Southern Style Egg Salad Recipe

Growing up in the South, I can remember my mom making egg salad sandwiches when I was just a kid. I think egg salad was one of her favorite things to make. In fact, not too long ago, I shared my egg salad recipe on Facebook, and I remember her commenting that it was still one of her favorites.

I can still picture those egg salad sandwiches served on soft white bread, cut into those traditional little triangles. They weren't just something we ate at home, either. Egg salad sandwiches seemed to show up at just about every church gathering, from Vacation Bible School to Sunday church dinners and everything in between.

For me, egg salad is more than just a quick and easy lunch. It's one of those simple Southern recipes that brings back a lot of childhood memories.

This Southern-style egg salad recipe is made with hard-boiled eggs, creamy mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and a few simple seasonings. It's easy to make, doesn't require a bunch of fancy ingredients, and tastes just like the kind I remember growing up with.

Southern cuisine is known for its comfort foods and its use of bold flavors. This Southern egg salad recipe is no exception. With its unique blend of ingredients and spices, it sets itself apart from the classic egg salad recipe.

Why You'll Love This Southern Egg Salad Recipe

• Simple Ingredients: You don't need anything fancy to make a good Southern egg salad. Just a handful of ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
• Quick and Easy: Once your eggs are boiled and cooled, this recipe comes together in just a few minutes.
• Creamy and Delicious: The combination of mayonnaise, yellow mustard, and seasonings gives this egg salad that classic Southern flavor.
• Great for Any Occasion: Whether you're making a quick lunch, packing sandwiches for a picnic, or fixing something for a church gathering, egg salad is always a good choice.
• Easy to Make Ahead: Make a batch ahead of time and keep it in the refrigerator for an easy lunch during the week.

Southern Egg Salad Ingredients

This easy recipe starts with just simple ingredients. The basics are eggs, mayo, mustard, salt, and pepper. Ingredients are mixed into a bound salad and served on just plain white bread or as a spread on crackers. For a low-carb or Keto option, serve it on a bed of lettuce. Either way is a great way to enjoy this delicious recipe.

Eggs

You want to use the freshest eggs you can get. If you can get fresh eggs from a friend or neighbor who has chickens, this will make the best egg salad recipe.

In case you do not have access to fresh farm eggs, do not fret; you will still get an excellent-tasting recipe from eggs bought at the grocery store. This recipe calls for 8 large eggs.

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is the binder that holds the salad together. Also, this ingredient gives this dish its creamy texture and tang.

We prefer to use Duke's Mayonnaise, but any mayo will do. Duke's Mayonnaise is what gives the egg salad its southern bold flavor.

Some people may prefer Miracle Whip or Hellman's mayo, so if you cannot find Duke's Mayo, you can use what you prefer or what you can find locally. This recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise.

Mustard

We use yellow mustard in this southern egg salad recipe. Yellow mustard gives the egg salad its classic yellow color but also offers a crisp, tart, and tangy flavor. It also gives some acidity to the dish.

Anytime you have a rich dish, having some acid helps mellow out the richness. This recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of yellow mustard.

Salt and Black Pepper

Salt and Black pepper to taste. We prefer to use sea salt in most of our cooking. The reason is that table salt or iodized salt can give a chemical taste and alter the flavor slightly.

Optional ingredients

• Celery- Celery will give the dish some crunch and a savory flavor. To incorporate celery, try adding 1 stalk of celery, chopped.

• Chopped Dill Pickles or Dill Relish - Many Southerners will add dill pickles to the egg salad. This gives a sour and tangy flavor as well as some crunch. Try adding 1 dill pickle, chopped, or 1 teaspoon of dill relish.

• Sweet Pickle Relish- Some recipes call for sweet relish instead of dill pickles. This is an option that you may like. Use 1 teaspoon of sweet pickle relish.

• Old Bay Seasoning- If you want to kick up the flavor, add 1 teaspoon of Old Bay seasoning.

• Green onion- One spring of green onion adds a nice flavor as well as some color that makes this dish stand out.
• Red Onion- Red onion will add a little bite or sharpness to the flavor profile as well as a bright color contrast.

