Olivier Salad (Russian Potato Salad)
Nov 13, 2022, Updated Jan 26, 2026
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Olivier salad is a classic Russian salad made with simple ingredients like potatoes, carrots, peas, and a creamy dressing that brings everything together. The texture is a mix of tender vegetables with a bit of bite, and the flavor is mild and balanced. It’s often served as a side dish and is especially popular during holidays and celebrations.
It really does feel like there’s no end to the variations of a simple potato salad. We’ve already checked off Turkish potato salad, herby Mediterranean potato salad and of course, the viral smashed potato salad. Today, I’m sharing the recipe for this Russian potato salad, a dish you’ll find all over the world, from Asia to South America. Once you try this creamy potato salad, you’ll understand why it’s popular everywhere.
Table of Contents
How Olivier Salad Traveled the World
This is a classic Russian recipe that originated in Moscow and is named after its inventor, a Belgian chef named Lucien Olivier, of Hermitage restaurant – one of the city’s top restaurants in the 1860s.
Growing up in Iran, this potato salad was a staple in our home, made with mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, pickles, eggs, and chicken or even hot dogs, and known as salad olivieh. At the time, I had no idea it was actually a classic Russian dish.
Years later in Istanbul, I came across a very similar salad made with cubed potatoes, often used in sandwiches, on kumpir, or as part of a mezze spread, and called Amerikan salatası or Rus salatası. Then, a few years ago during our trip to Spain, we had the same salad, this time with tuna, known as ensalada rusa, pictured below, served alongside tapas like patatas bravas. That’s when I realized this familiar dish had truly traveled the world.
Ingredients
- Potatoes: You can use russet potatoes or yukon gold potatoes for this recipe. Make sure the chopped pieces are almost the same size so they cook evenly.
- Carrots: One large carrot or two small ones would work for this recipe. It’s best to dice them and then cook them.
- Green peas: I usually use canned green peas but you can also use frozen peas and boil them for a few minutes to cook.
- Pickles: Dill pickles or cornichons work best for this recipe. Don’t use any pickles that are even slightly sweetened.
- Mayonnaise: Regular mayonnaise work best for this recipe, but low fat or vegan would work, too.
- Yogurt: Traditionally Russian salad doesn’t contain any yogurt, but I find the addition of yogurt lightens it up. If not using yogurt, you can add more mayonnaise.
- Other additions: Each country and household adds its own twist to this Russian potato salad. Some popular additions include hard-boiled eggs, tuna, ham, bologna, chopped fried hot dogs, or chicken. Of course, you would use just one of these, not all at once.
How to make Ensalada Rusa
Cook the potatoes and carrots: Chop the potatoes into cubes and cut the carrots slightly smaller than the potatoes. Add them to boiling water and cook for about 15 minutes, until they are fork-tender and fully cooked but not mushy. Drain the vegetables and let them cool completely.
Mix the ingredients: Place the cooled potatoes and carrots in a large bowl. Add the green peas and chopped pickles, followed by the mayonnaise, yogurt if using, salt, and pepper. Gently mix until well combined.
Finishing touches: Taste and add more salt if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Variations and Add-Ins
This potato salad is loved around the world, from Russia to Turkey, Iran, France, Spain, and even Colombia. Each country, and often each family, has its own version. Here are a few ingredients you can add to customize this recipe:
- Protein: Poached chicken, hard boiled eggs, seared chopped hot dogs, ham, or chopped beef mortadella or salami
- Tuna: Use quality canned tuna for a Spanish-style variation
- Extras: Corn, capers, or olives
- Beets: Cooked beets add sweetness and give the salad a vibrant pink color
Did you make this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Please comment and leave a 5-star🌟 rating below. You can also follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or subscribe to our newsletter to get a free e-Cookbook!
Olivier Salad (Russian Potato Salad)
Ingredients
- 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and diced into small cubes
- 1 large carrot, peeled and diced into small chunks
- 1 cup canned green peas
- ½ cup dill pickles, diced
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Fill a pot with water and place it over medium high heat. Once the water comes to a boil, add in the potatoes and carrots. Cook for about 15 minutes until the vegetables are fork tender and fully cooked. Drain and set aside to cool completely.
- Place the potatoes and carrots in a large bowl. Add in the green peas, dill pickled, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, salt and pepper. Gently mix until all is well combined.
- Taste and add more salt, mayonnaise or Greek yogurt if needed. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Video
Notes
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. If the potato salad looks a little dry, add a bit more mayonnaise or yogurt before serving and give it a good stir.
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You can add different types of protein to this Russian potato salad, such as hard-boiled eggs, shredded chicken, ham, bologna, or tuna.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More potato recipes to try
Mediterranean recipes
The Best Greek Potatoes [Video]
Mediterranean recipes
Crispy Batata Harra (Spicy Lebanese Potatoes)
Mediterranean recipes
Spanish Tortilla Recipe (Tortilla de Patates)
Soups and Stews
This was a nice twist on our tried and true potato salad. We loved the addition of peas and carrots. Thanks for the recipe!
I made this salad for a party over the weekend and everyone raved about it! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!
So many fantastic flavors packed into this salad. It looks so good and I love how you included the history behind the dish too.
I love all the great flavors in this hearty salad!
Well, I’m sold! I love potato salad to being with, and the idea of trying it with yogurt is intriguing. This looks delicious.
I love how simple and delicious this salad is. thanks for sharing
This was a fun twist on a regular potato salad! We used it as a side dish for burger night tonight and it was a hit!
Potato salad is one of my favorites! This was delicious! I will be making this as a side for my next potluck!
I made this over the weekend and it was so good. Everyone loved it!
Thanks so much for giving us a little background on this salad. The journey dishes take to make their way around the globe can be so interesting! This salad it simple and tasty, and makes a great side.