10 Store-Bought Egg Salads, Ranked Worst To Best
Egg salad is that humble deli classic that’s either a total hit or a complete miss.
I’ve been on a personal mission to find the perfect store-bought version ever since my grandmother stopped making her famous recipe.
Some are creamy masterpieces while others are sad, soupy disappointments.
After trying every tub I could get my hands on, I’ve ranked the top contenders from major grocery chains to help you navigate the egg salad landscape.
1. Walmart’s Great Value Egg Salad
Yikes! The moment I peeled back the lid on Walmart’s Great Value egg salad, I knew we were in trouble. The unnaturally yellow color reminded me of a highlighter pen more than actual eggs.
The texture was somehow both watery and grainy at the same time – a culinary magic trick nobody asked for. The eggs were chopped so finely they practically disappeared, leaving behind a mayo soup with occasional egg confetti.
The flavor? Imagine if someone described eggs over the phone to a chef who’d never actually tasted one. Overwhelmingly sweet with an artificial tang that lingered uncomfortably. I tried making a sandwich, but it soaked through the bread faster than a paper towel in a rainstorm. Even my dog, who eats literally anything, gave me a judgmental look when offered a taste.
2. Stop & Shop’s Sally Sherman Egg Salad
Sally Sherman’s offering from Stop & Shop left me genuinely confused. The packaging promised “homestyle” egg salad, but whose home serves egg salad that’s simultaneously rubbery and mushy?
The egg chunks were oddly uniform – perfect little yellow and white cubes that seemed more manufactured than hand-prepared. Each bite delivered an overwhelming punch of salt followed by a strange sweetness that reminded me of the time I accidentally put sugar instead of salt in my deviled eggs.
The biggest offense was the mysterious crunchy bits that I couldn’t identify. Were they celery? Undercooked egg whites? Tiny shards of plastic? The world may never know. I tried doctoring it up with fresh herbs and pepper, but some things are beyond salvation.
3. Price Chopper’s Market 32 Egg Salad
Market 32’s egg salad looked promising at first glance – visible egg pieces and flecks of herbs gave me hope. That hope quickly faded with the first bite.
The mayo-to-egg ratio was way off, creating a slippery experience that reminded me of eating eggs during a butter shortage. Every bite was a gamble – would I get actual egg or just a spoonful of mayo? The seasoning was timid at best, as if someone waved a pepper shaker over the mixture from across the room.
The strangest part was the occasional burst of sweetness from what I eventually identified as sweet relish. Not a bad addition in theory, but these relish bombs were inconsistently distributed, creating a weird flavor roulette. The texture improved slightly after sitting in the fridge overnight, but the flavor remained forgettably bland.
4. ShopRite’s Store Brand Egg Salad
ShopRite’s egg salad is the definition of middle-of-the-road – not offensive but certainly not memorable. Opening the container revealed a pale yellow mixture with a few visible egg chunks swimming in a sea of mayo.
The texture was surprisingly airy, almost like they whipped it before packaging. This created an odd mouthfeel that wasn’t entirely unpleasant but definitely unexpected. Flavor-wise, it’s aggressively mild with just enough salt to remind you you’re eating something.
I appreciated the hint of mustard and tiny specks of black pepper, showing at least some effort went into the seasoning. However, the eggs themselves lacked that fresh-boiled flavor, tasting more like they’d been sitting in the fridge for a week. It would pass as acceptable at a picnic where hunger trumps taste, but I wouldn’t seek it out again.
5. Big Y’s Homestyle Egg Salad
Big Y’s attempt at egg salad falls squarely in the “almost good” category. The presentation is homey – chunky eggs with visible pieces of white and yolk, specks of herbs, and a creamy but not soupy consistency.
The first bite delivers a pleasant eggy flavor, but something weird happens on the finish. A peculiar tang that’s not quite vinegar and not quite lemon creates a slightly off-putting aftertaste. I found myself enjoying the initial flavor but then wishing I hadn’t taken that last bite.
