Best Cheeses To Compliment Your Egg Salad

Egg salad is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways, from sandwiches to dips, and even as a side. While the classic recipe typically includes eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, and relish, many people enjoy adding cheese to their egg salad for an extra creamy texture and a salty kick. The type of cheese you choose for your egg salad can vary depending on your taste preferences, but some popular options include cheddar, cream cheese, and Swiss cheese.

Cheddar cheese and bacon

A classic egg salad sandwich is a humble dish, but adding cheddar cheese and bacon can take it to the next level. This combination is perfect for a quick lunch, a picnic, or even a fancy brunch. Here's a detailed guide to making a delicious egg salad with cheddar cheese and bacon.

Ingredients:

• Eggs: Start with large, hard-boiled eggs. You can boil them on the stove, in the oven, or use an Instant Pot. For a fun twist, try pickling the eggs before adding them to the salad.
• Cheddar Cheese: Go for a nice, sharp cheddar and shred it yourself for extra creaminess. You can also experiment with other cheeses like pepper jack for a touch of heat.
• Bacon: Fry up some crispy bacon, chopping it into small pieces first for easier cooking. You can also use turkey bacon to reduce the fat content.
• Dressing: The dressing is a simple mix of mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, dill, salt, and pepper. You can adjust the seasoning to taste and even add fresh herbs like chives, basil, or parsley.

Preparation:

• Boil the eggs using your preferred method and place them in an ice bath to cool them down.
• While the eggs are cooling, fry your bacon until crispy. Chop the bacon into small pieces before frying for easier cooking and better texture in the salad.
• Peel and chop the cooled eggs. You can mash them finely with a fork or roughly chop them with a knife, depending on your preferred texture.
• In a bowl, combine the eggs with the dressing and mix well.
• Add the fried bacon and shredded cheddar cheese to the egg mixture and stir well.

Serving Suggestions:

• Sandwich: Spread the egg salad between slices of your favourite bread. Seedy sandwich bread or a croissant are excellent choices.
• Dip: Skip the bread and serve the egg salad with crackers for a low-carb option.
• Brunch: Try spreading the egg salad on a toasty bagel or in a hollowed-out tomato for a more sophisticated take.

Storage:

Egg salad can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 4 days. Make sure to keep it tightly covered to maintain freshness and prevent bacteria growth.

Cream cheese

To make egg salad with cream cheese, you will need:

• Cream cheese
• Eggs
• Butter
• Celery
• Mayo
• Onion
• Sugar
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper
• Bread or croissants

You can also add paprika, relish, and bacon to taste.

First, cream together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Then, stir in the celery, mayo, onion, sugar, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Finally, add the eggs and mix well. Serve on bread or croissants, and sprinkle with paprika or add relish or bacon if desired.

This egg salad is very versatile and can be served on a variety of breads, such as regular sandwich bread, croissants, sourdough Kaiser rolls, brioche buns, or bagels. It can also be used as a dip for crackers or vegetables.

Sharp cheddar

The salty and tangy flavour of sharp cheddar pairs well with the other common ingredients in egg salad, such as mayonnaise, mustard, relish, and seasonings like salt and pepper. The cheese also adds a nice sharpness that complements the creamy texture of the eggs.

When preparing an egg salad with sharp cheddar, it is essential to properly boil the eggs to avoid overcooking, which can result in chewy egg whites and green yolks. Allowing the eggs to cool before peeling and chopping them is also crucial.

The versatility of sharp cheddar in egg salad extends to its serving options. It can be served as a sandwich filling, on crackers as a dip, or even on a bed of greens for a lighter option.

For those who are adventurous and health-conscious, a unique twist is to replace the mayonnaise in the egg salad with avocado. This substitution provides a creamy texture while allowing the flavours of the sharp cheddar, celery, and onions to shine through.

Shredded cheese

Cheddar is a popular choice, and it is easy to shred yourself, so you can make it extra creamy. It adds a nice sharp flavour to the egg salad. You can also add a little cream cheese to make it even more decadent. This is a great option for a sandwich, or as a dip with crackers.

If you want to add a little heat, try Pepper Jack cheese. This will give a nice kick to your egg salad. You could also add some fresh herbs, like chives, basil or parsley, to add a touch of brightness and freshness to the mix.

Pepper jack cheese

When it comes to egg salad, pepper jack cheese can be a fantastic addition. The spiciness of the cheese will add a nice kick to the salad, complementing the other ingredients. You can adjust the amount of cheese to your taste, but starting with one cup and adjusting from there is a good idea.

To make an egg salad with pepper jack cheese, you'll need the following ingredients:

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Mayonnaise
• Mustard
• Vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Bacon (optional)
• Pepper jack cheese

Simply chop or mash your hard-boiled eggs to your desired consistency, then stir in the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. If you're using bacon, fry it up until crispy and chop it into small pieces. Finally, add the bacon and shredded pepper jack cheese to the egg mixture and combine.

This egg salad is perfect for a sandwich or can be served with crackers as a dip. It's a quick and easy dish that's perfect for lunch and can be made ahead of time. The pepper jack cheese will give your classic egg salad a delicious spicy twist!

Frequently asked questions