Easy Deviled Eggs is a simple, versatile recipe with just 2 ingredients that comes together in around 10 minutes.
If you have hard-boiled eggs on hand, this healthy, gluten-free, and dairy-free recipe is the perfect way to use them up.
Deviled eggs are simple, quick, and made with only two ingredients: hard-boiled eggs and mayo.
They are great for a light breakfast, brunch, or snack. You can also set them out as an appetizer for guests while they wait for the main course at a party or event.
This basic dish is incredibly versatile, so feel free to add your favorite seasonings or garnishes as you desire.
Tip: My favorite mayo to use with these is Hellmann’s or Best Foods (they are the same mayo with a different name, depending on where you live in the US).
A little about eggs
For many years eggs were considered a source of high cholesterol and a possible cause of heart disease, and people were warned against them and recommended to have only a few per week in their diets.
It is true that one large egg yolk has 200 mg of cholesterol. However, the additional nutrients that eggs contain may actually help LOWER the risk of heart disease by raising the “good” cholesterol in one’s body.
Eggs are high in protein and filling but low in calories. They have nutritional value and contain a large variety of vitamins as well as some antioxidants.
The color of the yolk depends on the diet of the hen, and different types of chickens may lay different colored eggs; white or brownish.
Egg white consists primarily of approximately 90 percent water and contains almost no fat or carbohydrates.
The yolk of a new egg is firm, but then it absorbs water from the egg white, which causes it to increase in size and become loose.
You may be surprised to know that raw egg white is sometimes used in the preparation of vaccines.
Many people believe that since eggs are found in the refrigerated section of the supermarket and very frequently near the dairy section, they are also dairy.
Nonetheless, eggs are NOT DAIRY. You CANNOT milk a chicken!
Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs) about Eggs
How long do hard-boiled eggs stay good in the refrigerator?
Typically, hard-boiled eggs (in the shell) can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 7 days or so. Once peeled, they it’s best if they’re eaten within 24 hours for the best safety and quality.
How can I make sure that the egg white doesn’t get stuck to the peel?
One way is to use an ice bath. Immediately after boiling, transfer the eggs to a bowl filled with ice and cold water for at least 10 minutes. This shocks the egg, causing it to shrink slightly inside the shell and making it much easier to peel.
However, I have found that not putting the eggs into the water until the water has boiled works like a charm.
How do I know if an egg is hard-boiled or raw?
Place the egg on a flat surface and try to spin it. A hard-boiled egg will spin smoothly and quickly. A raw egg will wobble or feel unstable because the liquid interior is shifting.
Can I freeze hard-boiled eggs?
It is not recommended to freeze whole hard-boiled eggs in the shell, as the whites become rubbery and watery. If you must preserve them, you can freeze the cooked yolks separately, but the texture will change significantly.
Why do hard-boiled eggs sometimes get a green ring around the yolk?
That green ring is a harmless chemical reaction between the sulfur in the egg white and the iron in the yolk, caused by overcooking. To avoid it, don’t overboil the eggs and cool them down in an ice bath immediately after they are cooked.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about deviled eggs
How far in advance can I make deviled eggs?
You can prepare the filling and store it in a piping bag or airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For the best texture, wait to fill the egg whites until shortly before serving to prevent the whites from becoming rubbery or watery.
How long can deviled eggs sit out at room temperature?
For food safety, deviled eggs should not be left out for more than 2 hours. If you are serving them at an outdoor event or a party, keep the platter on a bed of ice to keep them chilled.
Why does my deviled egg filling get watery?
This usually happens if the eggs were not cooled completely before peeling or if they weren’t dried well enough. Ensure your hard-boiled eggs are fully chilled and patted dry with a paper towel before filling to maintain a creamy consistency.
Can I make deviled eggs without mustard?
Yes, you can substitute the mustard with a splash of pickle juice, lemon juice, or even a dash of hot sauce to provide the necessary acid that balances the richness of the egg yolks and mayonnaise.
What is the best way to keep deviled eggs from sliding on the plate?
To keep them steady, trim a tiny sliver off the rounded bottom of each egg white half to create a flat base, or place them on a bed of greens or sea salt to hold them in place.
Some cooking terms
What does it mean when recipes say “to taste” about an ingredient?
When recipes say “to taste,” it means that you can put in as little or as much as you like to your own taste. Some recipes have many ingredients that a cook can adjust to their own taste when cooking (not so much when baking, though).
The best way to calculate what your taste is with a recipe that you are not yet familiar with is to first taste the dish and then add the “to taste” ingredient GRADUALLY, a little at a time—a splash of this or a pinch of that—until the dish is just the way you like it.
Make sure to stir the ingredient after each time you add it so that the flavor will distribute evenly and become part of the dish. Then taste again. Repeat until you reach your personal preference.
Note: If you plan on using the recipe again, it is highly recommended to make a note of what and how much you added so that you can refer to it next time.
What does it mean when a recipe says that an ingredient is “optional”?
If an ingredient is “optional,” it means that you can add it in or not based on your own preference. An optional ingredient can be flavor-related (i.e., salty, sweet, spicy, etc.), appearance-related (garnish), or even something like nuts or chocolate chips in baking.
Like eggs?
Try
Classic Israeli Shakshuka
Easy Deli-Style Egg Salad
Easy Deviled Eggs Recipe: A 10-minute Appetizer
Easy and quick, dairy-free deviled eggs with mayonnaise.
Ingredients
- 6 peeled hard-boiled eggs*
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon of mustard (yellow or Dijon), optional for tang*
- 1 teaspoon of vinegar, optional for tang
- 1 teaspoon paprika, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Slice the peeled hard boiled eggs length-wise.
- Remove yokes and place in bowl.
- Mix well with mayonnaise (and mustard and/or vinegar, if using)
- Spoon mixture back into egg halves.
- Lightly sprinkle with paprika.
Notes
* If you don't like mustard, you can leave it out, but add another tablespoon of mayo.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 126Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 189mgSodium: 115mgCarbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 6g