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

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

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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.

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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)

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Ingredients

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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.

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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. 🙂

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FAQs

How to make egg salad that isn t watery? ›

To prevent this, make sure to shock the eggs in an ice water bath as soon as you're done boiling them. Then, let them chill fully before you cut into them. And if you've already overcooked the eggs and added the mayo, there's still hope for salvaging the salad.

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 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.

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.

How long to 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.

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 is the best way to mash eggs for egg salad? ›

Place the eggs in a mixing bowl and use a co*cktail muddler, potato masher, or even a large fork to break them up into uneven, irregular chunks. You can also use a potato masher, or press the hard boiled eggs through the wires on a cooling rack to chop them up.

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 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.

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.

Can you use old eggs for egg salad? ›

So, save your freshest eggs for frying (one more reason: the yolks of more alkaline eggs are more prone to breaking as soon as they hit the pan) and put your older eggs towards egg salad, deviled eggs, and the like.

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 I freeze homemade egg salad? ›

Can You Freeze Egg Salad? We don't recommend freezing egg salad, as it will change the texture and flavor. If you're OK with that, you can freeze it for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight.

How do you thicken runny egg mayo? ›

If this happens to you, don't throw the mixture out quite yet -- there is a simple solution: egg yolk. Adding another raw egg yolk and whisking the mixture once again may be all you need to fix your homemade mayonnaise.

Why are my eggs watery? ›

Eggs that are old will have watery whites (this is usually why grocery store eggs are so thin and tasteless). High ammonia levels in the coop can cause watery whites, too, as can high temperatures.

Why are my eggs still watery? ›

Description. When an egg broken onto a flat surface has a watery, spread-out white, this usually indicates that the egg is stale. The height of the white and the weight of the egg are used to calculate a value in Haugh units on a scale of 0 to 110; the lower the value, the staler the egg.

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