🥔🥚 Classic Olivier Salad with Eggs, Peas, and Potatoes – A Creamy Family Favorite
Description
Classic Olivier Salad is a beloved traditional salad enjoyed across Eastern Europe and beyond. Made with tender potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, sweet peas, carrots, pickles, and a creamy mayonnaise dressing, this hearty salad is rich, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. Perfect for holidays, family gatherings, potlucks, or everyday meals, Olivier Salad is a timeless comfort-food favorite that brings generations together around the table.
Ingredients
🥗 Salad
- 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (450 g)
- 3 large eggs, hard-boiled and diced
- 1 cup green peas, thawed (150 g)
- 2 medium carrots, diced and cooked (150 g)
- 3 dill pickles, finely diced (100 g)
- ½ small onion, finely chopped (optional)
- ½ cup cooked ham or chicken, diced (optional)
🥄 Dressing
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp pickle juice
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
🌿 Garnish
- Fresh dill, chopped
- Extra peas or sliced eggs
Instructions
1. Cook the Potatoes
- Place diced potatoes in a pot of salted water.
- Bring to a boil and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until fork-tender.
- Drain and let cool completely.
2. Prepare the Ingredients
- Hard-boil the eggs, cool, peel, and dice.
- Cook and cool the carrots if not already prepared.
- Finely dice the pickles and onion.
3. Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, pickle juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4. Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, combine potatoes, eggs, peas, carrots, pickles, onion, and ham or chicken if using.
5. Add Dressing
- Pour the dressing over the salad.
- Gently fold everything together until evenly coated.
6. Chill & Serve
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
- Garnish with fresh dill and serve chilled.
Servings
- 6–8 servings
Nutritional Information (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 260
- Protein: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 420mg
Nutrition values may vary depending on ingredients used.
Benefits
🥔 Provides Lasting Energy
Potatoes offer complex carbohydrates that help fuel daily activities.
🥚 Good Source of Protein
Eggs contribute high-quality protein and essential nutrients.
🥕 Contains Vegetables
Carrots, peas, and pickles add vitamins, minerals, and texture.
🌿 Rich Flavor & Texture
A satisfying combination of creamy, crunchy, tangy, and savory elements.
🍱 Perfect for Gatherings
Easy to prepare ahead and ideal for serving a crowd.
Notes
- Allow ingredients to cool completely before mixing with the dressing.
- Homemade mayonnaise can be used for extra richness.
- The flavor improves after chilling for several hours.
- Traditional versions often include cooked ham, bologna, or chicken.
Tips
- Dice all ingredients into similar-sized pieces for the best texture.
- Add fresh dill for authentic flavor.
- Use Yukon Gold potatoes for a creamier texture.
- Make the salad a day ahead for even better flavor.
- Stir gently to avoid breaking up the potatoes.
Q&A
Q: Can I make Olivier Salad ahead of time?
A: Yes! In fact, it often tastes better after chilling overnight.
Q: Can I make it vegetarian?
A: Absolutely. Simply omit the ham or chicken.
Q: How long does it keep in the refrigerator?
A: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Q: Can I use frozen peas?
A: Yes. Thaw them before adding to the salad.
Q: What meat is traditionally used?
A: Ham, bologna, cooked chicken, or roast beef are common additions.
Q: Can I use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise?
A: Yes, or use a combination of both for a lighter dressing.
Recipe Information
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Eastern European, Russian-Inspired
Dietary Preference: Vegetarian (without meat option)
Yield: 6–8 servings