Olivier Salad
The classic festive salad of diced boiled potatoes, carrots, sausage, eggs and peas bound with mayonnaise — the centerpiece of the Russian New Year table.
Olivier salad is an essential dish on the Russian and post-Soviet New Year's table. It's named after French chef Lucien Olivier, who invented a lavish salad for Moscow's Hermitage restaurant in the 19th century, but over time the recipe was simplified into a beloved household staple: diced boiled potatoes, carrots and eggs, bologna-style sausage, canned green peas and pickles, all bound with mayonnaise. Every family has its own 'correct' version — with sausage or boiled meat, with or without apple — but the basic principle stays the same: every ingredient is cut into the same small, even dice so the flavors blend evenly in every spoonful.
🧺 Ingredients
🍽 6 servings👩🍳 Method
- 1
Boil the vegetables and eggs
Boil the potatoes and carrots in their skins until tender (20–25 minutes), and the eggs for 10 minutes after the water boils. Cool and peel.
- 2
Dice everything
Cut the potatoes, carrots, eggs, sausage and pickles into the same small, even dice — this is the key to Olivier's signature texture.
- 3
Combine
Put all the diced ingredients into a large bowl, add the drained peas and finely chopped onion, if using.
- 4
Dress
Add the mayonnaise, season with salt and pepper, and gently fold everything together so the potatoes and peas don't get mashed.
- 5
Chill and serve
Chill the salad for at least 30 minutes so the flavors meld, then garnish with dill or green onion before serving.
💡 Tips
- 💡
Don't boil the eggs and potatoes together in one pot — they need different cooking times.
- 💡
Let the boiled vegetables cool completely before dicing, or the cubes will fall apart.
🔄 Swaps & variations
- 🔄
A meat-free version skips the sausage and eggs, swapping the mayonnaise for a plant-based version or a dairy-free sour cream.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
Can I use meat instead of sausage?
Yes, boiled chicken, beef or tongue are a classic alternative to sausage — that's actually how Olivier was made before sausage became widely available.
How long does a mayonnaise-based salad keep?
In the fridge, it's best eaten within a day, two at most. Dress with mayonnaise only the portion you plan to eat soon.
Why boil the potatoes and carrots unpeeled?
This way the vegetables don't soak up excess water and keep the firm texture needed for a clean, even dice.
Is apple added to Olivier?
In some family recipes, yes — a tart-sweet apple is diced and added along with the pickles, giving the salad a light, fresh note.
