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Tarragon Egg Salad

Posted by Elise on Jul 16, 2010

Filed under Egg, Quick, 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.

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Tarragon Egg Salad Recipe

  • Prep time: 10 minutes
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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.

Yield: Serves 4-6.

Indexed: Egg, Egg Salad, Hard Boiled Egg, Salad, Tarragon

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15 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wow.... Delicious! Eating it now! Try to use the best eggs available to you (from a local farmer raising pastured chickens, I'd recommend). The better the eggs the better the egg salad. YUM.

Thanks for the recipe!

Posted by: Gabby on September 17, 2010 6:18 PM

Hi Elise, I'm in Sri Lanka. We don't get Tarragon here. Nevertheless, this picture looks so appealing and I really really want to try this out. Could you please tell me how Tarragon tastes like. Then probably I can think of a substitute that is available here. Thanks a lot...

I'm really really enjoying your blog. Thanks a lot for so many inspiring ideas.

Hi Nis, it tastes like fennel. You could use some ground toasted fennel seeds in the salad, or use some freshly chopped fennel fronds (leaves).

Posted by: Nis on January 21, 2012 10:56 PM

I apologize for the inconvenience, comments are closed. ~Elise

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