If you love the flavor of smoke, you will really enjoy smoked eggs. Yes, you can smoke eggs. In fact, you can pretty much cook anything in your smoker. I have smoked every kind of animal protein, including whole fish and offal. I have also smoked fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, herbs and spices, and even salt. And, you can cook casseroles, like macaroni and cheese. I think you get the idea.
Types of Smokers to Use for Eggs
There are a variety of smokers that you can use. Pellet grill smokers rely on compressed wood pellets made from different species of woods. Just fill the hopper, ignite the grill, and relax. The pellets last a long time and they infuse a concentrated smoky flavor into your food.
Electric smokers are relatively easy to use. You fill a tray with wood chips and fill the water bowl with a liquid of your choosing for additional flavor. Then, you plug the smoker cabinet in and turn it on. Gas smokers are basically as easy to use as electric smokers. However, these generally run on propane. Just remember to fill the tank.
You can also smoke over charcoal. You can do this using the indirect grilling method on your backyard grill. There are charcoal smokers. You may have seen the distinctly egg or bullet shaped charcoal smokers. You can add a couple of larger chunks of solid wood right on top of the coals for natural smoke flavor.
All of these smokers and techniques will work for preparing smoked eggs. I like to use a mildly flavored wood, chips, or pellets so as not to overwhelm the delicate eggs. Alder and apple woods are nice for smoking eggs.
Classic Smoked Deviled Eggs: A Step-by-Step Guide
This is a 2 phase cooking process. First, you need to hard boil the eggs. Then, you will smoke them. After that you can make smoked deviled eggs. So, this tutorial includes that final step of making smoked deviled eggs. Feel free to double the recipe if you are having a party.
Pro tip #1: This recipe is ideal for preparing during the last 30 minutes of smoking a roast, such as a Boston butt for pulled pork. Eggs don’t take long to smoke.
Equipment Needed
- A large soup or pasta pot with a tight fitting lid
- Stove top burner
- Slotted spoon
- Large bowl
- Paper towels
- Smoker
- Wood pellets or chips
- Sharp knife
- Teaspoon
- Piping bag (optional)
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 11 minutes
Smoke Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1-1/2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives
- Smoked paprika for garnish
- Water for bowl
Pro Tip #2: Eliminate the water if using a pellet grill smoker. Pellets generally have a 10% moisture content, so no additional moisture is needed.
Instructions
Step 1. Place the eggs in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover completely + 1 inch. Put the pot on a burner over medium-high heat and bring the water to a boil. As soon as the water is at a rolling boil, turn off the heat and cover the pot with a tight fitting lid. Allow the eggs to continue to cook in the hot water for next 10 to 12 minutes.
Step 2. Remove a grill rack from your smoker. Fill the water bowl of the smoker 1/2 way. Add wood chips to the tray or pellets to the hopper. Following the manufacturer’s instructions, heat the smoker to between 200°F and 225°F with the top vent open.
Step 3. Fill a large bowl with icy cold water. Using a slotted spoon, remove the eggs from the pot and place them in the bowl of cold water to stop the cooking.
Step 4. When the eggs are cool enough to handle, peel each one and return each egg to the bowl of cold water until you have finished peeling all of them. Using the slotted spoon, remove the eggs to paper towels to drain.
Step 5. Lightly oil the smoker rack. Place the eggs on the rack in the voids between each grate so that they don’t roll around. Place the rack inside the smoker and cook the eggs for approximately 25 to 35 minutes until they are a light bronze color.
Pro tip #3: You can certainly eat the eggs whole after they are smoked for a healthy protein snack. Otherwise, proceed to step 6 to make deviled eggs.
Step 6. Remove the smoked eggs to a clean cutting board. Slice them in half lengthwise. Using a teaspoon, gently scoop out the yellow yolks and place them in a dry mixing bowl. Add the mayonnaise, relish, mustard, salt, and pepper and mix very well until you have a creamy consistency.
Step 7. Using the spoon or a piping bag, fill the cavities of each egg white half with the yolk mixture. Be generous so the filling has some height above the whites. Place the filled egg halves on a platter and chill them in the refrigerator until cool or cold.
Step 8: Before serving, scatter some chives over the top of each egg. Then, dust with a little paprika. Serve with cocktail napkins and enjoy.
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Smoked Eggs Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition
Additional Smoked Egg Recipe Ideas
I could eat deviled eggs all by themselves as a meal. In fact, I have done that and ate way too many. They are so easy to eat with your hands in just 2 bites. Smoked deviled eggs are quite rich in flavor, so maybe it isn’t a good idea to down all of them.
These eggs are really perfect for a backyard party or a picnic. They actually travel pretty well in a plastic or glass container. I think smoked deviled eggs pair really nicely with pulled pork sandwiches smothered with barbeque sauce and a side of crunchy slaw.
You can really get creative with deviled eggs by adding tarragon, bacon, sour cream, smoked salmon, caviar, or cheese. I think one of the best deviled egg recipes is one that includes some spicy sriracha sauce.
If you don’t make deviled eggs with your smoky treats, dice them up to add to potato salad for some added body. You can also make egg salad sandwiches. And, you can definitely pickle whole smoked eggs that will keep for a while in the fridge. Another idea is to add whole eggs into the center of a meatloaf mix that you are planning on smoking. It is an attractive and tasty surprise when you slice into the loaf.
Some Final Thoughts
Smoking eggs is a lot easier to do than you might have thought. You just need hard boiled eggs and your smoker or grill. This is a great recipe to do while your smoker is already fired up. The eggs only take about 30 minutes to infuse plenty of smoky flavor into them.
As mentioned, it is recommended that you use a mildly flavored wood so as not to overpower the delicate eggs. That can be a judgment call on your part. Really, any wood source will work, so use what you have on hand.
Once you have smoked the eggs, devil them or try them in a variety of recipes, such as the ones suggested here. Or, just eat them! Whatever you do with your smoked eggs, enjoy them.
