Egg salad can be transformed from bland to bold with the addition of a single, surprising ingredient: chilli crisp. Food content creator Kris Osborne has revealed that stirring a spoonful of this spicy, zingy condiment into egg salad gives the dish "more personality" and makes it far more exciting.
Why Chilli Crisp Works
According to Osborne, chilli crisp brings a hit of spice, zing, and freshness that cuts through the richness and creaminess of egg salad. She wrote for Simply Recipes: "I stir a spoonful of chilli crisp into every batch, and I’m surprised it took me this long to think of it. I’ve been obsessed with chilli crisp for years and have put it on just about anything I can think of, so adding it to egg salad should have been an obvious move." She added: "If your egg salad could use a little more personality, this is the one ingredient that will wake it right back up."
Simplifying the Recipe
Osborne notes that eggs are a "mild canvas" and egg salad can be "a bit one-note" without additional ingredients like mustard, pickles, or herbs. However, chilli crisp contains all the same qualities in a single spoonful, allowing for a more cohesive flavor without needing multiple add-ins. When mixed with mayonnaise, it creates a well-balanced dressing.
How to Make the Enhanced Egg Salad
To prepare, mash two hard-boiled eggs, then add a teaspoon of mayonnaise, a teaspoon of chilli crisp, and salt and pepper to taste. For extra texture, Osborne recommends using the crispiest bits from the bottom of the chilli crisp jar. Gently mix and serve as a side dish, on crackers, or in a sandwich or wrap.
