Vinegret (Russian Beet and Potato Salad)
Local name: Винегрет
In short: A ruby Russian salad of diced boiled beets, potatoes, carrots, pickles and sauerkraut tossed in sunflower oil. Vegan and good made ahead. It takes about 1 h 25 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 25 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 185 kcal
Vinegret is the meatless salad of Russian home tables, simple enough for a weekday and sturdy enough for a holiday spread. Boiled beets, potatoes and carrots are diced and mixed with pickled cucumbers, sauerkraut and onion, then dressed with sunflower oil rather than mayonnaise. Its sharp, sweet and salty balance cuts through richer dishes such as fried fish or meat. It also keeps well, which suits the fasting periods when plain vegetable dishes are common.
Instructions
- Boil the beets in their skins in a covered pot for 45 to 60 minutes until a knife slides in easily. In separate pots, boil the potatoes and carrots for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool all three completely, then peel.
- Cut the beets, potatoes and carrots into 1 cm (1/2 inch) cubes. Put the beets in their own bowl and toss them with 1 tablespoon of the oil, which keeps the color from bleeding into the rest.
- Put the potatoes, carrots, pickles, sauerkraut, onion and peas in a large bowl.
- Fold in the beets, the remaining oil, the salt and the dill. Taste and add a splash of pickle brine if it needs more sharpness.
- Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
Tips
- Coat the beets in oil before mixing so they do not dye everything. If you like a fully pink salad, mix everything together at once.
- Add a cup of cooked white beans for a more filling salad. Some cooks also add a diced tart apple for freshness.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between vinegret and Olivier salad?
Vinegret is dressed with oil, contains beets and has no meat or eggs, so it is vegan. Olivier is bound with mayonnaise and usually has sausage or chicken and eggs.
How long does vinegret keep?
Up to 3 days in a covered container in the fridge. The flavors settle after a few hours, though the potatoes soften a little over time.
Is vinegret vegan and gluten-free?
Yes, it contains only vegetables, oil and pickles, so it suits both diets. Check the labels if you use store-bought pickles or sauerkraut.
How long does it take to make Vinegret (Russian Beet and Potato Salad)?
About 1 h 25 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Vinegret (Russian Beet and Potato Salad)?
About 185 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 26 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 185 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 26 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 10 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
