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)

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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

Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them.

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

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.

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

According to the USDA, egg salad that's been stored properly in the fridge will be good for three to five days. To maximize that timeframe, use an airtight container and place the egg salad in the coldest part of the fridge promptly. Make sure your fridge is set to 40 F or lower.

Why did my egg salad get watery overnight? ›

What Makes Egg Salad Watery? 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 do you boil eggs? ›

Start the timer – 6 minutes for runny yolks, 8 minutes for soft boiled, 10 minutes for classic hard boiled, 15 minutes for unpleasant rubbery whites and powdery dry yolks. Transfer into a large bowl or sink of cold water.

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. Bacteria that can cause illness grow quickly at warm temperatures (between 40° F and 140° F).

Can I freeze homemade egg salad? ›

Because eggs and mayonnaise don't freeze well, they go bad in the freezer quicker than other foods. If stored properly, you can expect your egg salad to be good for around a month in the freezer. However, the earlier you eat it, the better it will taste.

Can you use old eggs for egg salad? ›

(Trust Us) Egg salad is a lunchtime staple for a good reason. You don't need a lot of time, skill, or ingredients to whip up a batch, and now that egg prices have come down, it's easy on the wallet.

How to thicken up egg salad? ›

You can also put the egg salad back into the refrigerator as the cold can help firm up the mayonnaise and stir before serving. Another tip to help prevent runny egg salad, wait to add the celery or tomato until just before serving, because both of these veggies contain a lot of water.

Why did my egg salad turn gray? ›

When eggs are cooked for too long, or at a temperature that's too high, a chemical reaction occurs. The sulphur in the egg white reacts with iron in the egg yolk to form iron sulphide, which gives the eggs a greenish grey colour, according to BBC Science Focus.

Can you eat egg salad the next day? ›

Serve the egg salad immediately or refrigerate it until ready to use. Egg salad will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge. Of course, this is merely the foundation for a great egg salad.

What's the trick to peeling eggs? ›

Use a spoon.

Crack the eggs at the fat end and peel a tiny bit with your fingers. Slip a spoon under the shell so that the curve of the spoon follows the curve of the egg. Rotate the egg and move the spoon to release the shell.

What is the quickest and easiest way to make eggs? ›

1-Minute Eggs

The fastest way to cook an easy healthy egg breakfast is with your microwave. Beat a raw egg with milk, pour into a microwave-safe mug, and heat for 60 seconds. Season with herbs or spices, if desired.

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