What if we could improve on a traditional family cookout side dish by smoking it? That’s where smoked deviled eggs come in. Tender, smoky whites and creamy, satisfying yolks enhanced with mayo, mustard, and a kick of heat from cayenne just took a classic comfort food to a whole new level.
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Whenever my family gets together for the summer holidays, they always ask me to bring more than just one or two dishes. And I love it because you know I cherish cooking for my loved ones.
What’s nice about deviled eggs is their portability and versatility. We can make these the day before and keep them chilled in the fridge; one dish down, four more to go.
What Smoking Does for Eggs
You can actually smoke raw eggs in the shell for an even better deviled egg. Slow cooking them in the smoker results in a tender and less rubbery snack and appetizer. Besides, if you already have a roast smoking away, it’s an efficient use of wood chips.
However, this time I used hard-boiled eggs for convenience. Then we smoked the eggs after deviling them, and we got to enjoy that smoky goodness and beautiful golden color.
How to Smoke Deviled Eggs
- Cook the eggs, peel them, and cut them in half. You could also take advantage of a smoker that’s already going and cook them there. It would take 1½-2 hours at 225℉ (110℃).
- Make the filling with the yolks, fill the eggs, and smoke them.
Recipe Notes
- Add horseradish sauce, minced garlic, or diced pickles to the yolks for an extra twist.
- Use smoked salt instead of the regular stuff, and sprinkle smoked paprika on top if you don’t have a smoker but want that smoky taste.
- Mild wood chips, like apple, cherry, or hickory, add a subtle smokiness without overpowering the eggs’ flavor.
- Chill the smoked eggs for around an hour before serving to help the flavors meld and the filling to set slightly.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Deviled eggs will stay fresh in an airtight container for 3-4 days in the fridge, whether making them ahead or storing leftovers. I strongly recommend avoiding freezing them because it will destroy the texture.
Leftover deviled eggs also make an ultra-comforting potato salad and egg salad sandwich.
What Loves Being With Deviled Eggs
A list of hearty picnic sides includes baked beans, potato salad, corn on the cob, macaroni salad, coleslaw, and pasta salad. If serving deviled eggs as part of an appetizer spread, you can’t go wrong with a charcuterie board with cheese and crackers, olives, pickles, and bacon-wrapped jalapeno peppers.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes to Try
By Imma