Name: Easy Olivier Salad (Russian Potato Salad) Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Russian
Ingredients: 5 medium Yukon potatoes, boiled and diced; 3 medium carrots, boiled and diced; 6 hard-boiled eggs, diced (reserve 1 egg for garnish); 8 dill pickles, diced; 3 scallions, diced; 1 cup peas, frozen and thawed; 2 cups sausage, diced (optional – can substitute with chopped rotisserie chicken, smoked ham, or omit for vegetarian); 1 ¼ cups mayonnaise; Kosher salt, to taste

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Introduction

Olivier Salad, also known as Russian Potato Salad, is a hearty and satisfying dish perfect for any occasion. With a creamy mayonnaise base and a mix of tender potatoes, eggs, and savory sausage, this salad is both comforting and flavorful.

A white bowl filled with mixed salad that has small chunks of yellow potato, orange carrot, green peas, and pale pink ham, all coated with a creamy dressing, creating a textured and colorful mixture. On top are three slices of hard-boiled egg with bright yellow yolks and white edges, garnished with chopped green onions scattered throughout the salad and on the eggs. A silver fork rests inside the bowl, angled towards the bottom right. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface with a small white plate of chopped green onions in the top right corner and a beige crumpled cloth at the bottom right. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

5 medium Yukon potatoes, boiled and diced
3 medium carrots, boiled and diced

6 eggs, hard-boiled and diced
8 dill pickles, diced

3 scallions, diced
2 cups sausage, diced (or chopped rotisserie chicken, smoked ham, or omit for vegetarian)

1 cup peas, frozen and thawed
1 ¼ cup mayonnaise
Kosher salt, to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Place the carrots, potatoes, and eggs into a large pot of cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer.
Step 2: Cook the eggs for 10 minutes. Transfer them to an ice bath to cool completely. Dice 5 eggs for the salad and reserve the 6th egg for slicing.
Step 3: Boil carrots for about 15 minutes and potatoes for up to 25 minutes until a knife can easily pierce them. Remove with tongs and let cool on a tray.

Step 4: While vegetables cook, dice sausage and pickles into pea-sized cubes.
Step 5: Once cooled, peel and dice the potatoes, carrots, and eggs into pea-sized cubes, keeping all ingredients uniform for best texture and presentation.
Step 6: In a large bowl, combine all ingredients including scallions, peas, and mayonnaise. Fold gently to mix. Season with kosher salt to taste.

Step 7: Slice the 6th egg into disks and use to garnish the salad along with extra scallions before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, omit the sausage or replace with chickpeas for added protein.
To enhance flavor, refrigerate the salad for an hour before serving to let the ingredients meld together.

Use homemade mayonnaise for a fresher taste, or substitute with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.
Adding a splash of lemon juice or a teaspoon of Dijon mustard can brighten the flavor.

Storage

Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir gently before serving again. The salad is best enjoyed cold and does not freeze well due to the mayonnaise.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a colorful potato salad served on a white plate, placed on a white marbled surface. The salad has chunky layers of yellow potato pieces mixed with orange carrot cubes, small green peas, chopped green pickles, and bits of light pink ham. It is bound together with a creamy, slightly yellow dressing. On one side, three slices of hard-boiled egg with bright yellow yolks are garnished with small green herb pieces, adding a fresh touch. The textures are soft and chunky with a mix of creamy and slightly crisp elements. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Olivier Salad ahead of time?

Yes, making it a few hours or even a day ahead allows the flavors to develop, but add garnishes just before serving for freshness.

What can I use instead of sausage?

You can substitute sausage with chopped rotisserie chicken, smoked ham, or omit meat entirely for a vegetarian salad. Each option changes the flavor profile slightly but keeps it delicious.