Easy Southern Deviled Eggs (Relish or Pickles)

No shindig is complete without a big plate of easy Southern deviled eggs. Filled with the classic flavors of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, relish (or pickles), and sweet paprika, you can guarantee these beauties will be the first to disappear from the table.

Deviled eggs are a classic and nostalgic recipe.

Growing up in the South, I never went to a family function where I didn't see one if not several, plates of good ole Southern deviled eggs on the table.

Everyone makes their deviled eggs differently so it's always fun tasting the variations and combos people come up with. No two deviled eggs are ever alike. Deviled eggs can be served at a family potluck or get-together or served alongside a simple supper like this Roasted Half Chicken or Southern Hoppin John with a slice of Watergate Cake for dessert.

The same goes for the 5 bajillion deviled egg recipes on the interwebz. Each one has slightly different ingredients, techniques, and styles.

I gotta say though...these here are the best deviled eggs you're ever gonna eat. Ha!

What Makes Hard Boiled Eggs Easy to Peel?

My husband and son adore deviled eggs, but for a while, I loathed making them. They were just so hard to peel!

None of the so-called "tricks" for easy peeling worked for me so I would only make them for special occasions.

Then I discovered there are now SO MANY WAYS to make hard-boiled eggs that are incredibly easy to peel and it is the cooking technique that makes all the difference.

Easy Peel Hard Boiled Eggs

Just as people have different recipes for deviled eggs, everyone also has differing opinions on the best way to cook the perfect hard boiled egg. In my experience, they all seem to work gloriously so you do you, boo!

• Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs: This is by far my go-to method. I've never had any issues cooking eggs this way, and they *ALWAYS* come out perfectly when using the 5-5-5 method. You can cook as little or as many as you want (well, up to 18), and they are so darn easy to peel!
• AirFryer Hard Boiled Eggs: I myself haven't made boiled eggs in the air fryer yet, but I'm deft going to give this technique a try. Check out Carmy's tutorial because her hard boiled eggs look perfectly cooked and like they're waiting to be turned into southern deviled eggs!
• Oven Baked Hard Boiled Eggs: Meghan from The Quicker Kitchen has some fantastic tricks on making hard boiled eggs in the oven. This technique is especially fantastic when you need to make a large batch of eggs at once, like for an egg hunt on Easter or for a big holiday function.
• Steamed Hard Boiled Eggs: Courtney from Courtney's Sweets loves steaming hard boiled eggs because they are also easy to peel. She likes steaming her eggs because they're also a fun recipe to make with kids.
• StoveTop Hard Boiled Eggs: If all else fails, and none of these easy methods for boiled eggs works for you, Kate at I heart Eating gives you some tips on how to make perfect boiled eggs every time on your stovetop.

Regardless if you pressure cook, bake, or steam eggs, the reason they become easy to peel is that the steam &/or water permeates the shell, helping to loosen the bond holding the shell to the white.

How is this Deviled Egg Recipe Southern?

Good question! Southern deviled eggs are made using either sweet or dill pickle relish OR finely chopped sweet or dill pickles. I've never in my life come across a deviled egg recipe made by a Southerner that didn't have at least one of these two ingredients.

I have also found that Southerners like to add the teensiest splish of white vinegar to their deviled egg recipes. Ask them why they add it, and they'll tell you it's because "That's how my mama made them."

Now, the vinegar is optional, but I suggest you don't leave it out! We Southerners know what we're doing in the kitchen, y'all.

The vinegar adds a touch of acidity to the heaviness of the egg yolk, mayo, and mustard helping to create an airy, light, and creamy filling making these deviled eggs extra supple and succulent.

How to Make Southern Deviled Eggs

The ingredients and directions couldn't be more simple. The ingredients include:

• Hard boiled Eggs: Cooked any easy way you like and allow them to cool completely.
• Mayonnaise: Us Southerners use Duke's, but you can use anything you like or make your own.
• Prepared Yellow Mustard: Yellow mustard is classic and traditional. Dijon makes them bougie. You can also use ground mustard but cut the amount in half and you'll need to add a bit more mayo to keep the filling creamy.
• Relish or pickles: Use sweet or dill relish or finely mince sweet or dill pickles. Whatever you have on hand will do.
• Vinegar: The tiniest bit of plain ole white vinegar is the classic ingredient, but anything you have in your pantry will work (apple cider, champagne, red wine, etc).
• Pickle Juice: I add a little bit of sweet pickle juice to mine because that's the way my family likes them!
• Garlic Powder: I like to add a touch of garlic powder for a bit of extra flavor.
• Salt & Pepper: These speak for themselves
• Paprika: Use sweet or smoked, whichever you like. My husband likes smoked and my son likes sweet so sometimes I mix them and use both!

Cut the eggs in half lengthwise, pop out the yolks, and put them in a bowl. Set the whites aside. Add the remaining ingredients, except paprika, to the yolks and mix well. Spoon or pipe the deviled egg mixture into the egg whites then sprinkle the paprika on top. That's it!