Ranch Seasoning Is The Tangy Ingredient Your Deviled Eggs Need

Frankly, deviled eggs can get a little samey when you eat them regularly. The typical combination of mayonnaise, mustard, and boiled eggs provides a great, creamy foundation, but stopping there means your deviled eggs will be more forgettable than craveable. The secret to adding depth and just the right amount of zip is that ranch seasoning packet lingering in your pantry.

Start with a simple base like this easy deviled eggs recipe. Make the filling by mashing the cooked egg yolks with creamy elements such as mayo, Dijon mustard, or crème fraîche. You can also use sour cream, Greek yogurt, or labneh instead for the perfect ingredient swap for mayo-free deviled eggs. Then, substitute the salt and any other spices for dry ranch seasoning. Start with about a teaspoon for every six eggs. Once you incorporate it, give the filling a taste. Add a bit more ranch seasoning if the yolks taste bland or double down on your favorite spices. Pipe or spoon the filling back into the whites of the eggs to serve!

Ranch seasoning is your one-stop shop to add acid and spice to your deviled eggs without having to rummage through your spice cabinet, but don't be tempted to use that bottle of ready-made ranch dressing sitting in your fridge. It will introduce too much liquid and make the final product watery. 

Every store-bought seasoning mix will have slightly different ingredients. Some products contain just spices, but many will also have dehydrated buttermilk or milk. That is the secret ingredient that lends both richness and just the right amount of tang. Expect to see other flavorings such as garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, parsley, celery seed, mustard, or monosodium glutamate (MSG).

If you want ranch-flavored deviled eggs, but prefer not to use a store-bought blend because of preservatives and other additives, you can totally make your own. Buttermilk powder is often available in the baking aisle at supermarkets. Use that as your base and add whatever dried herbs and spices you would want in your perfect ranch dressing (think dill, mustard, chives, and garlic). If you make a batch for some deviled eggs, stash the rest in the fridge. Then, add it to a mix of mayo and sour cream with a little milk or buttermilk to thin it whenever you are craving homemade ranch dressing.

In addition to the ranch seasoning, brighten up the deviled egg filling with the addition of finely chopped fresh herbs such as dill, chives, or parsley. You can also add a dash of your favorite hot sauce or wing sauce to the filling to make a buffalo ranch version. Garnish with some crumbled blue cheese. If deviled eggs feel like way too much fuss, use the exact same concept to make egg salad. Chop up the cooked egg whites and stir them into the ranch-seasoned egg yolk filling. It is perfect when sandwiched between toasted bread, rolled into a wrap, or scooped up with crackers for a quick lunch.

Don't stop at egg salad! Ranch seasoning comes to life when it meets other creamy ingredients. Use it to spice up mayo-based dressings for all your favorite chicken, tuna, and pasta salads. Try making a ranch macaroni salad with diced celery, red onion, fresh dill, and some crumbled bacon for good measure.

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