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Russian salad or Salad Olivier (ruska salata, insalata Russa) is a holiday staple in Balkan homes. Delicious, rich, and filling, this salad is at once an appetizer, side dish, and the main course. Can another salad say the same? We didn't think so!
Jump to:
- What Is It
- Russian Salad Ingredients
- Ingredient Notes for Salad Olivier
- Russian Salad Dressing
- Lightning-fast Instructions for Salad Olivier
- Variations
- Expert Tips
- Serving, Storing, Freezing
- Recipe FAQs
- More Salads You'll Be Crazy About
- Can You Do Me a Solid?
- Russian Salad or Salad Olivier
- Let's Combine This into a Meal!
What Is It
Russian salad, or Salad Olivier, is probably the best salad to come out of Russia. (We'll be using the terms interchangeably!) It's a hearty, filling dish made with veggies, meat, and a dressing. Very much a New Year's Eve kind of thing!
It's delicious. It lasts a long time... and it's a salad with a story!
Invented by the Belgian chef Lucien Oliver in 19th century Moscow (who was also the owner of the then-famous restaurant Hermitage), it was hugely popular.
Original salad Olivier involved interesting ingredients like caviar, veal tongue, and smoked duck. However, the exact recipe isn't known even today. Olivier was a paranoid guy. He kept the ingredients and cooking directions a secret.
With good reason!
At some point, his sous-chef Ivanov figured out most of the recipe. Ivanov then: 1. left Hermitage, 2. opened up the restaurant Moskva, and 3. served the salad under a new name. To add insult to injury, he also sold his adapted version to the newspapers!
As time passed, Olivier salad spread through the Soviet and post-Soviet countries until it found its place in kitchens all over Europe, including the Balkans.
Of course, much changed during the decades of this transition. The salad took on a new name (Russian salad or ruska salata), dropped a few ingredients, and became what we have today.
Russian Salad Ingredients
Ingredient Notes for Salad Olivier
Eggs: More is more here, so 4 minimum. Eggs balance out and soften heavier ingredients. Sub with duck, goose, or quail eggs, but be aware that each has a different taste.
Vegetables: Peas, carrots, and potatoes, plus pickles are all you need. If using frozen, cook for a shorter period of time. Canned works too.
To make it easier on yourself, get the same type of veggies (either frozen, fresh, or canned). Try to avoid canned veggies though, as they're too mushy.
Meat: Smoked beef or cured smoked or baked ham are the best choices. Sub with chicken or turkey breast, prosciutto, canned, fried, or baked fish, and bologna or salami. (Bologna or salami should be your last option!)
Herbs and Seasonings: Less is more. Don't overwhelm this already rich salad. Salt and pepper to taste, as well as minced parsley garnish, are perfect. (Some like to add dill, which overpowers the taste. Be careful!)
Dressing: Look below!
Russian Salad Dressing
Mayonnaise is the foundational Olivier salad dressing. Yup, good ol' mayo is all you need!
- The best kind is homemade. However, if you don't have the time, mayo from your grocery store will do just fine. Get plain mayo from a brand that makes it on a milder side, otherwise it will hijack the salad taste.
- Some like to spice the mayo up with lemon and mustard, but this is optional.
If you're no fan of mayo here are ideas for substitutions for the Russian salad dressing:
- Half mayo half sour cream. Mix the two, then mix them into the salad.
- Sour cream. A pinch of olive oil and lemon is optional.
- Sour cream and soy sauce.
- Greek or plain yogurt. Look for a consistency similar to mayo.
- Kefir with yolks from boiled eggs.
The best way to add the dressing is to add a little at a time until you are happy with the consistency. Check and add more before serving if necessary.
Lightning-fast Instructions for Salad Olivier
(Our lightning-fast instructions are here to give you an idea of how to make this dish. For more detailed information look at the recipe card below!)
1. Layer ingredients in a large bowl starting with veggies, then eggs, pickles and meat.
2. Add mayo in batches, and continue stirring until integrated. Cover with saran wrap, and leave in fridge 3-4 hours (preferably overnight).
Variations
Here are the dish variations:
- French Salad: Vegetarian version of Olivier salad (no meat or fish).
- Muslim and Jewish friendly: No pork.
- Orthodox fast friendly: Remove eggs and meat (fish is ok) and make sure dressing (mayo) is homemade and fast approved.
Expert Tips
Here are a few tips that make my Olivier salad the best in the family!
Ingredient size: The smaller the better. Ingredients should match in size. If using frozen veggies it's easiest to use them as a guide as they're usually diced. Otherwise, think half the size of a sugar cube, or smaller.
Mixing: Mix ingredients in batches and thoroughly. First the veggies, then add eggs, pickles, and meat. When all are integrated, add the dressing.
Make ahead: Olivier salad tastes best on day 2 after the flavors have settled together in the fridge.
