Easy Southern Style Egg Salad Recipe

This Easy Southern Style Egg Salad Recipe is made with simple ingredients and is perfect for a quick lunch, baby showers, or party appetizers. Hard-boiled eggs, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, mayonnaise, celery, onion, and a few seasonings are combined to form an American favorite that tastes great on crackers, white bread, or a bed of lettuce.

What Is Egg Salad

Southern-style egg salad has been around for generations and is enjoyed by many. Egg salad is a mix of eggs, mayonnaise, and other ingredients and seasonings. It’s commonly used as a filler for the perfect sandwich. It’s about as southern as pimento cheese, fried bologna sandwiches, and chicken salad. This recipe seems to show up around Easter time for those leftover Easter eggs and often during the summer months. Everyone makes their salad a little different, so be sure to put your spin on it and make it pleasing to you. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Go-To Recipe– This is a simple old fashioned egg salad and has been my go-to recipe for a long time.

Versatile– The great thing about this recipe is its versatility. You can add or subtract ingredients to fit your taste.

Easy– I’ve been making old-fashioned egg salad for years. It’s an easy recipe requiring only refrigerator items and a few spices.

Delicious– All ingredients combine nicely to make an incredible egg salad sandwich.

Fast– If you need a fast meal, this is it. While the eggs are boiling, chop the onions and celery and grab the other ingredients.

Old Fashioned Spicy Pickled Eggs is a family favorite. Pickled Eggs are the perfect snack and easy finger food made with a no-canning method. This old-fashioned spicy pickled egg recipe is made without pickling spice. Only eggs, a brine, and a few other pantry ingredients. Heat the liquid, pour over the eggs, cover, and refrigerate.

Ingredients for this Southern Egg Salad Recipe

This list of ingredients is what I use in my simple egg salad sandwich recipe. Add what you like and subtract what you don’t like. All of the ingredients can easily be found in your local grocery store. For the exact measurements, see the printable recipe card below.

A delicious recipe easily customized to your taste.

Hard-boiled eggs: Boil, peel, and chop.

Celery– Small diced celery adds a crunch to every bite.

Onion– In my opinion, onion makes this salad extra tasty. Leave it out if you don’t like it.

Sweet relish– If you don’t have any sweet pickle relish on hand. Use sweet pickles or dill pickles. 

Mayonnaise– Duke’s Mayonnaise is my personal preference. Use what you like.

Brown mustard (or yellow)- I like brown Dijon mustard, but at times I have used yellow.

Salt & black pepper to taste

Paprika– Regular or smokey

Egg Salad Recipe

Make this delicious egg salad in just a short time with these easy steps. For detailed instructions, see the recipe card below.

Boil, peel, chop, and slightly mash eggs in a large bowl. Add all ingredients and stir well. Eat immediately or store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. 

How to Boil Eggs for Egg Salad

I have several recipes using boiled eggs. In addition, I have some tried and true tips for boiling and peeling eggs in my Deviled Eggs recipe. 

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Choose your favorite bread and get busy making a delicious egg salad sandwich. What you add to the sandwich is entirely up to you. I like adding more mayonnaise and mustard to the bread before adding a heaping spoonful of egg salad. I top mine with baby spinach and sometimes a slice or two (or three) of bacon. Sliced jalapenos add extra spice to the sandwich and kick it up a notch or two.

If you want to omit the bread, make lettuce wraps. Just place the egg salad in lettuce leaves and wrap it up.

Tips and Variations for this Easy Egg Salad Recipe

• If peeling eggs is not in your favor and sometimes leaves you with a tray of eggs that have seen better days, no worries. This recipe is excellent for those “not-so-pretty” eggs. 

• This classic Southern recipe is perfect for the warmer months when you want something cool to eat.

• Older eggs peel better than fresh eggs.

• Add some bacon, jalapenos, or pickles to your sandwich or the mix.

• Cut the crusts off and make finger sandwiches for a fancy lunch or shower.

• If you’re not a fan of chunky egg salad, mash the eggs and make them a little bit more creamy.

• If you like extra creamy egg salad, add 1 cup of mayonnaise to the mix.

How to Store Leftover Egg Salad

Store egg salad in an airtight container or a bowl covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. I usually don’t have leftovers; if I do, they don’t last past 3 days.

What to Serve with this Classic Egg Salad Recipe

More Southern Recipes

Southern Fried Catfish

Southern Buttermilk Pie

Southern Candied Sweet Potatoes

Southern Caramel Cake

Southern Skillet Fried Potatoes

More Southern Salads

If you are a salad fan and are looking for new recipes, be sure to check out the links below.

Watergate Salad: This salad is a classic recipe that’s delicious, cool, and creamy—the best for backyard BBQs, tailgating, holidays, and dessert tables. A retro dessert that never goes out of style.

Classic Macaroni Salad– Classic Macaroni Salad is a staple and the perfect side dish for any potluck, tailgate, or barbecue. It’s easy to make, and everyone will love it. 

Strawberry Spinach Salad– This Strawberry Spinach Salad is the perfect salad for lunch, dinner, or as a side. It’s beautiful, colorful, and, most of all– delicious! It comes together in minutes and is always a favorite. 

Greek Pasta Salad– A bright, light, refreshing, Easy Greek Pasta Salad full of fresh vegetables and topped with a tasty dressing- a perfect summer salad.

Classic Chicken Salad– Classic Chicken Salad is an Awesome combination of chicken, mayonnaise, celery, onion, and seasonings. The flavor and crunch explode in your mouth. 

Southern Cornbread Salad– Southern Cornbread Salad is a crowd-pleasing layered salad with bacon, cheese, and cornbread that comes together quickly for all of your gatherings. Perfect for any time of the year.