This Polish potato salad is a traditional recipe, a firm family favourite and popular all year round. It's great as an everyday recipe as well as special occasion dish to enjoy with family and friends.
See also Polish-style potato salad with beets!
The Christmas season is upon us (it somehow seems to start earlier each year!) and I am already thinking of potential dishes I will make this year. At the top of my list is my mum's Polish potato salad.
Now I realise this may seem like an odd choice for a Christmas dish, but for me it's an integral part of Christmas cooking. My mum used to prepare this traditional potato salad for all sorts of occasions, including the festive season and family gatherings. (Or simply whenever she had leftover vegetables). So in my own house it's become a firm tradition to always serve it at Christmas (as well as Easter actually).
Polish potato salad
Different versions of this potato salad exist in Poland as well as throughout Europe (Eastern mainly, my instinct tells me). People in Poland call this salad either 'vegetable salad' (salatka jarzynowa) or simply 'salad', which is an indication of just how popular it is.
My mum's version of Polish salad did not include canned peas, which many recipes call for. And I continue making mine also without the peas. What she used instead was finely chopped pickled gherkins and apple. These two ingredients really lift this salad and for me are as essential as the potatoes, the carrots and the eggs.
Some versions of this cooked vegetable salad include dill but I tend to omit it.
Healthy potato salad recipe
If the suggested amount of mayonnaise seems a bit excessive, well it isn't really. This is because the proportions I used in the recipe make a large salad (8-10 portions). This salad would traditionally contain more mayonnaise but I replaced a portion of it with yogurt in order to keep the fat content down. This does NOT affect the flavour - this salad is still rich, with a huge comfort food appeal and moreish-ly delicious!
Potato salad is great as a party food idea, side dish or light lunch. I hope you enjoy it!
If you are a fan of potato salad you might also like potato salad with dill, canned salmon potato salad and potato salad deviled eggs.
How to make Polish vegetable salad: step-by-step
This recipe is quite straightforward, although there is a fair amount of chopping involved. But once that's out of the way all you have to do is combine all the ingredients and stir thoroughly. So it's really simple. And your guests will be happy! This salad is always the most popular dish at family gatherings in my house.
1.Place the potatoes, carrots and eggs (boil the eggs separately if you prefer) in a large pot, add water, cover and bring to the boil. Simmer for about 6-8 minutes, then take out the eggs and place under cold water for a few seconds (easier to peel). Continue boiling the potatoes and carrots until tender (but not overcooked). Drain and allow to cool completely.
2. Peel and chop the vegetables and eggs. Chop the gherkins, then peel and chop the apple.
3. Place all the ingredients in a bowl, add the mayonnaise, yogurt and mustard and season to taste.
4. Stir thoroughly, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Refrigerate it for at least 1 hour before serving (if possible).
Top tips
- Other popular ingredients of Polish potato salad include canned peas and dill, which you can also use in this recipe.
- You can give this vegetable salad a more sophisticated look by chopping the vegetables into smaller pieces than I have done. I get impatient and go for a more rustic look:)
- Apples are prone to discoloration so I recommend peeling and chopping them when you are ready to put the salad together.
- You can make this salad ahead. It will taste better, in fact, once you've allowed it to chill for a few hours. And you can refrigerate it, covered, for a couple of days. So even if you make a big batch it will never go to waste.
- I do not recommend freezing potato salad.
More Polish salad recipes
If you are looking for more Polish salad recipes you might also like this Polish sauerkraut salad recipe with carrot and apple. Check out also creamy Polish cucumber salad as well as cold beet salad.
Keep in touch!
How has your potato salad turned out for you? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!
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Recipe
My Mum’s Polish Potato Salad (Jarzynowa)
Ingredients
- 4 medium salad potatoes unpeeled
- 2 medium carrots unpeeled
- 4 eggs hard boiled
- 6 small pickled gherkins finely chopped
- 2 apples
- 5 tablespoons thick yogurt
- 5 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Fine sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Place the potatoes and carrots in a pot, add water and bring to the boil. Then simmer until tender (don't overcook them!). You can boil the eggs in the same pot and remove them after 6-8 minutes (or boil them separately). Drain and set aside to cool, then peel and chop the ingredients into small cubes and place in a large bowl. Finely chop the gherkins and add into the bowl.
- Add the yogurt, mayonnaise, mustard and seasoning to the mixture and stir carefully but thoroughly. Refrigerate, covered, for up to 2 days. If possible chill for 1 hour before serving.
Notes
- Other popular ingredients of Polish potato salad include canned peas and dill, which you can also use in this recipe.
- You can give this vegetable salad a more sophisticated look by chopping the vegetables into smaller pieces than I have done. I get impatient and go for a more rustic look:)
- Apples are prone to discoloration so I recommend peeling and chopping them when you are ready to put the salad together.
- You can make this jarzynowa salad ahead. It will taste better, in fact, once you've allowed it to chill for a few hours. And you can refrigerate it, covered, for a couple of days. So even if you make a big batch it will never go to waste.
- I do not recommend freezing potato salad.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
**A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.
Lance says
Where’s the dill?
Monika says
Dill is not a traditional Polish potato salad ingredient, but you can certainly use it. It is commonly used in Russian potato salad: https://www.everydayhealthyrecipes.com/olivier-salad/
Krysia says
I’m so glad you included the apples! I always use Granny Smith! And I added frozen peas. This is the best recipe on line that I have found.
Monika says
Thank you:)
Lynne says
Making this salad this week for my polish friends. Looks delicious! Approximately how long do you boil the potatoes and carrots?
