# tuna & macaroni salad - egg or no egg? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 4, 2012, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414 "2012-08-04T12:11:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 12:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/1 "2012-08-04T12:11:38Z")
I can’t believe I forgot how to make tuna and macaroni salad! I cooked pasta, I have tuna and mayonnaise, celery onion shredded carrot - should I put in hard boiled egg, too? What do you do? ---
**Author:** ![Rebo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rebo/32/13005_2.png) [@Rebo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rebo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/2 "2012-08-04T12:33:32Z")
I’d say yes. Even though I never make tuna with pasta salad. I make tuna salad with chopped egg, and pasta salad without egg. I’ll have to try yours! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/3 "2012-08-04T12:37:14Z")
I say yes. Cold pasta/potato/tuna/chicken/etc. salads are always better with egg. It’s like the peanuts in Cracker Jack. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/4 "2012-08-04T12:41:43Z")
I’ve never put eggs in mine. I do tuna, elbow macaroni, Italian dressing, mayo, cheddar cheese, red or orange bell peppers, celery, red onion, maybe some parsley. Maybe if I left the cheese out, I’d put eggs, but it’s honestly never occurred to me! Potato salad, on the other hand, ALWAYS gets eggs. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/5 "2012-08-04T12:49:57Z")
I use eggs. Then again, we have chickens and are always trying to find ways to use eggs. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/6 "2012-08-04T13:47:30Z")
I use eggs in potato salad, of course, but drew a blank at mac & tuna. My mom said you don’t need two proteins in a pasta salad, but you can toss in any number of veggies. I left out the eggs and just mixed it all up with carrot, onion, tuna, mayo, and a little Italian dressing. I have some cucumber and a yellow pepper and might dice that fine to put in. Ya know…it’s ALL good, its gonna be gone by tomorrow! ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/7 "2012-08-04T14:14:10Z")
It doesn’t matter. Some like egg, some wouldn’t think to add it. I’m in the latter camp. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/8 "2012-08-04T17:43:16Z")
I don’t think of egg as a standard ingredient in tuna or macaroni salad, but it might be better that way. If you’re making egg salad, on the other hand, the egg is a necessity. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/9 "2012-08-07T00:39:16Z")
I grew up with no eggs in potato salad; yes in tuna salad. You can go either way. It’s all good. I’m surprised at how many people had eggs in their potato salad. I can honestly say I’ve ever had eggs in mine, whether American style or German style potato salad. ---
**Author:** ![EmilyG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/emilyg/32/364_2.png) [@EmilyG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmilyG)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/10 "2012-08-07T01:29:20Z")
I’d say no, because hard-boiled eggs stink, but that’s just me. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/11 "2012-08-07T01:51:38Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > I grew up with no eggs in potato salad; yes in tuna salad. You can go either way. It’s all good. I’m surprised at how many people had eggs in their potato salad. I can honestly say I’ve ever had eggs in mine, whether American style or German style potato salad. I’m the exact opposite. Eggs belong in potato salad and nowhere near tuna salad. It truly is a wonderful world. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/12 "2012-08-07T02:21:33Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I’m the exact opposite. Eggs belong in potato salad and nowhere near tuna salad. > > It truly is a wonderful world. My favorite tuna salad, though, has neither eggs nor mayonnaise. Just olive oil, capers, lemon juice, and a couple other things. ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/13 "2012-08-07T12:41:22Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > My favorite tuna salad, though, has neither eggs nor mayonnaise. Just olive oil, capers, lemon juice, and a couple other things. About those couple of other things - got a recipe? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/14 "2012-08-07T13:10:35Z")
> [@Purd\_Werfect](#): > > About those couple of other things - got a recipe? I just do it to taste. I get some good tuna packed in oil and mix i with: very finely chopped red onion, finely chopped celery, lemon juice (or balsamic vinger), EVOO, capers, olives (if I’m feeling like it; pitted, left whole or sliced), and freshly cracked pepper. I like to finish with parsely or minced green onion. Sometimes I add a finely chopped anchovy filet or two. Looking online with some of my ingredients as search terms, [this is close to what I make](http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/dining/17appe2.html), though I don’t use garlic in mine and add a bit of celery for crunch. ---
**Author:** ![stpauler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@stpauler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stpauler)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/15 "2012-08-07T13:21:23Z")
No regular eggs in mine please and thanks. Mine is simple four ingredients: Water based tuna (the oil stuff is nasty) Mayo Macaroni Cubed apple chunks. I had that for lunch all last week. Yum. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [August 7, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/16 "2012-08-07T23:49:14Z")
Just the tuna and mac. Egg doesn’t improve the taste. To make it yummy, just like with potato salad, you carefully add chopped celery, a little finely chopped onion, and fresh-ground pepper. ---
**Author:** ![ceilidh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@ceilidh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ceilidh)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/17 "2012-08-08T02:11:22Z")
I’ve never heard of putting egg into tuna and macaroni salad before. I have heard of putting egg in potato salad though. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/18 "2012-08-08T02:50:31Z")
I generally put one diced potato in my macaroni-tuna salad (along with, of course, celery and onions). It’s all I can do to get Kayla to eat the salad at all, and she refuses to taste eggs, so no eggs unless I’m making it while she’s at summer camp. ---
**Author:** ![LawMonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@LawMonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LawMonkey)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/19 "2012-08-08T03:57:33Z")
Odd; I’ve never had “tuna & macaroni” salad. I’ve had tuna (eggs please) and macaroni (not my favorite, but no eggs), but never the twain have met. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2012, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414/20 "2012-08-08T13:21:00Z")
I personally only use egg if there aren’t any noodles. But it works either way. Though, if you plan on heating up leftovers for a hot salad (which I do a lot), it won’t be as good, in my opinion. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tuna-macaroni-salad-egg-or-no-egg/630414.md?page=2)