Egg salad tends to be one of of those polarizing foods, sort of like tuna salad. It’s typically heavy on the mayo and kind of stinky. Not exactly the sort of food you wanted to bring for school lunches as a kid, or on your first day at a new job as an adult. Unless of course you don’t mind being known as that new person who stunk up the break room.
While I’ve never been a huge egg salad fan, it’s the type of thing that I’ll crave every so often. And once that craving strikes, it’s all I can think about. So, needless to say, after a couple of weeks on the 21-day Crazy Sexy Diet cleanse, I was in the mood for something a little more decadent than giant salad bowls and hummus.
I was excited to see a recipe in the CSD book for tofu eggless salad and immediately got that once-in-a-while, intense craving for it. The original recipe is fantastic, but I couldn’t resist adapting the proportions, spices, and add-ins, throwing in some salty kalamata olives and a little cayenne to give it some kick. Admittedly, perhaps too much kick. I have a bad habit of losing control of the cayenne container.
Though not an exact match for the real deal, this eggless salad takes on a similar texture and the flavor is spot-on, thanks to the vegan mayo, dijon mustard, and nutritional yeast.
And one of the best parts? No stinky hard-boiled egg smell. Your co-workers will thank you.
Tofu Eggless Salad |
Go easy on the cayenne – you can always add more, but too much can ruin the entire recipe!
Not a fan of olives? Leave them out! Capers, pickle relish, or raisins would also be fun additions.
I LOVE eggless salad and make it all the time! I use almost all of the same ingredients that you listed, except haven’t tried it with nooch. And I use a few drops of hot sauce (which I guess is just like using cayenne!). I also add some fresh dill and/or relish.
Trader Joes sells tofu that comes in a pack that is separated into two mini-packs. That variety is AWESOME for this!
I haven’t tried that TJ’s tofu yet – I’ll have to pick some up!
This looks delicious! I was a huge egg salad girl before I became a vegan. I’ll try this as soon as I get home for college break!
Thanks, Emily! Enjoy your break!
Ahhh, the ultimate comfort food! I’ve seen this done before and have always had it on my list to make it one day. Whaddya know? There’s a fresh block of extra firm tofu in the fridge right now – I think I know what’s for lunch tomorrow!
I agree – egg salad (even tofu “egg” salad) is total comfort food!
I totally forgot about making egg salad with tofu, this recipe looks super tasty. Oh, and I eat a hard boiled egg at work everyday and I know it smells terrible but they are so delicious 🙂
This looks wonderful! Would love to try this one!
Thanks, Ambika! Please let me know what you think if you do!
Cool blog! Love the photos, and many of these recipes are right up my alley. I’d also love to hear more about your transition from the 9-5 to full-time blogging. I’m sure you’ve posted about this previously, but I’m super curious to hear about it and how it’s working out. I also love your layout. I’m in the process of a redesign of my site. It was nice to come across yours. Very inspirational!
Thanks, Grace! I actually haven’t posted much about my transition recently, but here’s a post that may be of interest: https://picklesnhoney.com/2011/11/30/one-year-ago/
I’m still freelancing part-time, but it’s allowed me the time (and financial freedom) to blog.
I use Thesis for my layout, by the way. 🙂
That looks amazing! I have a similar recipe of my own for tofu “egg” salad. I find it to be a lot more satisfying that the eggy version. And like you said, less stinky!
tofu=god sent. looks delicious!
I agree! It’s so versatile!
Yum! I actually don’t think I’ve ever had a tofu egg salad that had olives in it. Or maybe I just never noticed them? It sounds amazing though!
Thanks, Emily! I love the addition of olives in this!
I love this healthy Tofu Eggless Salad. This looks so tempting! And seems simple, too.
Awesome to find your recipe! I just found out my son is allergic to eggs!! So I am out on the Internet looking for “eggless” recipes. I like this since it looks easy and quicker!! Thanks for sharing!
This recipe is very easy and you can easily customize it to your taste preferences. 🙂 I hope your son likes it!
this is AWESOME!!! i am eating it right now!! one thing i really really miss (and sometimes cheat and eat) are eggs!! thanks so much for this recipe!
I’m so glad you like it! I seriously eat it about every other week for lunches and I still haven’t gotten sick of it. My husband is the same way with eggs. Frozen yogurt is my downfall. 😉
I use to buy the seasoning packets but WTF??no more!???I will whip up some but OMG-always with Veganaise!Potatoe salad? Yep!OMG!Veganaise!(should change 94 to 93 Vegan actually! )They are both TDF!(in my case to LIVE for!)just bought some tofu scramble mix a WF today an also FYH havsa TDF vegan ranch dressing. Share Knives over Forks dvd with non vegans pls TY
i have made this recipe with real mayo twice now.
this is one of my favorite egg salad recipes and normally i hate tofu but tasty tofu can be with a bunch of seasoning.
That’s one of the things I love about tofu – it takes on whatever flavors you use to season it. I’m so glad you like the recipe! 🙂
I am currently doing the CSD 21 day cleanse and I have to say I have been loving this recipe!
That’s great, Steph! This recipe was a staple for me when I was doing the cleanse.
Ha ha me too! What did you think of the 21 day cleanse? So far for me it’s not all that different from what I normally do (aside from the no wine and occasional cup of coffee). Do you feel a big difference when you finished it?
I felt noticeably “lighter” at the end of it, and I had zero stomach issues or headaches (which is saying something, because I used to regularly get those). It helped me to cut out convenience foods – cereal, chocolate chips, and I dramatically reduced my processed sugar and gluten intake. These are things that have stuck with me (aside from the occasional indulgence), so overall it was really beneficial.
I made this recipe – took it to a party and it was a Complete Hit. THEN – guess what — lost the recipe. I have scrolled
around here and there over the months t r y ing to remember where I found it. I remembered that it had Djon and olives – and there are scads of vegan tofu sandwich recipes out there, but I didn’t bother with any of them because I just knew that this one is the THE BEST — so — I am elated today to find it again on your site and This Time – it is going into my #1recipes cookbook – won’t be losing it again and making it for gals at work who think that anything with tofu can’t possibly taste good. They’re in for a SURPRISE!! Thanks so much for creating this!!
Your comment totally made my day, Janet! I’m so happy you loved the recipe, and that you found it again!