Ensaladilla Rusa (Spanish Potato and Tuna Salad)
Local name: Ensaladilla rusa
In short: Boiled potatoes, carrots, peas, tuna and eggs folded into mayonnaise, chilled and topped with roasted red pepper, the Spanish tapas bar potato salad. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 385 kcal
Ensaladilla rusa is Spain's potato salad: cubes of boiled potato and carrot with peas, tuna, olives and a lot of mayonnaise. It is on almost every tapas menu, and families make a large bowl for summer lunches and Christmas tables. The name means little Russian salad, but in Spain it has its own style: tuna, olives and strips of roasted red pepper on top.
Instructions
- Put the whole potatoes and carrots in a pot of salted cold water. Bring to a boil and cook for 20 to 25 minutes until tender. Add the peas for the last 2 minutes, then drain everything.
- At the same time, boil 4 eggs in a separate pot for 10 minutes. Cool them in cold water, peel them and keep 1 for garnish.
- Peel the potatoes while still warm and cut them, with the carrots, into 1 cm (1/2 in) cubes. Spread them on a tray to cool for 15 minutes.
- Chop 3 of the eggs and flake the tuna. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes, carrots, peas, eggs, tuna and chopped olives.
- Fold in the mayonnaise and lemon juice gently, so the cubes keep their shape. Season with salt.
- Chill for at least 1 hour. Pile the salad onto a plate and decorate with egg slices, red pepper strips and whole olives.
Tips
- Cook the potatoes whole and with their skins on so they do not absorb water. Peel and cut them while warm for the cleanest cubes.
- Make it a few hours ahead, as the flavors settle. Use pasteurized eggs for homemade mayonnaise if serving children, older adults or anyone pregnant.
Questions and answers
How long does ensaladilla rusa keep?
Keep it covered in the fridge for up to 2 days. Do not leave it out for more than 2 hours, especially in hot weather, because it contains mayonnaise and tuna.
Can I make my own mayonnaise for ensaladilla?
Yes. Whisk an egg yolk with 1 tsp lemon juice, then drizzle in 150 ml (2/3 cup) sunflower oil while whisking until thick. Use a very fresh or pasteurized egg.
What do you serve with ensaladilla rusa?
Breadsticks, crackers or sliced bread. In bars it comes as a tapa alongside cold beer or vermouth.
How long does it take to make Ensaladilla Rusa (Spanish Potato and Tuna Salad)?
About 1 h in total: 30 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Ensaladilla Rusa (Spanish Potato and Tuna Salad)?
About 385 kcal per serving, with 16 g of protein, 25 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 385 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 16 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 700 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
