{"id":17831,"date":"2025-03-16T10:44:38","date_gmt":"2025-03-16T10:44:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fincalasnuevas.com\/ensalada-rusa-hoe-komt-de-spaanse-tapa-aan-deze-naam\/"},"modified":"2026-08-13T14:06:50","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T14:06:50","slug":"ensalada-rusa-how-did-spanish-tapa-get-its-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fincalasnuevas.com\/en\/ensalada-rusa-how-did-spanish-tapa-get-its-name\/","title":{"rendered":"Ensalada Rusa, how did the Spanish tapa get its name"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ensalada Rusa: how did the Spanish tapa gets its name? If you go out for tapas in Spain, there is a good chance you will come across Ensalada Rusa. This creamy Spanish potato salad with mayonnaise is served in tapas bars and restaurants all over the country. But why is such a popular Spanish tapa called Russian salad? The answer takes us not to Spain, but to 19th-century Moscow. And, perhaps surprisingly, the story begins with a chef of French origin. In this blog, we discover the origins of Ensalada Rusa, explain how Russian salad became a Spanish tapas classic and share the recipe our Andalusian neighbour Carmen taught us.<\/p>\n

What is Ensalada Rusa?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ensalada Rusa is the Spanish version of Russian potato salad, usually made with potatoes, mayonnaise and vegetables, often with ingredients such as tuna, eggs and olives added. In Spain, it is served cold and is a classic dish in tapas bars and restaurants. There is no single traditional Spanish recipe. Order Ensalada Rusa in ten different tapas bars, and you may well be served ten slightly different versions. And that is part of its charm.<\/p>\n

Where does Ensalada Rusa come from? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

The history of Ensalada Rusa<\/a> takes us back to\u00a019th-century Moscow, where chef\u00a0Lucien Olivier\u00a0worked at the famous Hermitage restaurant. Olivier created an elaborate salad containing far more luxurious ingredients than the potatoes, vegetables and mayonnaise we associate with Ensalada Rusa today. His creation became so famous that it eventually became known as\u00a0Olivier salad. The exact original recipe was never fully revealed. Over the years, different versions appeared using simpler, more widely available ingredients. The salad gradually spread to other parts of Europe and eventually far beyond.<\/p>\n

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\"Ensalada<\/p>\n

Why is Ensalada Rusa called Russian salad? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ensalada Rusa literally means \u2018Russian salad\u2019 in Spanish. The name refers to the Russian origins of the salad on which the Spanish dish is based. Although Lucien Olivier himself was not Russian, he created his famous salad in Moscow. As variations of the dish spread across Europe, it became known in several countries simply as Russian salad. In Spain, that became\u00a0Ensalada Rusa. Today’s Spanish version has changed considerably from the luxurious salad Olivier served in Moscow, but the name has remained.<\/p>\n

Is Ensalada Rusa a Spanish dish? <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Yes and no. Ensalada Rusa did not originate in Spain, but it has become an established part of Spanish tapas culture.\u00a0You will find it in tapas bars, restaurants and Spanish homes, and almost every cook seems to have their own recipe. The basic ingredients are usually boiled potatoes and mayonnaise. Depending on the recipe, carrots, peas, tuna, eggs, olives, roasted peppers or pickles may be added.<\/p>\n

There are also countless variations outside Spain. Russian salad is popular in several European countries and across Latin America, where it is often served at celebrations and family gatherings. But naturally, we like it best the Andalusian way.<\/p>\n

\"Ensalada<\/h2>\n

How to make Ensalada Rusa: our neighbour Carmen’s recipe <\/strong><\/h2>\n

On a rainy day \u2013 fortunately not something we get too often here in Andalusia \u2013 our neighbour Carmen taught us how she makes her\u00a0Ensalada Rusa. Carmen is Andalusian and loves cooking. As is often the case with traditional home cooking here, her recipe doesn’t come from a cookbook. She simply makes Ensalada Rusa the way she has always made it. For her recipe, we also make our own mayonnaise. Carmen taught us a summer version made with milk instead of raw egg, which is ideal for warm Andalusian days.<\/p>\n

Ensalada Rusa \u00e0 la Carmen. Serves 4 <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ingredients<\/strong><\/h4>\n