Deviled Egg Potato Salad Is The Best Of 2 All-Star Sides
Delicious yet divisive, deviled eggs and potato salad are two side dishes that are here to stay. These classics have countless variations (and an equal number of passionate opinions on how to perfect them), but one novel version has been gaining traction on grocery store shelves and across social media — deviled egg potato salad. With this dish, you don't have to choose which side to bring to your next potluck, you can have the best of both worlds.
The ingredients in this creative mashup can vary based on your deviled egg and potato salad preferences, but the foundation typically includes potatoes, mustard, mayonnaise, and hard-boiled eggs. This blend creates a chilled side dish that strikes a perfect balance of flavors and textures. It's starchy from the potatoes, creamy thanks to the mayonnaise, savory from the eggs, and offers a tangy kick from the mustard. There's a longstanding fascination with this flavor combination too; deviled eggs and potato salad have interesting histories that go way back.
How deviled eggs and potato salad came to be
Believe it or not, deviled eggs weren't an invention of your grandmother's, or even your great-grandmother's, generation. According to the North Carolina Egg Association, ancient Romans were enjoying a similar dish over 2,000 years ago, featuring saucy, spiced hard-boiled eggs. This dish evolved as it traveled through Europe, picking up additions like fresh herbs and (somehow) powdered sugar. The term "deviled," referring to spicing up a recipe, came into use around the 1800s. It was during this time that mayonnaise became a key ingredient, transforming it into the dish we recognize today: a halved hard-boiled egg with its yolk scooped out, mixed with condiments, and then piped back into the egg white.
Potato salad shares quite a bit with deviled eggs. Besides being a perfect vehicle for mayonnaise and mustard, it too has deep European roots. As early as the 1500s, Spanish explorers introduced a vinegar-based version to Europe upon returning from their travels. The dish continued to change over the years. In German cuisine, for instance, potato salad is made with warm potatoes, onions, bacon, and a tangy vinegar dressing. The mayo-rich version commonly seen at American cookouts today is just another modern iteration of this ever-evolving dish.
Tasty twists on deviled egg potato salad
Deviled eggs and potato salad aren't just time-honored classics; they each come with plenty of variations and regional flair. In the American South, for instance, deviled eggs get a tangy twist with the addition of pickle relish. Then there's the French version of potato salad, which stands out for being extra fresh and tart, ditching the mayo in favor of vinegar and fresh herbs. These regional variations open up a world of possibilities for enjoying both potato salad and deviled eggs, and they can inspire you to whip up your own unique deviled egg potato salad.
As TikTok user @rachelmumolo shows, making a basic deviled egg potato salad is pretty straightforward. Start by boiling some potatoes and eggs. Once they're cooled, mix up a creamy sauce from the egg yolks, mayo, mustard, and relish to bind everything together. Finish it off with a sprinkle of green onions and a bit of paprika. If you're feeling creative, add a French-inspired touch with fresh herbs, vinegar, and capers. Or, for a German spin, top it off with crumbled bacon. You could even give it a Southern twist with an extra dose of pickle relish. If you're a fan of potatoes and eggs, there are endless ways to make this recipe your own.