The texture is the real highlight here – properly hard-boiled eggs chopped to a good size that provides actual substance. The mayo binding is balanced, neither drowning nor abandoning the eggs. With some fresh cracked pepper and a slice of tomato on good bread, it makes a perfectly acceptable lunch. Not worth a special trip, but a solid option if you’re already shopping at Big Y.
6. Target’s Good & Gather Egg Salad
Target’s Good & Gather brand has been crushing the prepared foods game lately, and their egg salad doesn’t disappoint. The clean packaging matched the clean flavor inside – straightforward egg salad without any weird twists.
The eggs were chopped to a medium consistency, avoiding both the baby food texture and the overly chunky approach that makes spreading difficult. I was pleasantly surprised by the restrained use of mayonnaise, which allowed the egg flavor to take center stage rather than being drowned in creaminess.
A subtle hint of dijon mustard and a proper amount of salt made this taste remarkably homemade. My only complaint was the lack of any herbs or seasoning beyond the basics. It’s like the egg salad equivalent of a reliable sedan – it gets the job done without any flash, but sometimes that’s exactly what you need.
7. Wegmans Classic Egg Salad
Wegmans rarely disappoints in their prepared foods section, and their egg salad continues that tradition. The first thing I noticed was the gorgeous golden color – a sign of quality eggs with vibrant yolks rather than the pale, sad eggs found in lower-ranked options.
The texture struck that perfect balance between chunky and spreadable, with identifiable pieces of egg white and creamy yolk mixed throughout. Each bite delivered a proper egg-forward flavor complemented by just the right amount of mayonnaise, a touch of mustard, and a whisper of celery for subtle crunch.
What really elevated this egg salad was the seasoning – properly salted with fresh dill and a hint of paprika that added complexity without overwhelming. This is the egg salad you could put in a fancy dish and serve at a brunch without anyone questioning its store-bought origins.
8. Eataly’s Italian-Style Egg Salad
Leave it to Eataly to fancy-up the humble egg salad! Their Italian-style version completely reimagines what egg salad can be, and I’m here for the makeover.
Chunky eggs mingle with high-quality olive oil instead of mayonnaise, creating a lighter, more sophisticated spread. The addition of fresh herbs – parsley, chives, and basil – brings a garden-fresh element that made me feel like I was eating something made minutes ago rather than packaged. Tiny capers add unexpected pops of briny goodness that cut through the richness.
The price point is definitely higher than your average supermarket egg salad, but the quality justifies the splurge. I served this at a dinner party with crostini and received multiple requests for the “recipe.” My only confession: I passed it off as homemade, and nobody questioned it for a second!
9. Trader Joe’s Free Range Egg Salad
Trust Trader Joe’s to create an egg salad that somehow feels both nostalgic and modern at the same time. Their version features generously chunked free-range eggs that actually taste like eggs – a concept apparently lost on some manufacturers.
The creaminess comes from a combination of mayonnaise and Greek yogurt, creating a tangy base that doesn’t overwhelm the eggs. Little bits of celery add a satisfying crunch, while dill and chives bring freshness to each bite. The seasoning is spot-on, with just enough salt and a hint of black pepper.
What really won me over was the texture – substantial enough to feel like real food but still spreadable and sandwich-friendly. The container is smaller than some competitors, but the quality makes up for it. This egg salad made me voluntarily eat the crusts on my sandwich – something I haven’t done since elementary school!
10. Whole Foods’ Classic Egg Salad
Whole Foods has earned the egg salad crown, and it’s not just because of their fancy reputation. Their classic version absolutely nails what egg salad should be – simple ingredients combined with perfect technique.
The eggs are chopped to varying sizes, creating a delightful textural experience where some bites are chunky and others more creamy. The mayonnaise is applied with restraint and appears to be their house-made version, bringing a richness that commercial mayo can’t match. A subtle tang from Dijon mustard and lemon juice brightens everything up.
The seasoning is impeccable – sea salt, fresh-cracked pepper, and just enough dill and chives to add dimension without taking over. I’ve literally eaten this straight from the container while standing in front of my open refrigerator at midnight. Yes, it’s pricier than most competitors, but this is the gold standard of store-bought egg salads that makes every penny worth it.