Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (1)

Free: Healthy 5-Ingredient Meals Ebook

Get It Now

Table Of Contents hide

  • Why You’ll Love This Easy Egg Salad Recipe
  • How To Make Egg Salad
  • How Long To Boil Eggs For Egg Salad?
  • Egg Salad Recipe Variations
  • Storage Instructions
  • What To Eat With Egg Salad
  • More Simple Egg Recipes
  • Recommended Tools
  • Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!)

This is the best egg salad recipe I’ve ever made… equal parts easy and flavorful! I’ve been making this simple recipe for egg salad since my kids were toddlers and it’s always been a family favorite. It’s such a tasty way to use up leftover hard boiled eggs, and with just a few ingredients it transforms into something totally different. Learn how to make egg salad, and this easy recipe will become your go-to on busy days!

I love serving cold salads like shrimp avocado salad, quinoa salad, or buffalo chicken salad for lunch. This easy egg salad is such a comforting classic, though, especially if I only have a few minutes to put a meal together.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Egg Salad Recipe

  • Perfectly cooked eggs
  • Creamy, tangy dressing
  • Just the right amount of crunch
  • 7 simple ingredients found at any grocery store
  • Quick 5 minute prep time (if you havehard boiled eggson hand)
  • Naturally gluten-free, low carb, dairy-free, vegetarian, whole30, paleo, high in protein, and just plain healthy
  • The best egg salad recipe for sandwiches and more!
Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (2)

Egg Salad Ingredients & Substitutions

This section explains how to choose ingredients for a simple egg salad recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

  • Mayonnaise – The is the base of the salad dressing. You can make your ownavocado oil mayoorbuy it. You could substitute Greek yogurt for a lighter option if you like, but the flavor will be different.
  • Dijon Mustard – Adds a little peppery flavor. You can also substitute yellow mustard or brown mustard (or honey mustard), but Dijon has the most classic flavor for egg salad recipes.
  • Lemon Juice – Adds brightness. Fresh lemon juice has the best flavor, but bottled is fine for convenience.
  • Hard Boiled Eggs– I simply used leftover easy peel boiled eggs, but you could make hard boiled eggs in the oven, Instant Pot, or air fryer eggs, too!
  • Crunchy Veggies – White onion and finely chopped celerygive this dish a nice crunch. You could also add some pickle relish or green onion, too.
  • Fresh Herbs – I used fresh chives, but fresh dill would also go nicely.
  • Seasonings – Sea salt, black pepper, and a garnish of paprika complete the easy egg salad recipe.
Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (3)

How To Make Egg Salad

This section shows how to make the best egg salad recipe, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.

  1. Boil the eggs. If you don’t have hard boiled eggs on hand already, make perfect boiled eggs like this. Make sure to place eggs into an ice water bath immediately afterward. This prevents overcooking and also ensures your egg salad will be cold like it should be. After 10 minutes in ice water, peel and chop the eggs.
  2. Whisk the dressing. In amedium bowl (or a large bowl),whisk together the mayo, mustard, and lemon juice, until smooth.
Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (4)
Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (5)
  1. Mix the egg salad. Add the diced eggs, celery, onions, and chives to the bowl with the dressing. (Alternatively, you can combine the egg salad ingredients first and then pour the dressing over them.) Gently stir.
  2. Season. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  3. Garnish. If desired, sprinkle with paprika and more chives (or fresh parsley).
Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (6)
Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (7)

How Long To Boil Eggs For Egg Salad?

For firm hard boiled eggs for egg salad, place submerge the eggs in cold water in a saucepan, add salt and vinegar, bring to a boil, and then boil for 9 minutes.

Read more details about how to ensure easy peel boiled eggs here. (There’s also a time chart included to get the doneness you like.)

Egg Salad Recipe Variations

  • Avocado – If you are a fan of avocado like I am, simply add chunks of avocado to this recipe. Or try my avocado egg salad (without mayo).
  • Tuna – Adding tuna combines tuna salad recipes and egg salad recipes into one, and makes an ideal meal prep option. Simply add a can of drained tuna, or try this tuna salad with egg.
  • Chicken – Like tuna, you can simply add a can of drained chicken to the salad. However, I like to use up leftover shredded chicken. Or, try my chicken salad and add egg to it.
  • Deviled – If you like bacon deviled eggs, you’ll love this variation. Instead of dicing up whole boiled eggs for egg salad, only use the diced yolks in the salad itself. Then, scoop the finished salad into the white parts of the eggs.
  • Curried – Want this recipe to have a spicy kick? Simply add 1teaspooncurry powder.
  • Bacon – Who doesn’t love bacon?! You can add bacon bits to the mix for the most convenient option, or make bacon in the oven (or air fryer bacon) and crumble it.
Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (8)

Storage Instructions

Keep leftovers in glass storage containers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

How Long Does Egg Salad Last?

