🧿 Russian Olivier Salad Recipe Step-by-Step

📝 Russian Salad, also known as Olivier Salad, is a creamy, comforting dish popular across Eastern Europe. Packed with veggies, eggs, and mayonnaise, this recipe is a festive staple. Learn how to prepare the authentic version with our step-by-step guide.

🥗 Russian Salad (Olivier Salad) – A Classic from Russia

Olivier Salad, commonly known worldwide as Russian Salad, is one of the most iconic dishes in Eastern European cuisine. Named after its original creator Lucien Olivier, a Belgian chef working in Moscow in the 1860s, this hearty dish has evolved over time to become a festive must-have, especially during New Year’s celebrations and major holidays in Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and beyond.

Despite its modest ingredients, Russian Salad captures the heart of comfort food: creamy, filling, and endlessly customizable. Let’s explore how to make it step-by-step.

🧄 Ingredients (Classic Version)

Here’s what you’ll need for 6–8 servings:

• 🥔 4 medium potatoes (boiled and diced)
• 🥕 3 medium carrots (boiled and diced)
• 🥚 5 hard-boiled eggs (peeled and diced)
• 🥒 5–6 small pickles or gherkins (diced)
• 🟢 1 cup canned peas (drained)
• 🍗 1 cup cooked chicken breast or ham (optional, diced)
• 🧂 Salt & pepper to taste
• 🥄 1–1.5 cups mayonnaise (preferably full-fat)
• 🍋 Optional: a splash of lemon juice or mustard for added tang

🍳 How to Prepare Russian Salad

1. Boil the Root Vegetables

Boil potatoes and carrots in their skin to preserve flavor. Once soft (but not mushy), peel and dice them into small cubes. Set aside to cool.

2. Cook and Dice Eggs

Boil the eggs for about 9–10 minutes. Cool them in ice water, peel, and finely dice them.

3. Prepare the Protein (Optional)

If using meat, boil or bake a chicken breast or use pre-cooked ham. Dice into small, even cubes.

4. Dice Pickles & Mix with Peas

Dice the pickles finely. Drain canned peas and combine them in a large mixing bowl with the pickles.

5. Mix All Ingredients

Add the potatoes, carrots, eggs, and meat (if used) to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

6. Add the Mayo

Stir in the mayonnaise until all ingredients are well coated. Add a teaspoon of mustard or a dash of lemon juice if desired for extra zing.

7. Chill Before Serving

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least an hour. It tastes even better when the flavors have time to meld.

🥄 Tips & Variations

• No meat? Leave it vegetarian many do!
• Don’t overboil the potatoes or carrots, or they’ll become mushy.
• Balance the texture by chopping all ingredients into even cubes.
• Add apples for a slight sweet note if you’re feeling adventurous.
• Try Greek yogurt instead of mayo for a lighter version.

📜 A Brief History of Olivier Salad

Lucien Olivier first served this salad in the Hermitage restaurant in Moscow in the 1860s. Originally, the salad contained luxurious ingredients like grouse, caviar, and crayfish tails with a secret sauce.

After Olivier’s death, the exact original recipe was lost, but it was soon recreated in more accessible forms during Soviet times using basic, affordable ingredients. Today, it’s a symbol of post-Soviet nostalgia and togetherness.

🎉 When Is Russian Salad Served?

Olivier Salad is most commonly eaten during:

• New Year’s Eve – It’s a staple on nearly every Slavic table.
• Family gatherings
• Weddings and birthdays
• Holiday buffets

You’ll often find it surrounded by other cold dishes, meats, and vodka toasts!

🧊 Storage Instructions

• Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
• Stays fresh for up to 3 days.
• Not suitable for freezing due to the mayo and veggies’ water content.

🧮 Nutritional Estimate (Per Serving)

• Calories: 300–350
• Protein: 10–12g
• Carbohydrates: 25–30g
• Fats: 20–25g

Values may vary depending on whether you include meat and the amount of mayonnaise used.

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🍽️ The Final Mix

Russian Salad (Olivier Salad) may look humble, but it’s a dish that carries emotional weight across generations. Each family has its own twist some use apples, others swear by pickles. Whether you’re trying it for the first time or bringing it back to your holiday table, one thing’s for sure: this creamy, colorful mix will leave everyone wanting seconds.