An easy and healthy lunch that’s great for sandwiches or big potlucks. This Pesto Egg Salad is filled with flavor and nutritious ingredients!
One of the things that I discovered about catering is that it completely sucks the life out of you. I mean that in the best way possible, but for 3 days straight I looked like a chicken with its head cut off in the kitchen. Simultaneously trying to bake 2 batches of granola, hard boil eggs, process my Orange Cranberry White Chocolate Bars all while trying to maintain my sanity is unbelievably challenging. Admittedly I still loved every minute of it.
But after it was done the kitchen and I needed a break from each other. Fortunately I went a bit overboard on the Pecan Pie Granola so I had enough leftover to live off of it for the next week. This is also kind of a problem since granola is my weakness and while I’d like to consider the half a cup of pumpkin in the recipe as my “salad a day“, I think a nutritionist may say otherwise. Thankfully I still have 5 days left living with my roommates (by that I mean parents) who took pity on me and fed me my veggies and protein.
Pesto Egg Salad
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 20 mins
- Yield: 9-12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- For the pesto:
- 1 cup basil, packed
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup pine nuts (you can use a cheaper nut like cashews or walnuts too)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 12 eggs
- ¼ cup greek yogurt
- 2 celery sticks
Instructions
- Combine all pesto ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth. Set aside
- To hard boil eggs, place them in a large pot and cover with 1 inch of water. Bring water to a boil.
- Once water starts to boil remove pot from heat, cover and let sit for 12 minutes.
- Remove eggs from pot with a slotted spoon and place in a colander. Run cold water over eggs until eggs are no longer warm.
- Once eggs have cooled to room temperature peel them and slice them into small chunks, or use this egg slicer.
- Slice celery in half length-wise and then chop into small chunks.
- In a large bowl combine eggs, celery, greek yogurt, and all of the pesto. Mix well.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve or store in refrigerator for several days.
Do you ever have days or weeks when you need a break from cooking? What do you eat on those days?
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65 Comments
Jessie
January 26, 2014 at 7:23 amOh man! I just decided to go egg free w/ Lucie. I’ll have to remember this recipe in a couple months 🙂
For some reason, this sandwich reminds me of something that should be served @ a St. Patty’s Day party. I’m assuming it has to do w/ the green color 🙂
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:06 pmSorry for torturing you with this! Will you be back on the egg-train by st.patty’s??? Hope so! Try this!
Amber
April 7, 2016 at 8:30 amChickpeas could be a good substitute for the eggs in this recipe! The texture won’t be the same of course but would be equally delicious. I’d mash them up a bit first.
Davida Kugelmass
April 8, 2016 at 9:36 amAgreed!
meredith @ The Cookie ChRUNicles
January 26, 2014 at 7:54 amLast spring, I mentioned on my blog that I needed a foodcation – as in a vacation from cooking and preparing our meals. I never really took it but it sounded like a good idea at the time lol….I totally hear you though – especially when I was in the midst of my “baking business” I was completely burned out and exhausted from the baking of so many cookies. It is extremely tiring mentally and especially physically.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:09 pmMust be harder to take a foodcation when you have a little one to cook for! Thankfully I’ve found my cooking mojo again but I legit did not make a single thing for 6 days…Don’t know what I would have done without my Mom there. Guess I’ll be finding out soon enough!
Lucie@FitSwissChick
January 26, 2014 at 7:58 amOh yes, as Jessie, I will have tp keep this recipe in mind for after my 16 weeks! It looks delicious and definitely includes my most favorite foods.
I feel you on the need of a break with the kitchen – unfortunately i need to prep my food every week, but then it’s just oats and chicken/veggies – if possible raw! 🙂
Sarah & Arkadi
January 26, 2014 at 9:38 amthis is excellent! i love the colors!
Ang @ Nutty for Life
January 26, 2014 at 9:54 amHomemade pesto is wonderful. Guarantee it’d be so yummy as an egg salad. I also really love to use guacamole as a component of egg salad. I went through a weird phase of eating that for lunch repeatedly last year.. lol
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:11 pmGENIUS and goes well with your ugly green turkey meatloaf color scheme…just sayin’ 😉
Nikki @ will run for pizza
January 26, 2014 at 10:18 amOh my gosh, PECAN PIE GRANOLA?! If you could only see the list of new recipes I want to try – and have wanted to try for MONTHS – you would die from laughing. Now I have to hunt this granola recipe down and pin it too….
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:13 pmHere you are love! https://www.thehealthymaven.com/recipage?recipe_id=6058251
Consider yourself warned, it’s addictive!
