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What Spices Do You Put in Egg Salad? (10 Best Spices)

There are a lot of different spices you can add to egg salad to give it flavor.

Before we get into the spices, it’s important to keep in mind that not all spices go well with egg salad.

What Spices Do You Put in Egg Salad

Ideally, you want to add ingredients that balance out all the flavors so your end result won’t be too spicy or too bland.

Here are a few of my favorites!

Read Also: The 10 Best Substitutes for Mayo in Egg Salad

What Spices Do You Put in Egg Salad?

You can use a variety of spices in egg salad. Some of the most popular ones include mustard, dill, pepper, and celery seed. These flavors can be used in combination or alone.

Egg Salad Spices

Few recipes are as easy as an egg salad. But that doesn’t mean they don’t require some expert spice making.

It’s important to find the right mix to give your egg salad some kick or flair, not to mention the occasional whimsy.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. Onion powder

Onion powder

Egg salad and onion powder might seem like an unlikely pairing, but trust us—these two are a match made in heaven.

Let’s get started on how you can make the most of this amazing combination!

To really make the most of these two ingredients, combine them with a few other seasonings: 

  • dried parsley
  • fresh chives
  • ground black pepper

When you include these spices/herbs with your egg salad seasoning, you’ll create a flavor that is out of this world!

And finally, here are a few recipes that use both egg salad and onion powder to great effect:

  1. Easy Egg Salad
  2. The Best Egg Salad Recipe
  3. Classic Best Egg Salad

2. Garlic powder

Garlic Powder

Egg salad and garlic powder.

What a strange combination, right?

But while they may seem like unlikely bedfellows, they actually go together like milk and cookies.

Garlic powder is one of those classic pantry staples that can add a little something-something to just about anything—including egg salad.

Try adding it to your next batch of the stuff for a healthy dose of flavor that’s sure to impress at your next potluck. (It also works great with other herbs and spices.)

Here are some great recipes that feature both egg salad and garlic powder:

  1. Egg Salad Sandwiches Recipe
  2. Egg Salad (The Perfect Recipe for Sandwiches)
  3. Simple Egg Salad with Paprika and Garlic Powder

3. Paprika

Paprika

Paprika is the perfect complement to a delicious egg salad sandwich.

Not only will it add some much-needed spice to a dish that can get bland quickly, but it will also bring out the flavor of the eggs themselves.

Here are some tips for using paprika in combination with other herbs and spices:

  • Paprika goes well with salt, pepper, and garlic.
  • You can also use it with rosemary and thyme for a more complex flavor.
  • Try sprinkling some on top of your scrambled eggs for a little added flavor!

Here are some recipes where paprika and eggs are both included:

  1. Paprika Egg Salad
  2. Easy Egg Salad
  3. Smoked Paprika Egg Salad Sandwich on Whole Grain

4. Dill

Dill

Recently, we’ve heard from more and more people who are trying out dill in their egg salad recipes.

This is an excellent choice!

Here’s why:

  • Dill is a savory, versatile herb that offers you a chance to get creative with your egg salad recipe.
  • It’s related to parsley and celery, which makes it perfect for bringing out the subtle flavors of these other herbs when they’re also included in your egg salad.
  • And if you’re looking to spice things up, try pairing it with coriander or cumin—you’ll be glad you did!

If you’re ready to get even more adventurous, here are some recipes that include both dill and egg salad:

  1. Egg Salad with Dill
  2. The Best Egg Salad
  3. Egg Salad Recipe with the Best Dressing

5. Parsley

Parsley

Did you know that parsley goes great with egg salad?

Not sure how to use parsley in egg salad, though? We’ve got you covered.

Parsley is a great way to add depth and dimension to the flavors of your egg salad.

It’s also a pretty versatile spice—it can be used in combination with lots of other herbs and spices, including dill (which also works well with egg salad), cayenne pepper, rosemary, and garlic.

To incorporate parsley with your egg salad, simply chop up some fresh parsley and mix it in when you’re preparing your salad. (We recommend using parsley leaves, not stems.)

And if you want to make this tasty treat even tastier? Try adding these herbs to the mix: dill pickle relish (yum!), celery seed, or mustard!

Now that you’re an expert in using parsley in egg salad—or not!—try these recipes:

  1. Egg Salad with Greek Yogurt and Parsley
  2. Egg & parsley salad with watercress dressing
  3. Classic Egg Salad Recipe

6. Lemon juice and zest

Lemon juice and zest

Egg salad is a versatile dish; you can add any number of herbs and spices to it.

The most important thing to remember is that it always tastes better when you use lemon juice and zest.

Here are some tips on how to have a lemon-y time with egg salad:

  • Be sure to add the lemon juice and zest at the end, after all other ingredients have been mixed in.
  • If you’re cutting back on your salt intake, use more lemon juice and less salt to season your egg salad. Lemon juice is also great for adding flavor to dishes without adding fat or calories.
  • If you want a little extra *zing*, add some cumin with the lemon juice and zest. It’s a great way to make this dish even more flavorful!

