Sweet pickle relish is the most common choice for deviled eggs, with dill relish as the main savory alternative.

Best relish options

  • Sweet pickle relish: Classic deviled egg flavor—sweet, tangy, and crowd-pleasing, especially in “Southern-style” recipes.
  • Dill relish: Less sweet, more briny and sharp; good if you want a more savory, pickle-forward bite.
  • Bread-and-butter relish: Similar to sweet relish but with a bit more spice and complexity from the pickling brine.

How to choose

  • For traditional flavor: Go with sweet relish; many “classic” and “Southern” deviled egg recipes use it with mayo and mustard.
  • For less sweetness: Use dill relish and add a touch more mustard or hot sauce to balance the richness.
  • For something different: Try red pepper relish or chutney for a slightly sweet, peppery twist.

Simple ratio to follow

  • 12 eggs
  • 1/4–1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2–3 tablespoons relish (sweet or dill)
  • 1–2 teaspoons mustard, plus salt, pepper, and paprika on top

These proportions match many modern deviled egg recipes that include relish for sweetness, crunch, and acidity.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.