Russian Salad or Salad Olivier - Balkan Lunch Box (2024)

Russian salad or Salad Olivier (ruska salata, insalata Russa) is a holiday staple in Balkan homes. Delicious, rich, and filling, this salad is at once an appetizer, side dish, and the main course. Can another salad say the same? We didn't think so!

What Is It

Russian salad, or Salad Olivier, is probably the best salad to come out of Russia. (We'll be using the terms interchangeably!) It's a hearty, filling dish made with veggies, meat, and a dressing. Very much a New Year's Eve kind of thing!

Original salad Olivier involved interesting ingredients like caviar, veal tongue, and smoked duck. However, the exact recipe isn't known even today. Olivier was a paranoid guy. He kept the ingredients and cooking directions a secret.

With good reason!

At some point, his sous-chef Ivanov figured out most of the recipe. Ivanov then: 1. left Hermitage, 2. opened up the restaurant Moskva, and 3. served the salad under a new name. To add insult to injury, he also sold his adapted version to the newspapers!

As time passed, Olivier salad spread through the Soviet and post-Soviet countries until it found its place in kitchens all over Europe, including the Balkans.

Of course, much changed during the decades of this transition. The salad took on a new name (Russian salad or ruska salata), dropped a few ingredients, and became what we have today.

Russian Salad Ingredients

Ingredient Notes for Salad Olivier

Eggs: More is more here, so 4 minimum. Eggs balance out and soften heavier ingredients. Sub with duck, goose, or quail eggs, but be aware that each has a different taste.

Vegetables: Peas, carrots, and potatoes, plus pickles are all you need. If using frozen, cook for a shorter period of time. Canned works too.

To make it easier on yourself, get the same type of veggies (either frozen, fresh, or canned). Try to avoid canned veggies though, as they're too mushy.

Meat: Smoked beef or cured smoked or baked ham are the best choices. Sub with chicken or turkey breast, prosciutto, canned, fried, or baked fish, and bologna or salami. (Bologna or salami should be your last option!)

Herbs and Seasonings: Less is more. Don't overwhelm this already rich salad. Salt and pepper to taste, as well as minced parsley garnish, are perfect. (Some like to add dill, which overpowers the taste. Be careful!)

Dressing: Look below!

Russian Salad Dressing

Mayonnaise is the foundational Olivier salad dressing. Yup, good ol' mayo is all you need!

• The best kind is homemade. However, if you don't have the time, mayo from your grocery store will do just fine. Get plain mayo from a brand that makes it on a milder side, otherwise it will hijack the salad taste.

• Some like to spice the mayo up with lemon and mustard, but this is optional.

If you're no fan of mayo here are ideas for substitutions for the Russian salad dressing:

1. Half mayo half sour cream. Mix the two, then mix them into the salad.
2. Sour cream. A pinch of olive oil and lemon is optional.
3. Sour cream and soy sauce.
4. Greek or plain yogurt. Look for a consistency similar to mayo.
5. Kefir with yolks from boiled eggs.

The best way to add the dressing is to add a little at a time until you are happy with the consistency. Check and add more before serving if necessary.

Lightning-fast Instructions for Salad Olivier

(Our lightning-fast instructions are here to give you an idea of how to make this dish. For more detailed information look at the recipe card below!)

1. Layer ingredients in a large bowl starting with veggies, then eggs, pickles and meat.

2. Add mayo in batches, and continue stirring until integrated. Cover with saran wrap, and leave in fridge 3-4 hours (preferably overnight).

Variations

Here are the dish variations:

• French Salad: Vegetarian version of Olivier salad (no meat or fish).

• Muslim and Jewish friendly: No pork.

• Orthodox fast friendly: Remove eggs and meat (fish is ok) and make sure dressing (mayo) is homemade and fast approved.

Expert Tips

Here are a few tips that make my Olivier salad the best in the family!

Make ahead: Olivier salad tastes best on day 2 after the flavors have settled together in the fridge.

Add your signature: This is one of those salads you should make your own. Add and subtract ingredients until you think it tastes perfect. For me, I add less mayo and more eggs. For you, it may be less meat and more pickles, etc.

So, less mayo is more! And also, more eggs is more!

Serving, Storing, Freezing

Serving:Serve as a side or a main dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Take it to a potluck, picnic, or barbeque. It goes splendidly with bread, toast, buns, and crackers. Best if prepared at least the night before.

Storing:Store in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Freezing: Don't even think about it!

Recipe FAQs

More Salads You'll Be Crazy About

• So tasty everyone fights over it: Shopska Salad
• How about some cabbage baby: Fermented Cabbage

Can You Do Me a Solid?

If you make Russian Saladandlike it, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5-star) rating. This will help others find the recipe more easily!

You can also leave a comment, I read EVERY one! Otherwise, if IG is more your thing, consider tagging us@balkanlunchbox.

Prijatno and bon appetit!

Let's Combine This into a Meal!