If stored properly in the refrigerator, an egg salad recipe should last up to 4 days. However, the key is to ensure all of your ingredients are fresh and that you refrigerate it immediately after assembling.

Why Does Egg Salad Get Watery Overnight?

Egg salad gets watery if the veggies release too much moisture, if the salad gets warm, or if the eggs were not cold enough when they were added. To fix this, simply refrigerate the salad and/or stir in an additional hard boiled egg.

To avoid this in the future, make sure your eggs are cold before mixing with the dressing, and refrigerate the salad right away if you won’t eat it immediately.

Can You Freeze Egg Salad?

Avoid freezing egg salad recipes. Neither eggs nor mayonnaise freeze well.

Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (9)

What To Eat With Egg Salad

There are countless ways to enjoy this salad! Here are some ideas:

  • Classic Egg Salad Sandwiches – Just slather the salad on a slice of your favorite bread (whatever kind fits your lifestyle) and top with another! You can also add a lettuce leaf if you like.
  • Lettuce Wraps A great way to serve the best egg salad recipe. Use romaine or butter (bibb) lettuce leaves and top with the salad, as shown above.
  • Crackers – Any cracker is great for scooping. I like to use flax seed crackers, almond flour crackers or sometimes even cheese crisps.
  • Veggies – Use cucumber slices or mini bell peppers as a cracker-like option. You can also hollow them out and stuff the egg salad inside.

More Simple Egg Recipes

I always have a few egg recipes on hand when I need something quick and tasty. Try these favorites!

  • Steak And Eggs
  • Instant Pot Egg Bites
  • Perfect Omelette
  • Frittata Recipe
  • Bowl Set– I love this set of glass bowls. It comes with all sizes and they nest for easy storage.
  • Egg Slicer – Use this egg slicer to quickly slice eggs and then roughly chop to get them ready for this classic egg salad recipe. The slices are also great for garnishes and for other salads that call for sliced eggs, such aschef salad.

RECIPE SAVED! The recipe was sent to your email. I also sent you your free login info. You can use that to access your saved recipes at My Favorites.

Recipe Card

Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (11)

5 from 41 votes☝️ Click stars to rate or click here to leave a review!

Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!)

This easy egg salad recipe takes just 5 minutes to make! Learn how to make the best egg salad — perfect for sandwiches and lettuce wraps.

Prep: 5 minutes

Total: 5 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from WholesomeYum.com

Servings: 4 (adjust to scale recipe)

Un-save RecipeSave Recipe Remove Ads

ReviewPrint

US CustomaryMetric

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.

  1. If you don't have hard boiled eggs on hand already, make perfect boiled eggs like this. Place eggs into an ice water bath immediately afterward for 10 minutes, then peel and chop them.

  2. In a medium to large bowl, whisk together the mayo, mustard, and lemon juice, until smooth.

  3. Gently fold in the eggs, celery, onions, and chives.

  4. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

  5. Garnish with paprika and more chives on top, if desired.

Did You Like It?

Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.

Rate recipe

Save Recipe

Related Easy Recipes

  • Cobb Salad Recipe

  • Chicken Caesar Salad

  • Instant Pot Egg Bites

  • Deviled Eggs With Bacon

Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/2 cup

Nutrition Facts

Amount per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories362

Fat32.8g

Protein13g

Total Carbs2.4g

Net Carbs2g

Fiber0.4g

Sugar1.7g

Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.

Course:Main Course, Salad

Cuisine:American

Keywords:best egg salad recipe, easy egg salad, egg salad recipe, how to make egg salad, recipe for egg salad

Calories: 362 kcal

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. 🙂

Best Egg Salad Recipe

Pin It For Later!

Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (19)
Egg Salad Recipe (Easy, 5 Minutes!) - Wholesome Yum (2024)

FAQs

Why does my egg salad taste bland? ›

Stir through and adjust by adding more mayonnaise if you like your egg salad creamier. Why does my egg salad taste bland? The simple reason may be that it's not seasoned enough. Add a little more salt and pepper to taste.

Why did my egg salad get watery overnight? ›

Every ingredient that goes into egg salad has water in it. Salt and sugar in the dressing draw the water out of the ingredients as they sit, and they make your egg salad watery regardless of whether it's in the fridge or in a sandwich.

