Ensalada rusa translates as Russian salad and for the longest time I had no idea why it had that name, especially since this potato salad (or some variation of it) is served as a side dish for so many different Latin American meals. Then one day when I living in Austin I met some Russians and at one of their parties they served this salad, then it hit me that the salad probably really did come from Russia; some other things that I found out that day was that the popular songs played at the end of street parties in Ecuador (Casachok and Moscow) were also very Russian and were also danced at the same party – just when you think that there is no connection between Ecuador and Russia, then you find out there is a food + music connection.
This potato and vegetable salad is great for picnics and is an excellent side dish for any meat/poultry/seafood dish (especially grilled dishes). There are so many variations of this classic potato salad, some even without the potatoes, but this one – at least for me – is the main one: potatoes, peas, carrots, apples, celery and mayonnaise. I like to add a little bit of lime juice, onions and garlic just to spice it up a little bit without turning it into a completely different version. I also prefer to use homemade mayonnaise; just because it is tastier, but regular store bought mayo is fine. Some people don’t include the apples but I love the crunch and sweetness that they add to the salad; other vegetables that are sometimes used to make this salad include green beans, corn, and beets. I especially love making this salad during spring and summer because it is a great way to use all that fresh produce, but I also make this salad using frozen veggies when I’m in a hurry or during the winter.
Here are a couple of other versions that you might enjoy:
Shrimp potato salad
Broccoli and corn potato salad
Ingredients:
3 ½ lbs russet potatoes (about 4 large potatoes), peeled, boiled and diced
1 lb carrots (about 6-7 medium size carrots), peeled, boiled and diced
8 oz peas (about 1 cup), boiled for less than 3 minutes
6 celery stalks, finely diced, about 1 cup
1- 2 apples, peeled and diced
1 cup diced white onion, about ½ onion
Lime juice from 1-2 limes
1 small garlic clove, crushed
1 cup homemade mayonnaise
1 tbs finely chopped cilantro, parsley or dill- optional
Salt to taste
Preparation:
Mix all of the ingredients together, chill until ready to serve.
I can see how this salad is thought to have Russian roots. We have a salad called Olivie, and this is how most of the people make it:
*any kind of meat (deli meats or chicken/turkey are the most popular choices)
*Potatoes (boiled, peeled, and cubed)
*Carrots (boiled, peeled, and cubed)
*Eggs (boiled, peeled, and cubed)
*Peas (1 can)
*Pickles (the salty/crunchy kind – cubed)
*Onions
*Apple
*mayo
*salt (and some people add pepper)
I was born and raised in Russia, and this is extremely popular salad, but I have never met anyone who adds celery or garlic – that must be South American modification.. =)
Love this salad the ensalada rusia in Dominican Republic is similar but uses beets.
Hi Laylita,
i have just tried your dish…and it was definitely amazing. Am quite eager to try your other dishes.
Thanks
Deepak [India]
Hi Laylita,
In Estonia, this salad is usually made with potatoes, carrots, boiled eggs, marinated peas and ghurkins, sometimes onion and apple and mayo.
And it is considered as the ultimate birthday and celebration dish. But most definitely I am going to try out your lovely fresh veggies Ensalada Rusa;)
Dear Laylita,
Your website is amazing. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipes.
Gabi
Hi Layla
I was looking for a recipe for Russian salad and I found so much more! We were in Spain last November and loved the Tapas culture [ensalada russa quite commonly served]. Saturday night we will try to recreate our food experiences for friends that we may meet in France this summer…I look forward to referencing your site!
I have enjoyed the cevicche, made by Ramon. Tony and I were just talking about getting the recipe as we hadn’t copied it then, Tony loves to fish and I insist that he bring them home occaisonally, fresh and local!
Barbara [de Vilcabamba]
Hi your blog is very nice and interesting!.
About your Rusian salad, in Venezuelan you can put chicken inside the salad and it’s very delicious! you can see in my blog (sorry only in spanish and french)!
Carolina
This is a favorite of mine. However, they way I make it is slightly different. I used de-boned chicken breast, potatoes, carrots, green peas (Alverjitas, petit pois). celery and parsley. the dressing is made with mayonnese, mustard, a pinch of black pepper and salt(up to you taste). The dressing should no be too liquid, it should be mushy, and mixed thouroughly so that every single item in the salad is bathed by it.
Hola, Layla!
I linked to your Ensalada Rusa today in my post–I love that you used all fresh ingredients! Beautiful photos as always–keep up the good work!
It is so interesting! We also had “salade russe” in Lebanon. I always thought it was because we had a lot of Russian immigrants who escaped the Bolshevik revolution, we called them “white russians”. Anyway, i had no idea it was also adopted in Latin America. How about that!
I love this salat and to your ingredients I add chopped: onion, hard boiled eggs, pickeld mushrooms and gherkins. If you like little sharper taste mix a spoonful of mustard with your mayo. It is a very versatile salad so use your imagination to vary the basic recipe.
this is actually spanish, not south-american (spanish from spain, just in case). It’s very refreshing but quite filling.
One of my favorites…at my house we can’t have New Year’s without this salad. However we add hard boiled eggs, ham and pickles. Delish!
this salad look absolutely delish.. stunning photography
keep it up!! m gonna try this salad in my week end.. thnax for sharing
cheers!!
Ola Laylita,
I found your site today and I am so happy I did too:) I looked through each picture and read a lot too and they all are wonderful! I am so hungry for your food
Do you have an excellent scallop ceviche that you could share with us!? Thank you so much and keep up the great inspiring work!
Paula
Hi Laylita,
I am, probably, one of many silent but appreciative followers of your blog (tried several of your recepies and loved all of them!)
One comment on this salad (I grew up on it). Russian mayo is quite different from the one we find here, in the States, both in consistency and taste. Homemade would be best substitute, othervise when in a hurry I simply add some plain yogurt and a dash of dijon mustard to the regular commercial mayo.
Hi Laylita! I came across your blog today by way of From Argentina with Love. Your recipes look delicious, and I can’t wait to try some…especially your empanada variations. I just wrote an entry about Ensalada Rusa on my blog a couple of days ago so I thought it was very fun and interesting to read yours….just goes to show that there really are a million variations. Your photos are beautiful!
Nevermind! I found it in your “About” section.
Hi, Layla:
In the website header (the second from the right) what dish–or recipe–is that for?
I’m guessing a kind of salad?
I have always loved potato salad and would definitely love other variations of it..Thanks for this recipe =)
Hola Layita,
I am a big fan of your site and and your recipes because they are the way my great grandmother used to make them. However, this recipe is different, she used the potatoes, peas and carrots, mayo and chicken, I also do add the onions for spice
PS I love the story behind each recipe.
Thanks
Lovely simple salad. I like the simplicity of the ingredients.
I’ve done it both ways…can’t say which I favor more. In my version I dress the salad with olive oil & vinegar and only use a small amount of mayo to coat it once it’s on a plate and molded. It’s all good!
Hi Layita,
The salad looks yummy! I have my own version of Russian Salad. I am from Peru and we use beats, carrots, potatoes and hard boiled eggs with mayonnaise. I love this salad! is one of my favorites. I will try to do your version.
Thanks