Oliver salad contains boiled hearty root vegetables, peas, eggs, ham and zesty dill pickles, and is dressed with creamy mayonnaise. Easy to make, delicious and perfect for any occasion.
Prepare vegetables: Gently boil the potatoes and carrots in salted water, covered, for several minutes until fully cooked but still firm. Drain and set aside to cool completely then cut into small cubes and set aside.TIP: If cooking the vegetables in the same pot you will probably have to take the carrots out of the pot a little sooner than the potatoes (these might take longer to cook). Also, if cooking the vegetables unpeeled you do not have to add salt to the pot. See post for other methods of preparing vegetables.
Boil eggs: In the meantime, boil the eggs. Place the eggs in a small pot, add water, cover and bring to the boil then remove from the heat and set aside, still covered, for about 8 minutes. Drain then immerse in ice water for 1-2 minutes (after 30 seconds add more ice water if required). Drain the eggs, peel then finely dice. Set aside.
Assemble Olivier salad: To a large mixing bowl add the cubed potatoes and carrots, eggs, peas, ham, onion and pickles. Add the dill, mayonnaise, sour cream, mustard, lemon juice and a generous amount of pepper. Gently stir the mixture. Taste the salad and add more salt and pepper if required. Chill for 4 hours, if possible, before serving.
Notes
I recommend using waxy salad potatoes (often oval shaped, rather than round).
You can cook the potatoes, carrots and eggs ahead, refrigerate overnight and make the salad the following day.
The potatoes and carrots should be fully cooked but still firm.
To save time I recommend using onion/vegetable chopped for cutting the vegetables and eggs.
Best served chilled. This salad tastes better the next day so I recommend preparing it ahead.
Leftover Olivier salad can be refrigerated, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days (because it contains raw onion it might become a little watery if you keep in the fridge for too long).