Monika says
This depends on the size of your vegetables. The potatoes need to be fully cooked (check with a fork) and the carrots should be tender but not mushy, they should still keep their shape as you are chopping them. Hope this helps:)
John M says
Simple and easy to make, with excellent instructions to cater for tastes . I tried this salad at a local European deli here in Sydney , Australia and was instantly addicted to the texture and multitudes of different tastes due to the pickle, eggs, mayo, ect . So thanks for sharing as hard to obtain unless you find a decent Polish/ Russian Deli .
Monika says
So glad you liked it, I agree the combination of sweet, savoury and tangy makes this salad a bit addictive, you can easily have too much of it, something my own teenage children prove all the time!
Isabel says
I thought my Mum was the only person who added dill pickles and apples to her potato salad. She was born and spent her first 13 years in Poland - now I get it! We also add very small cubes of old cheddar. Yum!
Monika says
Sounds like your mum makes proper traditional Polish potato salad! Adding cheddar sounds like a good idea, maybe I'll try it next time I make this salad.
Sarah says
I am making this recipe right now for Polish Christmas Eve dinner (my sister in law is Polish). Thank you for posting it!
Monika says
You are welcome, I hope she likes it:)
Kelly says
Do you use the dill or sweet gherkins?
Monika says
I use the sweet gherkins (pickled in vinegar), the dill ones tend to be garlicky and that may be too overpowering in this recipe.
T says
Hi, cant wait to try this. did you use plain greek yogurt?
Monika says
You can use plain Greek or natural yogurt, even Skyr. Hope you like the recipe:)
Jenny says
My cheats version is frozen mixed veg , the finely diced sort, tinned spuds and then the usual added ingredients. Yummy
Monika says
Sounds good!
Gosia w. says
Hi Monica. The most important difference between Polish and Russian salad is the content of meat (ham) in Russian one. Polish salad also contains finely chopped leek or onions and cooked celeriac or parsley roots giving very special flavour. Obviously in every house this salad is different but definitely we must not confuse Polish and Russian salads.
Monika says
Thanks for clarifying this!
Jen says
@Gosia In all fairness, Monika just like myself is Polish and this, as she clarified is her family’s variation of the recipe. No one could confuse this with your heritage and Russian recipe simply for the obvious fact of the omission of meat alone as you pointed out, though the basic tenants of our recipes in our part of the world are basically one in the same and like families just a couple interchangeable parts making them our own 😁 So I’m truly baffled why you would even find the need to correct her or rather come across as scolding this kind woman whom makes it abundantly clear they are HER Polish, family recipes. Anywho, I. Love your take because our family does it much like yours Monika with omitting the peas (I love them just not in the potato salad) and use the gerkins as well but I personally prefer the taste of the garlic! But I can get away with omitting the dill weed and opt for tarragon. Tarragon is so underrated but I’ve managed to find a use for it all the time lol 😂 (I promise Gosia it still makes me Polish) I tease I promise!! But Monika, Love your recipes and I’ve found a good variation or two on a couple! Plan on continuing to explore more!! Thank you!!
Monika says
Thank you for your feedback, I share your love for tarragon! As for Gosia's comment I took it on board and changed the name of this recipe (it was originally called 'russian').
Lesley@lostinfood says
I love the look of this salad Monika, I'll be adding this to my list of things I want to cook.
Monika says
Thank you Lesley!
monika says
THis here ain't Russian. It's pure POLISH.
Monika says
Yes, this is a Polish recipe of a dish that's usually referred to as 'Russian salad'
hijackedbytwins says
Mmmm Monika this looks delicious. I love salads on a buffet and this would be ideal! Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
Monika says
I always make it at Christmas and everyone loves it, it's the most convenient buffet type salad as it doesn't wilt or get soggy.
Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed says
What a delicious salad recipe Monika. I've had something similar in France and I wasn't keen on the tinned peas either. I like how you've added yoghurt for less fat content and I love the addition of finely chopped apples.
Monika says
Thank you Sarah! I didn't know this type of is available in France! I am glad you liked the apples in this salad, I think they are crucial.
Nathalie says
I've never had Russian salad before, but this sounds lovely! Potato and egg are always a good combo and the gherkin will give it a lovely sharp flavour too! I'll definitely have to try this one! x #cookblogshare
Monika says
I am so glad! Let me know if you liked it:)
Mandy Mazliah says
Love that you've used your mum's recipe but tweaked it a little to make it healthier. Eggs and potatoes usually go down well with my kids so must try this some time. Thanks for adding to #CookBlogShare
Monika says
Thank you Mandy! For years my youngest son wouldn't even try this salad and this year I managed to convince him to taste it. He loved it and said to me 'why didn't you make me eat it earlier'?
Louise Fairweather says
I have never had Russian salad but it sounds lovely #cookblogshare
Monika says
Do try it! My son refused to even try it for years and when he finally did a few days ago he loved it:)
Jacqui Bellefontaine says
I haven't eaten Russian salad for ages but you've sold this recipe to me I'm definitely going to be giving it a try.
Monika says
Great! Let me know how you like it:)
curryandvanilla says
I love anything with mayonnaise in it!! Russian salad is one of my favorites... especially with green peas and potatoes 🙂 Thanks for sharing your Mom's recipe!!!
Monika says
Thank you! Russian salad is a pretty great dish, I agree, no wonder it's so popular in so many places! Thanks for stopping by:)
Corina says
I love the fact that you've recreated your mum's salad here and used a little less mayonnaise and added yoghurt too. It must be a great salad for a Christmas buffet so thank you so much for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice
Monika says
Thanks Corina! Everyone likes this salad so I make it every year, a large quantity too, so we can enjoy it for a couple of days.