Here are some recipes that use both egg salad and lemon juice:

  1. Lemony Dill Egg Salad
  2. Lemony Egg Salad Sandwiches with Capers and Dill
  3. Best Egg Salad Recipe (Vegetarian)

7. Cumin

Cumin

Why do cumin and egg salad belong together?

  • They’re both super versatile
  • They’re both pretty mild, but they have big flavors
  • They both go well with a ton of different spices and herbs.

Tips on how to use cumin in your egg salad:

  • Add it to your mayonnaise or mustard base, or just sprinkle cumin directly over your finished egg salad.
  • Use cumin in combination with other spices and herbs. Cumin goes great with paprika and other peppers like chili powder, cayenne pepper, or black pepper. Try mixing it with some dill for a unique flavor! A little parsley will also help bring out the best in cumin’s flavor.

Recipes that include both ingredients:

  1. Cumin, and Cilantro Egg Salad
  2. Quick and Easy Curried Egg Salad Recipe
  3. Mexican Egg Salad Recipe

8. Basil

Basil

Basil and egg salad, who would’ve thought?

We sure didn’t!

But when we gave it a shot, we were blown away by how well these two foods go together.

When you think about it, it makes sense: basil is an aromatic herb that helps bring out all the other flavors of your egg salad, while egg salad offers a creamy base for your basil to get cozy in.

But how do you maximize the potential of this combination?

We’ve got some tips:

  • First, make sure you’re not overcooking your eggs when you’re making your salad—you want them still a little runny to allow their flavor to shine through.
  • Then, pick the right basil—you want something with a hint of sweetness and a lot of warmth.
  • And finally, don’t forget to put in some onion—some people think it’s too much, but if you like it (and we think you will), then there’s no reason not to go for it!

And if you’re looking for even more inspiration, here are some recipes that include both egg salad and basil:

  1. Healthy Egg Salad with Basil
  2. Basil Egg Salad
  3. Summer egg salad with basil & peas

9. Old Bay Seasoning

Old Bay Seasoning

Egg salad is a classic recipe that sometimes can end up feeling a little bland.

Luckily, there’s a spice that will make your egg salad recipe pop—it’s Old Bay Seasoning!

Like many spices, Old Bay Seasoning is a mixture of different herbs and spices.

Specifically, it contains celery salt, paprika, and mustard.

Using other spices in combination with Old Bay can create interesting flavor profiles.

For example, you might add black pepper to the mix for a spicy kick, or use some dill as an herbal complement to the mustard.

Another way to add some interest and variety to your egg salad is by using different kinds of eggs.

Green eggs aren’t just for Dr. Seuss; they’re also delicious when combined with ham and mayonnaise!

And who doesn’t love the classic combination of peanut butter and jelly?

Your favorite jam mixed with peanut butter makes for a sweet twist on this classic dish.

If all of these suggestions are making you hungry, I’ve included some recipes below:

  1. Southern Egg Salad
  2. Egg Salad for One
  3. Potato Egg Salad

10. Nutmeg

Nutmeg

We all LOVE egg salad.

And we’ve got some good news for anyone who’s been adding nutmeg to their egg salad: you’re on the right track!

Nutmeg is a spice with a strong, distinct flavor that works well in a variety of dishes—and it goes especially well with eggs.

The best ways to use nutmeg and egg salad together are:

  • Add some nutmeg to the egg salad itself, instead of (or in addition to) adding it to the bread or croissant you’re serving it on.
  • Use nutmeg in place of another aromatic, like thyme or rosemary, in your egg salad.
  • Sprinkle nutmeg on top of your egg salad before serving.

A great recipe that includes both egg salad and nutmeg is this one!

what spices do you put in egg salad

10 Best Spices To Put in Egg Salad

If you ask us, one of the best things about egg salad is that it's a blank slate. You can add whatever you want to it!
You know what we mean: lettuce and tomato, maybe some onion or cheese, bacon if you're feeling wild… but have you ever tried adding spices to your egg salad?
We think it's a game-changer.
We're not saying that you should go adding every spice in your cupboard to your beloved egg salad.
But we are saying that mixing in a little paprika or parsley is a surefire way to make your lunch taste like complete heaven.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course Salad
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • Onion powder
  • Garlic powder
  • Paprika
  • Dill
  • Parsley
  • Lemon juice and zest
  • Cumin
  • Basil
  • Old Bay Seasoning
  • Nutmeg

Instructions
 

  • Pick any of the spices on this list to put in your egg salad.
  • Prepare the rest of the ingredients.
  • Be ready to eat in no time!
Keyword what spices do you put in egg salad
Benjamin Happy Muncher

Hi, I'm Benjamin. I love cooking, long walks, and my girlfriend! Here you’ll find simple and delicious recipes that you can make in 30 minutes or less.