Classic Egg Salad Recipe

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Nothing fancy. Not original. Just delish. A classic egg salad recipe is infinitely versatile in what you add to it and how you serve it. Stick to 3 ingredients. Or jazz it up. It’s up to you.

Creamy egg salad is the quintessential lunch-counter food, picnic food, toddler food, tea party or celebration food, brunch food or take-it-to-school/work food. Check out our tips, shortcut variations, add-ins and Q and A’s.

How do you like your egg salad?

Between two pieces of plain white sandwich bread, period?
Creamy egg salad? Or textured with bigger chunks?
Bland? Or bursting with flavors?
Love egg salad but hate the calories?
With real mayonnaise (yes!) or with substitutes?

Here’s the thing. It’s your call. My suggestion is to start with the bare bones – hard boiled eggs, mayonnaise, salt and pepper – and go from there with one or more of our variations below.

We’re using a fairly classic recipe that boosts the bare bones with some crunch (celery) and some extra flavors (Dijon, green onion). It’s an easy egg salad that can be tailored any way you like.

How to make great egg salad

6 eggs in pot of water — Place eggs in a saucepan with enough cold water to cover the eggs by 1 inch/2.5cm. I use two eggs per person for a generous portion.

eggs boiling in water — Bring water to a rolling boil, then cover the pot, turn off the heat and let the eggs sit for 12-14 minutes. See notes.

eggs cooling in ice water — Drain the water and transfer eggs to a bowl of ice water for a few minutes. Or run under cold water for 5 minutes.

eggs cut in half on cutting board — Crack eggs on counter several times all over. Peel under under cold running water. Cut in half. The egg on the left sat in boiled water for 12 minutes. The rest for 14 minutes.

chopped egg, onion, mustard, celery, mayo in bowl — Chop eggs and transfer to a medium bowl. Add mayo, Dijon and finely chopped celery and green onion.

egg salad mixture in bowl — Mash chopped eggs and other ingredients with a fork. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Or scoop the egg salad into a lettuce cup. Or use it in other ways (see variations).

How to make hard boiled eggs

Method 1 (as per recipe): Bring to boil, turn off the heat and let sit for 12-14 minutes.
Method 2: Bring eggs in a pot of water to boil. Lower to medium-high heat. Boil for 7-9 minutes. Transfer to ice water.
Method 3: how to make hard boiled eggs in an instant pot.

Special conditions: Several things can affect your hard boiled eggs – size of the eggs, age of the eggs, altitude and what type of stove top you are using. For example, if you live in a high altitude area, your eggs will take more time (apparently an extra minute per 1000 feet/305 meters). And, if you are using an induction stove top, cook eggs for 14-16 minutes, not 12.

If you think ahead… Many will say to bring eggs to room temperature before you boil them to cook them more evenly. I never remember to take them out of the fridge, so if I’m not rushing I run them under warm water for several minutes. Cold eggs will still work though. Just add another minute to cook time.

Tailor To Your Taste

Here are some variations to try to make the egg salad the way you like it.

Add-ins

Fresh herbs such as dill, chives, parsley, basil, tarragon
Chopped olives, pimentos or capers
A splash of Worcestershire sauce and/or lemon juice
A sprinkle of garlic powder
Celery and Dijon mustard (as per recipe)
Dill pickle relish
Red onion, finely chopped

Ways to serve egg salad

In a regular sandwich – on white bread, rye, pumpernickel, buns, slider buns, croissant, bagel.
As tea sandwiches or party sandwiches (cut into quarters, no crusts)
In a lettuce wrap or cup
On crackers or cucumber rounds as an appetizer
Stuffed in tomatoes
Scooped into celery (an egg salad log)

Substitutes for mayonnaise

Traditional egg salad is made with full fat mayo, but you can also use light mayonnaise, miracle whip, sour cream, pesto, Greek yogurt, avocado, ricotta cheese, hummus, vinaigrette dressing, pesto.

Recipe FAQs

How can you tell if an egg is fresh?

A fresh egg will sink to the bottom of a bowl of water and lie on its side. A slightly older egg will sink to the bottom in water, but stand on one end. An expired egg will float in water (toss it!).

What is the best way to peel an egg?

Crack it gently all over on the counter. Then peel. If the peel is sticking to the egg, try peeling the egg under running water. Slightly older eggs are easier to peel than fresh eggs.

Are eggs healthy for you?

According to healthline, eggs do not cause heart disease. They are rich in antioxidants, protein, iron, vitamins and minerals. One large egg is 77 calories with 5 grams of fat, 0 carbs and 6 grams of protein.

What are the best type of eggs to buy?

According to Food and Nutrition, conventional eggs are perfectly fine. If you don’t eat fish or plant sources like flax or chia seeds, then Omega-3-enriched eggs might be a healthier choice. Pasteurized eggs are nutritionally the same as regular eggs, but but likely safer with lower risk of salmonella. Organic eggs are not better, just different in the amount of nutrients supplied. Cage-free, free-range and pasture-raised eggs are not likely healthier or better, but you would be supporting humane farming practices.

What to serve with egg salad

celery and carrot sticks
pickles or olives
chips
fresh cherry tomatoes
grapes
soups like creamy tomato soup, easy egg drop soup with vegetables or red lentil soup with vegetables. Or how about a chilled soup like sweet corn soup with buttermilk and herbs?

Shortcut

Buy premade hard-boiled eggs. You can find them at Walmart, Target, Costco and many grocery stores. This cuts the recipe time to about 10 minutes.

Make Ahead

Hard boiled eggs: Keep them in the fridge in a ziploc or airtight container for up to 5 days. It’s best to peel them first.
Egg salad: Keep it in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Egg salad sandwiches: Make them the same day or the day before, wrapping it in plastic wrap or an airtight container.

egg salad sandwich on bun with lettuce p

Other egg recipes you might like

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