Alex @ Kenzie Life
January 26, 2014 at 10:42 amI never would’ve thought to combine pesto and eggs, but I’d be down to try it! Hope you have a great rest of your weekend, beautiful!
Christine@ Apple of My Eye
January 26, 2014 at 10:44 amI can only imagine how stressful (but fun!) catering must be! These look delicious and your photography is on point as always 😀
Heather @ Run Like a G!
January 26, 2014 at 10:44 amI always need a break from cooking 🙂
Sometimes the things we love the most we need a break from! The egg salad looks yummy and I don’t like egg salad!!
Amanda
January 26, 2014 at 10:51 amI don’t even eat eggs (unless it’s mixed in with something. But I’d eat a an ASS if it had parmesan on it!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:14 pmNoted.
Danielle @LabelsAreForTinCans
January 26, 2014 at 10:59 amI love that picture of the stacked sandwiches! Everytime I go home to my parents’ house I am always happy for a break from cooking – but then my Mom gets me to cook! Haha at least the grocery shopping is already done
Kelly @ Kelly Runs for Food
January 26, 2014 at 11:10 amI need a break from cooking all the time! My method is just to wait until my husband gets really hungry cause I know he’ll do all the work for me! I love egg salad and this looks like a really yummy twist on it. Hope your crazy schedule calms down soon!
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets
January 26, 2014 at 11:26 amThis sounds like an egg salad I could get down with. I’m a pesto freak so I’ll be added this to my arsenal. Thanks.
Elise @ 9toFit.com
January 26, 2014 at 12:46 pmpesto egg salad, yet another brilliant idea I’ve never tried or thought of doingg
Selena @ thenutritiouskitchen.com
January 26, 2014 at 3:37 pmThis has been pinned! Anything involving pesto and I’m all for it. Going to make a big batch of this and have it in panini’s all week 🙂
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:15 pmEnjoy, love!
Nikki @ Quest for Balance
January 26, 2014 at 3:59 pmThis recipe sounds and looks amazing. I love all your pictures! They’re beautiful. I’ll definitely have to try out this flavour combination. My must try recipe list from all of the blogs I read it out of control. O food blog problems. Tough life eh.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:19 pmI feel ya. My pinterest is overwhelming me with all the things I want to make. First world problems at its finest!
Nicole @ FruitnFitness
January 26, 2014 at 4:00 pmI would never never have thought to do a pesto egg salad, I don’t know why considering how much I love pesto and how good egg salad sandwiches are. Thanks for sharing this recipe! Glad you enjoyed your time catering, even if it did take a lot out of you!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:20 pmNic make this recipe! I promise it’s delish and super easy! I think you’ll love it 🙂
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves
January 26, 2014 at 4:16 pmYes puh-lease to this!! Eggs and pesto is just a genius combo. Eggs are my staple when I don’t cook anything.
I can only imagine how intense it is to be a one-woman catering show! But you obviously rocked it. 🙂
Arman @ thebigmansworld
January 26, 2014 at 5:14 pmAhh pesto. I LOVE pesto egg salad and pesto tuna salad (and also, try this- pesto on apple slices!)
Since not being at home, I miss my kitchen, but at times have gotten burnt out…it’s times like that where take away pizza or cheese and nuts make meals. Case in point- my breakfast today- fried potatoes, cheese cubes and mixed nuts. Boom.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:23 pmHow about pesto apple tuna salad?!?! MAking it tomorrow!!!
Please inform me about everything you are eating at every meal so I can feel like I’m with you. K thanks.
Sarah @ Feeeding the Brain and Body
January 26, 2014 at 7:15 pmWow this seems like it would be a winning combination. I love both pesto and eggs! I normally buy my pesto pre-made but I am really looking forward to trying to make my own!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:24 pmsuper easy! Enjoy Sarah!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl
January 26, 2014 at 7:26 pmThis is great because I have a giant fear of mayo so I usually never eat egg salad! Yummy on this pesto version!
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen
January 26, 2014 at 7:36 pmThis is such a genius combination!
I totally hear you on getting burnt out on cooking – it happens to me every once in a while too. When that happens I just eat a lot of sandwiches, salads, and stir fries!
Kim
January 26, 2014 at 8:06 pmYum – egg salad is one of my all time favorites and adding pesto is genius!!!
