Esta es la receta original de ensaladilla rusa

This is the original recipe for Olivier salad

Fresh, creamy and with a range of versions: Olivier salad is an irresistible classic. Discover the original recipe and another more contemporary variation.

BY Silvia Cardona | 27 August 2025

Olivier salad is one of the dishes we see most frequently being served in bars, restaurants and beach clubs, particularly during the summer months. It is usually eaten as a tapa and shared. There are growing numbers of versions of this recipe, reaching even fine dining restaurants.

Most recipes use potatoes, carrots, tuna, mayonnaise and hard-boiled egg. However, there are some versions that include other ingredients, such as green beans, olives, peas, asparagus, prawns and even raw fish (in tartare form).


Original recipe for Olivier salad

Ingredients for 4 people:

  • 500 g potatoes
  • 200 g carrots
  • 70 g pitted olives
  • 50 g mayonnaise
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tins of tuna in olive oil
  • Salt

Preparation:

  1. Boil the potatoes and carrots in a pot with water and salt until tender (approximately 15 minutes).
  2. In a separate pot, boil the eggs for 7 minutes.
  3. Once the vegetables and eggs have reached room temperature, peel and dice. Place into a large bowl.
  4. Add the drained tuna tins, mayonnaise and sliced olives. Mix with a spoon to combine all the ingredients.
  5. Taste and add salt if needed. 
  6. Place in the refrigerator and serve chilled.

Optionally, decorate with a few strips of roasted red pepper. It is also common to serve Olivier salad with bread sticks and/or toast.


Prawn Olivier salad recipe with tartar sauce

Here is another more modern and creative recipe for Olivier salad that retains the authentic flavour of the original.

Ingredients for 4 people:

For the salad:

  • 500 g potatoes
  • 200 g carrots
  • 70 g pitted olives
  • 200 g peeled prawns
  • 2 eggs
  • Salt

For the tartar sauce

  • 1 egg
  • 200 ml extra virgin olive oil
  • 10 g capers
  • 10 g pickled gherkins
  • 1 teaspoon wholegrain mustard
  • 1 squeeze of lemon juice
     

Preparation:

  1. Use the same process as in the original recipe for the base.
  2. Place a frying pan with a drizzle of oil on a hob and grill the prawns. Allow them to cool down and then slice them into pieces.
  3. For the tartar sauce, place an egg into a tall, tube-shaped, container with an inch of olive oil. Using a stick blender, blend while moving up and down and adding a fine drizzle of oil. Once the emulsion is created, add the capers and pickled gherkins, previously chopped, the squeeze of lemon and the spoonful of mustard. Mix with a spoon and add more salt, if needed.
  4. Add the sauce to the potato salad and mix. Refrigerate.

When serving, garnish with chopped chives.

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