Mediterranean Egg Salad Sandwich with Feta and Olive Tapenade

πŸ•’ Prep: 15 min
πŸ”₯ Cook: 12 min
🍽 Serves: 4
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This Mediterranean Egg Salad Sandwich is a vibrant twist on the classic, featuring creamy feta and rich olive tapenade. Perfect for a quick lunch or a light dinner, it brings the fresh flavors of the Mediterranean right to your table.

Mediterranean Egg Salad Sandwich with Feta and Olive Tapenade

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Ingredients for Mediterranean Egg Salad Sandwich with Feta and Olive Tapenade

Ingredients for Mediterranean Egg Salad Sandwich with Feta and Olive Tapenade

Eggs are the star of the show, providing protein and a creamy texture once hard-boiled and mixed. Mayonnaise and Greek yogurt team up for a creamy base, with the yogurt adding a slight tanginess. Feta cheese, with its salty, tangy character, elevates the egg salad to new heights. Red onion adds a nice crunch and sharpness. Parsley brings a fresh, herby note. A splash of lemon juice brightens everything up. Multigrain bread is sturdy enough to hold all the goodness inside. Olive tapenade provides a punch of savory depth. Finally, arugula contributes a peppery bite and a bit of greenery.

Why This Mediterranean Egg Salad Sandwich with Feta and Olive Tapenade Works

During cooking, the eggs sit in hot water off the heat instead of boiling hard the whole time. The gentle heat lets the whites set firm and the yolks cook through without turning dry or chalky. After they cool a bit and get chopped, the pieces hold their shape instead of crumbling into mush.

Once the eggs go into the bowl, the mayonnaise and Greek yogurt coat every little piece. That creamy mix fills the gaps between the egg chunks, so the salad stays moist and sticks together instead of falling out of the sandwich. Feta, onion, parsley, lemon, salt, and pepper spread through that creamy base, so each bite has the same mix, not big pockets of one thing.

When the egg salad is piled on the bread, the olive tapenade forms a rich, slightly oily layer that soaks a little into the bread but not too much. Arugula sits on top and stays crisp. By the time the sandwich is closed and sliced, the bread, creamy egg salad, and tapenade all cling together in neat, sturdy halves.

Mediterranean Egg Salad Sandwich with Feta and Olive Tapenade Tips & Tricks

  • To avoid a watery egg salad, make sure your eggs are well-drained after boiling.
  • For a smoother texture, mash the feta into the egg salad instead of crumbling it.
  • Peel eggs under running water to make the shell come off more easily.
  • If you’re not a fan of arugula, baby spinach makes an excellent alternative.

Mistakes To Avoid

Letting the eggs sit in hot water way past 12 minutes makes the yolks turn gray-green and dry. Once chopped, those chalky yolks don’t blend smoothly with the mayo and yogurt, so the salad turns grainy instead of creamy and can feel pasty in the sandwich.

Peeling the eggs while they are still very warm often leads to torn whites and crumbled pieces. When those broken bits go into the bowl, the salad turns into a mushy spread instead of soft chunks, and it can soak into the bread instead of holding its shape.

Adding a heavy hand of lemon juice or extra yogurt to β€œlighten” the salad can thin it out too much. A loose egg mixture spreads like sauce, seeps into the multigrain bread, and the sandwiches end up soggy and hard to pick up.

Skipping the cooling time for the eggs and mixing them while hot melts the mayo and softens the feta. The dressing then turns oily and runny, and the feta loses its little chunks, so the salad tastes flat and feels greasy instead of rich and creamy.

Ingredients

  1. 6 large eggs
  2. 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  3. 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  4. 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  5. 1/4 cup diced red onion
  6. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  7. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  8. 1/2 teaspoon salt
  9. 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  10. 8 slices multigrain bread
  11. 1/2 cup olive tapenade
  12. 2 cups arugula

Step-by-step Instructions

  1. 1. Hard boil the eggs: Place eggs in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then cover and remove from heat. Let sit for 12 minutes.
  2. 2. Prepare the egg salad: Peel and chop the eggs. In a bowl, combine chopped eggs, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, feta cheese, red onion, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  3. 3. Assemble the sandwiches: Spread olive tapenade on one side of each slice of bread. Layer egg salad evenly on half of the bread slices. Top with arugula.
  4. 4. Close the sandwiches: Place remaining bread slices on top, tapenade side down, to complete the sandwiches. Cut in half if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the egg salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the egg salad up to two days in advance. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
Can I use a different type of bread?
Sure! While multigrain bread adds a nice texture and flavor, any sturdy bread like sourdough or whole wheat will also work well.
What can I substitute for olive tapenade?
If you don't have olive tapenade, you can finely chop some olives and mix them with a bit of olive oil and garlic for a similar effect.

Serving Ideas for Mediterranean Egg Salad Sandwich with Feta and Olive Tapenade

This sandwich pairs beautifully with a simple side salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives dressed in olive oil and lemon juice. For a warm contrast, consider serving it with a cup of tomato or lentil soup.

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This recipe is for informational purposes only. Always follow proper food safety practices, cook foods to safe internal temperatures, and store leftovers appropriately. Results may vary.