Easy German Egg Salad with Pickles and Apple (Eiersalat)

This creamy Egg Salad with Pickles and Apples is so easy to make and is perfect for egg sandwiches. An authentic German egg salad recipe, that has been passed to me by my mum. It is also a great savory option for breakfast or a side for a BBQ.

Jump to:

• What is German Egg Salad (Eiersalat)?
• How to make Egg Salad with Pickles and Apples?
• Dill Pickle Egg Salad Recipe Variations
• Ways to serve egg salad
• Storage Instructions
• More German Salad Recipes
• Recipe

What is German Egg Salad (Eiersalat)?

Eiersalat (egg salat) is a popular German dish that is served on bread or at BBQs. You will find it has a distinct sweet and sour taste to it.

Eier is the German word for eggs, and "salat" is the word for salad. Eiersalat is often served with bread and can be a delicious savory sandwich filling. However, it also goes very well with grilled meat. Eggs and apples are a combination that works surprisingly well together.

I often get asked if this traditional egg salad with apples and pickles is from a particular area of Germany. There is not one distinct area this salad originates from. However, German cuisine is full of recipes which have apples added to them. Here are more recipes with apples:

Why you will love this Pickle Apple Egg Salad?

For me, this is the best egg salad recipe there is. I often find egg salads boring. They feel heavy, overloaded with mayo, and simply unimaginative. This recipe is refreshing and puts a flavorful spin on the classic egg salad.

What I love about this Eiersalat recipe

• it has an interesting contrast in flavor. The fruity apple with the tangy dill pickles gives it a distinct sweet and sour taste.
• the egg salad has different textures. From the soft egg to crunchy pickles, onions, and apples.
• This is a light egg salad recipe. Only three tablespoons of mayonnaise (affiliate link) are needed to make the salad nice and creamy. I often use low-fat mayonnaise (affiliate link), or sometimes I swap out the mayo for creme fraiche, for an even lighter version.
• it is ready in 15 minutes (and this includes hard-boiling the egg!)

How to make Egg Salad with Pickles and Apples?

Ingredients you will need:

Find the exact quantities in the printable recipe card below.

• hard-boiled eggs (medium size. Hard-boiling should take around 10 minutes)
• apple (a tangy apple is best. I like to use Granny Smith or braeburn apples)
• pickled gherkins (affiliate link) (I like to use dill pickles but you can also use cornichons)
• chives (can be replaced with fresh dill)
• mayonnaise (affiliate link)
• lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste

German Egg Salad Recipe Steps

1. To hard boil the eggs, bring a small saucepan with water to boil. Then carefully add the eggs and set a timer for 10 minutes. Cool the eggs after boiling in cold water (a bowl of ice water will even be faster).
2. While the eggs are boiling, you can start with the rest of the ingredients. Peel and finely slice the apples and cube dill pickles.
3. Combine the mayonnaise (affiliate link) and lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside.
4. Once the eggs are cooled, peel and finely chop them in a medium bowl. Add the chopped apples, pickles, and chives, stir in the mayo dressing, and mix until combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve the egg salad at room temperature for the best taste.

Dill Pickle Egg Salad Recipe Variations

• for a lighter egg salad, replace the mayonnaise (affiliate link) with a low-fat mayo, or creme fraiche. I would advise against using Greek yogurt, as this will make the salad too liquid.
• you can adjust the salad dressing to your taste by, for example, adding a teaspoon of Dijon mustard (affiliate link) or whole grain mustard (affiliate link) to the salad.
• replace the lemon juice with pickle juice.
• substitute the chives with dill or spring onion

Ways to serve egg salad

Make egg salad sandwiches

Try this egg and apple salad on some rye bread, soft sandwich bread or some nice crusty white bread. I love it with some crackers for Abendbrot (a lite German dinner) or as a savory German breakfast sandwich. Drain the liquid before wrapping the sandwich to go.

Bring this homemade Egg Salad at a BBQ (Grillfest)

This salad goes very well with meat (try it with Schwenkbraten, Bratwurst or Grillfackeln). My family serves it at every BBQ. It is great to dip your bread rolls into it while you wait for your sausage to cook.

Save this recipe for Easter

I love this apple and egg salad recipe and make it often. However, you can guarantee that it is on our menu after Easter. What else to make with all those colored eggs? 😊

Storage Instructions

Store your homemade egg salad in an air-tight container in the fridge up to 4 days.

Can you freeze egg salad with mayonnaise?

It is not recommended to freeze egg salad with mayonnaise (affiliate link), as the taste and texture will change during the process. Also, mayonnaise (affiliate link) does not defrost very well, as the water and oil will separate which will make the texture appear unappetizing.

More German Salad Recipes

Recipe