Your Egg Salad Will Go From 0 To 100 When You Add One Italian-Approved Jarred Ingredient

Egg salad has a rather humdrum, boxed lunch reputation. The usual elements are basic, almost intuitive. With a simple base of three ingredients, mayonnaise, boiled eggs, and sometimes mustard, it can feel like a bit of a blank slate. This is great but may also read as boring. If you're someone who simply needs a pop of flavor and texture, mix-ins are key to a delicious egg salad. And while there are plenty of ingredients to add, there is one delicious, Italian-inspired addition that will effortlessly take it to the next level: capers.

Yes, these teeny tiny pickled flower buds might just be the key to amping up that next batch of mayo-based deliciousness. Capers, typically sold in their small nonpareil size, have a briny taste that isn't as heavy on the vinegar flavor as your usual pickle, but is a bit more salty and floral. Plus, their small size means that you can add capers to your salad without even chopping. Just spoon out some from your jar, drain them, and mix into your salad (you can also reserve a little of that pickling liquid to add to your salad, especially if your want a brinier kick). About 3 or 4 tablespoons will work for a dozen eggs, but you can adjust amounts according to your preference. You can also chop up your capers if you prefer the flavor to be more suffused — and don't be afraid to incorporate other ingredients to help complement this salad addition.

Want to make sure your caper-sized egg salad reaches its full potential? Make sure to adjust your egg salad recipe in accordance with the flavor of those capers. Since capers bring a punch of salty flavor, you might want to skip other salty, briny mix ins, such as olives or pickles, as adding these ingredients could make for an overwhelmingly tangy and saline egg salad. If you do want to incorporate multiple pickled ingredients, consider adjusting the amount you add by mixing in fewer capers to help balance both flavors. Or, you can add pickled ingredients that will contrast with your capers. Pickled red onions, for example, can add a bit of brightness and a slight sweetness that will perk up those capers.

You can also build around your capers when picking out other mix-ins to add. For example, adding dill or a bit of lemon juice will help to brighten that caper flavor while also going exceptionally well with your egg salad base. Herbs such as parsley or chives will round out the flavors of your salad, bringing a bit of freshness that is much needed. Additionally, dressings such as Dijon mustard can add a sharp but not too pungent flavor that goes perfectly with the punchy taste of capers. Maybe even go for a pricey bagel and lox theme salad by adding smoked salmon, a bit of dill, and sesame seeds. Don't be afraid to really play into the culinary reputation of your capers, but keep the core flavors of your recipe in mind.