EretenSouthern and Tex-Mex recipes

Southern Deviled Eggs and Sweet Relish

Southern Deviled Eggs and Sweet Relish

Light and fluffy with tons of flavor, this Southern Deviled Eggs Recipe with Relish is so good! This batch is classic deviled eggs and they’ll be gone before you know it.

Creamy yolk mixture piped into egg whites sliced in half to make Southern Deviled eggs, served on a white platter.

Deviled Eggs with Relish are a Southern Staple!

When Southern food is done right, there’s nothing like it. Take Mac & cheese Or Cornbread For instance.

Deviled eggs with relish are a Southern delicacy. There’s nothing like these little bites of soft, pillowy eggs.

The relish adds tons of flavor to classic deviled eggs. If you’ve never tried them the Southern way, you’ve got to try this recipe!

Why Recipe For Deviled Eggs With Relish stays in the rotation

You will come back to this relish deviled eggs recipe, for a few reasons:

  • These satisfying deviled eggs are quick and straightforward
  • They are great for an appetizer or side.
  • Make them for parties, potlucks, picnics, tailgates or brunch. (Deviled eggs are a staple at Easter, especially!)

Why are they called deviled eggs?

According to AllRecipes, the term “deviled” most likely correlates spiciness with the supposed heat of hell.

The word “deviled” is also a culinary word that describes a flavorful seasoned dish. Especially ones made with spicy seasonings like pepper, mustard or hot sauce.

Some don’t like to use the word “devil” to describe these tasty treats. They’re also sometimes called “stuffed eggs,” salad eggs” or “dressed eggs.”

Ingredients for Deviled Eggs with Sweet Relish

Ingredients shown are used to prepare Southern deviled eggs.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this deviled eggs recipe:

  • Large eggs – You can use other sizes, but the cooking times will vary.
  • Mustard – Dijon mustard works well in this. You can also use yellow mustard, dill mustard or spicy mustard — our favorite!
  • Salt – Sea salt and kosher salt are ideal.
  • Pepper – Freshly cracked pepper adds the most flavor.
  • Mayo – Use your favorite mayonnaise, Miracle Whip or plain Greek yogurt.
  • Sweet pickle relish – You can use dill relish or even finely diced dill pickles. Bread & butter pickles are great!
  • Tabasco – Use your favorite hot sauce or Tabasco sauce.

Are deviled eggs better with older eggs?

You can use fresh or old eggs for deviled eggs. However, slightly older eggs are much easier to peel than fresh eggs.

What kind of relish for deviled eggs?

You can use either sweet or dill relish for deviled eggs. For a sweeter flavor, you’ll want to use sweet relish. Dill relish will give a more sour, tangy flavor to the eggs.

How to Boil Eggs for Deviled Eggs

  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
  2. Reduce the heat to low. This helps you avoid the rumbling bubbles which can crack the eggs.
  3. Gently place the eggs in the water with a slotted spoon.
  4. Turn the heat back up to boiling.
  5. Boil for 10 minutes. (Anything less will yield soft-boiled eggs — satisfying but not ideal for deviled eggs.)
  6. Immediately remove the eggs from the boiling water and place them in an ice bath until cool enough to handle.
  7. Peel the eggs and serve or place in the refrigerator.

For more tips on making hard boiled eggs, check out our recipe.

How to cook Southern Deviled Eggs (Step by Step)

A full printable recipe card with full measurements and details is located at the bottom of this post.

  1. Hard boil your eggs for 10 minutes. Immediately remove the eggs from the boiling water and place them in an ice bath.
Hardboiled eggs in a ice bath.
  1. Peel the eggs and place them in the refrigerator to cool completely.
Shelled hardboiled eggs in a bowl.
  1. Cut the eggs in half lengthwise and remove the yolks.
Hard boiled eggs cut in half, exposing the cooked yolks inside.
  1. Add the yolks, mustard, mayo, salt, and pepper to a mixing bowl.
cooked egg yolks, with relish, seasoning and mayo in a mixing bowl, ready to combine.
  1. Mash the yolks and mix to combine.
Creamy egg yolk filling combined in a mixing bowl.
  1. Divide the yolk mixture among the egg whites and sprinkle with paprika!
Hard boiled egg whites cut in half, with the egg yolk removed, sitting on a serving platter.

Southern Deviled Eggs Recipe Substitutions

You can sprinkle the tops of your deviled eggs with a little bit of smoked paprika for color and extra flavor.

Rather than using mustard and relish separately, they also make mustard relish where the two are combined. That will work as well.

Top view of Southern Deviled Eggs served on a decorative white platter.

Tips for Making this Deviled Eggs Recipe with Relish

  • When you’re spooning or piping the filling into each egg, be gentle to avoid tearing the cooked egg whites.
  • If you’ll be traveling with them, they make some great containers made specifically for deviled eggs. They even come with a store cover.
  • Be careful not to overcook the egg yolks. You’ll end up with dry, flavorless deviled eggs.

How to Serve Southern Deviled Eggs

There are a few ways to level up Classic deviled eggs.

For pretty deviled eggs, you can use a piping bag to pipe the yolk mixture onto the boiled egg whites. Use either a round tip or a star tip for different effects.

Feel free to add toppings! Dress up your deviled eggs with:

  • A sprinkle of paprika
  • Fresh herbs
  • Veggies
  • Bacon
  • Pickles
  • Jalapeños and other spices to mix things up

Serve on a Platter designed especially for serving deviled eggs. These have hollows meant to hold the eggs in place without rolling around.

How to keep Deviled Eggs with Sweet Relish

Deviled eggs should always be stored in the fridge and enjoyed within four days.

For traveling, deviled egg carriers are suited to bringing these treats to potlucks, cookouts, picnics and tailgates. These carriers have special cavities that hold each egg so they don’t roll over and ruin the tops.

How long are deviled eggs good for in the refrigerator?

Deviled eggs will last in the fridge for about three or four days. Always give them the smell test — if they don’t smell quite right, it’s time to toss them.

Deviled eggs can be served at room temperature for up to two hours, according to the FDA.

Tools for Making Southern Deviled Eggs

Saucepan

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Knife set

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Measuring cups

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Measuring spoons

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Glass mixing bowls

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Southern Deviled Eggs FAQs

Prep 10 minutesCook 10 minutesMakes 12

Ingredients

  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon dijon or dill mustard
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 3 tablespoons mayo
  • 1 tablespoon sweet relish
  • tabasco Optional

Method

  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil.
  2. Reduce the heat to low. This helps you avoid the rumbling bubbles which can crack the eggs.
  3. Gently place the eggs in the water with a slotted spoon .
  4. Turn the heat back up to boiling.
  5. Boil for 10 minutes.
  6. Immediately remove the eggs from the boiling water and place them in an ice bath.
  7. Peel the eggs and put them in a container in the refrigerator to cool completely.
  8. Cut the eggs in half lengthwise and remove the yolks.
  9. Add the yolks, mustard, mayo, salt, and pepper to a mixing bowl. Mash the yolks and mix to combine.
  10. Divide the yolk mixture among the egg whites and sprinkle with paprika.

Notes

  • When you’re spooning or piping the filling into each egg, be gently to avoid tearing the cooked egg whites
  • Be careful not to overcook the egg yolks. You’ll end up with dry, flavorless deviled eggs.

Other plates from the kitchen

Dishes that sit near this one, with their own ingredient list.