This easy egg salad recipe is a classic that makes for a great side dish for any occasion! The flavor combination of eggs, celery, and red onions, combined with the homemade dressing, makes for the most delicious salad. It is one of our favorite ways to enjoy hard-boiled eggs.

Hard-boiled eggs make for incredible dishes. From salads to appetizers like our homemade deviled eggs. Egg salad can even be used to create the perfect egg salad sandwich.

Egg salad mixed and topped with fresh greens and dill in a gray bowl.

This classic Egg Salad recipe is a combination of hard-boiled eggs, crunchy vegetables, and a flavorful dressing. It is the perfect way to use up left-over Easter eggs or to make them on any occasion of the year.

Eggs are a staple breakfast food. From baked egg frittatas to a sausage egg breakfast casserole, but eggs can be an even better lunch food! We love to add eggs to any salad to make it extra hearty and filling! We love a good cobb salad so we also added eggs to our southern chicken salad and we will never go back!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

  • Always good. May be enjoyed all year round!
  • Healthy. Eggs are a complete protein, so the salad will fill you up.
  • Meal prep friendly. Makes for an easy lunch to pack your kids since it requires no reheating.
  • Quick and easy. Takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish!
Egg salad ingredients in a gray bowl unmixed.

Ingredients:

The ingredients for the best egg salad recipe are so basic and you most likely already have everything on hand.

salad ingredients –

  • Hard-boiled eggs- of course, you will need eggs for an egg salad. Let the eggs cool completely before adding them to the salad.
  • Vegetables- we use celery and red onion, finely chopped, for crunch and flavor.
  • Herbs- Fresh herbs like chives and dill are classic additions to an egg salad. You can use parsley or green onion if that is what you have on hand.

dressing ingredients –

  • Mayo- mayonnaise adds the creaminess you crave in an egg salad. We like to use Hellman’s brand, but you can use your favorite.
  • Lemon juice- adds a nice contrast to the rich flavor of the eggs. Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
  • Dijon mustard- you will love the sharp flavor that this Dijon Mustard adds. If you don’t have dijon, you can substitute it with yellow mustard.
  • Seasonings- paprika, salt, and pepper pair nicely with eggs.
  • Garlic- the pungent flavors complement the eggs nicely.

How Long to Boil Eggs:

  • Stovetop: Add your eggs to a pot and cover with an inch or two of cold water. Bring the water to a soft boil, and cook to the desired center. Here is a guide:
  • 6-8 minutes: medium cooked with a moist and soft center
  • 8-10 minutes: fully cooked with a soft center
  • 10-12 minutes: fully cooked with a firm and dry center

Chef’s Tip: Hard-boiled eggs are best for an egg salad recipe. We share a detailed post with different methods of how to hard boil eggs.

How to Make an Easy Egg Salad:

Make this egg salad by following these simple steps:

  • Boil eggs: Start by boiling your eggs, submerging into an ice bath once cooked, and peeling them once cooled.
  • Prep eggs: Peel your eggs and rinse off any loose shells. Chop the eggs into the desired size. We like larger pieces for a more chunky salad. Add to your serving bowl.
  • Chop vegetables: Finely chop the celery, red onion, dill, and chives. Add the chopped ingredients to the eggs.
  • Prepare dressing: In a separate bowl, mix together mayo, lemon juice, dijon mustard, garlic, and seasonings until smooth and creamy.
  • Dress salad: Add the salad dressing to the salad and mix gently until combined.

Substitutions & Variations:

This recipe is easy to modify to your liking. Here are some variations we love:

  • Add protein: Add some chopped ham, shredded chicken, or cooked bacon to add extra flavor and protein.
  • Add veggies: A classic egg salad is made with chopped celery and red onion. Feel free to add other vegetables like pepper, cucumbers, or carrots.
  • Add avocado: Adding avocado is my personal favorite! You can add chunks of avocado to the salad or blend some with the dressing to replace some of the mayo.
  • Add pickles: Pickles add a nice sour flavor profile to the salad. Add a finely diced pickle or a tablespoon of dill pickle relish.
  • Substitute mayo: Substitute the mayo with greek yogurt or blended avocado.
  • Make a potato salad: Add cooked potatoes to this recipe for an easy potato recipe. Chop potatoes into 1”-2” pieces and add to the salad and mix with the dressing.

Chef’s tip: When adding different ingredients to the salad, prepare a larger portion of the creamy dressing.

A gray bowl of egg salad with a silver spoon in it.

Serving Suggestions:

You can enjoy the salad as is or try these options:

  • Toast: Serve on toast or top our Avocado Toast recipe with the salad.
  • Crackers: Top some crackers with egg salad for an easy after-school snack.
  • On lettuce: Serve in lettuce boats for a low-carb meal.
  • Sandwiches: Serve in between two slices of homemade Bread making egg salad sandwiches.

frequently asked questions?

Can I prepare the salad in advance?

Yes! Prepare the salad and dressing in advance, but store them separately in the fridge. Mix with the dressing just before serving.

Why are my eggs hard to peel?

If you have trouble peeling your eggs, add a dash of salt and a splash of vinegar to the water before cooking. Once cooked, add your eggs to a bowl with iced water for easy peeling.

Why is my salad watery?

Ensure your eggs have cooled before adding them to the salad. You can also pat your vegetables dry after chopping to remove extra moisture from your salad.

How do I fix a watery salad?

Add an extra egg to make the salad thicker.

Is this egg salad healthy?

Eating eggs in moderation is a great way to add protein, potassium, and vitamins B and D to your diet.

Store & Freeze-

  • Store: Store the egg salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze: We don’t recommend freezing this egg salad, as the textures will change once thawed.

More Recipes with Hard-Boiled Eggs:

If you enjoyed this recipe, be sure to try our other recipes with hard-boiled eggs:

If you tried this egg salad recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!

Easy Egg Salad Recipe with Creamy Dressing

Author: Valentina
Print
5 from 2 votes
This easy egg salad recipe will become a new family favorite for parties and especially with any leftover Easter hard-boiled eggs. Chopped eggs tossed in a rich homemade dressing.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

salad-

  • 8 hard-boiled eggs
  • 2 Tbsp celery finely chopped
  • 3 Tbsp red onion finely chopped
  • 3 Tbsp dill chopped
  • 3 Tbsp chives chopped

egg salad dressing-

Instructions

  • Add 8 eggs to a pot and cover the eggs with water. Cook on high heat, once the water in boiling cook the eggs for about 10-12 minutes.
  • Remove the eggs and add them into an ice bath in a bowl.
  • Once the eggs have cooked peel and rinse off any loose shells.
  • Chop up the eggs and add them to your serving bowl. Add in the finely chopped celery, red onion, dill, and chives.
  • In a separate bowl, combine all the ingredients for the egg salad dressing. Add the dressing to the salad and toss until combined.
  • Top with extra chives and serve.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

291kcal Calories3g Carbs13g Protein25g Fat5g Saturated Fat1g Trans Fat381mg Cholesterol566mg Sodium176mg Potassium1g Fiber2g Sugar797IU Vitamin A3mg Vitamin C62mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Easy Egg Salad Recipe with Creamy Dressing
Amount Per Serving
Calories 291 Calories from Fat 225
% Daily Value*
Fat 25g38%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 381mg127%
Sodium 566mg25%
Potassium 176mg5%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin A 797IU16%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 62mg6%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)