Basic Egg Salad Recipe

This basic egg salad recipe is the perfect combination of hard boiled eggs, green onions, celery, and pickles. A great recipe for egg salad sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or a quick side dish.

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Last year, I was listening to content from Farmhouse on Boone, and she mentioned that she makes egg salad frequently during the summer while her chickens are laying eggs well. Plus her family loves the versatility of egg salad.

My mind went, 'Duh, Rachael! Why haven't you done egg salad!?" It had never occurred to me as an easy summer recipe. I whipped out my easy-to-peel egg recipe (hello, the amazing Instant Pot), and set to work creating an easy and basic egg salad recipe for my family.

This recipe is going to be a basic recipe that is meant to expand on depending on what's on hand or in season in the garden. We often add some fresh herbs during the summer months, or some fresh onion when it's in the pantry. Have fun with making it your own and adding variety!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Variations
• Equipment
• Storage
• FAQ
• Related
• Simple Egg Salad Recipe

Ingredients

These are the basic ingredients for an egg salad. But don't forget to experiment and make it into something that your family will enjoy!

Here’s what you’ll need to make this homemade egg salad:

• Peeled eggs, chopped into small pieces
• Mayonnaise
• Chopped celery
• Dill pickles
• Green onions
• Dill weed

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Hint: The best way to get easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs is in the Instant Pot! Be sure to check out my resource page, which includes how to use the Instant Pot with room temperature and refrigerated eggs!

Variations

Classic Recipe: Stick with basic ingredients—mayo, celery, and pickles.

Lighter Option: Replace some or all of the mayo with Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.

Extra Crunch: Add red onion, sweet relish, or even chopped bell pepper.

Next Level Flavor: A dash of apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, or Dijon mustard can elevate the basic egg salad.

Other Great Options: Try folding in bacon bits, avocado, or using it as a chicken salad base.

Equipment

If you want to make easy-peel eggs, the Instant Pot is the best way to get them perfectly peelable!

• Large bowl or large mixing bowl
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Airtight container (for meal prep or storing leftover egg salad)

Storage

Store your easy egg salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep in mind that the salad tastes best after chilling for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.

Avoid leaving it at room temperature for more than 2 hours to maintain freshness and food safety.

FAQ

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! It’s ideal for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.

How can I serve egg salad?
Use bread slices for sandwiches, spoon it into lettuce wraps, or serve it with crackers as a side dish. We love it with our basic sourdough sandwich bread.

Can I freeze egg salad?
No, freezing isn't recommended as the texture changes once thawed.

What are the best eggs to use?
Use large eggs for best results. Slightly older eggs peel more easily after boiling.

What if I don’t have pickles?
You can use sweet pickle relish or sweet pickles for a similar taste.

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Don't forget to pin for later!