For the Filling
6 large eggs, hard-boiled and peeled
¼ cup mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt for tang + protein)
1 tsp Dijon mustard (adds depth + zing)
½ tsp white wine vinegar (or fresh lemon juice)
Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For Garnish (Choose Your Style!)
Sweet or smoked paprika (classic color + subtle flavor)
Fresh chives, finely chopped (freshness + color)
Optional upgrades:
Crumbled bacon
Finely diced dill pickles
Dash of hot sauce or cayenne
Everything bagel seasoning
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions (Foolproof & Elegant)
1. Perfectly Hard-Boil the Eggs
Place eggs in a saucepan, cover with 1 inch cold water.
Bring to a full boil, then remove from heat, cover, and let sit 10–12 minutes.
Transfer to an ice bath for 10+ minutes (easy peeling + no green yolks!).
2. Prep the Eggs
Slice eggs lengthwise with a sharp knife.
Gently pop out yolks into a bowl.
Arrange whites on a platter or container.
3. Make the Creamy Filling
Mash yolks with a fork until fine.
Add mayo, Dijon, vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Mix until smooth and creamy (use a hand mixer for ultra-silky texture!).
Taste and adjust: Need more tang? Add vinegar. More zip? Extra mustard.
4. Fill with Flair
For elegance: Spoon filling into a piping bag (or zip-top bag with corner snipped). Pipe into whites with a star tip.
For ease: Use a small spoon to mound filling neatly.
Pro tip: Don’t overfill—keep it neat and balanced.
5. Garnish & Chill
Lightly dust with paprika.
Sprinkle with chives or your chosen add-ins.
Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour (flavors meld, texture firms up).
Serve chilled—they’re best within 24 hours.
💡 Martha’s Pro Tips (From the Queen Herself!)
Use older eggs: 7–10 days old peel more cleanly.
Uniform halves: Slice eggs with dental floss for clean, crumb-free cuts.
Extra creamy: Press yolk mixture through a fine-mesh sieve for cloud-like smoothness.
Make ahead: Prep filling and whites separately up to 1 day ahead. Assemble 2–3 hours before serving.
🎉 Creative Variations to Wow Your Guests
Southern Style: Add 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish + dash of hot sauce
Everything Bagel: Top with everything seasoning + chopped scallions
Smoky Bacon: Mix in crumbled bacon + smoked paprika
Avocado Lime: Replace mayo with mashed avocado + lime zest (serve immediately)
Green Goddess: Blend in fresh dill, parsley, and capers
❤️ Why Deviled Eggs Belong at Every Gathering
They’re more than an appetizer—they’re hospitality in bite-sized form.
Affordable, protein-packed, and endlessly adaptable, they say:
“I’m glad you’re here. Stay awhile.”
💛 Final Thought
Great entertaining isn’t about perfection.
It’s about showing up with something thoughtful, delicious, and made with care.
So boil those eggs.
Pipe that filling.
And get ready for the kind of deviled eggs that earn “Can I have the recipe?” every single time.