Ensalada rusa potato salad
Ensalada rusa, which translates as Russian salad, is a classic potato salad served throughout Latin America and Spain. This refreshing salad is made with potatoes, carrots, peas, apples, celery, onion, and mayonnaise. The exact ingredients vary from one region to another and each family has their own version of this dish.
This potato salad goes by many names: ensalada rusa or ensaladilla rusa, Olivier salad, Russian potato salad. For the longest time I had no idea why it was it called ensalada rusa, especially since this potato salad (or some variation of it) is served as a side dish for so many different Latin meals. Then one day when I was a student 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 actually had a Russian connection.
I also learned that the popular songs played at the end of street parties in Ecuador (Casachok and Moscow) were also danced at the same party. I also loved that it was one of those endless parties with dancing in between each food course. First we had cold appetizers, and then some dancing, then the warm appetizers, followed by more dancing. It was a great party, and I really enjoyed those times in Austin hanging out with our Russian neighbors and their friend group.
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 because it is tastier, but regular store-bought mayo is fine.
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.
Some people don’t include the apples, but personally, I love the crunch and sweetness that they add to the salad. Apples are also a very typical addition to the ensalada rusa in my hometown of Loja, Ecuador. Other vegetables that are sometimes used to make this salad include green beans, corn, and beets. Some variations of this ensalada rusa or Russian salad also add shredded cooked chicken, tuna fish, or pieces of ham. Hard-boiled eggs and pickles can be mixed in the salad or used as a garnish.
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.
Ensalada rusa style 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/corn 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 – or parsley or dill
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Mix all of the ingredients together, chill until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
Here are a couple of other versions that you might enjoy:
Shrimp potato salad
Broccoli and corn potato salad
Step by step preparation photos for ensalada rusa potato salad
Discover more from Laylita's Recipes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
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 :P 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