Classic Egg Salad

Classic Egg Salad is simple to make and exceptionally flavorful. Serve it as a sandwich, or simply enjoy in a bowl.

Everyone needs a good Egg Salad recipe in their back pocket. Well, not literally kept in your back pocket, though I do offer a handy "Print Recipe" button at the top of this page if you do walk around with a nagging fear that someday you may be kidnapped by a marauding band of egg salad loving pirates who will only set you free after making the best egg salad recipe in the world... It could happen... 

So, let's get prepared for that inevitable day, shall we?

Egg Salad Ingredients

The ingredients for a classic egg salad are largely customizable to fit your tastes. The basics include hard boiled eggs, celery and/or onion for crunch and texture, mayo to form the base of the sauce, and mustard and seasonings for flavor. You can make egg salad without mustard by using lemon juice instead, they both provide the needed bright flavor.  My recipe calls for both because I like the punch they provide.

Many recipes don't call for much seasoning beyond salt and pepper. However, I highly recommend using smoked paprika, it will be your secret ingredient because provides the perfect deep counterpart to the bright flavor of the mustard and lemon. In a pinch, regular paprika can be substituted, or omitted altogether.

How to Hard Boil Eggs

A long time ago, when my website was still quite young, I created a write-up on how to hard boil eggs. Basically, the summary is this:

Place eggs in a large pot filled with cold water, a splash of vinegar, and salt. Cover the pot, turn on the heat, and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, shut off the heat and let the eggs sit for 15 minutes, then remove the eggs from the water and place in ice water to cool. You will have perfect hard boiled eggs.

How to Make Egg Salad

Once you have your ingredients prepared, making egg salad is simple. You can add all of the ingredients to a bowl and mash to combine, however, you risk over mashing the eggs before all of the ingredients are sufficiently mixed. I find it is best to mix all of the ingredients, except the eggs, first. Then add the eggs and briefly mash so they are able to maintain a chunky consistency. Egg salad can be enjoyed as is, or placed on a bread for a fantastic egg salad sandwich!

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