pepper – Add them to taste! Because the mayo and mustard are salty, I recommend tasting the filling before you mix in more salt.
- And hot sauce – Optional, but SO delicious. It adds some heat to the egg filling and makes it extra-tangy. I especially like Tabasco here. Frank’s Red Hot is great too.
If you like, garnish the eggs with fresh dill, chives, and/or paprika for an extra pop of flavor.
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Have you ever wondered why deviled eggs are called “deviled”? According to AllRecipes, in cooking, the term “deviled” refers to a dish with hot or spicy seasonings. In classic deviled eggs, the mustard adds that “devilish” flavor.
How to Make Deviled Eggs
The first step in this deviled eggs recipe is making the hard boiled eggs. My method is simple:
- Place the eggs in a medium pot and cover them with an inch of cold water.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil. Then, immediately cover the pot and turn off the heat.
- Let the eggs sit in the hot water for 10 to 12 minutes.
- Remove the eggs from the hot water and transfer to a bowl of ice water. Chill in the ice bath for 14 minutes before peeling the cooked eggs under cool running water.
Check out my hard boiled eggs blog post for tips on preparing and peeling the eggs!
Once you peel the eggs, prepare the filling. Use a sharp knife to slice the eggs in half lengthwise. Carefully remove the yolks from the egg halves with a spoon. Transfer the yolks to a bowl.
Add the mayo, mustard, vinegar, and hot sauce, if using.
Mash the egg yolks with a fork, mixing until the filling is creamy. Season to taste.
Finally, fill the egg whites. Evenly divide the egg yolk mixture among the egg white cavities.
Transfer to a serving platter, and top with fresh herbs or a sprinkle of paprika. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
- For an extra-smooth and creamy filling, blend the egg yolk mixture in a food processor. This makes it possible to pipe the filling with a piping bag, so you can get the cute swirls pictured here.
- Add a pickle-y pop. Use pickle juice instead of apple cider vinegar. Or add a teaspoon of sweet pickle relish to the filling. (Jack’s mom swears by this addition!)
- Make avocado deviled eggs. Mash half an avocado into the egg yolk mixture.
Let me know what variations you try!
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
If you want to make the deviled eggs ahead of time, you have a few options:
- Cook the hard boiled eggs up to 5 days in advance. You can even peel them ahead of time! Store the peeled eggs in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Assemble the deviled eggs a few hours ahead. I like these deviled eggs best on the day they’re made. If you’re making them for a party or gathering, I don’t recommend assembling them more than a few hours in advance. Store them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve, and wait to add the garnishes until right before serving.
Leftover deviled eggs will keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
More Delicious Egg Recipes
If you love this recipe, try one of these delicious egg dishes next:
- Egg Salad
- Egg Bites
- Breakfast Egg Muffins
- Spinach Quiche
- Breakfast Casserole
- Or any of these 30 Best Egg Recipes!
Deviled Eggs Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or dill pickle brine
- Hot sauce, such as Tabasco, optional
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Paprika, chives, and/or fresh dill, for garnish
Instructions
- Place the 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 sit, covered, for 10 to 12 minutes, depending on your desired doneness (see photo in this hard boiled eggs recipe).
- Transfer the eggs to a bowl of ice water and chill for 14 minutes, or until cooled completely.
- Gently rap the eggs on the counter to crack the shells, then peel. I like to do this under cool running water to help the shells slip off. Pat dry if necessary.
- Slice the peeled eggs in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon to carefully scoop out the yolks and transfer them to a medium bowl. Set the egg whites aside.
- To the bowl with the egg yolks, add the mayonnaise, mustard, apple cider vinegar, and a dash of hot sauce, if using. Mash with a fork until creamy, then season to taste with salt, pepper, and more hot sauce, as desired. For a smoother deviled egg filling, pulse the mixture in a food processor.
- Divide the filling among the egg whites and garnish with paprika, chives, and/or fresh dill.
Great recipe. I brought my large eggs to the boil, then waited 7 min. Super easy, super tasty, I think the addition of cider vinegar makes that just noticeable difference.
Thank you.
I’m so glad you loved them!
All I tasted was mayonnaise. The boiling method was a flop too. I left my eggs for 12 minutes and the yolks came out very jammy which made it difficult to blend the yolk mixture. Not to mention that the whites got destroyed on every egg. Womp.
Hi Alycia, I’m so sorry you were disappointed with the recipe! As far as the eggs go, I would say to make sure that the water comes to a full rolling boil before turning off the heat so that the eggs fully cook. I’m not sure if you did the ice bath, but that’s also important for making the eggs easy to peel.
There is a noticeable difference in “fresh” eggs compared with those that have come close to or reached their expiration date. “Old” eggs work so much better. If you tried making eggs that you just bought, they may be too fresh! Hope you can try again.
I used 1/2 mayo and 1/2 ranch dressing and OH MY! Delicious!
Did you change the recipe or am I crazy? Was looking everywhere for the old one but realized it must be gone… I had everyone in my life hooked on that recipe, sure wish I’d written it down.
In theory they were okay? It’s all preferences… I did 4 batches, the guests all kind of agreed it was too much mustard and too much vinegar but I thought they were okay as is? Maybe add half and taste as you go, I just dumped it all in!
Delicious
This is the best Deviled Egg salad recipe. Made a few dozen of these for appetizers for our family Easter gathering and they were gobbled right up ! Lots of compliments.
Deviled Egg….not salad LOL
Hi Nancy, so glad they were a hit!
thank you, a great reminder of me and also a very nice hard boiled egg recipe. I’d always just plopped them in boiling water, this is better and the ice bath makes for much easier peeling!
I have always added a touch of creamy horseradish to the yolk mixture. It adds just enough of a kick to make them addicting; I have been tasked with making deviled eggs at every family gathering for the past 10 years. Your recipe sounds amazing!
Hi Mikal, I love that – yum!
I follow this recipe exactly and the results were phenomenal. Thank you.
I’m glad you loved them!
I tried this recipe yesterday and I loved it! Thank you for amazing recipe!
Not a fan of pickle relish, but I LOVE adding Patak’s Curry Paste to the yolk mixture!
These look great! Just in time for Easter, too. My daughter loves deviled eggs.