Name: Creamy Deviled Eggs
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 8 large eggs; 0.333 cup light mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon white-wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon minced shallot; 0.25 teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco; Coarse salt and ground pepper; Paprika, for garnish

Prep Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

25 mins

Servings:

8

A classic—and for good reason—deviled eggs are always the first appetizer to go at a party. They are one of Martha’s favorite hors d’oeuvres and suit all kinds of occasions from a casual summer party to a special holiday dinner. Learn how to make our simple creamy deviled eggs using this streamlined recipe. The usual egg yolk-filling of mayonnaise and mustard with a touch of vinegar is supplemented by minced shallot and a dash of hot sauce. A sprinkle of paprika is the finishing touch for serving. This favorite comes together in 30 minutes.

Peeling Hard-Boiled Eggs

Making deviled eggs isn't hard; the tricky part of the process is peeling the eggs after you have hard cooked them. If the shell doesn’t come off easily, you end up making dents in the white and your deviled eggs look less than stellar, and it takes longer if the eggs aren't easy to peel. So how to ensure your hard-boiled eggs are peel easily?

Don't buy fresh eggs to make deviled eggs. Older eggs are easier to peel because the two membranes that encase the yolk and the white separate as the egg gets older and pull the egg away from the shell—and making it easier to peel. Buy eggs ahead for making deviled eggs; eggs that are two weeks old are ideal.
Cool the hard-cooked eggs in an ice-water bath before peeling—this should take about five minutes. (The cold water stops the cooking process so it also helps to prevent the unsightly greenish-gray ring from forming between the yolk and white.)

How to Peel Hard-Boiled Eggs

When it comes to peeling, there's one method we prefer:

Simply tap the top and bottom of the egg on a cutting board or countertop
Gently roll the egg with the palm of your hand to begin to crack the shell.

Pro Tip: Don't use too much force or you risk squishing the cooked egg.

Ingredients

8 large eggs
⅓ cup light mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon white-wine vinegar
1 tablespoon minced shallot
¼ teaspoon hot sauce, such as Tabasco
Coarse salt and ground pepper
Paprika, for garnish

Directions

Cook eggs:

Place eggs in a medium saucepan; add cold water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil. Remove pan from heat; cover, and let stand 13 minutes. Drain, and run eggs under cold water to cool them.
Combine other ingredients:

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix together mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, shallot, and hot sauce.
Peel eggs, halve; remove and mash yolks:

Peel eggs, and halve lengthwise; remove yolks, leaving whites intact. Transfer yolks to bowl with mayonnaise mixture, and season with salt and pepper. Mash with a fork until smooth.
Place yolk mixture in whites and garnish:

Mound yolk mixture into whites. Sprinkle with paprika just before serving,.

Storage

Serve the creamy deviled eggs immediately. We think deviled eggs are best eaten within an hour of assembling. If you have leftovers, use them for egg salad the next day.

Frequently Asked Questions

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. If you don't have a food processor, fully mash the yolks with a fork before adding other ingredients for smooth results.

Is it better to boil eggs for deviled eggs a day before?

Boiling the eggs a day ahead is the best way get some of the prep done for deviled eggs. We also peel the eggs and make the filling. Then, we refrigerate the filling and the whites separately, with plastic wrap pressed onto the surface of the filling, and assemble them just prior to serving.

Why do you put vinegar in deviled eggs?

A light-colored vinegar, like the white-wine vinegar we use in these creamy deviled eggs, brings a touch of acidity to the filling and balances the richness of the yolks and the mayonnaise.