Egg salad is a healthy dish made of chopped hard boiled eggs, mayonnaise, celery and seasonings. It is quick and simple to make and a great option for families on the run. It is also a great recipe to teach your kids how to make and begin their love of cooking.
Being a father of three, I love making things in bulk and freezing our leftovers for quick future meals. However, some dishes freeze better than others. In this article, we will dive into how to best store your egg salad leftovers and will conclude with my favorite egg salad recipe!
Table of Contents
What is the best method for saving egg salad leftovers?
Egg salad leftovers do best in the refrigerator. As long as it is stored correctly, you can still expect the same texture and flavor from your egg salad as when it was fresh.
Make sure to store your egg salad in an air tight container and do not let it sit out for more than an hour before putting it in the fridge as bacteria can quickly start growing on the eggs and mayo.
How long is egg salad good in the refrigerator?
As long as it is stored in an air tight container and wasn’t left on the counter for more than an hour, you can expect your egg salad to last between three to five days in the fridge.
Can you freeze egg salad?
The simple answer to this question is yes, though I wouldn’t. This is because the two primary ingredients, egg and mayonnaise, do not freeze well. The eggs typically get rubbery and lose their flavor and the mayonnaise breaks down and gets watery. In short, your egg salad will lose the flavors and textures that you love and look for in an egg salad.
That being said, if you froze an egg salad and ate it within a month or so and stored it properly, it wouldn’t make you sick. It may work if you are looking for a quick meal to save you a trip to the grocery store. I would add some extra salt and pepper and maybe some hot sauce as well to make up for the change in flavor and texture.
How to freeze egg salad?
If you do choose to freeze egg salad, make sure you put it in an air tight container or freezer bag immediately after serving. It freezes best if you freeze it right away and not after being in the fridge for a couple days. One thing to absolutely make sure of is not to let it sit out at room temperature for more than an hour.
Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and it should be ready to go the next morning. I would add a little fresh mayonnaise right before eating to liven it up a bit.
Always make sure your egg salad hasn’t gone bad before eating.
How long will egg salad last in the freezer?
Because eggs and mayonnaise don’t freeze well, they go bad in the freezer quicker than other foods. If stored properly, you can expect your egg salad to be good for around a month in the freezer. However, the earlier you eat it, the better it will taste.
As mentioned before, always check to make sure it hasn’t gone bad prior to eating.
How do I tell if egg salad has gone bad?
The most telling sign that your egg salad is no longer good is when it starts to smell. When eggs and mayo start to go bad they have a very distinct and rancid smell.
I would also look at the texture and color. If the color has changed or it looks watery and unappetizing, I would throw it away. When in doubt, throw it out.
Easy and Delicious Egg Salad Recipe
Now that we’ve discussed how to properly store any leftover egg salad you may have, I want to share my favorite egg salad recipe.
Ingredients
- Eight hard boiled eggs
- 1/2 cup of your favorite mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard
- 1 rib of celery diced into small pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper (though you can use paprika if you prefer less heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut the hard boiled eggs into rough pieces around the size of a marble and put aside.
- Combine the remaining ingredients into a mixing bowl.
- Carefully stir eggs into the mixed ingredients, making sure to mix thoroughly but not crush eggs into smaller pieces.
- Serve on toast or crackers.
Best Egg Salad Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Pot for cooking hard boiled eggs
- 1 Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 8 Eggs Hard boiled and cooled
- ½ cup Mayonnaise
- 1 ½ tsp Yellow Mustard
- 1 rib Celery Finely diced
- Salt and Pepper to Taste
Instructions
- Cut the hard boiled eggs into rough pieces around the size of a marble and put aside
- Combine the remaining ingredients into a mixing bowl
- Carefully stir eggs into the mixed ingredients, making sure to mix thoroughly but not crush eggs into smaller pieces
- Serve on toast or crackers
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
The nice thing about egg salad is that you can make it your own. The above recipe is simple with a little heat. However, several people like to add onions, dill, or other ingredients while leaving out the mustard and cayenne. Feel free to experiment with it and make it your own. Happy cooking!
Check out the below articles for more great food storage answers:
Does Vanilla Extract Go Bad? Your Guide to Storing Vanilla Extract
How to Freeze Green Beans – Your Guide to Storing Fresh Green Beans
Also, subscribe to our YouTube Channel for some great videos!