30 Ingredients That Will Seriously Upgrade Your Deviled Eggs

Traditional deviled eggs are charming in their own way, bringing a wave of nostalgia and comfort over you as you indulge in them. Something about this classic food can take you right back to simpler days when you were a child, enjoying these with family during the holidays. The combination of simple ingredients is what makes this appetizer so timeless.

The firm-boiled egg whites graciously hold a rich filling that typically incorporates yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, and more. Sprinkle a bit of paprika on them, and they're good to go, right? Although that is an option, you don't have to make them the same way every time. Boiled eggs are a great canvas because they pair well with so many flavors and ingredients. Whether you are in charge of the appetizers for an upcoming party or just want to expand your horizons, these ingredients will have you questioning why you didn't dress up your deviled eggs sooner.

Adding horseradish could do wonders for those who want a nice kick to their deviled eggs. Since horseradish is quite spicy, a little will go a long way. If you wanted a subtle horseradish taste, you could always opt for using horseradish sauce instead. The sauce usually has mayonnaise or another creamy ingredient to tone the heat down (via Healthline). Since deviled eggs commonly incorporate mayonnaise anyways, it would work quite pleasantly. If you don't have horseradish sauce on hand, there are plenty of fantastic horseradish sauces you can find at the store. Using horseradish in some capacity will, without a doubt, make your appetizer superb.

Bacon can be an exceptionally tasty addition to your deviled eggs. Although deviled eggs are heavenly when the egg white is perfectly cooked and the filling is creamy, adding bacon will give a nice crunch. You can mix the bacon bits right into the filling or use the bacon as a garnish. This bacon jalapeño deviled egg recipe flawlessly incorporates bacon and allows it to give a nice pop of color to the eggs. Aside from the texture contrast, the bacon taste will provide a pleasant savory touch. After all, it is no secret that bacon and eggs are an immaculate pair.

Honey can be an impeccable secret ingredient for deviled eggs. It will add a sweet undertone to the appetizer, making it far tastier than the average deviled egg. Of course, you could let your creative side take over and add spicy ingredients to accompany the honey, like wasabi, sriracha, or even jalapeños, which would give a sweet and spicy flare to the appetizer. And let's not forget how well honey and mustard taste together. After all, honey mustard is one of the most popular types of mustard out there. Whichever direction you want to take, using honey in the mixture will undoubtedly enhance your stuffed eggs.

This ingredient could be a lovely addition to your deviled eggs and might even give you a shortcut. First, what is tartar sauce, and what does it taste like? Tartar sauce is a condiment commonly made with mayonnaise, making it the perfect contender for deviled eggs. Aside from the mayonnaise, it usually has other add-ins like chopped pickles, olives, onion, or capers. Using it in your deviled egg mixture will undoubtedly elevate the texture, whether you are using homemade tartar sauce or store-bought. The sweet and savory flavor of the condiment will taste great in the filling and save you time on chopping pickles or adding relish.

Green olives have a pleasant salty flavor because of their high sodium content, which you can make use of when assembling deviled eggs (via MasterClass). This ingredient can be taken advantage of in two ways, depending on if you want to add texture to the filling or have a garnish for the top. If you mix this tangy fruit into the rich egg yolk filling, make sure to mince it first. On the other hand, using it as a garnish is a terrific idea because the green color will look charming with the yellow backdrop of the filling. If doing so, you can slice the olive in half or leave it whole.

Truffle in deviled eggs? Yes, and it tastes divine. This is the unexpected ingredient Anne Burrell uses in deviled eggs, but she isn't the only one to do so. Putting a dash of truffle oil into the filling will provide an earthy and bold flavor that gives deviled eggs a unique taste you can't replicate by using other ingredients. The greatest thing is that it only takes about a tablespoon for the truffle flavor to shine through. Of course, if you don't have truffle oil, you can always top with deviled eggs with truffle as a garnish. Whichever the case, you won't regret giving your deviled eggs a fancy upgrade with this ingredient.

Using pimento cheese is a clever and distinct way to spice up your deviled eggs. With the taste of rich mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, spices, pimentos, and more, pimento cheese has so much to offer. Add this to your deviled eggs, and it becomes even more top-notch. Let's also not forget the special ingredient to take your pimento cheese to the next level: bacon. With all these scrumptious flavors combined, taking a bite into a pimento cheese deviled egg will be a heavenly experience, to say the least. The cheesy filling and crunchy bacon make it hard to put these deviled eggs down.

