Olivier Russian Salad Recipe (Insalata Russa)

Russian salad, also known as Russian Olivier salad, is a beloved dish that holds a special place in Russia and many European countries. In Italy, it is known as Insalata Russa and is often served as a side for seafood or cold meat. This versatile, flavorful, easy salad recipe is a creamy potato salad made with a variety of vegetables seasoned with mayonnaise. In Italy, it is a Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve classic, decorated for the festivity and served as a side for seafood.

Jump to:

• Basic Ingredients
• Instructions
• Vegan and Vegetarian Options
• Serving Tips
• Pairing it with Other Dishes
• History of Russian Salad
• FAQ
• More cold salad recipes
• 📋Russian Salad Recipe Insalata Russa

Russian salad can be served as a vibrant side dish or a satisfying main course, depending on its ingredients and your preferences.

Perfect for family gatherings and special occasions as it can be made ahead of time.

This delicious salad recipe combines ingredients that are pleasing to the palate and easy to find in any grocery store.

Ease of preparation is another attractive feature of this dish, as the simple process allows even novice chefs to impress their guests with a homemade, authentic Russian salad.

Some of the main ingredients include boiled potatoes, carrots, and peas, often combined with pickles, onions, and diced boiled eggs.

However, no strict rules exist; any vegetable, cold meat, or seafood can be added.

The salad is typically dressed with mayonnaise, giving it a rich and tangy taste.

As you embark on your culinary journey to create this classic Russian dish, remember that this recipe can be adapted to suit your preferences without compromising the essence of the original salad.

Feel free to explore new combinations of ingredients, but above all, enjoy the process of making a Russian salad that perfectly caters to your taste and satisfies your cravings.

For more cold salad recipes, you can read: raw artichokes salad, orange fennel salad, puntarelle alla romana, Tabbouleh Salad

Basic Ingredients

Main Ingredients

Several main ingredients in a traditional Russian salad give the dish its unique and well-loved taste.

The original ingredients are:

• Vegetables: potatoes, carrots, peas. Choose waxy potatoes, such as small ones, are ideal as they hold their shape well after boiling, providing a great texture to your salad. To make this recipe easier, I used canned mixed vegetables in this recipe specifically prepared for a Russian or rice salad.
• Sweet Pickles or gherkins to add tanginess and crunch to the salad

Optional ingredients:

• Protein (optional): If you'd like to include protein in your Russian salad, common options are hard-boiled eggs, ham, chicken, or even sausage. A seafood variation can include shrimp, tuna, or lobster. These meats should be cooked and diced into similar-sized pieces as your vegetables. You can skip the meat entirely or replace it with a plant-based protein source for a vegetarian alternative.
• Garnish (optional): finely chopped onion or dill to add extra depth of flavor

Remember that these ingredients are optional, depending on your preferences.

See the recipe card for quantities

Dressing

The creamy dressing for the Russian salad is an essential component that binds the ingredients together and adds creaminess to the dish.

It typically consists of mayonnaise as its base.

However, you can use a mixture of mayonnaise and lemon juice if you prefer a lighter alternative.

Adjust the ratio according to your preferred consistency and taste.

Don't forget to season your dressing with salt to enhance the flavors of your Russian salad.

You can use store-bought mayonnaise, or for a better taste; you can try to make it yourself; it is not difficult: homemade mayonnaise made with fresh egg yolks

You can mix the mayonnaise with gelatine if you want to place the salad in a mold for a festive presentation.

The gelatine will keep the salad in a solid shape.

Instructions

1. Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are tender but not too soft, as this will help ensure the best consistency.

Hint: I used canned mixed vegetables in this recipe specifically prepared for a Russian or rice salad.

You can use any fresh vegetables boiled and cut into small cubes.

Feel free to experiment with other vegetables like cauliflower, green peas, or edamame beans, but keep in mind that each vegetable has its own cooking time.