• Paprika- Paprika has a slightly smoky flavor and pairs well with deviled eggs or egg salad. It is also used to add some color.

Substitutions

• Mayonnaise- If you do not have mayo or would rather use something else, you can substitute it with plain Greek yogurt.

• Mustard- You can substitute the Yellow mustard with Dijon mustard or stone-ground mustard. Use the same amount.

How To Make Egg Salad-Instructions

Egg Preparation-Boiling and Peeling the Eggs.

• The first thing you will need to do is make hard-boiled eggs.

• Place eggs in a large stock pot half full of water.

• The boil times will vary, but once the water starts to boil, I set my timer for 10 minutes. This process can also be done in an Instant Pot.

• Remove from the burner and pour water out. Fill the pot back up with cold water or ice water.

• Once the eggs have cooled, you want to peel them.

Making The Egg Salad

• Cut eggs in half. Remove the Yolk and add it to a large bowl.

• Using a fork, break up the egg yolks.

• Add in Mayo and Mustard.

• Next, mix well.

• Chop up the egg whites and add to the bowl.

• Add ¼ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper.

• Mix all ingredients well until all are incorporated.

How to Serve Southern Egg Salad

There are many different ways to serve egg salad. The traditional way to serve this classic Southern recipe is on white bread as a sandwich.

Egg salad is a soft and delicate salad; therefore, having bread with some structure pairs well with it. One of my favorite types of bread to eat is egg salad on sourdough bread. As well as that, wheat bread is also a nice selection.

Egg salad can also be served with crackers, and at this point, the egg salad would be like a dip. One other way that egg salad can be served is on a bed of lettuce or in a lettuce wrap. This would also make the southern egg salad recipe carb-friendly and/or Keto-friendly.

What to Eat with Egg Salad

• Spaghetti Pasta Salad
• Marinated Cucumbers, Onions, and Vinegar
• Coleslaw
• Fresh fruit
• Fruit Salad
• Potato Salad
• Cheese squares or sticks
• Potato Chips
• Home Fries
• French Fries
• Serve with a side of celery and carrot sticks

A Brief History of Southern Egg Salad

The exact origins of egg salad are a little unclear. According to Tasting Table, an early version may have come from an Old English dish called Salmagundi.

One of the earliest mentions of egg salad in the United States dates back to an 1899 newspaper article in Hamilton, Ohio. Interestingly, that recipe used butter instead of mayonnaise.

Over the years, egg salad became a familiar dish in Southern kitchens. With its simple ingredients, affordable cost, and ability to feed a crowd, it's easy to see why it became a favorite for family gatherings, church dinners, and picnics.

Today, Southern-style egg salad is still a classic, whether it's served between two slices of white bread, with crackers, or straight from the bowl.

Final Thoughts

For me, Southern egg salad will always be one of those simple recipes that brings back memories of growing up. It's funny how something as simple as eggs, mayonnaise, and mustard can remind you of your childhood.

Whether you're making egg salad sandwiches for a quick lunch, a family get-together, or a church gathering, I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as my family has over the years.

If you give it a try, I'd love to hear how you make your egg salad. Do you keep it simple, or do you add a little something extra? Let me know in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Egg Salad

More Southern Recipes You'll Love

If you love a good egg salad sandwich, chances are you'll enjoy my Southern Tuna Salad Recipe too. Both are simple, old-fashioned favorites that bring back memories of summertime lunches and sandwiches on white bread.

I've also put together a collection of my favorite Easy Homemade Sandwich Spread Recipes. You'll find everything from classic egg salad and tuna salad to a couple of my favorite homemade pimento cheese recipes.

And if you enjoy the creamy, tangy flavor of egg salad, be sure to try my Southern Deviled Eggs Recipe. They're another Southern classic and always a favorite at family gatherings and church dinners.

Thanks for checking out Southern Food Junkie. We truly appreciate you stopping by. We hope you enjoy this southern-style egg salad recipe.

-Ronnie | Let's Get Food Junked