do you put eggs in turkey salad

The Secret Ingredient: Should Eggs Be Added to Turkey Salad?

Turkey salad is a classic way to use up leftover turkey after the holidays. But recipes vary widely, with some including hard-boiled eggs while others don’t. So should eggs be added to turkey salad? Let’s crack this egg-cellent debate wide open.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover the pros and cons of adding egg, look at popular turkey salad recipes, and provide tips for making the perfect turkey salad whether you include eggs or not Read on to finally settle this egg-straordinary question once and for all

The Case for Eggs in Turkey Salad

Here are some of the benefits of adding hard-boiled egg to turkey salad

• Extra protein – Eggs provide an extra hit of satisfying protein. This can stretch leftovers further.

• Texture – Diced eggs add pleasant texture contrast to the soft, shredded turkey meat.

• Flavor – Eggs have a mild, complementary flavor that enhances the turkey.

• Appearance – Egg white and yolk add visual appeal with color contrast.

• Emulsification – Egg yolk acts as an emulsifier to bind ingredients smoothly like classic egg salad.

So if you want a protein punch, pleasant texture, or classic egg salad vibes, adding egg to your turkey salad makes perfect sense.

The Case Against Eggs in Turkey Salad

However, there are also good reasons to keep eggs out of your turkey salad:

• Diluted flavor – Egg flavor can overpower the subtle flavor of turkey meat.

• Unnecessary calories – Turkey salad is often lower calorie without egg yolks.

• Allergies – Some people are allergic to eggs and can’t enjoy egg-based salads.

• Preference – Some people simply don’t enjoy the flavor of egg in salad recipes.

So if you want the turkey flavor front and center, are watching calories, or don’t care for egg, skipping the egg keeps the recipe simple.

Examining Popular Turkey Salad Recipes

To settle the egg debate, let’s look at some classic turkey salad recipes and see which side they take.

Recipes with Egg:

• Waldorf Turkey Salad – Contains chopped egg along with apple, celery, mayo.

• Deli-Style Turkey Salad – Uses egg and sweet pickle relish as binder.

• Chicken Salad with a Twist – Replaces some turkey with diced egg.

Recipes without Egg:

• Simple Turkey Salad – Shredded turkey mixed with mayo, mustard, onion.

• Cranberry Turkey Salad – Toasted almonds add crunch instead of eggs.

• Curried Turkey Salad – Curry powder flavors salad without egg.

So it seems both versions have merit based on classic recipes. The choice comes down to personal preference. But here are some tips.

Tips for Making Turkey Salad With or Without Egg

To make the perfect turkey salad, keep these tips in mind:

With Egg:

• Use a moderate amount of egg – 1-2 eggs per pound of turkey.

• Dice eggs small so they integrate smoothly.

• Add egg yolk only to reduce calories.

Without Egg:

• Increase crunchy mix-ins like nuts, celery, or apple.

• Boost creaminess with avocado, plain Greek yogurt, or mayo.

• Add mustard, herbs, or spices for extra flavor.

• Toss in dried cranberries or grapes for pops of sweetness.

With these tips, you can make stellar turkey salad however you prefer – with or without egg!

The Verdict: It’s a Matter of Preference!

After this in-depth exploration, the final verdict is clear – the egg decision comes down purely to personal taste. There are good reasons on both sides. Turkey salad can be delicious either way.

If you love deviled egg flavor or want the extra protein, go ahead and add diced egg. But if you want to let the turkey shine or avoid eggs, feel free to leave them out.

The most important thing is choosing quality ingredients like shredded turkey, crunchy mix-ins, creamy binders, and bold seasonings. With these fundamentals covered, turkey salad is sure to be a hit however you egg-xecute it!

So don’t let the egg question scramble your turkey salad making. Trust your preferences and you can’t go wrong. Now stop debating and start creating egg-ceptional turkey salad to enjoy! Gobble gobble!