📖 History and curiosity
Although its name might suggest Russia, Russian salad arrived in Spain via France. Its creator was Lucien Olivier , a Belgian chef working in Moscow in the 19th century. His original version included caviar, pheasant, and lobster. Over time, the recipe was simplified and adapted to more everyday ingredients such as potatoes, carrots, eggs, and tuna. In Spain, it became very popular in the mid-20th century and today is one of the most frequently ordered tapas in bars and at family celebrations.
🛒 Ingredients (for 4–6 people)
- 500g of potatoes 🥔
- 2 carrots 🥕
- 150g of peas 🟢
- 2 eggs 🥚
- 200g of canned tuna (in oil or natural) 🐟
- 150g of mayonnaise 🥄
- 8–10 green olives 🫒
- 1 bell pepper, sliced (optional) 🌶️
- Salt to taste 🧂
👩🍳 Step-by-step preparation
1️⃣ Cook the vegetables and eggs
- Peel the potatoes and carrots.
- Cook them together with the peas in salted water until tender.
- Also cook the eggs separately (10 minutes from when the water boils).
2️⃣ Chop and mix
- Cut the potatoes and carrots into small cubes.
- Chop the boiled eggs and add everything to a large bowl along with the peas.
3️⃣ Add the tuna and mayonnaise
- Add the flaked tuna and mix.
- Add the mayonnaise little by little until you get the desired texture.
4️⃣ Decorate and serve
- Place in a serving dish, decorate with olives and strips of bell pepper.
- Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving so that it is nice and cold.
📊 Nutritional information (per serving approx.)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 250 kcal |
| Proteins | 10 g |
| Fats | 14 g |
| Carbohydrates | 22 g |
| Sugars | 3 g |
| Sodium | 280 mg |
🌱 Health benefits
- 🥔 Potatoes : a source of carbohydrates and energy.
- 🥕 Carrots : rich in beta-carotene, good for eyesight.
- 🐟 Tuna : proteins and omega-3 that promote heart health.
- 🥚 Eggs : complete proteins and B vitamins.
(However, mayonnaise increases the calories, so you can use a light version or natural yogurt to lighten the recipe.)
💡 Extra tips
- You can add pickles, corn or shrimp to vary the recipe.
- If you want a lighter version, mix the mayonnaise with natural yogurt.
- Serve with toasted bread or Andalusian breadsticks 🥖 on the side.
- Make it a day in advance: it gains a lot in flavor after resting in the cold.
😂 Funny anecdote
At a family party, someone mistook the potato salad for mashed potatoes and served it hot 🤣. It was a disaster! Since then, at my house, we always serve it nice and chilled to avoid misunderstandings.
🌟 Conclusion
Easy Russian Salad is fresh, creamy, and very versatile. With just a few basic ingredients, you can prepare a dish that everyone loves and that’s always a hit at gatherings, bars, and celebrations.