There are deviled eggs, and then there are these Million Dollar Deviled Eggs. This is my favorite, best deviled egg recipe, and it includes a secret ingredient that notches up the filling to the next level. Top everything off with paprika and bacon (if you feel so inclined) and enjoy!
Let’s start the week off with a classic.
While Monday might have you reaching for a “Whiskey Sour” kind of classic, I have something slightly different for you today: the best deviled egg recipe that I have in my repertoire.
It’s also a little different from the classic deviled egg recipe that you might have stowed away, scribbled on a scrap of paper in the back of your kitchen cabinet, and that’s largely due to my addiction to secret ingredients.
That’s right, there’s a secret ingredient in these deviled eggs. Can you spy it below?
Right there, at 11 o’clock. That’s one Tablespoon of pure, delicious, sweet cream butter.
Have you ever made deviled eggs with butter before? It’s a sneaky secret ingredient, nearly imperceptible except that the filling is just a touch creamier, just a tad more velvety, there’s just something about it that you probably won’t quite be able to put your finger on…
Something really, really good, but not overpowering. Just a little bit extra without being overwhelming, subtle, but so important.
In addition to preferring my deviled eggs with a spoonful of butter, I also prefer them to be slightly on the sweet side of things. To this end I’ve added a splash of sweet pickle juice and a sprinkling of sugar.
I’m told sweeter deviled eggs are a southern thing, but I happen to live just a notch above the Mason Dixon Line and can vouch for their deliciousness here, too.
I topped off about half of these eggs with bacon (mostly for my husband’s benefit, to be honest I have a very meh attitude about bacon myself) and cross-sections of sweet pickles, and all of them got a sprinkle of Paprika.
Here’s a fun fact on peeling eggs that those of you who have your own chickens probably know all too well.
If you can help it, when making deviled eggs do not use fresh eggs that were just laid yesterday, or even a week earlier.
Those eggs cling to their shells like they were laid by hens with superglue diets. I tried to use a dozen eggs that were two weeks old, and every one of them ended up ragged, even after their ice water bath, and I ended up having to make my third grocery store trip of the day for a dozen store-bought eggs, despite having three dozen fresh eggs in my refrigerator.
The dogs were pretty thrilled about the wasted eggs, but I was not. Spare yourself some time and frustration and just don’t use fresh eggs.
Let me know what you think!
And if you happen to have some really amazing tricks for peeling fresh eggs, I want to hear them! We’ve tried the baking soda trick, the ice bath trick, the spoon trick… none of it has worked here!
How to Make Deviled Eggs
Million Dollar Deviled Eggs
Ingredients
- 12 large eggs
- 1/4 cup mayo (55g)
- 1 Tablespoon butter softened to room temperature
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons sweet gherkin pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- dash Tabasco sauce optional
- paprika for sprinkling
- bacon pieces optional
Instructions
How To Hard Boil Eggs
- Place eggs in a large saucepan and cover with water.
- Transfer to stovetop over high heat until water begins to boil.
- Boil for one minute, cover with lid, and remove from heat. Allow to sit for 17 minutes and then drain and transfer to an ice bath.
- Peel eggs and set aside.
How To Make Deviled Eggs
- Slice eggs in half lengthwise.
- Remove yolks and transfer to a medium-sized bowl.
- Add mayo, butter, mustards, pickle juice, sugar, salt, pepper, and Tabasco sauce. Use a fork to mash well.
- Spoon filling into each egg white. Sprinkle with paprika and bacon (if using) and serve.
- If desired, top with a small slice of sweet gherkin pickle, as seen in pictures.
Nutrition
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Karen says
I found the trick to perfectly cooked and easy to peel eggs. An electric egg cooker! I bought it from Amazon for $13. There is a little device that you use to poke a hole in the top of the egg and place it on the cooker rack. It gives you a measuring cup for water with the number of eggs to cook. The timer automatically goes off when the eggs are done and VOILA! perfect eggs every time. Seriously a game changer!
Sam says
That sounds awesome I’ll have to check it out! Thanks! 😊
Peggy Esposito says
I just made these for the Steelers game this afternoon for a crowd and of course I had to taste one…these are hands down the best deviled eggs I’ve ever made – the filling is the perfect consistency I’ve been looking for for years – creamy yet firm – and maybe because of the cooking time, the one minute boil and 17 minutes to cook – I didn’t have any problem peeling the eggs for the first time in my many years of making deviled eggs – each one is perfect! Thanks for sharing this recipe and I look forward to making more of your recipes!
Sam says
I am so glad everyone enjoyed them, Peggy! Good work not eating all of them before sharing! 😊
June Stanley says
The best way I have found to peel hard boiled eggs is a jar. I use an instant coffee jar but a small mason jar will work. Just place an egg in the jar and add water. make sure the lid is tight and shake hard three or four times. This cracks the shell and it comes off sooo easily.
Laura says
We have struggled with the egg peeling dilemma for years! About a month ago I discovered someone in the area with fresh brown eggs for sale. I stopped in to purchase some and made a comment about having to spoon them out of the shells once we would hard boil them and she shared her method with me. Just steam them! I went home and tried it; it works!!! I have a 5 qt pan with a steamer rack. I put an inch of water in the pan, 18 eggs in the rack, turn on the burner to med-high and set the timer for 22 min. (you don’t need to bring the water to a boil before setting the timer). They’re perfect every time and the shells slip right off!!
Sam says
A few people have mentioned the steaming trick to me and I still haven’t tried it out but I definitely need to! Can’t wait to try this method! Thanks Laura! 🙂
Ikari says
The Instant Pot also makes awesome boiled eggs. They nearly (literally) explode out of their shells after that ice water bath.
Dan says
Great Recipe. I will be using it again. Thank you.
Sam says
I am so glad you enjoyed it, Dan! ☺️
Rhonda says
Just add a splash of white vinegar to the water. Works everytime! I make deviled eggs on the regular.