Print Options

Tarragon Egg Salad

Tarragon Egg Salad

You know the cool thing about tarragon? You only have to plant it once. (Assuming you don't pull it up thinking it's a weed when it surprises you by coming up the second year. Yes, that would be me.) I planted a young tarragon plant in a corner of our garden several years ago, and although it dies back every winter, each spring it reemerges even more robust than the year before. Tarragon is a lovely herb to pair with chicken or fish, and is terrific in omelettes. It also tastes great with hard boiled eggs, either deviled or in an egg salad such as this one. My nephew Austin took one bite of this the other day and wide-eyed exclaimed "Wow, what is in this?!" as he gobbled it up. The tarragon, along with similarly flavored fennel, adds an unexpected punch to an otherwise rather basic egg salad.

Print Options

Tarragon Egg Salad Recipe

Ingredients

  • 10-12 hard boiled eggs*, peeled and chopped
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 cup chopped fennel (about 1/2 of one large bulb)
  • 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions, including the greens
  • 1/4 cup, packed, chopped fresh tarragon leaves
  • 2 teaspoons cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

* To hard boil eggs, put eggs in a large pot, cover with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil. Turn off the heat. Cover and let sit for 12 minutes. Drain, run under cold water to stop the cooking and to cool down the eggs.

Method

Gently combine all of the ingredients. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Serve alone, over lettuce, on toast, or on bread for a sandwich.

Serves 4-6.

You might also like...

32 Comments

Thanks for the tips on using tarragon. It's not something I would go out and look for but now that you've given me reason to cook with it, I might as well. I've bought boxes of tarragon only to dispose it off after it's blackened after a few weeks (I hate that!). I wanted to use it in a chicken soup because I read somewhere it pairs beautifully.. but of course, I don't always have chicken bones at hand. Making eggs sounds perfect.

Posted by: Shaheen on July 17, 2010 1:54 AM

That's really cute. Looks wonderful - making an egg or tuna salad today and so will look out for tarragon at the farmer's market.

Posted by: Belinda @zomppa on July 17, 2010 4:49 AM

This sounds wonderful! I can't wait to try it. I've never used fennel or tarragon. You don't mention the green part of the fennel, so I guess we just throw that part away? Also - several of my family do not care for bell pepper, so I always substitute something for color. Would you think tomato or radish would be an acceptable substitute or have you a better suggestion?

I would sub celery for the red bell pepper, for the crunch. ~Elise

Posted by: Rebecca on July 17, 2010 5:37 AM

Cool, I didn't know that about the hardiness of tarragon. Maybe I should plant some! I always thought I wasn't a fan of tarragon's flavor, but you say it's similar to fennel and I LOVE FENNEL. I think I just need to learn how to apply it. I'm happy to find no tomatoes in this recipe, the red is from red peppers! :)

Posted by: Meagan on July 17, 2010 5:39 AM

The combination of fennel and tarragon is brilliant, Elise, one enhancing the other.

Posted by: Alanna on July 17, 2010 5:49 AM

This year the tarragon is really taking over my herb bed! Love the sound of this, seems like the tarragon flavor would be great with this combination.

Posted by: Kalynskitchen on July 17, 2010 7:14 AM

Ya know, I've never cooked with tarragon. Or chervil for that matter. I think it's time to play with herbs -- your recipe inspired me!

Posted by: Coco @ Opera Girl Cooks on July 17, 2010 7:29 AM

My husband isn't a huge fan of mayonnaise. I'm assuming it'd probably taste just as good with a little less than the recipe suggests? It looks so vibrant, I can't wait to try it!

Posted by: Nicola on July 17, 2010 7:30 AM

I love the addition of tarragon to an egg salad. Definitely going to give it a try.

Posted by: CJ McD on July 17, 2010 8:09 AM

Tarragon is GREAT in shrimp salad, too!

Posted by: Janet on July 17, 2010 8:20 AM

Tarragon also adds a wonderful flavor to glazed carrots!!

Posted by: Lorri on July 17, 2010 9:08 AM

Tarragon is a fantastic herb. Unfortunately, my husband accidentally pulled ours this spring. I didn't replant this year, but I probably will next year. Since it grows so much in a short amount of time, it's perfect for garnishing plates or using along with fresh flowers on the table, too.

Posted by: m on July 17, 2010 10:38 AM

Tarragon is my first choice for any kind of egg dish and almost any fish. Even plain scrambled eggs in the morning -- some thin-sliced scallion tops and fresh or dried tarragon, a little pepper, breakfast of champions! This combination with the red bell pepper, and the bit of mustard in the dressing, is beautiful.

Tarragon, red bell pepper, scallion is a winner in a simple tuna or salmon salad too. Either the egg or tuna with the same dressing is the best hot-weather meal in the world.

I'm not a wine expert, but a chilled white wine would be lovely with this. Any suggestions about a variety that goes well with the tarragon and fennel flavors?

