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Home » Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

Russian Potato Salad (Olivier Salad)

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Published: 12/24/2014Updated: 8/10/2020
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Olivier Salad, or Russian potato salad, is a meal on its own. Loaded with lots of vegetables, meats and eggs and finished with creamy mayo, this Russian salad is so satisfying and filling!

Olivier Salad, or Russian potato salad, is a meal on its own. Loaded with lots of vegetables, meats and eggs and finished with creamy mayo, this Russian salad is so satisfying and filling! #russiansalad #russianpotatosalad #oliviersalad

While I was born and raised in Mongolia, I grew up in a small Russian community. And inevitably, Russian cuisine was part of my childhood.

You can’t imagine Russian cuisine without Olivier salad/Салат Оливье. Actually, it’s not just Russian, it’s a Slavic thing. And because Mongolia was heavily influenced by Russian culture, this Russian salad is also very popular in Mongolia.

It’s a staple at every holiday dinner table, especially on New Year’s Eve.

And I’m SO excited to share with you my version of this Russian potato salad recipe.

Olivier Salad, or Russian potato salad, is a meal on its own. Loaded with lots of vegetables, meats and eggs and finished with creamy mayo, this Russian salad is so satisfying and filling! #russiansalad #russianpotatosalad #oliviersalad

WHAT IS OLIVIER SALAD/RUSSIAN POTATO SALAD?

Russian potato salad, also known as Olivier Salad, is more than just a potato salad. It’s basically a loaded potato salad with lots of add-ins like meats, peas and carrots, hard-boiled eggs and fresh herbs.

I don’t believe there’s one and only traditional version of this salad. Every family has their own variation.

  • Some use bologna, others use smoked sausage.
  • And some use pickles, others use fresh cucumbers.
  • Some cook the potatoes and carrots and then dice them. Some dice them and then cook them.

And that’s the beauty fo this salad. You can try it as written first, and then adjust it to your own liking.

  • Not a dill fan? Add parsley then.
  • Want more mayo? Add more mayo.
  • Sub red onion for the scallions.
  • Use your favorite sausage, salami, or even cooked chicken.

Choice is yours. I personally like to use summer sausage in my potato salad.

Classic holiday dinner staple, this Russian potato salad is SO satisfying and easy to make!  #russiansalad #russianpotatosalad #oliviersalad

HOW TO MAKE RUSSIAN POTATO SALAD:

Step 1. Cook the vegetables.

  • I like to dice the potatoes and carrots first and then cook them. It’s a sticky mess to cut cooked potatoes, I don’t like that.

TIP: Since it’s easy to overcook the diced potatoes and turn them into a mush. And to prevent that, add half a tablespoon of white vinegar in the water and your potato cubes will hold the shape perfectly!

Step 2. Hard boil eggs. 

  • And if you’re not a fan of peeling cooked eggs, try this genius trick for no-peel hard-boiled eggs!

Step 3. Prepare the rest of the ingredients.

  • While potatoes and carrots are cooking, chop up onions, sausage, pickles and herbs.

Step 4. Mix everything up.

  • Now, the easy part. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix everything up.

And your hearty Russian salad is ready to be devoured!

Step by step photo direction to make a hearty Russian potato salad.

While you can serve this potato salad right away, I like it when it’s nicely chilled.

By the way, it’s a perfect make-ahead salad!

I love this Olivier salad! It brings warm and fuzzy feeling from my childhood and holiday spirit whenever I make it.

I usually make a huge batch, and enjoy bowlfull for several days. It keeps really well in the fridge. Actually, the longer it sits, the better it becomes.

Olivier Salad, or Russian potato salad, is a meal on its own. Loaded with lots of vegetables, meats and eggs and finished with creamy mayo, this Russian salad is so satisfying and filling!  #russiansalad #russianpotatosalad #oliviersalad

Merry Christmas, my dear friends! May your home be filled with love, laughter and wonderful memories! Cheers!

Russian Potato Salad (Салат Оливье)

This classic Russian potato salad is a meal on its own. Loaded with colorful, flavorful vegetables, sausage and eggs and finished with creamy mayo, this salad is satisfying and filling!
5 from 1 vote
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total : 45 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 4 medium potatoes about 2lbs/900gr, washed and peeled, if desired
  • 3 medium carrots about 10oz/300gr, washed and peeled
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • ½ tablespoon white vinegar Note 1
  • 4 hard-boiled eggs Note 2
  • 7 oz 200gr summer sausage (Note 3)
  • 4 oz 100gr dill pickles
  • 1 can 15oz sweet peas, drained
  • 1 teaspoon dill paste or fresh dill
  • 4-5 green onions Note 4
  • 1 cup mayo
  • Salt and pepper to taste
Note: I test all my recipes with both measurements for the most precise and accurate result!

