Creamy Egg Salad Recipe: The Best Base Recipe and Budget Variations

A creamy egg salad is one of the most cost-effective things you can make. Eggs rarely cost more than 20 cents each at a discount supermarket, mayonnaise is a pantry staple, and the rest comes from whatever you have in the fridge. The result is still a proper dish that works as a sandwich spread, a salad base, or a light main meal.

Here is the base recipe and three variations, all under €1 per serving.

The Classic Creamy Egg Salad Base Recipe

Ingredients for 4 servings

  • 6 eggs
  • 3 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp medium mustard
  • 2 tbsp plain yoghurt (or sour cream)
  • 1 small bunch of chives
  • Salt, pepper, a squeeze of lemon juice

Cost: approximately €1.40 for 4 servings (around 35 cents per serving)

Method

  1. Hard-boil the eggs (9 minutes), cool in cold water, then peel.
  2. Roughly chop or dice the eggs — not too fine. The salad should have some texture.
  3. Mix mayonnaise, mustard and yoghurt together in a bowl until smooth.
  4. Fold in the eggs. Season with salt, pepper and a splash of lemon juice.
  5. Slice the chives into rings and scatter over the top.

Tip: Adding a tablespoon of crème fraîche makes the salad lighter and airier. It also slightly reduces the richness if you want a less heavy result.

Three Budget Variations Under €1 Per Serving

Variation 1: Egg Salad with Pickled Gherkins

The classic German version. Dice two or three pickled gherkins and fold them into the base recipe. Add a teaspoon of the pickling liquid for extra acidity — it does the same job as lemon juice but with a more complex flavour.

This variation works especially well as a spread on dark rye bread.

Variation 2: Egg Salad with Spring Onions and Red Pepper

Finely dice two spring onions and half a red pepper and mix in. The pepper adds colour and sweetness; the spring onions bring a mild sharpness. When red peppers are on offer — which happens regularly at Aldi and Lidl — it is worth buying extra and using them across several dishes. Our post on cheap everyday recipes has more ideas for making the most of a discounted pepper.

Variation 3: Egg Salad with Cream Cheese and Fresh Herbs

Replace half the mayonnaise with cream cheese. This makes the salad denser and creamier without raising the cost much. Cream cheese at Aldi or Lidl costs less than 80 cents for 200g. Add a pinch of garlic powder and a handful of chopped herbs (parsley, dill, or basil) and it becomes elegant enough to serve as a party dip.

What Actually Makes Egg Salad Creamy

The most common mistake is not enough binding. For 6 eggs, use at least 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise, ideally 4. If you are stretching with yoghurt, you can add more since yoghurt is lighter and adds volume without heaviness.

The second mistake is chopping too finely. If the eggs are too small, the salad turns mushy. Chunks of around one centimetre give the right texture — creamy overall but with recognisable pieces.

How Long Does Egg Salad Keep?

In a sealed container in the fridge, creamy egg salad keeps for two to three days. That makes it ideal for batch cooking — for example as part of a broader meal prep session where you prepare several dishes in one go.

Freezing is not recommended. Mayonnaise separates when thawed, which ruins the texture.

Where to Find the Cheapest Eggs

Eggs are among the cheapest protein sources available. Still, prices vary. A box of 10 medium eggs at Aldi or Lidl typically costs under €2. Checking the weekly Aldi offers sometimes uncovers discounts on free-range or larger packs.

Flyva makes this easier: the app tracks current offers from supermarkets near you and suggests recipes based on what is discounted this week — including egg-based meals when eggs are on promotion. You cook what is cheapest, not what happens to be in front of you at the store.

The Bottom Line

A creamy egg salad is not a compromise dish. It is a proper, filling meal that takes under 20 minutes to make and keeps for several days. Once you know the base recipe, the variations are endless. If you have eggs and mayonnaise, you always have the start of a quick and satisfying meal.