Have you ever thought about using Greek yogurt in your deviled eggs? You can use this ingredient as a mayonnaise substitute because of its creamy texture (via Healthline). It will also give the filling a tangy undertone, which you wouldn't get from just using mayonnaise. Additionally, Greek yogurt is high in protein, so that is just one more reason to incorporate it into your appetizer. Combined with the protein from the eggs, it will be a protein-packed snack full of flavor. There are tons of recipes that use Greek yogurt as the secret ingredient because of its positive benefits, texture, and taste; deviled eggs included.

Avocado is the unexpected ingredient Aida Mollenkamp uses in deviled eggs, and there is no questioning why. Avocado is naturally fatty and has a creamy texture, making it the perfect candidate for deviled eggs. You can use it to replace all the mayonnaise if you don't mind the filling being more green than yellow. On the other hand, you can also put just enough to give it a subtle avocado taste; don't be afraid to adjust it to your preferences. Another idea is to top the avocado-deviled eggs with prosciutto as Aida Mollenkamp does, which gives an impressive balance of sweet and salty flavors.

Crab can be an exceptional ingredient to enrich the overall flavor of your deviled eggs. Not only is crabmeat enticing, but it also has health benefits, which is why you might want to start eating more crab. To incorporate it into your appetizer, McCormick suggests using lump crabmeat. You can put crabmeat in the filling and additionally use it to adorn the eggs. From there, sprinkle on some Old Bay seasoning, and they're ready to be enjoyed. With the crab's delightfully oceanic taste, the array of seasonings, and the texture of the hard-boiled egg white, you will be in absolute heaven when you take a bite of these.

The secret to an unforgettable deviled egg is balance. The filling and toppings don't have to be complex or extravagant. In fact, their simplicity is often part of the charm. Next time you whip up a batch of deviled eggs, simply squeeze some lemon juice into the classic mixture of yolks, mayonnaise, mustard, and seasonings. A splash of lemon juice brings another layer of flavor while the acid helps cut the richness of the yolk and mayonnaise filling. A little goes a long way, so start by adding half a teaspoon at a time until you reach the preferred brightness and consistency.

Exploring the key elements of cooking in Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, Samin Nosrat describes the critical role of acid as it relates to the other elements, especially fat. Acidic foods such as citrus, vinegar, or pickles help brighten and balance a heavy dish rich in fat. This contrast enhances the enjoyment we experience while eating the dish.  

If you are looking for a way to make your deviled eggs fluffier, the secret ingredient you should be using in your deviled eggs is butter. Although this might seem a bit outlandish, both Julia Child and Martha Stewart have suggested utilizing this practice, so it must be quite beneficial. In general, dairy products can add a level of richness to your filling; crème fraîche or Greek yogurt are just two examples. But when it comes to butter, it will provide a level of creaminess that is unmatched. Make sure to allow your butter to soften before incorporating it with the other filling ingredients.

While Caesar dressing may be a popular choice for salad, creamy, tangy ranch is the undisputed favorite in the United States for everything from dressings and dips to sauces and marinades. The iconic blend of cream, herbs, and alliums can be incorporated into deviled eggs in a number of ways whether in liquid or powder form. Blend powdered ranch dressing mix with the typical yolk and mayonnaise mixture for some added oomph to your deviled egg filling or skip the mayonnaise entirely, replacing it with the herbaceous dressing. For a different flavor profile, give some other creamy dressings a try such as Russian, Thousand Island, blue cheese, or honey mustard.

While most deviled egg recipes rely on mayonnaise or other creamy additions to bulk up the yolks and create the luscious filling, there is a secret dairy-free ingredient that can add heft to your filling that's probably sitting in your pantry right now. That unassuming packet of instant mashed potatoes is the unexpected deviled egg hack that will add density to your yolk mixture without overpowering the flavor. If you don't have instant mashed potatoes on hand, breadcrumbs will also do the trick. In Hungary, white bread soaked in milk is used to round out the rich yolk filling (via National Today).

Instant mashed potatoes give the yolk mixture its fluffy consistency without altering much in the way of flavor, making them an ideal base to enhance with your favorite ingredients. As a nod to your secret ingredient, you might create a loaded mashed potato deviled egg laced with cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and green onions.  

Pomegranate arils, honey drizzles, and candied-bacon garnishes aren't the only ways to experiment with the delicate balance of savory and sweet. In fact, some insatiable sugar fiends have tipped the flavor scales entirely in favor of dessert. 

While it may not be for everyone, the Ohio State Fair highlighted a truly unique take on the classic deviled egg. As described on ABC News, chocolate deviled eggs are a sweet twist on the traditional appetizer. The hard boiled egg white shell is stuffed with a decadent mixture of yolks, cream cheese, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. Taste of Ohio Café offered up this culinary experiment in 2019, proving that there truly is no limit to the possibilities for fun and surprising deviled egg toppings.