One deviled egg carrier to rule them all

April 9, 2022 1:19 PM

I bring deviled eggs to almost every potluck-style event, and often transport them on foot/by bus. Even when doing the "horizontal" style with a small slice cut from each end to make a flat surface, they often slide around and look like the dog's breakfast. Looking for THE best way to transport deviled eggs, and double bonus if the carrier will allow for a modest angle (such as when it's being pulled in a little rolly cart). Thank you!!!
posted by cyndigo to Food & Drink (23 answers total)

There are lots of dedicated deviled egg carriers on Amazon, many with good reviews. This one looks good to me. Or are you looking for something that’s not a single use item?
posted by maleficent at 1:30 PM on April 9, 2022 [5 favorites]

I just pair up the eggs and put them back in the egg carton I bought them from at the grocery.
posted by NotLost at 1:31 PM on April 9, 2022 [7 favorites]

Even the best carriers have a big flaw, which is that they are by necessity slippery. I now use the same kind of carrier maleficent linked, but I bring the filling in a zip-top baggie so I can cut the tip off and use it as a piping bag onsite.
posted by Lyn Never at 1:32 PM on April 9, 2022 [21 favorites]

The carrier type maleficent linked to is the one true deviled egg carrier.
posted by Thorzdad at 1:35 PM on April 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

A kludgier solution might be a muffin tin.
posted by praemunire at 1:59 PM on April 9, 2022 [3 favorites]

I use a plastic egg plate (this time of year is a good time to find them cheap, because people use them for Easter eggs) and carry it inside a Sterilite cake carrier. I have taken this setup on the bus several times with no mishaps.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:17 PM on April 9, 2022 [2 favorites]

Nevermind; I just looked at Maleficent's link and it's much better than my setup. And probably costs about the same as I paid for both the plate and the carrier.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 2:19 PM on April 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

I'm pretty sure the rule is now you have to post your recipe.
posted by BlahLaLa at 2:35 PM on April 9, 2022 [19 favorites]

Yes to the carrier, but I also keep the filling separate, some chives separate, and a little shaker for smoked paprika. This survives bike and bus commutes.
posted by advicepig at 2:55 PM on April 9, 2022 [7 favorites]

Thirding that I don’t apply the filling until I’ve arrived. It tends to be a fun conversation starter because I can do that in the room that’s not the kitchen of wherever people are gathering.
posted by bilabial at 3:31 PM on April 9, 2022 [2 favorites]

Yes to applying the filling upon arrival: the sky's the limit on how elaborate you can make your display if you do it like this.
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 3:39 PM on April 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

On a flat tray / baking tray, but each nestled in a paper muffin case, and jammed in next to each other snug
posted by runincircles at 3:56 PM on April 9, 2022 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: Thank you! I ordered Maleficient's suggestion and will think about filling onsite, but I use a cookie press to pipe prettily, so must think on that. My recipe varies, but the secret is a tablespoon or two of softened butter added to whatever filling recipe you like.
posted by cyndigo at 4:35 PM on April 9, 2022 [6 favorites]

I have nothing to add except that I wish I had a friend who’d bring deviled eggs to my events and also would like to know your recipe.
posted by sjswitzer at 6:24 PM on April 9, 2022 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: I bring deviled eggs because it's a very cheap offering and while almost everyone loves to eat deviled eggs, almost no one wants to actually make deviled eggs. My "recipe" varies widely but is basically Duke's mayonnaise, a little finely chopped shallot, some acid (usually pickle juice or champagne vinegar), a tad of mustard and Tabasco or sriracha and a tablespoon or two of softened butter. I might do curry powder or horseradish or wasabi in part of it (always leaving some of the filling "plain" for purists). Have some leftover boursin or goat cheese? Roasted garlic? That goes in, too. Maybe a splash of Worchestercheshesheshire or however it's spelled. I whirr it in the food processor so it's nice and fluffy, add a little heavy cream if needed for consistency.

Enjoy, and thanks for the carrier recs!
posted by cyndigo at 7:58 PM on April 9, 2022 [23 favorites]

Response by poster: And salt! Be sure to taste and add salt if needed.
posted by cyndigo at 8:02 PM on April 9, 2022 [3 favorites]

I literally purchased this today at WMT. I am hoping it works.

As for slippery, a wet paper towel on the bottom will prevent slippery.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:07 PM on April 9, 2022 [1 favorite]

We are the master deviled egg makers in our extended family. It is not unusual for us to prepare some 100-200 (deviled) eggs at a time. And that's not counting the ones to color. This has been going on since I've been an adult, and as I was the one who favored them the most, the task was dumped on me - and then my kids mostly took it over. (Which reminds me, I still need to buy eggs.)

We have a decent quantity of ones purchased from Walmart that are similar to the ones maleficent linked above, but they don't seem to carry them anymore. (Ours had separate layers that hooked together, and do not collapse for storage. One could also snap multiple sets together, which is occasionally convenient.) If I were to upgrade or resupply, it'd be with those, though we have a couple of the flat 24-count Rubbermaid version that JohnnyGunn mentions, so I figured I'd just get those if I needed to. (Which we use tends to depend on fridge and transportation space expectations...)

I was quite surprised at just how well those egg cookers work. Only gave in and purchased one a couple years ago, and the not-having-to-watch-the-stove is nice. It annoys me that it's round, but a dozen eggs at a time, almost on automatic, is convenient. I see that a 16-egg rectangle version exists, now.

Our general recipe includes miracle whip (not mayo, I hate the stuff), dill pickle relish, mustard, a small amount of vinegar, and a generous amount of paprika. No measuring involved. Specifics may vary, especially by mood or preparer, and we taste to check of course.
posted by stormyteal at 2:21 PM on April 10, 2022 [1 favorite]

We have the flat Rubbermaid, but I like the one maleficent linked and may get one. Our recipe uses mayo, full fat yogurt, spicy horseradish mustard, pickle juice, black pepper, dill, and a splash of hot sauce. If the filling is too runny you can thicken with mashed potato flakes. Fill and sprinkle with smoked paprika.
posted by indexy at 5:38 PM on April 10, 2022

Mayonnaise, yellow mustard, salt, and pepper. I also add several whole boiled eggs to the yolk mixture. Sometimes add finely chopped onion if I have it around. Blend with a hand mixer until smooth and then pipe it into the egg halves with an icing bag and large star tip. Garnish with paprika.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:06 PM on April 10, 2022

My most popular twist on deviled eggs are Street Corn Deviled Eggs. Use your standard filling recipe, roast ears of corn with butter, garlic salt and chili powder. Remove kernels and fold in to your filling and top with cotija cheese, sprinkle of chili powder, and parsley or cilantro.
posted by ShakeyJake at 9:18 AM on April 11, 2022 [3 favorites]

Response by poster: Thanks for all the suggestions! Maleficent's suggestion arrived yesterday and will be tested on Saturday. Also for hard-boiling the eggs ... if I used my Instant Pot for NOTHING except making perfect eggs that pop out of their shells, it would be worth the cost and the storage space.
posted by cyndigo at 12:50 PM on April 14, 2022 [1 favorite]

Apparently, my sister in law got this deviled egg carrier/cake carrier as a wedding gift and wanted me to make deviled eggs for today. I was able to fill and garnish at home. I made sure the whites were dry before loading. They transported in the car just fine on a 30 minute highway drive.
posted by advicepig at 4:36 PM on April 17, 2022