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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 have hard boiled eggs on 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 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 own avocado oil mayo or buy 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 boiled eggs, but you could make hard boiled eggs in the oven, Instant Pot, or air fryer, too!
- Crunchy Veggies – White onion and finely chopped celery give 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.

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.
- 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.
- Whisk the dressing. In a medium bowl (or a large bowl), whisk together the mayo, mustard, and lemon juice, until smooth.


- 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.
- Season. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish. If desired, sprinkle with paprika and more chives (or fresh parsley).


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 1 teaspoon curry 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.

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.

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 bread and top with another! For healthier and low carb options, try my white keto bread, super fast 90-second bread or chewy almond flour bread.
- 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. (Get more ideas in my full guide on keto lettuce wraps!)
- 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 peppers as a cracker-like option. You can also add egg salad to cucumber subs or make a bell pepper sandwich.
More Simple Egg Recipes
I always have a few egg recipes on hand when I need something quick and tasty. Try these favorites!
Recommended Tools
- 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 as chef salad.
Best Egg Salad Recipe
How To Make Egg Salad (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.
Recipe Video
Tap on the image below to watch the video.Like this video? Subscribe to my YouTube cooking channel for healthy recipes weekly! (Click the bell icon to be notified when I post a new video.)
Ingredients
Tap underlined ingredients to see where to get them. Please turn Safari reader mode OFF to view ingredients.
Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions below to start a kitchen timer while you cook.
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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.
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In a medium to large bowl, whisk together the mayo, mustard, and lemon juice, until smooth.
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Gently fold in the eggs, celery, onions, and chives.
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Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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Garnish with paprika and more chives on top, if desired.
Last Step: Leave A Rating!
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1/2 cup
Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see our nutrition policy.
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32 Comments
Margaret
0This is my absolute favorite way to make egg salad. I never get tired of it. I love being able to make it ahead and have it ready to slap on a sandwich whenever I get hungry.
Claire
0So delicious and satisfying! This is definitely added to my low-carb recipe list and I’ll make one again for next week’s menu! thank you so much!!
Flora
0This was such a great lunch dish, the celery gave just the right amount of crunch and also added a delightful texture to the salad. I really liked the Dijon Mustard as well the flavour was awesome.
Annabelle
0My partner loves egg salad and this one literally took less than 5 minutes to whip up (I purchased boiled eggs from the store for extra convenience). Totally recommend this recipe to others!
Krissy
0I’ve been looking for one similar to the one my dad made and this is it!! I omit the celery, because I’m not a celery fan, but this is great!
Natasha
0This egg salad recipe is the best! I make it ahead for our sandwiches for breakfast, always delicious!
Cheryl S
0This is my family’s favorite egg salad!
Jessica
0I think egg salad is so underrated and this recipe is no exception! So delicious and easy!
Robin Roberts
0Nice simple basic egg salad. My wife and I loved it!
john skarns
0In the busy world in which we live, at times the cooking responsibilities go to me. Everyone loved this egg salad, there were no leftovers. This is the best egg salad I’ve ever tasted.
Tammy
0Thank you I’m making them now!
Melissa
0Delicious and easy to make. Another Wholesome Yum winning recipe.
Irene
0The best egg salad we’ve had: Simply chop hard-boiled eggs, add chopped green olives with the pimentos inside, and add avocado mayonnaise to your taste. No need to add salt as the olives do that for you. Very tasty!
Rae T
0This was my lunch again today! So easy to make and yummy.
Andie Thueson
0You were not kidding when you said the BEST egg salad! It was better than the best! It was super easy to make and definitely will be my go-to recipe from here on out!
Abby
0I put this over a bed of lettuce and it was the best lunch! The egg salad really made my salad next level. Will make again.
M.k
0Good
Cherylann Hutchinson
0Can I have 2 eggs in my egg salad and How much mayo do you use / single serving
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Cherylann, You can change the number of servings at the top of the recipe card to get the correct ingredient amounts.
Deborah
0I just made this for lunch today. It was so very good. This will be my go to recipes for egg salad.
Carole
0The egg salad was amazing. Yum.
Mar
0Loved it! I’ll be making it again!
Lisa
0Was so tasty! I Doubled the recipe to think I would have some left… Boy I was wrong! Everyone loved it and ate it all!!! Will definitely be making again!!
Christal
0Can I use light miracle whip instead of mayonnaise?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Christal, Yes you could do that.
Anuta
0Yummy! We skipped the chives since we didn’t have any. We added smoked paprika powder. It turned out delicious.
Gee Cee
0I made it. I used shallots doubled, chives doubled. It was absolutely OUTSTANDING !!!
Aroob
0Loved this recipe! My go to breakfast!
EMK
0Quick, easy, and delicious!!
Taryn
0I really liked the chives in this! Thanks for the recipe.
NAOMI white
0It was amazing
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
0I know it’s going to be a hit!