Deviled eggs are a classic party appetizer that can be served with an array of proteins. When deciding what meat to pair with deviled eggs, there are a few key factors to consider. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide quick answers to common questions about meats that complement deviled eggs.
What types of meat pair well with deviled eggs?
Deviled eggs pair excellently with cured or smoked meats. The rich, creamy filling acts as a counterbalance to the saltiness of cured meats like prosciutto, salami, and soppressata. Smoked meats like salmon, trout, ham, turkey, or pork also make tasty pairings. Other proteins like roast beef, chicken, tuna, shrimp, lobster, or crab work nicely too.
What meats are traditionally served with deviled eggs?
There are a few classic meat choices that are traditionally paired with deviled eggs:
- Ham – Sliced ham, like honey baked or black forest, is a customary pairing. The salty meat balances the richness of the egg yolk.
- Bacon – Crispy cooked bacon crumbled on top or served on the side is a popular accompaniment.
- Roast Beef – Thinly sliced roast beef complement the creaminess of deviled egg filling.
- Smoked Salmon – The smoky fish flavors combine beautifully with the hard boiled eggs.
What meats pair well flavor-wise?
When matching meats with deviled eggs, you’ll want to consider complementary flavors:
- Rich meats like sausages and cured meats balance the creamy egg yolks.
- Salty meats like ham, bacon, and smoked salmon cut the richness.
- Savory meats like roast beef, chicken, and turkey work well with the eggy base.
- Seafood like tuna, crab, shrimp, and lobster make nice lighter pairings.
What meats work for different deviled egg flavors?
The filling flavor will guide what meats work best:
- For classic creamy deviled eggs, go for ham, roast beef, turkey, or salmon.
- Spicy deviled eggs with hot sauce or chili complement sausage, chorizo, and pepperoni.
- Tangy deviled eggs with mustard or pickles pair nicely with cured meats like salami.
- Herby deviled eggs with basil, dill, or tarragon match lighter seafood fillings.
Which meats should be avoided with deviled eggs?
Ground meats like beef or lamb don’t pair as nicely with deviled eggs, as they can compete in flavor and texture. Steer away from greasy fatty meats like bacon or sausage, which can make the filling taste heavy or oily. Leaner, lighter meats are best for balance.
Conclusion
In summary, the best meat choices to serve with deviled eggs are cured or smoked meats like ham, salami, and salmon, as well as sliced roasts like beef, pork, chicken, or turkey. The salty, rich qualities of these meats contrast nicely with the creamy egg yolk filling. Flavor profiles should be complementary, avoiding greasy or heavily seasoned meats that might overpower. With the right meat pairing, deviled eggs make the ideal hearty appetizer.
Popular Meat Choices to Pair with Deviled Eggs
| Meat | Key Qualities | Flavor Pairings |
|---|---|---|
| Ham | Salty, smoky, rich | Honey baked, black forest, smoked |
| Prosciutto | Salty, savory, silky | Aged Italian dry cured ham |
| Salami | Savory, spicy, salty | Genoa, soppressata, peppered |
| Bacon | Smoky, salty, crispy | American style, thick cut, turkey |
| Roast Beef | Tender, savory, sliceable | Top round, chuck eye, bottom round |
| Smoked Salmon | Smoky, salty, silky | Pacific, Atlantic, Scottish |
| Turkey | Lean, savory, versatile | Roasted breast, smoked, deli |
How to Serve Different Meats with Deviled Eggs
The preparation method impacts how the meat can be incorporated:
Sliced, Cured Meats
Fold thinly sliced prosciutto, salami, or ham over the deviled eggs for an attractive presentation.
Smoked Fish
Serve smoked salmon on the side or top the filled eggs with small pieces.
Cooked Sausages
Cut sausages like chorizo, linguica, or andouille into rounds and skewer onto picks with the deviled eggs.
Ground Meats
Cook meatballs, sausage, or patties and serve on skewers interspersed with the stuffed eggs.
Roast Meats
Thinly slice roast beef, pork, turkey, or chicken. Leaner dark meat works best.
Cooked Bacon
Chop bacon into pieces and use as garnish on top of the filled egg halves.
Complementary Flavors for Deviled Eggs
When serving deviled eggs with meat, keep these flavor combinations in mind:
- Salty meats – Pair with creamed based fillings, mustard, or pickle relish
- Rich meats – Complement with light creamy fillings, lemon, or hot sauce
- Savory meats – Match with classic creamy, herby, or peppery deviled eggs
- Smoky meats – Balance with bright, tart fillings like pickle or olive
- Spicy meats – Cool down with creamy based or tzatziki deviled eggs
Salty Meats
Prosciutto, salami, ham, bacon
Rich Meats
Sausage, chorizo, pepperoni, roast beef
Savory Meats
Turkey, chicken, meatloaf, meatballs
Smoky Meats
Smoked salmon, smoked turkey, smoked ham
Spicy Meats
Andouille sausage, jalapeño sausage, spicy chorizo
Classic Deviled Egg Recipes to Pair
Use these deviled egg filling ideas to complement the meat:
Classic Creamy Eggs
Fill hard boiled egg halves with a yogurt, mayonnaise, or sour cream based mixture. Season with mustard, salt, pepper, paprika, dill, or celery.
Spicy Deviled Eggs
Stir hot sauce, chili powder, jalapeños, or cayenne into the filling. Garnish with avocado, cilantro, or queso fresco.
Herby Stuffed Eggs
Blend fresh herbs like basil, tarragon, dill, chives, or parsley into the filling. Dust with paprika or microgreens.
Tangy Pickle Eggs
Fold chopped pickle, olive, caper, or relish into the base. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning.
Smoky Eggs
Use smoked paprika in the filling. Top with crispy bacon bits, scallions, or sautéed mushrooms.
Tex-Mex Eggs
Spice up the filling with cumin, chili powder, cayenne, salsa, beans, corn, avocado, cilantro.
Savory Eggs
Stir in roasted garlic, sun dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, pesto, or hummus.
Presentation Ideas for Serving Deviled Eggs
Use these ideas to stylishly serve deviled eggs with meat:
- Arrange stuffed eggs and meat elegantly on a tiered platter or charcuterie board.
- Skewer cubed meat and deviled egg halves onto appetizer picks.
- Top filled egg halves with folded cured meat slices, shrimp, or strips of smoked salmon.
- Nestle deviled eggs into a bed of fresh greens, pickled vegetables, olives, and cured meats.
- Serve eggs in hollowed out tomatoes, zucchini, or red peppers for a veggie vessel.
- Display stuffed eggs in an egg carton or decorative egg cups.
- Garnish eggs with fresh herbs like parsley, chives, dill, or cilantro.
However you choose to serve them, deviled eggs and meat make the perfect flavor pairing. The protein provides the savory, salty contrast to balance out the creamy richness of the eggs. Whether it’s prosciutto and smoked salmon, chorizo and roast beef, or bacon and ham, the possibilities for delicious meat and egg appetizer combinations are endless.