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A delicious bowl of Southern-style egg salad is beautifully presented in a white ceramic bowl placed on a white marble countertop. The creamy texture of the egg salad is visible with specks of yellow mustard, relish, and black pepper. The setup is clean, minimal, and perfect for showcasing a comforting and protein-rich dish.

Southern Egg Salad Recipe

This classic Southern egg salad is creamy, tangy, and rich with flavor. Made with sweet relish and mustard, it’s a perfect make-ahead dish for sandwiches, salads, or light meals.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine American, southern
Servings 10
Calories 102 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan (for boiling eggs)
  • Mixing bowl
  • Knife and chopping board
  • Spoon or spatula (for mixing)
  • Measuring spoons
  • Fork (for mashing eggs)

Ingredients
  

  • 6 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons sweet India pickle relish
  • 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
  • 1 teaspoon white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 3 dashes hot sauce such as Tabasco® (Optional)

Instructions
 

  • Place eggs in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil.
    Six large white eggs are submerged in water inside a black saucepan placed on a white marble countertop. The water is beginning to heat as the eggs prepare to boil. This step is crucial for ensuring perfectly cooked eggs with firm whites and creamy yolks, the foundation of a rich and flavorful egg salad.
  • Boil eggs for 10–12 minutes, then transfer to ice water to cool.
    Freshly boiled eggs are cooling in a clear glass bowl filled with ice cubes and water, placed on a white marble surface. This ice bath helps stop the cooking process and makes peeling the eggs much easier. It ensures that the egg whites remain tender while the yolks stay creamy, not overcooked or rubbery.
  • Peel the eggs and chop them into small chunks.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, mustard, sugar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and hot sauce (optional).
    All the flavor-building ingredients—mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, sugar, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and optional hot sauce—are gathered in a clear glass bowl on a white marble countertop. Each component adds a unique note to the creamy dressing, balancing sweetness, tanginess, and heat in every delicious bite of the egg salad.
  • Add the chopped eggs to the mixture and gently stir to coat evenly.
    Chopped boiled eggs are added to the prepared creamy dressing in a clear glass bowl and are being gently stirred with a silver spoon. This step ensures each chunk of egg is coated with rich, tangy flavor. The mix reveals a well-blended texture that’s ideal for sandwiches, crackers, or a lettuce wrap.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
  • Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes for best flavor.
  • Serve on bread, lettuce, or with crackers!
    A delicious bowl of Southern-style egg salad is beautifully presented in a white ceramic bowl placed on a white marble countertop. The creamy texture of the egg salad is visible with specks of yellow mustard, relish, and black pepper. The setup is clean, minimal, and perfect for showcasing a comforting and protein-rich dish.