Classic Egg Salad Recipe (2024)

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Classic egg salad should be creamy, tangy, and perfect for sandwiches. This delicious homemade recipe is easy to make and the best you'll ever have!

Classic Egg Salad Recipe (1)

Classic Egg Salad

Creamy, tangy, and perfect for sandwiches classic egg salad is an American favorite. It's super easy to make, and makes a wonderful, simple lunch.

Apparently, egg salad is one of those foods that you kind of just eyeball the amount and throw all of the ingredients in together.

As a newlywed and new cook, I had no idea where to start, so I asked my mother-in-law (since that's who made the egg salad my hubby remembers and loves). I'm pretty sure she thought I was nuts.

Nonetheless, Ifinally figured out how to make a delightful and classicegg salad, and I wanted to share my recipe with measurements for any other egg salad newbies out there.

How Do You Keep Egg Salad From Getting Watery?

Sometimes after chilling for a day or so, you might find that your egg salad is a little more runny or watery than you'd like it. Here are a few ways to prevent watery egg salad:

  1. Make sure the eggs are not overcooked. Follow the instructions below to properly cook hard boiled eggs to perfection.
  2. Chill eggs before adding them to the salad. I chill mine after peeling for at least 3 hours to ensure that they're cool enough not to create extra moisture when the salad is put together.
  3. Chop celery and onion in advance, and sprinkle with a little salt. Cover and refrigerate while eggs are also chilling. This will allow them to also come to a similar temperature to prevent condensation, and the salt will help to pull excess moisture from them. Pat onions and celery dry before adding them to the salad mixture.
Classic Egg Salad Recipe (2)

If you've already made the salad, and now it's runny, you can try these easy fixes.

  1. Add a couple more eggs. The extra eggs and fresher yolks will help to thicken the mixture.
  2. Add a tablespoon of breadcrumbs to absorb some of the extra moisture.

What Else Can I Add to My Egg Salad?

Egg salad is such a great simple base to add in any extra flavors your heart desires. Try some of these ideas:

  • Horseradish will give a little extra kick. Start off with just a small amount, about a teaspoon, and add more to taste.
  • Bacon makes everything better, including egg salad.
  • Red pepper flakes will give it some spice. Also consider a few dashes of Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce.
  • Avocado for some fresh creaminess and healthy fats.
  • Fresh herbs for some zesty crisp flavor. Try adding a little freshly chopped dill, chives, or parsley.

How to Prepare Eggs for Egg Salad

Place your eggs in the bottom of a large pot (make sure you use a pot with a lid!), and fill with water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.

As soon as it comes to a hard boil, turn off the heat and cover with a lid. then turn off the heat and cover with a lid. Allow to sit, covered, off the heat for 11 minutes.

While the eggs are sitting and cooking, prepare a large bowl with ice water.

Classic Egg Salad Recipe (3)

As soon as your timer goes off, transfer your eggs to the ice water. This is called shocking the eggs, which helps stop the cooking process.

After a minute or 2, the eggs will be cool enough to handle. Peel the eggs, and place in a bowl to chill before assembling your egg salad.

How to Make Classic Egg Salad

After preparing your eggs, it's time to put it all together. Chop the eggs and place them in a bowl with the remaining ingredients. Stir gently to combine everything. Cover and chill for at least an hour before serving for the most delicious result.

Classic Egg Salad Recipe (4)

More Easy Salad Recipes You'll Love

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  • Southern Deviled Eggs - perfect classic deviled eggs with a creamy tangy filling.
  • Easy Homemade Fruit Salad - fresh and healthy and beautiful.
  • Southern Creamy Coleslaw - perfect combination of creamy, sweet, fresh, and tangy
  • Watergate Salad - quick and easy dessert made with whipped cream, pistachio pudding, pineapple, and marshmallows.

Classic Egg Salad Recipe (5)

Classic Egg Salad Recipe

This Classic Egg Salad Recipe is a classic that's great for sandwiches for lunch and dinner all year long.

4.91 from 22 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main, Salad

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Classic Egg Salad, Easy Egg Salad, Egg Salad

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Chilling Time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 203kcal

Author: Michelle

Ingredients

  • 12 hard boiled eggs
  • ¼ cup finely chopped red onion
  • ¼ finely chopped celery
  • ½ cup mayo
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
  • Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place your eggs in the bottom of a large pot (make sure you use a pot with a lid!), and fill with water. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.

    As soon as it comes to a hard boil, turn off the heat and cover with a lid. then turn off the heat and cover with a lid. Allow to sit, covered, off the heat for11 minutes.

  • While the eggs are sitting and cooking, prepare a large bowl with ice water.

  • Place cooked eggs immediately in ice water to cool. Once cooled, crack and peel the eggs. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours until cold.

