Argentina • Regional Dish • Salad
Argentinian Ensalada Rusa (Potato Salad)
Argentinian ensalada rusa is one of those side dishes that seems simple until you realize everyone keeps going back for another spoonful. Potatoes, carrots, peas and mayonnaise do most of the work here.
Instructions
- Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Add the potatoes and carrots and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until tender but still holding their shape.
- Add the peas for the final 2 minutes of cooking, then drain everything well and spread the vegetables on a tray or large plate to cool. Warm potato salad is lovely in some situations. This is not one of them.
- Transfer the cooled vegetables to a bowl. Add the mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and black pepper.
- Fold everything together gently until the vegetables are evenly coated and the salad looks creamy but not overloaded.
- Chill for 20 to 30 minutes before serving if you have time. Serve cold or lightly cool from the fridge.
Cultural Context
In Argentina, ensalada rusa is a familiar side dish for everyday meals, holiday tables and asado spreads and is served alongside meats such as matambre and other grilled or roasted dishes. Argentine recipe sources consistently present it as a cold mix of potatoes, carrots, peas and mayonnaise, sometimes sharpened with lemon.
Fun Fact
Many Argentine versions keep the ingredient list surprisingly short. That is part of the point. The salad is meant to be creamy and comforting, not a refrigerator clean-out operation in disguise.
Cook’s Tip
Argentine ensalada rusa is usually quite simple, centered on potatoes, carrots, peas and mayonnaise, with a bit of lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Some Latin American versions add apple, celery, onion or egg, but the more classic Argentine style stays cleaner and more restrained. This recipe leans into that straightforward, family-table version.
Trivia
Fresh or cooked peas appear in multiple Argentine ensalada rusa recipes, right alongside potatoes, carrots and mayonnaise as the core combination.
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