Ensalada Rusa or Russian Salad is a very popular dish in Colombia and other South American countries. Every country and family has it own variation.
What is Ensalada Rusa?
It is a potato salad very popular in Colombia and other South American countries. It's also known as Russian Potato Salad and Oliver salad. I remember that we always ate this delicious dish as an accompaniment to the famous Pork Pernil that my grandmother used to make, at almost all my family's parties and holidays in Colombia.
There are many variations of Ensalada Rusa in Colombia, but this is the way my aunt makes it and it is delicious. Some people like to add apples, beets, scallions or garlic to their recipe.
My husband hates potato salads, which is why I've never made this Russian Salad for him before. I recently made it for the blog and he loved it so much that he asked me to make it again a week later for a family party. To my surprise, everyone at the party wanted the recipe because they loved it too. They all said it was very different from the potato salads they are used to eating here in the States.
Ingredients for Ensalada Rusa
You only need a few simple ingredients to make this potato salad recipe. It is so easy to put together and is perfect for making ahead of time. The exact ingredients amounts, directions and step by step video is below.
Potatoes: You can use yukon gold, russet or red potatoes. Any large potato should work to make this potato salad.
Mayonnaise: I recommend using your favorite brand for this recipe. I don't like to make it with low fat mayo, but feel free to use it if you want.
Creme: In Colombia I always use crema de leche, but here in the United States I like to use creme Fraiche, because I love the texture. You can also use sour cream.
Vegetables: Peas, carrots, onions and lime.
Herbs: Cilantro and parsley are good options. Always use fresh herbs for this salad.
Spices: Cumin, paprika, salt and black pepper.
How to Make this Salad
In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, creme , lime juice, salt, pepper and cumin. Set aside.
Place the potatoes in a large bowl, add the onions, carrots, peas and cilantro. Add the mayonnaise mixture and toss well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Serve cold or at room temperature.
Ensalada Rusa Recipe (Russian Salad)
Ingredients
- 6 large peeled potatoes cooked and diced
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup diced and cooked carrots
- 1 cup cooked peas
- ¼ cup creme fraiche or crema de leche
- Salt and pepper
- ½ cup grated onion
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- Juice of ½ lime
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, creme fraiche, lime juice, salt, pepper and cumin. Set aside.
- Place the potatoes in a large bowl, add the onions, carrots, peas and cilantro. Add the mayonnaise mixture and toss well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve cold or at room temperature.
Nancy Arce Villegas
Me encantan tus recetas. Gracias
Nancy Arce Villegas
Deliciosa
Luis Eduardo
La ensalada rusa, acompañada de la Chuleta Valluna de Colombia, es el mejor plato del mundo, para mi, concepto. Respetando claro está, otros gustos y paladares. Excelente receta. Felicitaciones.
En navidad, siempre la preparamos con mi esposa, pero la voy a ensayar con la paprika, la lima y el comino, que son nuevos para mi.
La chuleta del Valle del Cauca, puede ser de pechuga de pollo o pierna de cerdo, marinadas con sal y mostaza, la apanamos con harina de trigo, huevo y cereal sin azúcar, para que quede crocante, mejor dicho este plato es el paladar de los Dioses.
Kathy Drechsler
How long do you cook the potatoes? and do you cook them whole first and then cube or cube and then cook?
Erica Dinho
Peel and cut the potatoes, before you cook them.
Phil Ordway
I'll try the salad sooner or later, but tonight we're having Chicken with Lime and Honey - Pollo Al Limon Y Miel. I'm surprised that my date on your recipe is March 30, 2009. Wow; so much time so fast.
Chicken with Lime and Honey is one of our "Go To" recipes. I know of no other recipe with so much flavor, so few ingredients and so little time required.
Marylin
I love making this salad for pot lucks or bbqs. It's always a hit side dish at the events. And definitely better than the already made potatoe salads you can buy at the supermarket.
Valentina, Russia
The name of this salad in Russia is "Winter salad". And it is very popular here. I didn't know it's also popular in America's.
Kitty
This is the type of potato salad I've been eating my entire life. This is something my Babcia (grandmother) made for every holiday meal - Sałatka kartofli or Polish Potato Salad which is basically like your recipe but w/o cumin or lime. I might add a very small amount of fresh dill if available or chopped dill pickles when dill is out of season. In place of creme fraiche, I use sour cream. I'm going to try the cumin and cilantro next time I make this. My husband also dislikes typical 'American Style' Potato Salad but he will eat one prepared this way.
Vanessa
My abuela makes this salad! My family is all from Cartagena and I was raised in Miami. She adds canned pineapple chunks and chopped boiled eggs. This is my favorite salad and we too had it at everrrrryyyy special ocasion.
Your recipes have brought so many precious memories back, thank you.
Janette
Erica, I am making this salad for Easter Sunday for about 15 people. Since you didn't mention how many servings in your recipe - not sure how many lbs. of potatoes I should buy? Thanks.
Erica
Janette-For 15 people about 5 pounds of medium potatoes.
sneige
What a surprise! I thought that this salad is famous in Bulgaria only. We also call it Russian Salad, although it seems in Russia it is known as Olivier Salad.
We also add pickled gherkins (I loved these the most as a child) and some cubed ham or other kind of soft saussage
Maryvel
Erica, tu receta se ve muy buena! Mi mama solia hacer esta ensalada para paseos y todo el mundo queria comer su ensalada, pero esta receta no es como yo recuerdo la de mi mami, creo que la de ella llevaba pollo y salchichas como alguien mas menciono y dudo mucho que mi mami hubiese usado paprika, cilantro o cominos!
All of the sudden I am hungry for "Ensalada Rusa" mi mother used to make it at home for special occasion but this is not quite how I remembered it. I think she used to add chicken breast and winners, I also doubt she uses paprika or cumin. Oh well, I guess there is probably different version of it, eh? Thanks any way!
Erica
Maryvel- They are different variations all over the country and South America....Some people add cooked eggs, beets, etc. This is my grandmother's version!