A classic egg salad is the perfect spring-inspired topping for a sandwich or wrap. Bring it to a picnic or make it for an Easter brunch. You can even meal prep this egg salad to have a quick lunch ready in the fridge. It’s simple to make; you only need hard-boiled eggs, celery, fresh herbs and some pantry staples. The secret to a flavourful and bright egg salad is using fresh herbs and a splash of lemon juice. You’ll never go back to bland and mushy store-bought egg salad after trying this fresh and easy recipe!
Egg Salad Ingredients
To make this fresh and tasty egg salad you only need simple ingredients and pantry staples. The real secret lies in using fresh herbs. Fresh dill and chives elevate this recipe and give it that herbal touch. Make this recipe for your Easter celebrations or use leftover boiled eggs to whip up some quick and easy lunch sandwiches. Here’s what you need:
- Eggs: You can’t make egg salad without eggs. Use hard-boiled eggs and chop them into smaller pieces. Go for chunky egg bits or chop them finely, depending on your preferences.
- Mayonnaise: Mayo makes the salad rich and creamy and holds it all together. Keep it simple and use store-bought mayo or use homemade instead.
- Celery: Chopped celery adds crunch, a touch of colour and freshness to this egg salad.
- Chives: Many egg salad recipes use (red) onions or spring onions, but I prefer using chives instead. Chives add a very subtle onion flavour, without being overbearing.
- Dill: Fresh dill has a distinctive fresh and herbaceous flavour. It adds a refreshing taste that complements the richness of the eggs and mayonnaise.
- Dijon mustard: Dijon mustard adds a kick to this salad. It’s more tangy and peppery than regular mustard.
- Worcestershire sauce: A couple of drops of Worcestershire sauce add saltiness and umami flavour to the salad.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice brightens up this salad. It adds acidity to balance out the richness of the eggs and mayo.
- Salt & pepper: A pinch of salt and pepper makes all the flavours pop.
How to make the best Egg Salad?
You’re only a couple of steps away from making the best egg salad you've ever had! If you’ve already boiled your eggs you’re halfway there. Here's how to make this egg salad:
Step 1:
Hard boil your eggs. Simply cook them in a pot of water for about 10 minutes. Chill them in a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process.
Step 2:
Chop up your ingredients. Start by peeling and chopping your eggs into cubes. Then add them to a bowl. Next, finely chop your celery, chives and dill and add them to the bowl as well.
Step 3:
Now it’s time for condiments. Add the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt and pepper to the bowl. Give your salad a good mix and add extra seasoning to taste.
How to Serve Egg Salad
Enjoy this egg salad as a topping for an (open-faced) sandwich. You can eat it just like that, or level up your sandwich by adding a layer of lettuce, microgreens, tomatoes or any other standard sandwich ingredients you love.
Make a delicious breakfast, lunch or brunch wrap by using the egg salad as a filling. Make it your own by adding any other veggies you like. I like adding sliced cucumbers, radishes, avocados or left-over veggies that can be eaten raw.
Storage & Meal Prep Tips:
- Store the egg salad in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps for about 3-4 days when refrigerated.
- Refrigerate the egg salad directly after making it, and store it in the fridge.
- Taste and season again after chilling. The flavours of this salad often seem to mellow out as it is stored in the fridge. Give it a taste before use and add an extra pinch of salt and pepper or a squeeze of lemon juice if needed.
- Meal prep tips: You have two options for prepping your egg salad. Firstly, you can cook the eggs ahead of time and store them in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, simply chop and combine all the ingredients, which should take less than 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can prepare the entire egg salad in advance and store it in the fridge, ready to be used as a quick and easy lunch topping. Just be mindful not to assemble sandwiches or wraps too far in advance, as they may become soggy.
Alternative Egg Salad Ideas:
- Add capers or pickles: If you like your egg salad to have more acidity, add some capers or cubed pickles to the rest of the ingredients.
- Greek yoghurt: If you want to use less mayonnaise you could substitute half the mayo for Greek yoghurt. Depending on how sour your yoghurt is, you might want to add less lemon juice. Always taste and adjust the ingredients when needed.
- Chunky or smooth salad: Depending on your preferences, chop your ingredients in large or small cubes. A chunky or smooth salad is all about personal preference. I like my egg salad a bit chunky. If you chop up your ingredients too finely this salad becomes a bit mushy.
- Extra seasoning: Give your salad a taste after chilling in the fridge. The flavours will mix and mingle, but the savoury saltiness will sometimes become a bit muted. An extra sprinkle of salt and pepper will bring your salad back to life.
- Switch up the herbs: Parsley or tarragon are two other herbs that work amazingly well in combination with eggs and mayonnaise. Change up your egg salad and try your own favourite fresh herb combination.
- Whole grain mustard: Dijon mustard adds a peppery kick to this salad, but it has a completely smooth texture. Switch it up for whole grain mustard to add little pops of mustard seed.
Are you looking for more spring & Easter recipes?
Try these savoury spring-inspired dishes:
- These bright and zingy Lemon and Garlic Green Beans are the perfect side dish to any meal!
- Serve these Truffle Deviled Eggs at your holiday brunch! These delicious appetizers can be made ahead of time and a touch of truffle gives them an elegant twist.
- This Tuna Pasta Salad is full of colourful veggies and can be prepped ahead of time. Bring it to your next picnic or BBQ!
- This mouthwatering Spring Risotto with Green Asparagus and Peas is full of fragrant fresh herbs, luscious green spring vegetables and a hint of lemon.
Make these sweet treats for your Easter celebrations:
- Serve these gorgeous Apple Puff Pastry Roses during your next spring brunch or picnic.
- Hop into Easter with these adorable and delicious Meringue Nests! They are filled with fresh lemon curd and cute mini chocolate eggs.
- Try this Eton Mess with Lemon Curd and Fresh Berries. It puts a zesty spin on this classic dessert that makes it perfect for spring and summer!
- Try our foolproof Lemon Curd recipe that will create a luscious, velvety smooth and zingy curd that you'll want to slather on everything!
- Make these Pink Ruby Chocolate Covered Dates for your next special occasion! The perfect sweet treat, all you need is 4 ingredients and 15 minutes.
