Deviled eggs are a staple of the American dinner table during the holidays. At Bethesda Gardens in Phoenix, Arizona, the staff understands how important the holidays can be. That is why Thanksgiving dinner is served in the dining area with all the traditional accruements.
For an interesting twist on a traditional favorite, deviled eggs can be made with a plethora of unique ingredients. The classic recipe calls for egg yolks mashed with mayonnaise, dill relish and mustard. By changing up those simple ingredients and adding others, you can get a whole new dish to make with family and friends.
For a variation that mimics the flavors of the Thanksgiving season, try adding some sage, shallots and crispy crumbled bacon. There is just something about the earthy flavor of sage that smacks of Thanksgiving, and it shines in this recipe.
Simply saute some shallots and sage and mix into your filling with the yolks and mayonnaise. Then sprinkle crispy bacon pieces over the top for a smoky flavor that is sure to please. TheKitchn.com has a detailed recipe if you need more guidance.
The Food Network lists 50 interesting twists on this Thanksgiving classic that have less traditional flavor profiles. Try out one of these variations for a unique holiday dining experience. All of these assume a dozen eggs are being used, but you can scale each for larger or smaller batches of deviled eggs.
Triple onion eggs: Mash a half cup of French onion dip and three tablespoons of chopped scallions with the yolks of your eggs. Top these with crumbled French-fried onions.
Ranch eggs: Add one-third of a cup of ranch dressing or dip to the yolks when you mash them instead of mayonnaise. These can be topped with shredded Parmesan, crumbled ranch-flavored chips, or thinly sliced scallions.
Cucumber and dill eggs: Using a quarter cup each of sour cream and mayonnaise, mash along with the yolks and two teaspoons of Dijon mustard. Stir in two tablespoons of chopped dill and half a cup of finely diced cucumber. Top with dill sprigs for garnish.
Guacamole eggs: Mash your yolks with the juice of one lime, two tablespoons of sour cream and half an avocado. Stir a quarter cup of chopped cilantro and a half cup of diced tomato into the mashed yolk mixture and fill your eggs.
If you are looking for a deviled egg with a little heat, you can try a Cajun variation. Start by sautéing a quarter cup each of green bell pepper and finely chopped andouille sausage with a teaspoon each of cayenne pepper and Cajun seasoning. Allow this mixture to cool before mashing with the yolks of your eggs. After filling the eggs with this mixture, dust the tops with cayenne for color and a final kick.
Regardless of which recipe you choose for your deviled eggs, you can take it a step further by making them a part of the holiday décor. It's as simple as adding a few little touches and your deviled eggs can become little turkeys. Simply slice carrots or multicolored bell peppers into thin strips for the plumage of your bird. Then, take tiny triangles of that same pepper for the beak and little chunks of black olive for the eyes and voila, you have a deviled egg turkey.
