Leftover Lunch Meat? Make Your Egg Salad A Protein Powerhouse - Tasting Table

"Adding lunch meat to your egg salad sandwich will not only add a delicious, salty twist to an otherwise egg-forward recipe, but it will also add protein to help you power through that mid-day slump. You don't need to add a ton of lunch meat to your egg filling, either; chop up a mere handful of bite-sized pieces and add them to your egg mixture with the rest of your ingredients."

"One of the most basic lunch meat additions to try in egg salad is chopped ham. It's salty and slightly smoky, meaning it will work well with the eggy base. Plus, ham salad is a thing - so rest assured that the meat will jive well with the mayonnaise, chopped celery, and any other familiar additions. Ham is also an excellent pairing for pickles in egg salad; chopped pickles will add brightness and acidity to both the ham and the eggs."

"If you prefer a flavor that's a little less smoky, opt for chopped deli chicken or turkey. These meats will add just the right amount of salt to your recipe without any sweetness or smokiness. Since these poultry cuts have dialed back flavor, you can experiment with punchier add-ins."

Egg salad is an underappreciated dish with significant versatility potential. The basic recipe can be customized with various herbs, seasonings, and mayo alternatives, and served on multiple bases including croissants and crackers. While traditionally vegetarian, adding lunch meats elevates the dish by introducing salty, protein-rich elements that combat midday fatigue. Ham provides smoky, salty notes that pair well with mayonnaise and celery, and complements pickles for added brightness. Deli chicken or turkey offer milder flavors with appropriate saltiness, allowing for bolder complementary ingredients. Thoughtful meat selection and flavor pairing create upgraded, delicious egg salad variations.

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