Best Ever Sweet Relish Egg Salad: Your New Go-To Recipe!
There are some recipes that just feel like a warm hug, a comforting taste of home that instantly transports you back to simpler times. For me, that’s often a classic sandwich, but elevated! I still remember rainy Sunday afternoons at my grandmother’s house, the smell of freshly baked bread mingling with her famous Sweet Relish Egg Salad. She’d always have a batch ready, a simple yet incredibly satisfying dish that made even the gloomiest day feel brighter. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a piece of my history, a beloved family favorite that I’m thrilled to share with you.
This Sweet Relish Egg Salad recipe has been meticulously tested and perfected over the years, carrying on her legacy of incredible flavor with modern ease. It strikes that perfect balance of creamy, tangy, and just a hint of sweetness that makes it utterly irresistible. It’s truly the ultimate comfort food for a quick lunch, an easy dinner alongside a fresh salad, or a perfect addition to any picnic spread.
Whether you’re packing a school lunch, preparing for a backyard barbecue, or simply craving something delightfully delicious and incredibly straightforward, this recipe is for you. Get ready to fall in love with its simplicity and fantastic taste. Trust me, once you try this version, you’ll understand why it’s been a staple in my family for generations and why it will become your new go-to!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
β€οΈ Here are just a few reasons why this Sweet Relish Egg Salad will become a star in your recipe repertoire:
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The sweet relish adds a beautiful tang and a subtle sweetness that cuts through the richness of the eggs and mayonnaise, creating a harmonious and utterly addictive taste experience. It’s not too sweet, not too savory β it’s just right.
- Incredibly Creamy Texture: We’re talking silky smooth, melt-in-your-mouth creaminess! The combination of finely chopped eggs and a luxurious dressing ensures every bite is pure bliss. Itβs never dry or crumbly, always perfectly moist.
- Effortlessly Easy to Make: With just a handful of common ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up a batch of this delicious egg salad in under 15 minutes (once your eggs are cooked). Itβs ideal for busy weeknights or impromptu gatherings.
- Versatile & Adaptable: Serve it on a soft croissant, between slices of artisan bread, scooped into lettuce cups, or simply enjoyed with crackers. It’s fantastic for meal prep throughout the week, offering endless possibilities for lunches and snacks.
- Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: From picky eaters to gourmet enthusiasts, everyone loves a good egg salad. This version, with its delightful sweet relish twist, is always a hit at potlucks, picnics, and family brunches. Be prepared for requests for the recipe!
- Budget-Friendly: Made with inexpensive pantry staples like eggs, mayonnaise, and relish, this recipe is a fantastic way to create a satisfying and flavorful meal without breaking the bank. It’s smart cooking at its best.
- Nutrient-Packed: Eggs are a powerhouse of protein and essential nutrients, making this not just a tasty treat, but a fulfilling and healthy option to keep you energized.
- Customizable to Your Liking: While the recipe is perfect as is, it’s also a great canvas for your personal touches. Add extra herbs, a pinch of spice, or different vegetables to make it uniquely yours.
What You Need
You only need a few simple pantry staples for this recipe! Chances are, you already have most of them on hand, making this an incredibly convenient dish to prepare any time. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in building the perfect flavor profile, from the creamy base to the tangy sweet relish. Check the full printable recipe card below for detailed measurements and a complete list.

Expert Tips for the Best Sweet Relish Egg Salad
π‘ Elevate your egg salad game with these pro tips that ensure perfect results every single time:
- Perfectly Cooked Eggs are Key: The foundation of any great egg salad is perfectly cooked eggs. Aim for a firm yolk that isn’t green around the edges. For easy peeling, use eggs that aren’t super fresh (a week or two old is ideal), and immediately transfer them to an ice bath after cooking. This stops the cooking process and helps the shells release easily.
- Chill Your Eggs Completely: Before chopping, ensure your hard-boiled eggs are thoroughly chilled. Warm eggs tend to make a mushy, less appealing egg salad texture when mixed with the dressing. A completely cold egg chops cleanly and integrates beautifully.
- Chop Smart, Not Too Fine: Don’t pulverize your eggs! Aim for a nice, consistent chop β about 1/4 to 1/2-inch pieces. You want some texture and substance in every bite. Over-chopping can lead to a pasty consistency, losing the delightful variations in texture.
- Drain Your Relish Well: Sweet relish, while delicious, can add excess moisture if not properly drained. Press it firmly against a fine-mesh sieve or squeeze it in a paper towel to remove as much liquid as possible. This prevents a watery egg salad and helps maintain that desirable creamy texture.
- Use Good Quality Mayonnaise: The mayonnaise forms the base of your dressing, so its quality directly impacts the overall flavor. Opt for your favorite brand, whether it’s full-fat for ultimate richness or a lighter version. Fresh homemade mayonnaise can also take this dish to an entirely new level of gourmet.
- Don’t Forget the Mustard: A touch of Dijon or yellow mustard adds a subtle tang and complexity that brightens the flavor profile without overpowering the sweet relish. It’s a secret ingredient that provides depth and prevents the salad from being one-note.
