Salad Olivier - Russian Potato Salad

It can’t get any more Russian and traditional than Salad Olivier. This is a must have for any major holiday like New Year’s, International Women’s Day on March 8th or a Birthday party. Russian New Years without Olivier is like Thanksgiving without turkey :)  Unimaginable, right? 
Although there is no family that doesn’t make it at least couple of times a year, there are so many different recipes of this favorite dish. The main difference is whether you make your Olivier with meat or without. For meat, some people use cooked chicken while others add sausage to the salad. It would be great to know which one you like the best.

My first time in Europe I was surprised to see Russian Salad on the menu in so many restaurants. I never ordered it in Europe, simply because I like trying the local cuisine, but I know it’s our famous Potato salad Olivier. Here is the recipe my family use for decades. Hope you like it too!

Ingredients

1 cup peas
6 eggs
5 large potatoes
2 carrots
1 chicken breast, cooked and chopped (optional)
½ large English cucumber
7-8 medium pickles
4-5 tbsp. mayonnaise
2 tbsp. sour cream

Directions

Boil potatoes and carrots in skin until ready. Cool it under the running cold water and peel.
Cut into 1/2-inch cubes and transfer to a big bowl.

Cut the cucumber, pickles, and eggs and add it to other vegetables. 
Boil the peas until soft, but not mushy. You can also use the canned peas. In this case, drain and it’s ready to be added to the salad.

I like to make Olivie with no meat because I can eat it as an appetizer or as a side dish for meat. I also like it with the cold cut sandwich. It’s my ultimate comfort food – Salad Olivie with salami :)  you can also make Olivie with chicken. For this, add cooked chicken breast cut into small cubes. 
Mix the vegetables with mayonnaise and sour cream. 

Refrigerate the Salad for at least 4 hours. It tastes even better the next day. 
Try this authentic Russian Potato Salad and I hope your family loves it as much as we do!