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

  • Deviled Egg Potato Salad - creamy southern potato salad with all of the flavors you love about deviled eggs.
  • 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.

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.

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.

How to make egg salad that isn t watery? ›

Besides swapping regular onions for green onions or chives, there are other ways you can build up your egg salad's flavor and limit unsightly pooling water. Try adding spices, such as garlic powder or paprika; paprika is often dusted atop deviled eggs, so it would taste fantastic in egg salad.

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

Food intolerance happens when the body is unable to digest certain components in food. People who have an egg intolerance may not be able to digest the egg whites or yolks, or both. With an intolerance, a person may experience digestive problems hours after consuming the offending food item.

What adding to egg dishes will improve the flavor? ›

Garlic is a good seasoning for eggs because it adds a ton of flavor on its own while giving other spices and herbs an extra boost. Stirring a dash of powdered garlic into your egg recipes is an easy way to ensure they're overflowing with flavor.

Why is my egg salad runny the next day? ›

The egg salad itself can get watery after it sits for a while, though. To counter this tendency, make sure the eggs aren't overcooked, chill them well before chopping, and add a tablespoon of very fine bread crumbs to the salad. Your choice of bread can make or break an egg salad sandwich.

What is the best tool for making egg salad? ›

I've found the best tool for mashing up eggs for egg salad is a grid-style potato masher.

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

Egg salad is always better fresh, but you can certainly store it for up to 4 days in the fridge for quick lunches or for potlucks and picnics.

How long should you boil an egg? ›

How long to boil eggs
  1. Dippy eggs and soldiers – 3 minutes (can't peel)
  2. Runny yolks – 6 minutes.
  3. Soft boiled – 8 minutes.
  4. Hard boiled – 10 minutes.
Mar 22, 2023

Is it OK to eat eggs every day? ›

Eggs are also a great source of heart-healthy nutrients like potassium, folate and B vitamins. Some research suggests that up to two eggs per day actually improves heart health. As with anything, moderation is important, especially if you enjoy eggs daily.

Does egg salad contain celery? ›

This is the easiest egg salad and the perfect way to use up leftover Easter Eggs or even leftover Deviled Eggs. You'll love the short list of ingredients but it's all you need to make one amazing salad: hard-boiled eggs, herbs, celery, and crisp onion in the creamiest dressing.

Why does my egg salad taste bad? ›

If left longer, it can develop dark spots and mold. You might also see little bubbles or fizzing when stirring the salad; these are also surefire indicators of microbial growth. If your egg salad looks fine but tastes sour or bitter, you should also throw it away.

What do you serve with egg salad? ›

Potato Salad: A classic side dish that pairs well with egg salad. You can choose from various potato salad recipes, such as creamy mayonnaise-based or a tangy vinegar-based version. Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw with a mix of cabbage and carrots adds a crunchy and refreshing element to your meal.

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.

Why does my egg salad have no taste? ›

You're not using enough salt in your 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. However you use it, according to Fine Cooking, "salt has the amazing ability to intensify agreeable tastes and diminish disagreeable ones."

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? ›

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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