The Best Deviled Eggs

A go-to finger food for parties, these deviled eggs have the classic mustard-mayonnaise flavor that’s easy to customize with other fillings to your liking.

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About The Best Deviled Eggs

Whether served as a cold side dish or an appetizer, deviled eggs are a party staple for a reason: they’re simple, easy to make, and tasty.

And with this recipe, I promise you’ll have the best base for making any type of deviled egg you like, from the true simple, classic to whipping up your own new flavor combination.

Tips for perfect hard-boiled eggs

To prevent the eggs from cracking and to have a shell that’s easier to peel, add about 1/2 teaspoon salt to the water while boiling the eggs. There is a chance this may give the eggs a hint of saltiness, though.

To prevent the egg whites from running and another way to have easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs, add one teaspoon of vinegar to the water. Keep in mind that this may give the eggs a tangy flavor.

You can also use both of the above tips together (adding salt and vinegar to the water) to really control what your eggs will do both during and after boiling.

How can you tell if an egg is still good?

Did you know that eggs can still be fresh long past the “best by” date? Because they totally can!

All you need to do is perform a simple test to confirm that the eggs are still fresh:

• Fill a deep bowl with cool water (at least three or four inches) and gently drop the egg in.
• Watch the egg. If it sinks to the bottom, it’s fine to eat. If it floats toward the top of the water, throw it out.

Eggs release gas as they begin to spoil, and this gas is what makes an egg float in water. A floating egg is a sure sign that it’s not safe to eat.

So before throwing out that dated carton, always do this egg freshness test! Over the years, I’ve had eggs last nearly two months longer than what the egg carton said they would. It’s saved me a lot of money and trips to the grocery store.

What flavors can you add to deviled eggs?

This recipe is originally written to include celery seed and dried onion, but there are lots of other flavors you can add. Get creative and mix and match to make the perfect deviled eggs for you!

Some of my favorite additions are:

• Shredded cheddar cheese, sharp or mild (about 1/2 cup).
• Grated parmesan cheese (about 1/4 cup).
• Green onion, chopped (about one should do).
• A small avocado, mashed with the egg.
• Fresh chopped cilantro (about 1/4 cup).
• Pimientos (about 4 oz).
• Dill pickles, as a garnish or added in the egg mixture (about 2 tablespoons).
• Sweet relish (about 3 tablespoons).
• Bay shrimp (about 1 per deviled egg, added as a garnish).
• Cooked salmon, sliced thin and added as a garnish (about 4 oz).
• Cooked bacon (about 1/2 cup).
• Deli ham, chopped (about 2 slices).
• Hot sauce (about 1-3 teaspoon, or to taste).
• Jalapeño (about 1-3 teaspoon, or to taste).

This list could go on and on.

If you have a favorite addition or flavor combination, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Can you make deviled eggs in advance?

Yes! In fact, that’s one of the main reasons that deviled eggs are so popular at gatherings: they “stay pretty” for a decent period of time, making them prime candidates for preparing long before the festivities start.

For best results, deviled eggs can be prepared and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving.

How long can you leave out deviled eggs?

Whenever you serve finger food for your guests to enjoy, you should always keep track of how long it sits at room temperature.

For most foods, the general rule of thumb is that a perishable item should not be in the “danger zone” for more than two hours. And by “danger zone”, this is usually at or just above room temperature. In most cases, deviled eggs will be served chilled, so this should give you more time (about one hour) before the deviled eggs reach room temperature.

So, in total, these deviled eggs can be left out for “about” three hours, depending on their starting temperature and the temperature of the room. However, be sure to still check the deviled eggs every now and then and make your best judgment call.

Once you pass the recommended time, you can place the deviled eggs back in the refrigerator. If your guests still want more, let them chill for at least 30 minutes before bringing them back out again.

How long are deviled eggs good for?

Once prepared, deviled eggs can be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to three to four days.

Can you freeze deviled eggs?

The answer to this is tricky, and the answer itself might even discourage you from doing it:

The egg mixture (the “deviled” part made with the yolks) can be frozen. However, it’s not recommended to freeze the boiled egg whites. The egg whites will release a lot of water during the freezing and thawing process, making their texture hard, rubbery, and overall unappealing to eat.

This means that you can only freeze 50% of the deviled eggs, and you’ll have to discard (and recook) the egg whites when you’re ready to thaw and use the deviled egg mixture.

But if the above does not bother you or you simply have some egg mixture left over, then feel free to freeze the egg mixture in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to one month.

Notes & tips for making the best deviled eggs:

• Before making deviled eggs, make sure you have a deviled egg tray. It makes transportation and serving so much easier. The tray I have is similar to this one.
• If you’d like more tips and tricks on how to get perfect boiled eggs, check out this guide: How to Make Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs.
• When piping the filling for the deviled eggs, I recommend using Winton’s 1M piping tip. This tip gives the perfectly formed ribbons that come to a six-pointed star in the center.

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How do you make deviled eggs?

This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. If you’re looking for the full recipe measurements and instructions, scroll down to Recipe Details.

Step 1 – Prepare the eggs by slicing them in half (lengthwise down and the center) and scooping out the yolks into a medium bowl.

Step 2 – In the bowl with the yolks, add the mayonnaise, mustard, dried onion and celery seed (if using), and salt. Use a fork to mash it all together until nice and smooth.

Step 3 – Transfer the egg mixture to a pastry bag (or a Ziploc bag with the corner cut) and pipe about two tablespoons of egg mixture into the cavity of each egg white half.

Step 4 – Garnish each deviled eggs with smoked paprika and chopped parsley.

Step 5 – Cover and chill the deviled eggs for two hours.

Step 6 – Serve and enjoy!