Classic egg salad, made with fresh eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper and a hint of garlic. This simple classic is great on sandwiches, toast or lettuce.
There are certain recipes that are classics. Recipes that everyone has made one time or another. Recipes that, simply put, don’t need anything fancy to make them good. Classic Egg salad is one of those.
Don’t overcomplicate it! This recipe needs just a few basic ingredients and you’re good to go.
HARDBOILED EGGS: Obviously. I like to work with the eggs cool so if you’re hard boiling them right before making, give them a chance to cool off before you start chopping them.
MAYONNAISE: Guys. I only use Best Foods mayo. For you East Coasters it’s Hellman’s. Don’t use Miracle Whip here. It’s too sweet for this!
YELLOW MUSTARD: Stick to the basic here too. Specialty mustards have their place but it’s not in a classic egg salad sandwich. Yellow mustard gives you just the right amount of tang and color that you’re looking for.
SALT, PEPPER AND GARLIC: These are all the seasonings that you need. Again, we’re keeping it simple here.
STEP #1: Hard boil the eggs. You can do this ahead of time if you like. If you make them right before cooking just make sure to chill them first. Egg salad is best served cold.
STEP #2: Chop the eggs. I chop them all together, yolk and all. You can smash them too if you want things a bit chunkier.
STEP #3: Add in mayonnaise, mustard, salt, pepper and garlic powder and mix well.
STEP #4: Allow to chill about 30 minutes so that the flavors have a chance to meld.
My absolute favorite way to serve egg salad is on soft white bread. It is one of my all time favorite sandwiches and my family’s too. You can also serve egg salad on top of lettuce, in a wrap or on toast for breakfast!
We like our sandwiches pretty full so this recipe will make enough for about two. It can easily be doubled though!
Absolutely! I find it even better the next day. It will stay fresh in your refrigerator for a few days.
Have some hard boiled eggs that you need to use? Check out these recipes:
Spinach Salad with Bacon Dressing
Crispy Chickpea and Arugula Salad
Chef Salad from Lemon Tree Dwelling
Looking for more sandwich recipes? Here are some of my favorite sandwich recipes!
Note: this recipe was originally posted in 2009. It was updated with new photos and tips in 2020.
Maureen
September 20, 2009 at 7:28 pmI SO miss Lisa Frank folders – you’re totally right!! : )
Soma
September 11, 2009 at 6:52 amThis is my favorite lazy time sandwich, quick to put together & delicious as gourmet. i don’t use mayo as i am not fond of it & i use tons of sprouts in it. beautiful picture.
zoe
September 10, 2009 at 6:48 pmThis egg salad looks awesome It’s also good with some cumin mixed in.
DeeDee
September 10, 2009 at 12:16 pmPaul LOVES egg salad but I do not…..you are now make me debate on whether I need to be a good wife or not:) Thanks. Hope your enjoying your trip!
Marta
September 10, 2009 at 10:39 amhahahaha Lisa Frank folders, what a flashback!
I miss school lunches too, though mine didn’t look nearly as yummy as this sandwich! I take joy, though, in making school lunches (and work lunches) for others :)
Rita @ Creatively Domesitc
September 9, 2009 at 5:53 pmLisa Frank folders! whoot whoot! That brings me back! And the egg salad looks super yummy!
Talia
September 9, 2009 at 5:40 pmI know what you mean about the egg sandwich… I’m not a fan of fancy toppings either! This one looks delicious!!
peachkins
September 9, 2009 at 3:34 pmI love egg salad…