Add A Crunch To Your Deviled Eggs With One Simple Ingredient

Deviled eggs have been a party staple for decades. A classic star at traditional cocktail parties, they've had a staying power that has brought them to a contemporary audience. That's with good reason: The chilled egg white, coupled with the smooth, flavorful filling, is an easy win for most audiences. It's also an appetizer that is easy to adjust to taste and imagination.

In that vein, we're here to offer a quick and easy way to upgrade your deviled eggs. Bonus: You may have the ingredient already, and if you don't, it's definitely at your grocery store. What's our secret for upgraded deviled eggs that demand attention? It all comes down to relish, and in this case: sweet relish. The balance of sweet and sour pickle with a bite of crunch is the best addition to your smooth deviled eggs, and folks will be asking for seconds and the recipe at your next party.

Deviled eggs follow a pretty basic recipe — eggs, mustard, and mayonnaise create the foundation for the filling that is dolloped inside halved boiled eggs. It's often topped with a dash of cayenne powder, but what if you could really take it to the next level? That's where the sweet relish comes in. Easily available in your local store, this relish has the crunch of crisp pickles along with a touch of sweetness from the sugar that is in the brine. Just mix a couple of tablespoons of it into the eggs, mustard, mayo, and seasonings, and you've got yourself a sweet and crunchy dish. 

The tangy, sweet flavor plays well off the natural creaminess of the yolk and the spice of mustard (if you include it). In addition to a gem of flavor, sweet relish gives a particular texture to a dish that otherwise is fairly smooth. Sweet relish makes the eggs pop, which is exactly what you want when serving them.

While sweet relish is a great addition to your deviled eggs, it's not the only one available. Since deviled eggs are predicated on simple, classic flavors, they lend themselves to various easy upgrades. For instance, if you want a spicier egg, diced jalapeño can go a long way with flavor and texture. Half the fun of deviled eggs is how you can improve them, and chefs agree.

According to Linda Braz, speaking to SF Gate from Oakland, California's Encuentro Cafe and Wine Bar, the classic pickle taste can be accentuated with chipotles and paprika. Braz says, "I knew we had to have deviled eggs. They are a little sweet, a little spicy." They are not wrong — deviled eggs are best at the intersection of spicy with some sweetness and a bit of crunch. Sweet pickle relish can complement more robust, hotter flavors — a surefire win for your deviled eggs.