Best Classic Olivier Salad Recipe – Creamy & Delicious!

Olivier salad is perhaps one of the most famous and beloved dishes in Slavic cuisine. Its history dates back to the 19th century when French chef Lucien Olivier created this culinary masterpiece. The original recipe was quite different from what we know today, featuring exquisite ingredients such as crayfish tails, black caviar, and olives. Over time, the recipe adapted to more accessible ingredients, making Olivier an essential part of the New Year’s table. Its soft and rich taste, combined with a variety of textures, makes Olivier a true culinary gem.

How to Make Olivier Salad

Ingredients:

• Potatoes – 4-5 medium-sized
• Carrots – 2-3
• Eggs – 4
• Boiled sausage or cooked chicken fillet – 300 g
• Canned green peas – 1 can
• Pickles – 3-4
• Mayonnaise – 200-250 g
• Salt and ground black pepper – to taste

Preparation Steps:

1. Prepare the vegetables. Boil the potatoes and carrots in their skins until soft. Let them cool, peel, and dice into small cubes.
   
   
2. Eggs. Boil the eggs until hard, cool them, peel, and dice.
   
3. Sausage or meat. Dice the sausage or chicken, depending on your preference.
   
4. Pickles. Dice the pickles into small cubes. If they are too watery, lightly squeeze out the excess liquid.
   
   
5. Peas. Drain the liquid from the canned peas and add them to the vegetables.
   
6. Mix everything. In a large bowl, combine all the diced ingredients. Add mayonnaise, salt, and pepper to taste.
   
7. Chill. Let the salad sit in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to enhance its flavor.
   

Your Olivier Salad is ready! Serve it on the festive table, garnished with herbs or slices of boiled eggs. This recipe can be adapted by adding fresh cucumbers or apples for a refreshing twist, but the classic version always remains unchanged. It combines simplicity with an amazing harmony of flavors found in the traditional recipe.

Olivier Salad is not just a dish; it’s a part of culture that unites generations. Its versatility and simplicity make it a timeless favorite for any occasion. While there are many variations, the love for this legendary salad remains constant.

Tips for Making a Perfect Olivier Salad

• The secret to a delicious Olivier lies not only in the ingredients but also in the cutting technique. All components should be diced into small, uniform cubes for a balanced taste.
• Cool the boiled vegetables before cutting to maintain their shape.
• The classic recipe originally used a French-style mayonnaise sauce made from scratch. Nowadays, store-bought mayonnaise is often used for convenience. However, if you want to impress your guests, try making your own sauce by mixing egg yolks, mustard, vinegar, and vegetable oil.
• For those on a diet, there’s a lighter version of Olivier. For instance, replace mayonnaise with natural yogurt or low-fat sour cream, and substitute sausage with boiled turkey. This way, you can enjoy your favorite dish without worrying about calories.
• Finally, don’t hesitate to experiment with the recipe. Add fresh vegetables like radishes or cucumbers, or use a tangy mustard-based dressing. Who knows? Your version might become the new hit among friends and family!

Nutritional Value of Olivier Salad

Olivier Salad is a memorable part of festive meals. This popular recipe combines various vegetables, meat or sausage, and mayonnaise dressing. However, behind its rich flavor lies considerable caloric content, which is worth noting, especially if you follow a strict diet.

Factors Affecting Caloric Content:

1. Sausage or Meat:
   The classic recipe uses boiled sausage, which is high in fat. To reduce calories, replace it with boiled chicken fillet or turkey.
2. Mayonnaise:
   This is the main source of calories in the salad. Substitute regular mayonnaise with a lighter version or homemade yogurt-based dressing to lower the calorie count.
3. Vegetables:
   Potatoes are the main carbohydrate ingredient, making the salad hearty. To reduce calories, use less potato and add more cucumbers or green peas.
4. Eggs:
   Eggs provide protein and fat. For a lighter dish, use only egg whites.

How to Reduce the Caloric Content:

1. Replace sausage with chicken or turkey to reduce saturated fats and increase protein.
2. Use light mayonnaise or yogurt dressing for a lighter version.
3. Add more fresh cucumbers or green vegetables instead of increasing the potato quantity.
4. Adjust proportions by increasing green peas and carrots for a healthier balance.

Benefits of Olivier Salad

Despite its calorie content, Olivier provides energy through its combination of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. By choosing the right ingredients and reducing the mayonnaise, this dish can be made lighter while preserving its distinctive taste.

Try adapting the classic recipe to make it healthier and more suitable for your diet! Cook with love, and your Olivier Salad will become an indispensable part of any celebration!

Preparing Olivier Salad is a real art. Every ingredient plays a role, and the right proportions are the key to a harmonious flavor. The main components of the modern Olivier are potatoes, carrots, canned peas, pickles, eggs, and boiled sausage or chicken. Many also add fresh apples for a touch of tanginess. Choosing the right pickles is crucial: salted pickles give the salad a traditional flavor, while marinated ones make it sweeter.