Instructions

  • Cut the potatoes and carrots into small uniform cubes.
  • Place them in a large pot and fill with water.
  • Add salt and vinegar. Bring it to a boil over medium high heat, and then reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook until the potatoes are cooked through, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and let it cool to room temperature.
  • Meanwhile, cut the sausage and pickles into small cubes, and chop the green onions.
  • Cut the hard-boiled eggs into small cubes as well.
  • If using fresh dill, chop them as well.
  • In a large bowl, combine potatoes, carrots, sausage, pickles, peas and green onions.
  • Add mayo and dill and mix until well combined.
  • Salt and pepper to taste. Cover with a plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Tips & Notes:

Note 1: Adding vinegar prevents the potatoes from falling apart. The vegetables won't taste vinegary, but they'll hold their shape perfectly.
Note 2: I use an egg slicer like this. But if you don't want to deal with peeling hard-boiled eggs, this genius trick would be perfect!
Note 3: Instead of summer sausage, you may use bologna, or any smoked sausage.
Note 4: You can also use regular yellow onion, or shallots, instead of green onions.

Nutrition Facts:

Serving: 1serving Calories: 320kcal (16%) Carbohydrates: 19.1g (6%) Protein: 7.1g (14%) Fat: 24.1g (37%) Cholesterol: 95.2mg (32%) Sodium: 1181.5mg (51%) Sugar: 3.5g (4%)
* Disclaimer: All nutrition information are estimates only. Read full disclosure here.
Author: Shinee
Did you make this?Show me your creation! Tag me @shineshka and hashtag it #sweetandsavorybyshinee!
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This recipe was originally published on December 24, 2014, and last updated on May 11, 2020.

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  1. KAREN KAPLANSKY says

    Posted on 31 December 2019 at 1:28 pm

    Can I use chicken apple sausages?

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 31 December 2019 at 2:31 pm

      Hi, Karen. I’ve never tried this with chicken apple sausage. But bologna, summer sausage, salami are typically best for this salad. Hope this helps.

      Reply
  2. Harlan Dunn says

    Posted on 7 September 2019 at 9:38 pm

    Haven’t made it yet but I’m going too. 

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 8 September 2019 at 2:13 pm

      Yay, let us know your feedback, Harlan.

      Reply
  3. Yudita says

    Posted on 4 May 2019 at 10:00 pm

    I grew up in a home where we kept kosher do we had it as a meat dish with diced salami or as a dairy dish with sour cream or with neither, veggie and mayo. OMG my mom had to make A LOT because we’d eat it 2 meals a daddy until it was gone.

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 6 May 2019 at 1:32 pm

      Hi, Yudita! We make a huge batch of this salad as well. Never lasts long! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Bella says

    Posted on 11 February 2019 at 9:58 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is on point!! Growing up Russian, this is a true classic & your recipe is pretty amazing!! Needed some comfort today(didn’t know all exact ingredients) & thankfully found your recipe 🙂 thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 12 February 2019 at 9:07 pm

      So glad you loved it, Bella. This is definitely one of the best comfort foods. 🙂 Thank you for your feedback!

      Reply
  5. REBECCA says

    Posted on 5 October 2018 at 3:11 pm

    This looks so good. Can’t wait to try. BTW, beautiful pictures. What kind of camera do you use?

    God bless

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 6 October 2018 at 12:09 pm

      Hi, Rebecca. Thank you for your compliment! This was shot with my Canon 60D camera.

      Reply
  6. Alanna Kellogg says

    Posted on 7 January 2015 at 10:26 am

    Lovely! I love the addition of pickle to potato salads but have never seen meat/sausage added. FYI when I did a Rosolli Salad at Christmas (grated beet, carrot and potato), I learned that if you cook the carrots whole, skins on, you can easily wipe off the skins once they’re cooked and the carrots are so easy to dice up and better yet, they hold their shape.

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 8 January 2015 at 10:44 am

      Awesome tip, Alanna. Thank you! For some reason, I always hated cubing boiled carrots and potatoes when I was a kid. And that feeling never left. Hehe. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Jameson Fink says

    Posted on 7 January 2015 at 8:59 am

    I love the combination of pickles, hard-boiled eggs and potatoes. Well, and the sausage and peas to. So pretty much everything. Thank you for sharing a recipe from your childhood.

