Do Deviled Eggs Belong On Your Thanksgiving Table?

In our opinion, there's no occasion that can't be made better with deviled eggs—including Thanksgiving. While you may think of this classic Southern recipe as a summer dish, we're here to prove they're suitable to be served year-round. Plus, Southern-style deviled eggs come together easily with just four ingredients.

Deviled eggs are the dish that I bring to every gathering throughout the year, and Thanksgiving is no exception. My family loves the classic, no-frills recipe that uses just mayonnaise, mustard, and relish for the filling. If I were to show up with anything different, I would never hear the end of it.

One thing I love about contributing deviled eggs to the holiday meal is that they can be made a day in advance. I combine the filling and store it in a plastic bag so all I have to do on Thanksgiving Day is set the egg halves on my favorite egg plate, cut the corner on the bag to pipe the filling into the center, and add a dash of paprika to finish. This allows me to contribute a homemade dish without having to worry about how I'll transport it or if I'll get in the way in the kitchen.

And I'm not alone—several Southern Living editors feel strongly that deviled eggs should be served no matter the holiday, with one editor saying her family is "willing to go to bat" on the topic.

"Deviled eggs have a nice tartness and lightness that cuts through all the heavy muck of the Thanksgiving plate," says Senior Digital Food Editor Kimberly Holland. "I love having them on my spread."

"There's always room on the plate for a deviled egg, it's just one bite after all," adds Associate Editor Kaitlyn Yarborough. "There's also always someone in the family that makes them good enough to get excited about on any day of the year, even Thanksgiving."

So, if you're looking for your signature dish that you family expects you to bring to Thanksgiving year after year, deviled eggs are the perfect dish. They're light, easy to make—and, of course, delicious. Just follow one of our favorite deviled egg recipes below and thank us later.

Classic Deviled Eggs

This is the ultimate no-frills deviled egg recipe and the perfect place to start when introducing the dish to a Thanksgiving spread.

Bacon Deviled Eggs

If you're looking for something a little jazzier than the classic, Test Kitchen Pro and recipe developer Ann Taylor Pittman has your back with this recipe that includes smoky bacon right in the filling. "Go ahead and make a second batch—they're so easy to make and tend to disappear quickly," she says.

Deviled Eggs with Assorted Toppings

If you're unsure whether to serve a simple deviled egg recipe or one that's a bit more colorful, let your Thanksgiving guests decide which they prefer! With a deviled egg toppings bar, they'll have a choose-your-own-adventure appetizer that won't spoil the feast.