Deviled Eggs Recipe | Hard-Boiled Egg Facts & Techniques (2024)

FAQs

What is a fact about deviled eggs? ›

The deviled egg can be traced back to ancient Rome, where boiled eggs were seasoned with spicy sauces and served as a starter meal during gatherings and feasts.

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. I put one or two paper towels between each layer of egg whites.

Set up a large bowl of ice water while the bubbler is bubbling, then transfer the just-cooked eggs as soon as you hear the bee-bee-beep. Let your perfect hard-boiled eggs hang out in the cold water until they're cool enough to handle, 2–3 minutes. 5. Peel the eggs under the water.

Deviled eggs are hard boiled eggs where the yolk is mixed with mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. The little sprinkle of paprika on top is the perfect finishing touch.

How do you make deviled eggs creamy, not lumpy? Get out your food processor: If you mix the yolks in your food processor with the mayonnaise and mustard, it will make the filling light and fully emulsified, like a mousse.

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.

To devil means to "combine a food with various hot or spicy seasonings such as red pepper, mustard, or Tabasco sauce, thereby creating a 'deviled' dish," according to the Food Lover's Companion, the definitive guide to all things food and cooking.

The evolution of deviled eggs

Many cookbooks in puritanical early America, though, stuck with labels like "stuffed eggs, "dressed eggs" or "salad eggs" to avoid association with Satan, who is typically not invited to or welcome at church socials.

Be sure to transfer them to an ice bath right away to stop the cooking process and cool them down quickly, which makes the eggs easier to peel and ensures that the yolk isn't too warm when mixed with the mayonnaise and mustard (which risks creating a runny filling).

This recipe for Deviled Eggs Without Mustard tastes just like classic deviled eggs but with apple cider vinegar in place of dijon mustard. They're a creamy, delicious appetizer everyone should try!

What is the best method for boiling eggs for deviled eggs? ›

Egg Peeling Method #1: Boiling Eggs with Baking Soda

The higher pH of older eggs allows the whites to separate from the inner shell membrane, which makes them easier to peel.

As soon as the water begins to boil, turn off the heat and cover the pot. Leave the eggs in the hot water for anywhere from 10-12 minutes, depending on how you like your eggs. The 10-minute eggs will have vibrant, creamy yolks, while the 12-minute yolks will be paler and opaque, with a chalkier texture.

It's not necessary to add anything to the water. Some people also swear that adding a bit of salt, vinegar or even baking soda to the boiling water makes eggs easier to peel and/or makes them taste better. We, however, prefer the simplicity of plain ol' water.

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.

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.

How many deviled eggs do you need per person? Plan 2 to 3 deviled eggs per person for your get-together. A dozen eggs will make 24 deviled eggs, and that will be enough for 8 to 12 people. If you have leftovers you can store them in the fridge for 24 hours and snack on them the next day.

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.

But when you're heavy-handed with this ingredient, not only will it overpower the taste of the filling, but it can also make for a loose, runny filling that's tough to pipe into the egg white. Follow this tip: Having just the right amount of mayonnaise in the filling makes for good flavor and good texture.

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.

Why are my deviled eggs oily? ›

The only other bit to look out for is that, just like when you're making a mayonnaise, if you try to add too much olive oil to your egg yolks too fast, the filling will break, turning grainy and greasy.

So where do deviled eggs come from? According to The History Channel, deviled eggs go all the way back to ancient Rome, where eggs were boiled, seasoned with spicy sauces, and then served at the beginning of meals. In the 13th century, stuffed eggs began to appear in the southern, Andalusian regions of Spain.

Deviled eggs became natural for outdoor entertaining. Once automobiles allowed Americans to take food with them, these church picnics and rides to the country for family reunions were good reasons to prep food and go. Cooks were advised to be frugal and economical in planning their moveable feasts.

Plus, eggs provide protein, vitamin D, folate, selenium, and lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that support healthy vision. And they're one of the best sources of choline, which is important for brain health. As a snack food, deviled eggs have an edge over many store-bought snacks: they're whole and unprocessed.

Shelf Life of Hard-Cooked and Deviled Eggs

According to the USDA, hard-cooked eggs of any kind—whether left in their shells or peeled—can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Deviled eggs are best consumed within 4 days, provided they've been refrigerated promptly and stored properly.