Add your signature: This is one of those salads you should make your own. Add and subtract ingredients until you think it tastes perfect. For me, I add less mayo and more eggs. For you, it may be less meat and more pickles, etc.
So, less mayo is more! And also, more eggs is more!
Serving, Storing, Freezing
Serving:Serve as a side or a main dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Take it to a potluck, picnic, or barbeque. It goes splendidly with bread, toast, buns, and crackers. Best if prepared at least the night before.
Storing:Store in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Freezing: Don't even think about it!
Recipe FAQs
Why is it called Russian salad?
Russian salad was originally called Oliver salad based on the Moscow-based Belgian chef who invented it. During the 20th century, the dish spread throughout Europe and adopted the name Russian salad.
How many calories are in the Russian salad?
Russian salad calories greatly depend on its dressing. For example, it'll be more caloric if you use mayo versus if you were to use sour cream.
What countries eat Russian salad?
Too many to count!
Russia, former Soviet countries, Ex-Yugoslavia states, the remainder of the Balkan countries, and finally, Mediterranean countries. Also, other countries with the diaspora populations of the abovementioned countries. (We heard it reached Argentina!?!)
So, people all over the world eat Russian salad. You should too!
More Salads You'll Be Crazy About
- So tasty everyone fights over it: Shopska Salad
- How about some cabbage baby: Fermented Cabbage
Can You Do Me a Solid?
If you make Russian Saladandlike it, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5-star) rating. This will help others find the recipe more easily!
You can also leave a comment, I read EVERY one! Otherwise, if IG is more your thing, consider tagging us@balkanlunchbox.
Prijatno and bon appetit!
Russian Salad or Salad Olivier
Aida
Flavorsome Russian salad or Salad Olivier (ruska salata) will become your favorite holiday staple. This shapeshifter easily transforms from a fancy side to the main course.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 40 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Resting time (in fridge) 2 hours hrs
Total Time 3 hours hrs
Course Salad
Cuisine Bosnian, Croatian, Kosovan, Macedonian, Montenegrin, Serbian, Slovenian
Servings 8
Calories 291 kcal
Ingredients
- 10 ounces carrots medium, peeled, diced, cooked until fork tender
- 10 ounces potatoes peeled, diced small, cooked until fork tender
- 10 ounces sweet peas cooked until fork tender*
- 5-6 eggs hard boiled, peeled, diced
- 7 ounces ham or dried/smoked beef, cooked skinless chicken or fish, diced
- 3 ounces pickles about 5-7 medium, diced small
- 10-12 tablespoons mayonnaise plain, milder brand, use 10 tablespoon first and 2 more before serving after fridge
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh parsley minced
Instructions
In a large bowl start layering ingredients. Start with cooked vegetables, add eggs, pickles, and meat. As you're adding them mix them until they're thoroughly integrated.
Add mayo in batches (about 10 tablespoons), and continue stirring until integrated. Cover bowl with saran wrap and leave in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours, preferably overnight. If necessary, mix in two more tablespoons of mayo before serving.
Video
Notes
Try to dice ingredients the same size! You can cook eggs and veggies in the same pot, or not, up to you.
Vegetables: To make it easier on yourself, get the same type of veggies (either frozen, fresh, or canned). Try to skip canned if you can (too mushy). Before cooking dice carrots and potatoes the size of half a sugar cube. Place in boiling water and cook 10-12 minutes or until fork tender. Fresh veggies take a little longer.
Eggs: 4-5 minimum. For hard boil place in boiling water and cook for 12 minutes. Subwith duck, goose, or quail eggs, but be aware that each has a different taste.
Meat:Smoked beef or cured smoked or baked ham are the best choices.Subwith chicken or turkey breast, prosciutto, canned, fried, or baked fish, and bologna or salami. (Bologna or salami should be your last option!)
Dish variations: French Salad: Vegetarian version of Olivier salad (no meat or fish). Muslim and Jewish friendly: No pork. Orthodox fast-friendly:Remove eggs and meat (fish is ok) and make sure dressing (mayo) is homemade and fast approved.
Make ahead: Olivier salad tastes best on day 2 after the flavors have settled together in the fridge. If out of time, leave for at least 2 hours.
Storing/ Freezing: Keep covered in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. Preferably closer to 4. Do not freeze!
Nutrition
Serving: 1bowlSodium: 567mgCalcium: 49mgVitamin C: 25mgVitamin A: 6455IUSugar: 5gFiber: 4gPotassium: 477mgCholesterol: 125mgCalories: 291kcalTrans Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gFat: 20gProtein: 12gCarbohydrates: 15gIron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Let's Combine This into a Meal!
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- Phyllo Cheese Pie (Pita Sirnica or Cheese Burek)
- Chocolate Hazelnut Cake (Šamponeze Torta)
