Try the Olivier Salad if you are looking to innovate the way you are making your salads. This Ukrainian and Russian signature dish is super simple to make, rich in nutrients, and incredibly satisfying.
You wonโt need to buy any special ingredients and wonโt need any fancy tools. Made with simple ingredients, this salad can be a perfect option for a busy week. You can prepare it on the weekend in less than an hour and enjoy it for the entire week.
Excited about this one? Let’s see how you can make this one below.
Olivier Salad – A Tradition Of Togetherness
Olivier salad (ะกะฐะปะฐั ะะปะธะฒัะต) is a very popular dish in Ukraine and other former USSR countries, especially in Russian cooking practices. It was created by the Russian chef Lucien Olivier in the 1860s.
This dish is very well-known not only in the Eastern European culinary scene but was also recreated in other countries all over the world. For example, in Portugalโs culinary culture, the version of this salad is called โRussian saladโ.
The salad has different versions, but the original is made with finely chopped potatoes, carrots, boiled eggs, onions, pickles, green peas, ham, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper.
In Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, this is considered a โwinter salad,โ and it is present on almost every holiday, from Christmas to New Year. And for many, it is the taste of childhood.
If you want to try this comforting and creamy salad, follow my recipe below. I will also provide some handy tips to make this salad healthier and even more convenient.
Kitchen Tools To Make Olivier Salad
Ingredients You Need For A Perfect Olivier Salad
How To Make A Perfect Olivier Salad
After gathering the ingredients and all the tools needed, time to prepare the salad. Letโs get started!
Step 1: Boil The Potatoes, Carrots, And Eggs
After peeling, cook the potatoes and the carrots for about 30-40 minutes. In the last 10 minutes, add the eggs and let them boil. Let them cool down.
Step 2: Cut All The Ingredients Into Small Cubes
On a cutting board, cut the potatoes, carrots, onions, eggs, and ham into small cubes.
Step 3: Add The Seasonings And Toss
Pour the veggies, eggs, and ham into a large bowl. Then, add the mayonnaise and the seasonings, and toss until well combined.
Step 4: Serve The Salad
Feel free to enjoy the salad immediately after preparation or let it chill for a bit in the fridge to meld the flavors further. When it’s time to serve, a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top adds a vibrant finishing touch.
Tips And Serving Suggestions
To bring your Olivier Salad to the next level, I’ve prepared a few tips that will be useful for you.
Tricks To Make Olivier Salad Healthier And More Convenient
What Should I Serve With My Olivier Salad?
Although this salad can be considered a full meal since it is filled with carbs, fats, and protein, it goes really well with:
Proper Storage And Make Ahead
This salad gets better in the fridge after some time since it allows all the flavors to combine better. The only advice is, when making a bigger dose of the salad, add the pickles only before eating.
Now, if you’re planning to make the salad ahead, simply prepare and chop all the ingredients, but hold off on adding the mayonnaise until you’re ready to serve. This way, the ingredients won’t get soggy and will retain their fresh and crunchy texture.
Put the ingredients in separate containers and refrigerate them. When it’s time to serve, mix in the mayo, do a quick taste test for seasonings, and enjoy.
Other Tasty Variations To Explore
A Salad Dish You Can’t Resist!
Making this salad is actually as easy as it gets! Without special tools or complex ingredients, you can get a dish rich in nutrients and flavor. Prepare a batch on the weekend, and enjoy it during the entire week. You can already think of how much time you can save.
You can serve it with fish filets or grilled salmon or enjoy it as the main dish. Believe me. It will not leave you or your family hungry.
Make sure to rate or share this recipe with others. And would love to hear your feedback in the comments section. Hope you enjoy this recipe!
Olivier Salad Recipe (ัะฐะปะฐั ะะปะธะฒัะต)
Equipment
- Pot
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Large spoon
- Large bowl
Ingredients
- 2 medium potatoes chopped into small cubes
- 1 medium carrot chopped into small cubes
- 2 boiled eggs chopped
- 1 cup of green peas canned
- 1 cup of ham in small cubes
- 2 small pickles thinly sliced
- 0.5 cup of onion chopped
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Optional: fresh parsley
Instructions
- After peeling, cook the potatoes and the carrots for about 30-40 minutes. In the last 10 minutes, add the eggs and let them boil. Let them cool down. On a cutting board, cut the potatoes, carrots, onions, eggs, and ham into small cubes.
- Pour the veggies, eggs, and ham into a large bowl. Then, add the mayonnaise and the seasonings, and toss until well combined.
- Feel free to enjoy the salad immediately after preparation or let it chill for a bit in the fridge. When it's time to serve, a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top adds a vibrant finishing touch.
Notes
- The total time and the ingredient quantities are based on 4 servings of Olivier Salad.
- If you are a vegetarian, you can substitute the ham with smoked tofu, for example.
- The pickles are optional, although it gives that extra crunchiness to the dish. In order to keep the salad fresher for longer, keep the pickles on the side, and add them only before eating.
- Feel free to get creative and add some herbs, spices, and greens to the salad.
Nutrition
Liliya Balinska
Content Writer
Expertise
Content Writer, Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Translator & Proofreader
Education
Universidade do Minho, Portugual
Nankai University, China
Universidade do Minho, Portugual
Escolas do Turismo de Portugal
Liliya Balinska, based in Lisbon, is a culinary content writer with an impressive educational background in Oriental and Intercultural Studies, complemented by a specialization in Culinary Arts. Her broad expertise enables her to cover a wide array of cuisines, from European classics to global dishes, captivating food lovers worldwide with her deep cultural knowledge and captivating writing style.