My Favorite Egg Salad Recipe

This classic egg salad recipe is the best I’ve made! It’s super simple, with just mayonnaise, celery, fresh herbs, and lemon juice. It’s perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or a quick snack.

Classic egg salad with visible chunks of egg, diced celery, and a sprinkle of chives.

I grew up on egg salad sandwiches (with many tuna salad sandwiches thrown in!). This recipe is inspired by my Mom, who makes the best egg salad!

Once you have hard-boiled eggs, you can make this easy salad in 5 minutes. It also lasts in the fridge for up to 4 days.

How to Make Egg Salad

This recipe starts with hard-boiled eggs. You’ll need 4 hard-boiled eggs per cup of salad. Here’s how to cook them:

Once your eggs are cooked and cooled, the rest is a breeze! 

To make your egg salad, peel and dice your hard-boiled eggs and combine them with mayonnaise, celery, herbs, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Adjust the seasonings to your liking, and enjoy!

What to Put in Egg Salad

  • Mayonnaise: Adds creaminess and richness. For a lighter version, substitute some or all of the mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or mashed avocado (like in our Avocado Egg Salad). Try our Homemade Mayonnaise Recipe for the best flavor!
  • Celery: Gives your egg salad a satisfying crunch. Diced onions or dill pickles are also delicious additions.
  • Fresh Herbs: Chives are my go-to, but parsley or tarragon works beautifully, too.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice: Brightens the flavors and cuts through the richness.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential for balanced seasoning.
Open-faced egg salad sandwich on toasted bread

How Long to Boil Eggs for Egg Salad

To achieve the perfect hard-boiled eggs for your egg salad, start by placing the eggs in a medium saucepan. Cover them with at least an inch of cold water, and bring the pot to a boil over medium heat.

Once the water reaches a rolling boil, remove the pan from the heat and cover it with a lid. Let the eggs sit in the hot water for 12 minutes (covered with the lid).

Then, immediately transfer the eggs to a bowl filled with ice water to stop the cooking process and make them easier to peel.

How to Make an Egg Salad Sandwich

First, choose your favorite bread and lightly toast it. Spread a generous layer of your egg salad onto one slice of toast.

Add toppings like crisp lettuce, sliced tomato, or avocado for extra flavor and texture. Top with the other slice of toast, and enjoy! You can also leave it open-faced (my favorite).

I also love egg salad wraps with these Homemade Flour Tortillas.

How Long Does Egg Salad Last?

Store egg salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. We do not recommend freezing egg salad.

More Easy Salads

Egg Salad on toast

My Favorite Egg Salad Recipe

  • PREP
  • COOK
  • TOTAL

This is our favorite recipe for egg salad! Store egg salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. We do not recommend freezing egg salad.

Makes 2 Servings

You Will Need

4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped

2 tablespoons mayonnaise or substitute plain or Greek yogurt, try homemade mayo

1 medium-length celery stalk, finely chopped

1 tablespoon finely chopped chives, parsley or dill

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Salt and fresh ground black pepper

Directions

    1Peel and dice your hard-boiled eggs, and then add to a bowl.

    2Stir in the mayonnaise, celery, herbs, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust with more salt or pepper.

Adam and Joanne's Tips

Nutrition Per Serving Calories 241 / Protein 13 g / Carbohydrate 2 g / Dietary Fiber 0 g / Total Sugars 1 g / Total Fat 20 g / Saturated Fat 5 g / Cholesterol 375 mg
AUTHOR:  Adam and Joanne Gallagher
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13 comments… Leave a Review
  • Tree January 24, 2019, 8:34 pm

    There is nothing like Mayo, celery, onion and just a smidge of horseradish salt and fresh cracked pepper.

    Reply
  • Miranda June 22, 2018, 3:56 pm

    YUM!! I’m definitely going to add dill pickles. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • Mary Ann October 20, 2017, 6:46 pm

    Thank you so very much for your amazing mayo recipe… I just made three batches, one for my two daughters and one for me. I cant have soy bean oil of any kind. Your home made mayo is quick and easy…taste great! Can’t wait to make this egg salad with your mayo..I am sure it will be outstanding. 🙂

    Reply
  • Paula Coxwell September 8, 2016, 8:51 pm

    Has anyone tried the mayonnaise made from olive oil? I just bought some but have not opened it.

    Reply
    • Ette November 18, 2016, 8:26 pm

      Nothing beats Hellmans Original Mayonnaise!!!
      I’ve tried the olive oil kind, but it doesn’t beat the original.

      Reply
      • Yes! February 24, 2024, 5:51 pm

        I love pickles so they are for sure a great addition but I omitted the lemon juice, just didn’t think that was necessary with pickles. I will try it without pickles sometime though.

        Reply
  • Verna Gabriles May 7, 2016, 6:26 pm

    Sounds very good

    Reply
  • pj lambeth September 23, 2015, 3:42 pm

    I add cucumber salad dressing instead of mayonnaise, very tasty and fewer calories

    Reply
    • Krista September 17, 2016, 5:07 pm

      that cucumber salad dressing sounds great! I have never noticed it but will look for it now. What a great idea to cut calories, and I’m sure it tastes great! Thanks for the tip!! ?

      Reply
  • miss Geret August 2, 2014, 6:58 am

    Delishhhhhhh

    Reply
  • Marta March 29, 2014, 10:24 am

    Sometimes I add a little chopped olive.
    Thanks for the tip about the lemon!

    Reply
  • Robyn Lawler July 14, 2013, 1:23 pm

    I definitely can’t do egg salad without mayo, mustard, celery, and minced red onion. Top with a dash of salt and cayenne.. Delish!

    Reply
  • Paula June 7, 2013, 2:58 pm

    I add a little grated onion and sliced green olives. I like to top an opened tomato with the egg salad. Delish!

    Reply

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