Olivier Salad
A beloved Russian potato salad, traditionally a centerpiece of New Year's celebrations. This hearty salad features finely diced vegetables, pickles, and a protein, all bound together with creamy mayonnaise.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Potatoes(Waxy varieties like Yukon Gold are best as they hold their shape when cooked and diced.)
- 2 medium Carrots(About 200g.)
- 4 large Eggs
- 200 g Dill pickles(Diced. Use a good quality, firm pickle for best flavor and texture.)
- 200 g Frozen peas(Thawed. No need to cook.)
- 200 g Cooked ham or bologna(Finely diced. Bologna is traditional, but ham or even cooked chicken can be used.)
- 300 g Mayonnaise(Full-fat mayonnaise for the best flavor and consistency.)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the cooked ingredients: Place the potatoes (unpeeled) and carrots (unpeeled) in separate pots. Cover with cold water, add a pinch of salt to each, and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender but not mushy. For potatoes, this is typically 20-30 minutes; for carrots, 15-20 minutes. In a separate small pot, cover the eggs with cold water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes for hard-boiled. Drain the hot water and immediately plunge the eggs into ice-cold water to stop the cooking and make them easier to peel. Once cooled, peel the potatoes, carrots, and eggs.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 2
Dice all the solid ingredients: Using a sharp knife, dice the cooled potatoes, carrots, peeled eggs, pickles, and ham/bologna into small, uniform cubes, approximately 0.5 cm (1/4 inch). Uniformity in size is key to the salad's texture and appearance.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 3
Combine the diced ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the diced potatoes, carrots, eggs, pickles, and ham/bologna. Add the thawed frozen peas.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Dress and season the salad: Add the mayonnaise to the bowl. Gently fold everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated. Be careful not to overmix, which can make the salad mushy. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 5
Chill the salad: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer the salad to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly. This step is crucial for the best flavor.
⏱️ Minimum 2 hours
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Dice all ingredients uniformly for the best texture and visual appeal.
- ✓This salad is a traditional and essential dish for the Russian New Year's table.
- ✓For optimal flavor, prepare the salad a day in advance and let it chill overnight in the refrigerator. The flavors will meld beautifully.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Substitute diced cooked chicken breast for the ham or bologna.
- Add more pickles or a splash of pickle brine for a tangier flavor.
- Include finely chopped fresh dill or parsley for added freshness.
- Some recipes include finely diced onion or green onion.