- Season Gradually and Taste: Start with smaller amounts of salt and pepper, then taste and adjust. Eggs and mayonnaise can absorb a fair bit of seasoning, but you don’t want to overdo it. Add a pinch, stir, taste, and repeat until it’s perfect for your palate.
- Let It Mingle: While you can eat it immediately, egg salad always tastes better after the flavors have had a chance to meld. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or even better, a few hours. This allows the eggs to absorb all the delicious flavors of the dressing.
- Experiment with Add-ins: For extra crunch, consider finely diced celery or red onion. A sprinkle of fresh chives or dill can also add a lovely herbaceous note that complements the eggs beautifully.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix gently until just combined. Overmixing can break down the egg pieces too much, resulting in a less appealing texture and can also make the salad seem denser. A light touch is all you need for that perfect creamy consistency.
Variations & Substitutions
This Sweet Relish Egg Salad is wonderfully adaptable! Feel free to customize it to your taste or dietary needs:
- For Extra Crunch: Add finely diced celery, red onion, or even a small amount of bell pepper.
- Spicy Kick: A pinch of cayenne pepper, a dash of hot sauce, or a finely minced jalapeΓ±o can add a nice heat.
- Herbaceous Twist: Fresh dill, chives, parsley, or tarragon are fantastic additions.
- Smoky Flavor: A tiny pinch of smoked paprika can give it a lovely depth.
- Keto/Low-Carb: Serve it in lettuce cups, celery sticks, or avocado halves instead of bread.
- Vegan Egg Salad: Use mashed chickpeas or extra-firm tofu (pressed and crumbled) as the base, and use vegan mayonnaise.
- Gluten-Free: Ensure your mayonnaise is gluten-free (most are!) and serve on gluten-free bread or crackers.
- Different Relish: While sweet relish is specified, you could try dill relish for a tangier profile, or even a spicy relish if you like heat.

Storage & Freezing
Sweet Relish Egg Salad is best enjoyed fresh, but it stores beautifully in the refrigerator:
- Storage: Store leftover egg salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Always keep it chilled, especially if it contains mayonnaise, to ensure food safety and maintain its freshness.
- Freezing: Egg salad, particularly one made with mayonnaise, does not freeze well. The texture of the eggs can become rubbery and the mayonnaise tends to separate, resulting in an unappetizing consistency upon thawing. It’s best to enjoy it fresh or within a few days of preparation.
FAQ
Q: What kind of eggs are best for egg salad?
A: Large eggs are generally used for egg salad. For easier peeling, it’s best to use eggs that are at least a week old, rather than super fresh ones.
Q: Can I make egg salad ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! Egg salad is an excellent make-ahead dish. In fact, the flavors often improve after sitting in the refrigerator for a few hours, allowing them to meld together beautifully. Just store it in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
Q: Why did my egg yolks turn green?
A: A greenish-gray ring around the yolk indicates that the eggs were overcooked. While safe to eat, it’s not ideal for aesthetics. To prevent this, cook eggs for exactly 9-12 minutes (depending on size) and immediately plunge them into an ice bath to stop the cooking process.
Q: What’s the best way to serve Sweet Relish Egg Salad?
A: The possibilities are endless! It’s fantastic on toasted bread, croissants, or brioche buns for sandwiches. You can also serve it in lettuce wraps for a low-carb option, with crackers as an appetizer, scooped into hollowed-out tomatoes, or as a side dish.
I truly hope this Sweet Relish Egg Salad brings as much joy and deliciousness to your table as it has to mine. It’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly special and memorable. Don’t forget to Pin this recipe for later and share your creations with me on social media!
Best Sweet Relish Egg Salad: Creamy, Tangy & Easy!
Ingredients
- 8 large eggs, hard-boiled and peeled
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (good quality)
- 1/4 cup sweet relish, well-drained
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard)
- 2 tbsp finely diced celery (optional, for crunch)
- 1 tbsp finely minced red onion (optional, for flavor)
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- Pinch of paprika (for garnish, optional)
- Fresh dill or chives, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Step 1 Gently peel the hard-boiled and thoroughly chilled eggs. Place them on a cutting board and chop them into small, consistent pieces (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch). You can also use an egg slicer for uniform pieces.
- Step 2 In a medium-sized bowl, combine the chopped eggs, mayonnaise, well-drained sweet relish, Dijon mustard, celery (if using), and red onion (if using).
- Step 3 Season with salt and black pepper. Start with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper, then taste and adjust to your preference. Remember, the relish and mustard already contribute some flavor.
- Step 4 Gently mix all the ingredients together until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the egg salad mushy. Aim for a creamy, chunky texture.
- Step 5 For best results, cover the bowl and refrigerate the egg salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and deepen. This also ensures it's perfectly chilled for serving.
- Step 6 Serve cold on your favorite bread, croissants, lettuce wraps, or with crackers. Garnish with a pinch of paprika or fresh herbs like dill or chives, if desired. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 8 large eggs, hard-boiled and peeled
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise (good quality)
- 1/4 cup sweet relish, well-drained
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (or yellow mustard)
- 2 tbsp finely diced celery (optional, for crunch)
- 1 tbsp finely minced red onion (optional, for flavor)
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- Pinch of paprika (for garnish, optional)
- Fresh dill or chives, chopped (for garnish, optional)