There are deviled eggs, and then there are these Million Dollar Deviled Eggs. This is my favorite, best 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!
The Best Deviled Egg Recipe
Let’s start the week off with a classic. While Monday morning might have you reaching for a peach bellini 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?
What Ingredients Do I Need for Deviled Eggs?
- Hard Boiled Eggs
- Mayo
- Butter. This is it, the secret ingredient! We’re going to talk a little bit more about why we add butter below, but this is what makes these “Million Dollar” Deviled Eggs.
- Mustard (you’ll need yellow and dijon mustard)
- Sweet pickle juice
- Sugar (just a pinch!)
- Salt & pepper
- Tabasco sauce (optional, just a dash of heat is a great addition, though!)
- Optional toppings: paprika, sweet pickle slices, crumbled bacon.
The Secret Ingredient
Do you see it? 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 (while sweeter cornbread is a northern thing, go figure), 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 Zach’s benefit, he prefers deviled eggs with bacon) and cross-sections of sweet pickles, and all of them got a sprinkle of Paprika.
How Far In Advance Can I Make Deviled Eggs?
For best results, you should not assemble your deviled eggs more than a day in advance. If you’d like to make them two days in advance you can boil, cut, and remove the yolks from the whites. Make your filling and then store the eggs and the prepared filling in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve the eggs, give the filling a quick stir and everything can be quickly assembled.
Deviled Eggs should always be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
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! My parents have chickens so I’m lucky to have a constant flow of farm-fresh eggs BUT those eggs cling to their shells like they were laid by hens with superglue diets. We’ve tried the baking soda trick, the ice bath trick, the spoon trick… none of it has worked here! I’ve heard great things about using an Instant Pot, though, and am considering getting one solely for this purpose!
Other Recipes You Might Like:
- Broccoli Salad
- Macaroni Salad
- Ramen Noodle Salad
- Corn Salad
- Pulled Chicken
- If you appreciate secret ingredients, check out my “Worst” Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Million Dollar Deviled Eggs
Ingredients
- 12 large eggs
- ¼ cup (55 g) mayo
- 1 Tablespoon butter softened to room temperature
- 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons sweet gherkin pickle juice
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ 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.12 large eggs
- 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.¼ cup (55 g) mayo, 1 Tablespoon butter, 2 teaspoons yellow mustard, 2 teaspoons dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons sweet gherkin pickle juice, 1 teaspoon sugar, ⅛ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon pepper, dash Tabasco sauce
- Spoon filling into each egg white. Sprinkle with paprika and bacon (if using) and serve.paprika, bacon pieces
- If desired, top with a small slice of sweet gherkin pickle, as seen in pictures.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
This Million Dollar Deviled Egg recipe was originally published 07/24/2017. Recipe remains the same but post has been updated as of 05/08/2019.
Bill
ABSOLUTEY amazing recipe! My ENTIRE family loved it! Topped with old bay really sends the taste buds flying 🖤
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed them so much, Bill! 🙂
Deb
I bought eggs yesterday and they peeled perfectly!
Put egg in a double boiler with about 2 inches of water in the bottom. Make sure the eggs aren’t sitting in the water.
Cover and let water come to a boil on high heat. Don’t lift the lid. Once they start boiling set timer for 20 minutes
Leaving eggs in top of double boiler, run under cool water until they’re cool enough to peel.
You won’t believe how easily the shell comes off.
I’ve tried EVERYTHING, this procedure amazed me.
I’m going to try this recipe but I don’t have sweet pickles. Any ideas?
Journey
Sooo good i just finished making these! I tripled the ingredients but used 30 eggs, i used 3 tablespoons of butter but i also added in some of the bacon grease from the pan and OH MY GOSH! I can taste Jesus rising in these! :’) thank you!
Molly
Wow! Making these now and they taste delicious! Never thought of butter. Buy the OXO egg timer with piercer! You will never waste an egg again. They always come out perfect and peel so well.
Jen
We have chickens, too! The best way to solve the problem might be this. Try saving your eggs until they are about a week old. It appears for us that it’s much easier to peel the shells of fresh eggs if they were laid at least a week earlier. Good luck!!!
Leyley
I love bacon on mine I even put a tablespoon of bacon drippings ..does the same effect but more flavor ..
Donna Mascola
Luv deviled eggs and can’t wait to try your recipe! The trick to peeling hard boiled eggs is to use a little egg appliance called the Dash. The shells peel off so easy. Its so simple to use and inexpensive too and you can get it on Amazon! It actually steams them. Comes in different sizes too – 6 eggs, 12 eggs… Been using mine for years now and will never boil a hard boiled egg again 🙂
Robin
I have chickens and the struggle is real. Best way- steam them in the vegetable steamer for about 30 and then drop them in an ice water bath….amazingly easy for fresh eggs.
Patti Walsdorf
I have made these twice. Turned out great. Did the eggs in the instapot then followed this recipe. Skipped the hot sauce and sugar.
Wisdom
If you put some lemon juice in the pot for the last five minutes of boiling the eggs, the shells will come off very easily 🙂
Rose
I tap the ends of hard boiled ends to crush, give them a roll on the countertop to crackle the rest, roll in my hands and they usually come off in one piece. Lol – you could also tap them with the back of spoon all over…
Dawnelle
The easiest way to peel FRESH or any eggs is to cook them in the pressure cooker. 5 minutes and then quick release and immediately place is iced water for 5 minutes. They peel off easily every time!!! I don’t make boiled eggs any other way.
Nicole
This is my favorite recipe for deviled eggs! I have never tried the butter before and will for sure do it again! Love the dash of hot sauce, it gives the egg a perfect little kick!
Sam
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Nicole! 🙂
Nikki
My grandma told me that if you put little oil in the water and hit each egg gently with a spoon. It will peel easily! Always let the boiled eggs chill a bit. This has always worked great for me!! No problems at all with removing the egg shell.
Jill Grusch
I’m sure someone has already shared this with you by now, but the Pioneer Woman’s method of cooking hard boiled easy to peel eggs works for me every time I!!
Melissa
Love this recipe and my family loves it, too! Since I switched up my method of cooking the eggs, I’ve had successful peeling every time! I boil the water first, the carefully lower my eggs into the boiling water. I let them boil for about 30 seconds, then put the lid on the pan and turn down the heat to simmer for 13 minutes or so. Then into an ice bath they go for 15 minutes. I then peel the eggs immediately under cool water. It’s worked beautifully every time, no matter how freshly bought my eggs are!