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.
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction
Yum.. That salad looks really good. I'm wishing I had all of the ingredients so I could make it tonight! I will have to stock up at the store!
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella
This is beautiful Erica! I used to ahve this salad all the time with my Russian best friend in high school and it's delicious indeed. Thanks for sharing the recipe! 😀
monicajane
my mother made this and it was from our native Italy Insalata Russa -- almost the same.
she used to make the mayonnaise homemade (with eggs and olive oil) which is absolutely to die for---then stack the potatoes in a cake like mound and cover it with a layer of the mayonnaise...it was very beautiful.
Miriam/The Winter Guest
Oh yes, it's exceedingly popular in Spain... I will add a can of oil preserved tuna and some cookes shrimps... lovely in the summer! I dind't know it was so popular in Latin America either.
pierre
in france we call it "macedonia" salad !! cheers from paris PIerre
theUngourmet
I love all of the great veggies in this salad! I also like that the onion is grated. Very nice!
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie
So, my husband too dislikes potato salads because they are mayonnaise-based and I never get to make my version of the russian salad (as in Olga's version, mine is mayonnaise based too and he doesn't even like it with soy-based mayo either). But I think he may like this version because it has creme fraiche and I will definitely be giving it a try! Thanks!
Anna
Wow, my mother used to make this salad almost every Sunday. I use to call it Sunday Salad.
Yours looks delicious.
Maria
Russian Salad has always been a very popular side dish in Greece as well and I always thought it was something "european" ... didn't realize it was so popular elsewhere!
Greeks tend to add hardboiled eggs to their version. I like the cumin and lime juice here ... must add a nice tangy flavor.
Jhonny Walker
russian salad was the first ever fancy salad of my life! It always has a special place 🙂
Erica
Thank you everyone! I love all those wonderful comments and variations of Russian salad.
Diana
I love this version Erica! We make this in Spain as well, homemade mayo is what really makes it 😀 I will have to try this version!!
Gloria
Erica, love your salad! Look fantatsic, Mom always made this at dinners, nice!! gloria
Anonymous
I am add apples too
Joan Nova
I'm not a big fan of American potato salad and don't eat it. But I really do enjoy Ensalada Rusa. I've made it at home and dressed it with olive oil + a little vinegar and then molded it and applied the mayo (like a frosting only the outside). Like Mari, I too have done it with beets. I think I've used a little garlic powder too - which makes it totally different than the American version.
Oysterculture
You know you are speaking directly to my stomach when you post a Russian Salad recipe. Thanks so much for sharing your version.
Sandra g
I have to try this version of Ensalada Rusa!, is different from my Dominican version, we add remolachas (beets) and eggs to ours, and my husband Peruvian version is also different!