How long should you keep egg salad in the refrigerator? ›

Egg salad will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge. Of course, this is merely the foundation for a great egg salad. Change up the ingredients and seasonings, anything from paprika to cumin to celery salt, and there's no end to the ways that you can enjoy it.

Do you chop or mash eggs for egg salad? ›

Recipe developer and cookbook author Sheri Castle suggests that "for a salad with hearty texture that won't turn gummy or pasty, use your hands to crumble the eggs instead of chopping the whites and mashing the yolks with a fork." You will, of course, want to wait until the boiled eggs are cool enough to handle, but ...

Why do I get an upset stomach after eating egg salad? ›

Eggs are a rich source of nutrients, making them a popular meal choice and ingredient. However, some people may experience nausea after eating eggs. If you feel nauseous after eating eggs, you may have an intolerance or allergy to egg yolks, egg whites, or both. Some people may experience nausea after eating eggs.

How to make more flavorful eggs? ›

You can also create your own blend of seasonings by combining crushed red pepper, paprika, and chives. Hard-boiled: Sprinkling your hard-boiled eggs with some good old salt and pepper is a classic way to enjoy this egg dish. Or, liven up your hard-boiled eggs with the flavors of garlic, chili powder, or smoked paprika.

Why did my egg salad turn gray? ›

But first, cook the eggs just until yolks are firm yet still moist. Too long in hot water and eggs turn dry, pale and even develop a gray outer layer. In the world of sandwiches, there are two types of people: Those who love egg salad, and those who loathe it.

Can you eat 3 day old egg salad? ›

How Long You Can Keep Egg Salad. According to FoodSafety.gov, if it has been properly stored, it is safe to eat the salad within three to four days.

What can I use to thicken up egg salad? ›

To thicken egg salad, some cooks add mayonnaise or other thickeners, such as Greek yogurt or sour cream. Adding a few tablespoons of mayonnaise or other thickeners should do the trick. In addition to mayonnaise and other thickeners, some cooks like to add chopped vegetables and fresh herbs to their egg salad.

Can you eat egg salad that has been left out overnight? ›

Never leave cooked eggs or egg dishes out of the refrigerator for more than 2 hours or for more than 1 hour when temperatures are above 90° F.

Can you eat egg salad after 5 days? ›

According to the USDA, you might have a little more time to finish egg salad than you may think. If the egg salad has been properly stored—in a sealed container in the refrigerator—it is safe to eat it within five days.

How many days is homemade egg salad good for? ›

I agree; 3 days at most. I usually make a half-recipe of egg salad (3 eggs) at a time, and use it up within 36 hours. I find the hard-boiled eggs themselves keep slightly better than they do in egg salad.

How long to boil eggs? ›

Method
  1. 3 minutes for really soft boiled yolk and set white.
  2. 4 minutes for slightly set yolk and set white.
  3. 5 minutes for a medium cooked firmer yolk and white.
  4. 6 minutes for hard boiled with lightly soft yolk.
  5. 8 minutes for firmly hard boiled.

Can you eat egg salad by itself? ›

The flavor of this egg salad is so delicious and full on its own, you won't need any other accompaniments, if you don't want them. Simply dig in and enjoy to your heart's content! On Top of Toast: The classic way to enjoy egg salad is on top of buttery toast, or sandwiched together between two slices of white bread.

How do you make eggs not taste bland? ›

11 Delicious Add-Ins To Try For More Flavorful Scrambled Eggs
  1. Creamy Dollops. Add a dollop of cream cheese, sour cream, mascarpone, or cottage cheese to your scrambled eggs for a richer, creamier breakfast. ...
  2. Salty Sauces. ...
  3. Milk & Cream. ...
  4. Mayo. ...
  5. Hot Sauce. ...
  6. Volumising Ingredients. ...
  7. Bouillon Granules. ...
  8. Baking Spices.

How do you make salad less bland? ›

Tip 3: seasoning, seasoning, seasoning!

Use anything your heart desires. Herbs, fruits, peppers, change your olive oil or try sesame, hazelnut or other traditional nut oils. Also try our variety of basils: Large Green, lemon-basil, spicy Thai, etc.

Why does my egg salad taste bad? ›

If your egg salad looks good but has a sour or bitter taste, it's best to throw it away. In some cases, you might notice small bubbles or fizzing when stirring the salad. These are telltale signs of microbial growth. Refrain from tasting the salad, and discard it immediately.

How do you jazz up an egg sandwich? ›

Egg Sandwich Toppings

However, breakfast sausage patties, ham, or even venison bacon are favorite alternatives of mine. For a more non-traditional route, you can add sliced avocado and / or tomato.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 5839

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.