2. Let all the vegetables and the potatoes cool down to room temperature

2. In a large bowl, mix all the vegetables together and season with mayonnaise

Hint: In this recipe, I added boiled eggs; you can add any meat or seafood you like

You can store this Russian salad in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days

Presentation

You can serve this Russian salad shaped in a mold or on a single serving:

5. Decorate with herbs and vegetables

For single serving:

Vegan and Vegetarian Options

If you prefer a vegetarian or vegan approach to your Russian Salad, there are several adaptations available.

For a vegetarian Russian salad you can leave out the traditional ham or chicken.

Replace mayonnaise with a plant-based alternative to make it vegan-friendly.

When opting for a vegetarian or vegan version, you can still enjoy the dish's rich flavors and textures with the incorporation of ingredients like olives, dill pickles, and fresh herbs.

No matter which variation you choose, this versatile salad maintains its delicious essence while allowing room for personal preferences and dietary restrictions.

Serving Tips

Russian salad is a versatile and delicious dish that is perfect for a family cookout and many holiday celebrations.

In Italy, serving it as a side dish to cold seafood in traditional feasts like New Year's Day or the Feast of Seven Fishes is very common.

When serving your Russian salad, presentation is key.

Choose a large platter or a beautiful glass bowl to showcase the vibrant colors of the vegetables.

You can also garnish the salad with finely chopped herbs, such as dill or parsley, for an extra touch of elegance.

For a festive presentation, you can mix the mayonnaise with gelatine to obtain a more solid consistency that easily maintains its shape.

You can use unique molds or serve it as a cake that can be sliced.

To serve the Russian salad as a main, you can make the Spanish version by adding shrimp or tuna and garnishing it with olives, pimentos, or capers.

For a Bulgarian spin, you may find apples, sweet pickles, and even lobster or caviar utilized in some extravagant variations.

Pairing it with Other Dishes

A classic pairing of this salad is with rye bread or pumpernickel.

The earthy flavors of these bread varieties complement the richness of Russian Salad.

You can serve them as slices on the side or even as an open-faced sandwich.

Another option is to enjoy Russian Salad alongside grilled or roasted meats.

Here I serve it with Vitello Tonnato.

The creamy, tangy flavors of the salad balance the smoky, savory taste of meats such as beef, pork, or chicken.

Whether you're grilling at a barbecue or serving dinner at home, this pairing adds an exciting twist to your meal.

Fish dishes, like smoked salmon or pickled herring or baked white fish like sea bream, also work well with Russian Salad.

In particular, the acidity in the salad dressing can help cut through these fish's rich, oily taste, leaving your palate refreshed.

If you prefer vegetarian accompaniments, consider pairing Russian Salad with mushroom dishes.

The earthiness of mushrooms enriches the salad's flavors, and a simple pan-fried or roasted mushroom dish provides a perfect match.

Alternatively, serving your salad with roasted eggplant or zucchini, or eggplant Milanese adds a tasty, Mediterranean-inspired twist.

History of Russian Salad

Russian Salad, also known as Olivier Salad, has its roots in the 1860s, when it was first created by Lucien Olivier, a talented Moscow chef.

Olivier owned The Hermitage restaurant, located in Trubnaya Square.

The establishment gained fame as the birthplace of this iconic dish.

As you explore the history of Russian Salad, you'll find that the original recipe has undergone several changes over time.

Initially, Olivier's salad contained luxurious ingredients like quail and partridge.

However, the modern version typically includes more humble items such as potatoes and chicken, often held together by mayonnaise.

The Hermitage restaurant played a significant role in popularizing the salad during the second half of the 19th century.

This traditional Russian potato salad became a very popular dish across Europe, with each country with its own variation.

It is known by different names throughout various European countries: Insalata Russa in Italy, Ensaladilla Rusa, in Spain, Salade Russe in France, Rus Salatası in Turkey, Ruska Salata in Bulgaria

Over time, Russian Salad made its way into the hearts and kitchens of people across the world.

It has become a staple dish for holidays and celebrations, including Easter, Christmas, and New Year's Eve.

FAQ

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