Yes, I have weeks where I hardly cook at all – usually those weeks are the ones that make my boys realize how much they appreciate all of the cooking I normally do!!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
January 26, 2014 at 9:10 pmMy mouth is in a serious relationship with salmon and spaghetti squash, however, it would totally cheat on them for this… Even though my mouth KNOWS that my body is not supposed to eat eggs or nuts. EFF IT – you only live once, and if this is how I am going to peace out, my mouth says OKAYYYY!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:27 pmMy guess is that you’ve probably put worse things in your mouth 😉 #raunchfest
GiGi Eats Celebrities
January 29, 2014 at 8:23 pmWell we are OFFICIALLY besties because “raunchfest” is one of the most used words in my vocabulary!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 29, 2014 at 8:30 pmwait we weren’t already besties? Stop liking Whitney more than me…
GiGi Eats Celebrities
January 29, 2014 at 8:37 pmWell I always thought we were besties, even after the first comment I ever left on your blog. It’s just, I wasn’t sure if you thought the same way, so I decided to RISK IT and just say we are besties… HOPING you would feel the same! 😉
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 29, 2014 at 9:23 pmDoes this mean I get a guest appearance on your show? K awesome.
But for realz you’re hilarious and I’m so happy it’s mutual! Can’t wait to come crash on your couch when I visit LA. Besties invite themselves to stay with you right?
Liz @ I heart vegetables
January 26, 2014 at 9:47 pmMmm I love pesto! I’m not a huge fan of eggs but I think I’d like them with pesto! I’ve been trying to eat them more often since they’re such a good source of protein!
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan
January 26, 2014 at 10:27 pmYUM – Girl this pesto egg salad is rockin!
I am thinking the next time I go on strike -er- I meant take a break from cooking, I need to make a batch of this and keep it in the fridge! I have gone about 4 days without cooking anything other than oats – and that doesnt count right?
Hope you have a wonderful week Davida!
Cassie
January 26, 2014 at 10:34 pmI always love egg salad… and want to make egg salad… but then I’m afraid I’m going to be Steve Carell’s character from 40 Year Old Virgin whose big weekend event was making egg salad (which basically at this point is probably my big weekend event too).
When I don’t feel like cooking/baking I revert to bags of frozen vegetables or salads from Panera. Or lately it’s been throwing whatever is in the fridge in a bowl and eating it. I don’t hate it.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:29 pmObv my fav movie. And since you know how boring my weekends are (besides the highlight emails from you!) don’t be surprised that this may have been the highlight of mine. And banana bread…ugh I’m such a foodie it’s painful
Sabrina @ Nutritiously Sweet
January 26, 2014 at 10:42 pmUmmm wow this sounds so good! Never thought to mix eggs and pesto!!! Only… pizza lol 🙂
Lindsay @ Shiny Love Affair
January 26, 2014 at 11:07 pmAhhh this looks SO good! I can’t wait to make it. I love pesto and egg salad. I’ve never thought of a combo like this. Thanks for sharing another amazing recipe.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven
January 28, 2014 at 10:41 pmThanks Lindsay!!!
Alexis @ Hummusapien
January 26, 2014 at 11:16 pmOMG gimme all three sammies from that last pic for reeealllzzzzz. Pesto all day errr day!
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome
January 27, 2014 at 12:26 amMmmm… I always forget about pesto but really do enjoy it! This combo sounds delicious!
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Kim @ BusyBod
January 27, 2014 at 7:31 amI was drooling all over this on IG this weekend, it looks amazing. I hope you’re getting your sanity back. I think when something makes you insanely busy and you still love it, that’s a sign you’re on the right track <3
Tiff @ Love Sweat & Beers
January 27, 2014 at 9:00 amYou have such lovely pictures! I don’t have the patience or skills or that! haha
Cassie
January 27, 2014 at 10:33 amLooks yummy! I can’t imagine being a caterer… I take other’s opinion on my cooking so personally. Glad you’re enjoying it!
Caitlin
January 27, 2014 at 4:54 pmi don’t have a food processor but packaged pesto + eggs + greek yogurt + celery = THIS IS TOTALLY HAPPENING DURING MY FOOD PREP THANK YOU
taylor @ taylormade
January 28, 2014 at 7:21 amgirl this looks freaking DELISH!! I love egg salad and I love pesto. so this is genius. can’t wait to try it!
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January 30, 2014 at 9:06 amDavida, any way you can get veggies in, is a-ok by me, nutritionist profession aside 😉
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Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli
February 3, 2014 at 1:16 amOH SWEET MOTHER OF SANDWICHES!!! That last shot is breath-taking, Davs! I mean seriously…WOW! 😯
You know, I love egg salad, but I always forget that. And I had this one at a tea room once that I swear has actually ruined me…I’ve never tasted one that even remotely compares to that deliciousness…and I can’t for the life of me even remember what it tasted like! Haha!
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Laurie
March 31, 2014 at 7:39 pmThis look amazing. I’d make it now, but I don’t have any basil. Will make it later in the week or over the weekend!!!!! My mouth is watering thinking about the flavors.
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