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 8 January 2015 at 10:41 am

      My pleasure, Jameson. Thank you!

      Reply
  8. Christie - says

    Posted on 7 January 2015 at 6:40 am

    I am so excited to find this recipe. Years ago when we lived in Florida, I could get the best Russian potato salad from a local restaurant. I’ve never had it since. Now I can make it!

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 8 January 2015 at 10:40 am

      Hope you enjoy this salad. Thanks, Christie!

      Reply
  9. Martha @ A Family Feast says

    Posted on 7 January 2015 at 6:39 am

    I love old family recipes and this potato salad looks delicious!

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 8 January 2015 at 10:40 am

      Thank you, Martha!

      Reply
  10. Itsuki says

    Posted on 3 January 2015 at 11:26 pm

    Just in time for Julian Christmas. Thank you very much, Shinee, for this beautiful recipe. My dad used to make his version of potato salad by adding sliced cucumber, corn, and bell pepper to the Russian recipe. Guess it was his way of keeping his Russo-Japanese heritage alive. For this Christmas, however, I’ll make the potato salad strictly Russian using your recipe. Can’t wait to try it. Thank you once again.

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 4 January 2015 at 10:26 am

      Itsuki, yeah, this salad can be customize many different ways. I’ve added fresh cucumbers and corn kernels in the past too, depending on what I had on hand. But this classic version is always great. I hope you enjoy this salad as much as we do.

      Reply
      • Itsuki says

        Posted on 4 January 2015 at 11:35 am

        А вы монголка? Хорошо! Моя бабушка по отцовской линии русская, с небольшой примесью монгольской крови. Откуда знаете хорошо русский?

        Reply
        • Shinee says

          Posted on 4 January 2015 at 7:57 pm

          Да, я монголка. 🙂 В Эрдэнэте, город где я выросла, много русских жили. И я там училась в русской школе. Вот так вот.
          Очень приятно по-русски общаться с вами.

  11. {Erica}EverythingMomandBaby says

    Posted on 1 January 2015 at 4:41 pm

    My parents are from Ukraine and we eat this too! I’m inspired to make this next week for Ukrainian Xmas and have it with some bubbly. Yum! Comfort indeed 😉

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 1 January 2015 at 7:24 pm

      Oh, this would be perfect with some bubbly on Christmas next week. In fact, that’s what I’ve been eating all day today. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Katya @ Little Broken says

    Posted on 1 January 2015 at 1:22 pm

    Hi Shinee! Loving this salad. I actually made it before the holidays. It was always a traditional holiday salad around the holidays growing up. Love your background…grew up in Mongolia and now living in North Dakota. Wow! What a jump 🙂 Where in the world did you learn to speak Russian?! That’s pretty awesome.

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 1 January 2015 at 2:51 pm

      Haha I know, life is a crazy thing! You never know where you end up living. 🙂 My hometown had a large Russian community, and growing up I went to Russian kindergarden and school. So yeah, Russian is like my second native language.

      Reply
  13. [email protected] Eats says

    Posted on 27 December 2014 at 2:29 am

    I’m so interested in this! I have never heard of Russian potato salad but I am LOVING this!! Thank you!! I am forever in pursuit of the “ultimate” potato salad and I see this one getting a try out…. 🙂

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 27 December 2014 at 6:24 pm

      I hope you’ll love this one. It’d the best, in my opinion. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Pille @ Nami-Nami says

    Posted on 26 December 2014 at 5:20 am

    We love this in Estonia, too, though we simply call it kartulisalat or potato salad. I don’t really like peas in my salad, however, and our dressing is always sour cream AND mayo, never just mayo (actually you could omit the mayonnaise altogether and simply use sour cream with a splash of mustard, for example).

    Merry Christmas!

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 26 December 2014 at 10:34 am

      That’s interesting, Pille. Thank you for sharing your version. I’ve made this salad with mayo/sour cream combo in the past, and it’s delicious too. However, I’ve never tried without mayo all together. Oh and mustard is actually really good too! Merry Christmas to you too! 🙂

      Reply
  15. Thalia @ butter and brioche says

    Posted on 25 December 2014 at 10:47 pm

    I grew up on potato salad too.. my Russian grandmother used to make it every Sunday for family lunch! Thanks for reminding me how delicious it is Shinee, this is something I need to make soon.

    Reply
    • Shinee says

      Posted on 26 December 2014 at 10:31 am

      Thalia, that’s awesome. I hope you make some real soon. 🙂

      Reply

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