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

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.

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.

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.

3. 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.
4. Season. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
5. Garnish. If desired, sprinkle with paprika and more chives (or fresh parsley).

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.

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.

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

Recipe Card

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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Recipe Video

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See Also

Garlic Butter Roasted Parsnips Recipe - Easy Thanksgiving Side Dish!

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Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.

• 1/2cupMayonnaise▢
• 1tbspDijon mustard▢
• 1tbspLemon juice▢
• 8largeHard boiled eggs(diced)▢
• 1/4cupCelery(finely chopped)▢
• 2tbspWhite onion(minced)▢
• 2tbspChives(chopped)▢
• 1/2tspSea salt(to taste)▢
• 1/8tspBlack pepper(to taste)▢
• Paprika(optional, for garnish)▢

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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• Instant Pot Egg Bites

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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

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