Ensalada Rusa (Spanish Potato Salad with Tuna and Mayonnaise)

Known across Spain as a chilled tapas-counter favourite, ensaladilla rusa is a creamy potato salad where tender diced vegetables are bound with mayonnaise and served cold or lightly chilled. This version keeps the texture chunky rather than mashed, with Yukon Gold potatoes, carrots and peas folded with tuna for savoury depth, hard-boiled eggs for richness and green olives for a briny finish. A squeeze of lemon sharpens the mayonnaise, while a short rest in the fridge helps the salad firm up so it spoons neatly onto plates, toast or small tapas portions.
Cuisine style Spanish tapas-style home cooking
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Meal prep friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Chunky but creamy: Steam-dried potatoes and carrots keep their shape, while mayonnaise binds the salad without turning it heavy or loose.
  • Brightened richness: Lemon juice and green olives cut through the mayonnaise and tuna, giving the salad a cleaner, more savoury finish.
  • Better after chilling: A short chill firms the salad, helps the flavours settle and makes it easier to serve in tidy portions.

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Timing notes

  • Chill before serving: Allow at least a brief chill so the mayonnaise sets around the vegetables and the salad holds together neatly.
  • Keep it cold: Because the salad contains mayonnaise, eggs and tuna, serve it chilled and return leftovers to the fridge promptly.

Authenticity notes

  • Spanish home-style version: Spanish versions of Ensalada Rusa are often served cold as a tapa or simple lunch, with tuna, egg and olives among the common additions.
  • Flexible additions: The exact mix varies by cook; some versions are very smooth and mayonnaise-rich, while others keep the vegetables chunkier and more defined.

Ingredient notes

  • Choose waxy potatoes: Yukon Gold potatoes work well because they become tender without collapsing, giving the salad a creamy but structured texture.
  • Drain the tuna well: Well-drained canned tuna folds in cleanly and prevents the mayonnaise from thinning.
  • Season at the end: Taste after chilling and adjust with lemon, salt or pepper if the salad needs more brightness or savoury balance.

Common mistakes

  • Overcooking the vegetables: Potatoes and carrots should be just tender; if they become too soft, they will break down when folded with the mayonnaise.
  • Skipping the steam-dry step: Excess water from the vegetables can loosen the dressing, so let them drain and steam-dry before mixing.
  • Mixing too firmly: Fold gently once the mayonnaise is added to keep the potato pieces intact and the salad pleasantly chunky.

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Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Peel the potatoes and carrots, then cut them into small, even cubes. Put the eggs into a saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil. Once boiling, cook for 10 minutes, then drain and cool under cold running water.
  2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of well-salted water to the boil. Add the potatoes and carrots and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until just tender but not falling apart. Add the peas for the final 1 to 2 minutes, then drain well in a colander and leave to steam-dry for 5 minutes.
  3. Peel the eggs and chop them. Drain the tuna and flake it into a mixing bowl. Add the warm vegetables, mayonnaise, a squeeze of lemon juice, the salt and pepper, then fold gently until evenly coated.
  4. Roughly chop the olives and fold them through, keeping the mixture chunky. Taste and adjust with a little more lemon juice, salt or pepper if needed. Cover and chill for at least 10 minutes so it firms up and holds together neatly.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For a neater, tapas-style finish, let the vegetables steam-dry properly after draining so the mayonnaise does not loosen.
  • Fold gently once the mayonnaise goes in to keep the potatoes intact and the salad pleasantly chunky.
  • If serving at a picnic, keep it chilled and do not leave it out for more than 2 hours (or 1 hour in hot weather).

Substitutions

  • Replace Mayonnaise with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier salad.
  • Replace Canned tuna with canned salmon for a richer, slightly sweeter flavour.
  • Replace Green pitted olives with black pitted olives for a softer, fruitier olive note.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Stir gently before serving; if it tightens up, loosen with a small squeeze of lemon juice.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 2 servings
  • Total time: 50min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Cuisine: Spanish
  • Allergens:
    Eggs Fish
Beginner friendly Kid friendly

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