Classic Russian vinaigrette salad (Винегрет) with roasted beets, dressed in simple extra virgin olive oil. This vibrant root-vegetable salad is a healthy comfort food, perfect all year round!
I’m back with beets again! 🙂
On my last beet recipe, I learned that I’m not the only one who loves beets! (Sometimes, I sure do feel that way!)
Anyway, since many of us love this beautiful ruby red root vegetable, I thought I’ll share another favorite salad from my childhood. It’s a classic Russian vinaigrette salad, that’s made of beets, potatoes, carrots, pickles, and sometimes sauerkraut. Loaded with fresh parsley and dressed with extra virgin olive oil, this root vegetable salad is healthy, delicious and absolutely gorgeous. This one is a staple in Russian cuisine!
It might seem like time-consuming process to make this salad, but all the efforts are well worth it. The salad can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, and it gets better and better over time.
To me, roasting the beets is the most effortless and delicious way to bring out the sweet flavors. Simply wrap the whole beet in a foil, and roast for about forty minutes, until it’s fork tender. You can throw it in the oven when you’re making a casserole or something (if you’re baking something at lower temp, it’ll just take a bit longer for beets to cook through.)
Just like in my potato salad, I like to dice the potatoes and carrots before cooking. It’s easy and no-mess method. Oh here is a quick tip: to prevent the potato cubes from falling apart add a tiny bit of vinegar in the water. The potatoes come out perfectly in shape without getting mushy.
Typically, this salad also includes sauerkraut, but I don’t put any in mine. The pickles add enough tang, plus the crunchy pickles add a nice texture.
Hope you give this recipe a try. If you do, I’d love to hear your feedback. Cheers!
Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

Russian Vinaigrette Salad (Винегрет)
Ingredients
- 1 large beet
- 3 medium russet potatoes
- 1 medium carrot
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons salt plus more if needed
- 3-4 pickles
- 1 handful fresh parsley
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Wrap the beet in a foil and bake for about 45 minutes, or until fork tender. Once cooked, unwrap, cool until safe to handle and peel. Dice the roasted beet into small cubes.
- Cut the potatoes and carrot into small even cubes. In a large pot filled with water, add the cubed potatoes and carrots. Add vinegar and salt and bring it to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat and gently boil until the potatoes are cooked through, about 15 minutes. Drain and cool to room temperature.
- Cut the pickles into small cubes. Chop the parsley.
- In a large bowl, combine cubed beets, potatoes, carrots, pickles, and parsley. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil and mix until well combined. Salt and pepper to taste.
Karen says
I would love to know what type of pickles are used with so many different types of pickles available, and sizes of pickles I’m really not sure how much to put in a recipe and what type? As you know we have Dills, kosher Dills, bread and butter, sweet gherkins etc. thanks
Shinee says
Hi, Karen. I use Dill pickles.
Vera maloff says
5 star plus
Shinee says
Aww, thank you so much, Vera!!
Natalia says
Thanks Shinee, your salad looks so appetizing…I’m Russian, but I live in France since many years,so when I have friends for dinner I often try to introduce our national dishes into the menu…and russian vinaigrette is a good example…it’s also can be served with white mayonnaise instead of oil/vinegar dressing…and with green peas,of course…👍👍👍
Shinee says
Hi, Natalia! I love that you introduce delicious Russian cuisine to your friends in France. I bet they love it. I’ve never made vinaigrette with mayo, but I’ll try that next time. It’ll be similar to salad olivie, but with beets. 🙂
Olya says
Now guess what I’m craving? ????
Shinee says
Vinegret!!! I wanna make it soon too. 😉
holly says
My mother-in-law always added green peas and chopped onion, so I did too. My Russian husband has just finished his second serving and is cleaning the bowl with a crust of bread! That’s high praise indeed.
Shinee says
Yay, that is awesome, Holly! You’re right, green peas are very common, as well as onion. My husband doesn’t digest onion well, so I learned to cook without it. 🙂 Thanks so much for coming back and leaving your feedback.
Lou Lou Girls says
This looks so amazing! I’m drooling right now! Pinned and tweeted. Thanks for stopping by and partying with us! I hope to see you on Monday at 7 pm, so we can pin and tweet your masterpieces! Lou Lou Girls
Shinee says
Thank you!!
Karly says
This is an awesome recipe!! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Shinee says
Thank you!
Iryna Bychkiv says
I just love vinaigrette! It’s a staple not only in russian cuisine, but in ukrainian too. You just reminded me that I need to make one soon.
Shinee says
You’re so right, Iryna. It’s also very popular in Ukraine. 🙂
Melinda says
This salad is such a gorgeous color, I just want to sit and stare at it! (I don’t like beets.) But then again, I’ve never had them roasted.
Here from Totally Terrific Tuesday.
Shinee says
Yes, the colors are just beautiful! Hope you’ll try roasting the beets. Who knows maybe you’ll like it. 🙂
Carolyn says
Oh my goodness! I am sooo excited to see this recipe here in the States! I first tried Russian Salad decades ago when we lived in So Amer where many Russians & Ukranians had immigrated. There it was made with mayo & that’s how I have made it. I often add green peas. Thanks ever so much for sharing.
Shinee says
Yes, green peas are very common in this salad too! I’ve shared this Russian potato salad with mayo a while back too. You might be interested to see it. Thanks for stopping by, Carolyn!
Love says
One of my favorite salads! Pinning it!
Shinee says
Yay, glad to hear you love this salad! Thanks, Love!
easypeasylifematters says
Yes I can’t wait to give this a try! It looks fantastic 🙂
Shinee says
Thank you! 🙂
Ramya says
That colour! Gorgeous! what pickles have you used? It is gherkins? Pined for later 🙂
Shinee says
Thank you, Ramya! I used kosher dill pickles here.
Lydia @ Suitcase Foodist says
I still have a few beets in my garden. Guess what they are now destined for? My husband lived in Russia for several years and I know he’ll go crazy over this one…
Shinee says
Oh, that’d be so lovely of you. I’m sure he will enjoy it. Thanks, Lydia!
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
Oh my gosh, my roommate used to make this alll the time! Love the color of this salad, Shinee!
Shinee says
Thanks, Lisa!