Posted by: mantha on July 17, 2010 12:27 PM

m -- what a pretty idea, using fresh-picked tarragon as a green accent in a flower arrangement! It certainly puts out enough tall, delicate foliage for that, and would also give just a little mystery to the scent if you bruised a few leaves.

Posted by: mantha on July 17, 2010 1:39 PM

I love egg salad so I would really like to try this recipe. I have tarragon in my herb garden and don't use it too much.

Posted by: Sherrie on July 17, 2010 1:44 PM

Thanks for the tip on Tarragon. I can't wait to have it in my garden now. The salad looks yumm.

Posted by: RV on July 17, 2010 3:19 PM

Wonderful to read so little mayo is being used - I will definitely give this one a try. Thanks Elise - keep 'em coming.

Posted by: Jo on July 18, 2010 12:24 AM

I bet egg salad benefits wonderfully from the addition of herbs. This looks delicious.

Posted by: Georgia Pellegrini on July 18, 2010 11:41 AM

For those of you who live in the Southern part of the country like I do (Central Texas), you won't find Tarragon at the Farmer's Market. It's too hot in the summer to do well here. I suggest substituting Mexican Mint Marigold. It has a similar flavor and I'm sure will taste yummy in this recipe. I'm going to try it for a light dinner tonight!

Posted by: Lori on July 18, 2010 12:34 PM

I used tarragon with Brussels sprouts. I've never tried it on eggs. Thanks for the inspiration.

Posted by: NuJoi on July 18, 2010 5:00 PM

Fresh tarragon is terrific in chicken salad also. I didn't realize it was hardy enough to withstand cold weather - I can't wait to plant some now.

Posted by: James Mellichamp on July 19, 2010 8:35 AM

This recipe sounds like the perfect fresh egg salad for summer. Light and fresh with the crispness of fennel to heighten the taste with the tarragon. Sounds wonderful!

Posted by: Marge on July 19, 2010 9:07 AM

I always forget about egg salad, and I also always am scrounging around for a decent lunch. I like the tarragon in this--I have a big bunch taking over my herb garden, and I need to find more uses for it. Thanks!

Posted by: Sally Vargas on July 19, 2010 11:35 AM

Thanks Elise! I'm currently pregnant and it seems like anything healthy for a quick sandwich lunch is off limits. I hadn't thought about egg salad and this one sounds delicious.

Posted by: Julie on July 19, 2010 2:28 PM

I always forget what I plant and then think it's a weed the next year! Whew, nice to know I'm not the only one...

Egg salad is my go to lunch when I'm just too busy to make much else, thanks for the new twist!

Posted by: Rocky Mountain Woman on July 19, 2010 2:57 PM

I made this last night with eggs from my backyard chickens. Delish!!

Posted by: Beth on July 20, 2010 10:31 AM

Made this just today at a friend's house in the Thumb of Michigan. Everyone liked it, including me, and I'm usually not a big egg salad fan.
I had to use dried tarragon, because it's a tiny town and the grocery store isn't terribly culinary, but it worked very well. And I left out the fennel because of some of the dietary restrictions of the guests. But aside from that, it was a big hit. Fast and easy to make. Thanks.

Posted by: Sandy Schopbach on July 20, 2010 12:29 PM

This looks waaaayyyy better thank what my Mom used to make! :)

Posted by: Cameron HInton on July 20, 2010 3:36 PM

Tarragon rocks! I have it in my little greenhouse and I'm on my second season with one plant. It doesn't do the bolting thing or flowering so it's really a trouble free herb.

Used it in tuna cheesies last night and it made comfort sandwiches a bit elegant.. this recipe looks awesome and can't wait to try it. Might use dill instead of fennel.

I think the dill would compete with the tarragon. Completely different flavors. Fennel is similarly flavored to tarragon, and just enhances it in this salad. ~Elise

Posted by: Tess on July 22, 2010 12:02 PM

I just made it....it is soooo good!!!!
My 3 years old love it too...
Thank you for another great recipe:)

Posted by: elzbieta on July 23, 2010 6:16 PM

What a delicious recipe; this looks perfect...I love the touch of tarragon...thank you for sharing this...perfect for a summer evening dinner tnite! Enjoy your weekend.

Posted by: The Healthy Apple on July 24, 2010 12:08 PM

I usually dry most of my tarragon; would that work in this recipe?

Hi Trish, I haven't tried it with dried tarragon given that I have so much fresh. But if you do try it with dried (I would use 1/3 as much), please let us know how it turns out. ~Elise

Posted by: Trish-in-MO on July 30, 2010 6:51 AM

Post a comment

(Your comment may need to be approved before it will appear on the site. Thanks for waiting. First time commenting? Please review the Comment Policy.)

Link to this recipe

Bookmark this page using the following link: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/tarragon_egg_salad/

Do you have a website? You can place a link to this page by copying and pasting the code below.

<a href="http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/tarragon_egg_salad/">Tarragon Egg Salad</a>