  • When the eggs are cold, finely chop them with a knife or egg slicer and place in a large mixing bowl.

  • Add onion, celery, mayo, mustard, relish, and salt and pepper. Stir gently to combine.

  • Cover and chill for at least an hour or until ready to serve.

Notes

Nutrition facts include salad only, not bread for sandwiches or other serving suggestions.

  • This recipe is keto, dairy free, and gluten free.
  • Make sure eggs are cooled all the way before adding to the recipe. This will keep your egg salad from getting watery, and keep your onions and celery crisp.
  • Egg salad can be eaten right away, but is best after chilling for at least an hour.
  • Serving suggestions: Serve on toasted bread, as a wrap, with crackers, on a lettuce wrap, or with fresh veggie slices such as carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
  • Storage: Keep covered and refrigerated for up to 3-5 days.
  • I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.6g | Protein: 9.3g | Fat: 17.9g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2.4g | Trans Fat: 0g | Cholesterol: 283.3mg | Sodium: 266mg | Potassium: 125.1mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 121IU | Vitamin C: 0.06mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 0.87mg

Did you make this recipe?I love seeing your creations. Snap a quick photo and mention @TheGraciousWife or tag #thegraciouswife on Instagram! Leave a STAR rating below!

UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in July 2015. It has been updated with new pictures, video, and detailed instructions and republished in March 2020.

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Classic Egg Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my egg salad 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.

What is egg salad made of? ›

Eggs: Of course, this egg salad recipe starts with eggs! Condiments: You'll need mayonnaise and mustard. Green onion: Green onions lend a pop of flavor and color. Seasonings: This egg salad is simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Do you chop or mash eggs for egg salad? ›

We like pieces between 1/4 and 1/2 inch big; the yolks will break smaller when you stir everything together. Egg Slicer: An egg slicer is a great way to chop hard-cooked eggs into small pieces. Slice them one way, then turn them the other way and slice again.

How long will homemade egg salad keep in fridge? ›

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.

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.

What adding to egg dishes will improve the flavor? ›

If you are looking to elevate your egg-based meals, consider adding five ingredients to your culinary repertoire: almonds, spinach, mushrooms, cheese, and caramelized onions. These additions not only enhance the flavor and texture of your dishes but also provide a boost of essential nutrients.

Is it healthy to eat egg salad every day? ›

It probably isn't healthy if you are making it with lots of mayonnaise, but if you eat it with other salad ingredients instead of as a sandwich, you'll probably be alright. But I wouldn't eat it for more than one meal a day, and make certain the other meals have ingredients that balance out the high intake of eggs.

How long should you boil eggs? ›

Put the pot over high heat and bring to a boil. Once the water is at a rolling boil, turn off the heat and cover the pot with the lid. Allow the eggs to sit in the hot water for the following times according to the desired doneness: 3 minutes for SOFT boiled; 6 minutes for MEDIUM boiled; 12 minutes for HARD boiled.

Is eating eggs and salad healthy? ›

You've already made the healthy choice by having a salad. Why not add an egg to make it even healthier? Studies show that eating eggs, which naturally contain fats, alongside vegetables helps the body to better absorb the fat-soluble nutrients in veggies like vitamin E and lutein.

What is the best tool for making egg salad? ›

If you don't want to buy an extra utensil when something you already have can do the trick, consider the potato masher, which "chops" boiled eggs into perfect, uniform bits in a matter of seconds.

Why does my egg salad get watery the next day? ›

While regular mayonnaise is a well-known base for egg salad, you might find that you've experimented with lower-fat options like Greek yogurt or low-fat mayo. But Greek yogurt often separates as it sits, which could lead to water pooling in the egg salad, and low-fat mayo has a higher water content than regular mayo.

Can I freeze homemade egg salad? ›

If you must freeze egg salad, make sure to use an airtight container and remove as much of the air as possible to minimize freezer burn. It's best to consume egg salad within one to two months for the best results.

Can you freeze hard-boiled eggs? ›

The American Egg Board, Egg Farmers of Canada, and USDA do not recommend freezing hard-boiled eggs because "hard-cooked whole eggs and whites become tough and watery when frozen." By the time you try to make the most of the rubbery, tough egg whites, it's probably easier to simply cook a whole new batch of hard-boiled ...

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.

Why does my egg salad have no taste? ›

You're not using enough salt in your egg salad

Salt is a key ingredient for any egg-based dish, including egg salad. Whether you're using Hawaiian red salt or table salt, that flavor is essential for helping to make eggs taste rich and satisfying.

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.

Why do my eggs taste bland? ›

Most people cook their eggs for far too long or on high heat, which is why they might taste dry and bland. Christopher Koetke, Executive Chef at Ajinomoto Health & Nutrition North America, says it's all about how long the eggs are cooked.

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.

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