Egg Salad

Updated June 24, 2024

Egg Salad
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
20 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
5 minutes
Rating
4(822)
Notes
Read community notes

This classic, deli-style egg salad requires only a few kitchen staples and the time it takes it to hard-boil and peel eggs. Seasoned simply with mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper, it makes for a delicious sandwich piled on toasted bread, or a quick snack with crackers. Chop the hard-boiled eggs finely for a smooth, creamy texture, or coarsely for larger pieces of egg in each bite. This basic recipe can be dressed up with whatever green herbs you have on hand, or add a handful of finely chopped celery for some crunch. Use this simple method for cooking eggs to the hard-boiled stage and running them under cool water if using right away.

Learn: How to Make Salad

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Ingredients

Yield:2 cups (4 servings)
  • 8large 8 large hard-boiled eggs, peeled, peeled
  • ½cup mayonnaise
  • 2tablespoons minced fresh dill, scallions or chives, or a combination (optional)
  • 1tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ½teaspoon kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal), plus more to taste
  • ¼teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
  • Toasted bread or crackers, for serving
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

399 calories; 34 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 10 grams monounsaturated fat; 15 grams polyunsaturated fat; 9 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 2 grams sugars; 14 grams protein; 405 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Chop the hard-boiled eggs and place them in a large bowl. Add the mayonnaise, herbs, if using, Dijon, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly, breaking up the yolks with a wooden spoon. Add more salt and black pepper to taste. Serve on toasted bread or with crackers.

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4 out of 5
822 user ratings
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Cooking Notes

This is my basic recipe, with the exception of tarragon, tarragon, tarragon, and a dash of really good olive oil. Tarragon elevates egg salad and deviled eggs to something really special; just make sure leaves are broken and not chopped, and added at least an hour - preferably more - before serving. The bit of olive oil helps push the tarragon flavor forward.

I like finally chopped celery in my egg salad. Sometimes, I'll also chop up just a little bit of sweet pickles. The basic egg salad in this recipe just begs for some personal adjustments for taste. Finally, don't forget a slight sprinkle of paprika...

I have never understood why eggs need to be hard boiled (often overcooked), followed by the arduous process of peeling them. Fry them sunny side up, get your hard cooked/slightly runny yolk to your liking, and chop them up!

A pastry blender is a great tool for quickly chopping up eggs for egg salad. Takes just a few seconds to do it right in the bowl, and no messy cutting board to clean up!

The only thing missing here is a bit of curry powder. That makes all the difference.

I suggest mixing the cooked egg yolks first with the mayonnaise and mustard, and then adding the chopped egg whites. I’ve made my egg salad this way for years and it results in a creamy consistency without crushing the whites into tiny pieces.

Highly recommend grating the eggs on the large holes of a box grater. Ten times easier than chopping by hand.

I worked as a housekeeper for a lady judge whose mom would make her egg salad whenever she was sick as a child and so she asked me to make her this version, if she needed that extra TLC feeling. I have continued to make it myself ever since. The trick is to mash the yolks with half butter half mayo while still very hot. Then add in the chopped whites - The resulting creamy mixture is so delicious and goes great with toast and butter lettuce for a delicate sandwich. Just what the doctor ordered!

I like your way of thinking. I grow tarragon and use quite a lot of it but, for some strange reason, never thought to add it to egg salad. Until now. Thank you.

I always add dill and, if available, a splash of pickle juice. Yum!

Add sliced pimento stuffed green olives or sliced black olives.

Use your instantpot. No need to peel eggs. I put about a cup of hot water in the pot. Break as many eggs as you want into a container, I use the stainless steel bowl from my double boiler, place on the rack. 5 minutes on manual, quick release, chop on a board. Easy peasy. For potato salad, add potatos and salt to the water.

I use Kirkland Signature hard cooked and shelled eggs (they come in packages of two) that I keep in my fridge. Much less work and it means I can have egg salad far more spontaneously.

My secret ingredient is a little bit of cumin. People always love it and ask what I added.

No need to add salt, most Dijon has plenty already.

Made this for the second time today. Also *extremely* good with chopped garlic scape and cilantro in place of dill/parsley/chives.

Too salty! Adding an extra egg to hopefully balance it out.

Seconding Donna: I don’t know why, but egg salad with hard boiled eggs grated on a box grater always tastes one thousand times better. Probably because the flavors are fully integrated. Try it!

Separate the whites from the yolk when cooked and cream the yolks with all ingredients. Rough chop the whites and add to the yolk mixture. Game changer.

My secret ingredient is celery seed

This would be great with aioli instead of icky store bought mayo. Elevate your egg salad!

I use my pastry blender to chop the eggs and always add a big spoonful of olive salad.

A waffle head potato masher for the egg whites produces perfectly sized pieces in a flash. Blend the egg yolks with the mayo and other ingredients, then add in the whites. So easy.

I add a tablespoon of sweet pickle relish and a pinch of white sugar (like my mom did).

Separating yolks from white (or adding more chopped cooked whites) seems to me totally unnecessary, but you do you! The best addition I've found for added zing: chopped peperoncini, with a splash of the pickling liquid from the jar. Use Mezzetta brand sliced golden greek peperoncini. Remove a few large slices from jar, mince and stir into egg salad mixture.

I also add paprika, chopped olives, onion and celery or a combination. And on lazy days I just mixing dill pickle relish with the Mayo.

At the deli, I order egg salad with pickled jalapenos. On a salt bagel. The perfect breakfast sandwich. At home, pickled jalapenos and a touch of smoked hot paprika (Spanish pimenton, or Mexican chipotle powder).

Thank you so much for leaving out pickle relish from the ingredients! It sneaks in there much too often!

I add capers and a little bit of the pickling liquid they sit in, and cut back on the salt, because the capers are salty. nice!

Another recycled recipe for the extra fee we pay for the cooking section.

Even if this recipe were not updated (which it is), I like the idea of bringing some of these popular old recipes to the front. There are over 20,000 recipes on NYT Cooking. Having a "recycled recipe" brought to my intention every now and then means I don't have to index all 20,000 in my head!

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