Eggs 101 
Egg salad is a classic dish made with hard boiled eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper. It is a simple, delicious, and versatile way to enjoy eggs that can be adjusted to suit almost any taste. Try it with chives, pickles, celery, dill–the possibilities are endless! Check out our FAQ section below for ideas on how to customize your egg salad just the way you like it.
Egg salad can also be served in many ways too–atop a slice of crusty bread with a sprig of fresh dill, tucked into a buttery croissant, or spooned into a crisp lettuce cup for a quick and delightful lunch. It's perfect for picnics and potlucks as it can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until it's time to serve.
To make egg salad, you will need the following ingredients:
- 4-6 hard boiled eggs
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional add-ins e.g. dill, chives - see below for more inpso
To make the egg salad, follow these steps:
- Begin by peeling and placing the hard boiled eggs in a medium-sized bowl.
- Using a fork, gently press into the egg yolks until they are finely mashed and the whites break into pieces. Don’t over-mash–it’s good to have some texture.
- Incorporate the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper into the bowl, and mix it all together until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Gently fold in any additional ingredients and mix until everything is just combined.
- Give the mixture a taste test and make any necessary seasoning adjustments.
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. Change up the ingredients and seasonings, anything from paprika to cumin to celery salt, and there’s no end to the ways that you can enjoy it.
If you’re looking for more egg salad inspiration, check out our collection of egg salad recipes.
Common Egg Salad Questions
How do I properly boil eggs for egg salad?
For perfectly boiled eggs, place eggs in a saucepan and cover with about an inch and half (3 cm) of cold water. Over high heat, bring the water to a boil and then immediately cover and remove from the heat. Let the eggs sit for 3-4 minutes for soft boiled eggs and 12 minutes for hard boiled eggs. When they've finished cooking, drain the water and transfer into a bowl of icy water to give them a cool chill. Perfection awaits!
For more details, check out our Eggs 101 article on making perfect hard boiled eggs.
Can I make egg salad with homemade mayonnaise?
If you love to make your own homemade mayonnaise, you can swap it directly with store-bought. It's a great option if you want to control the ingredients and avoid preservatives or are cutting down on sodium. Be sure to taste, season as needed, and you'll have the perfect egg salad in no time. Keep in mind that homemade mayonnaise contains raw eggs and should be kept refrigerated and consumed within a day.
How long can I store 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.
Can I add any other ingredients to my egg salad for added flavour?
Egg salad is a world of possibilities. Why not take your sandwich to the next level with the perfect combination of crunchy celery, the delicate flavour of chives, and an added hint of earthiness from fresh parsley? Try adding crispy bacon, dill, green onions, dill pickles or even a bit of Tabasco for some heat and added flavour. Get creative and have some fun in the kitchen with this classic lunchtime favourite.
How can I make egg salad without mayonnaise?
For an egg salad that's just as flavourful but without the mayo, you can use Greek yogurt for a scrumptious texture that's also tangy and creamy. Mashed avocado also works.
Can I pack egg salad for lunch or is it best consumed fresh?
One of our favourite ways to enjoy egg salad is freshly made, however, if you need to pack it in your lunchbox, make sure to keep it securely stored in a cool container and consumed within a few hours. Nothing beats the flavour and texture of freshly prepared egg salad–be sure not to keep it for too long for optimal flavour!
FAQs
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 does my egg salad get soggy? ›
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.
What goes well with egg salad? ›
Classic egg salad sandwiches pair best with classic side dishes. Consider a leafy green salad, potato chips, French fries, or coleslaw.
Why do I get an upset stomach after eating egg salad? ›
Egg intolerance symptoms may occur between 2 and 72 hours after exposure to eggs, but the severity may vary depending on your body's tolerance level. The common symptoms of egg intolerance include stomach pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea. In some cases, it may also cause: Itchy skin, eczema, acne.
How to stop egg salad from getting watery? ›
The key to preventing runny egg salad is not overcooking your eggs. Usually, when things are overcooked, they lose their moisture. However, the opposite is true for hard-boiled eggs. When eggs are over-boiled, they become watery, which in turn causes runny egg salad.
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.
Do you cut up eggs for egg salad? ›
Silverton's recipe uses homemade mayo and recommends separating the cooked yolks from the whites and hand tearing the eggs "into small pieces (about 8 pieces per egg)."
How do you fix egg salad with too much mayo? ›
One way to ensure you get a good yolk-to-mayo ratio is to cook a few extra eggs. That way, you'll have extra yolks to balance a filling that has too much mayonnaise, and the extra yolks also make the filling creamier.
How long do you boil eggs? ›
A soft boiled egg is boiled for a shorter amount of time, typically 4-6 minutes, so that the yolk remains runny while the white is only partially set. A hard boiled egg is boiled for a longer amount of time, typically 10-12 minutes, so that both the yolk and white are fully cooked and solid.
How long is it safe to eat homemade egg salad? ›
Egg salad will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge. Of course, this is merely the foundation for a great egg salad. Change up the ingredients and seasonings, anything from paprika to cumin to celery salt, and there's no end to the ways that you can enjoy it.
Yes, egg salad can taste better the next day as the flavors have had time to meld together. However, it's best to eat it within 3 to 4 days as the ingredients are fresh. This healthy, mayo-free egg salad is more than just a simple dish; it's a versatile, protein-packed meal that can be tailored to your tastes.
What is the benefit of eating egg salad? ›
Among its many benefits, the egg's nutrients build strong muscles, keep our brains, eyes, skin and immune systems healthy, and help prevent birth defects. Making this salad can be as simple as adding some lemon juice and salt and pepper to the avocado and eggs, or enhancing the flavor with onions, herbs and olives.
How long to boil an egg from cold water? ›
How long to boil an egg
- 3 minutes for really soft boiled yolk and set white.
- 4 minutes for slightly set yolk and set white.
- 5 minutes for a medium cooked firmer yolk and white.
- 6 minutes for hard boiled with lightly soft yolk.
- 8 minutes for firmly hard boiled.
Egg Sandwich Combinations
- Eggs (or egg white), Spinach, Tomato, and Gouda Cheese.
- Eggs, Breakfast Sausage or Bacon (or both!), American Cheese.
- Eggs, Canadian Bacon, Green Peppers, Colby Jack Cheese.
- Eggs, Peanut Butter, Bacon, and a splash of Ketchup.
- Eggs, Sliced Ham, Pepper Jack Cheese, Spinach, Chipotle Mayo.
Try adding a balance of fresh vegetables, cheese, fresh herbs, and seasoning. Some delicious variations include tomatoes and Cheddar cheese, asparagus, chives, and goat cheese, or bacon, sautéed onion, and Gruyere.
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. For a touch of acid without being too aggressive, try Rivesaltes vinegar or cider.
Do eggs taste bland? ›
While it's not considered bland, it could be an overpowering taste because it's not something we're familiar with eating. The issue when eating raw egg yolks is more related to its texture than the actual flavor since it's gooey, gelatinous, and creamy inside your mouth.
