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.
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 zucchini ribbon potato salad and potato salad deviled eggs recipe.
Equipment you’ll need
- Large pot with lid
- Cutting board and knife
- Apple corer and vegetable peeler
- Large bowl and spoon
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.
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2. Peel and chop the vegetables and eggs. Chop the gherkins, then peel and chop the apple.
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3. Place all the ingredients in a bowl, add the mayonnaise, yogurt and mustard and season to taste.
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4. Stir thoroughly, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Refrigerate it for at least 1 hour before serving (if possible).
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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 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.
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 this super simple creamy Polish cucumber salad.
You may also like this collection of over 15 easy vegan salads.
Keep in touch!
How has your potato salad turned out for you? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!
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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 tbsp thick yogurt
- 5 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp 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
Recipe Link Parties
I am sharing my mum’s Polish potato salad recipe with Saucy Saturdays and Cook Once Eat Twice.
Hi, I am Monika, welcome to Everyday Healthy Recipes! This blog is all about creatively simple recipes with a healthy twist, old classics with a modern take, and an occasional Polish dish thrown into the mix - all easy to make, healthy and delicious, perfect for everyday cooking. 
Sour cream vs yogurt? Nutrition facts are missing
My cheats version is frozen mixed veg , the finely diced sort, tinned spuds and then the usual added ingredients. Yummy
Sounds good!
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.
Thanks for clarifying this!
I love the look of this salad Monika, I’ll be adding this to my list of things I want to cook.
Thank you Lesley!
THis here ain’t Russian. It’s pure POLISH.
Yes, this is a Polish recipe of a dish that’s usually referred to as ‘Russian salad’
Mmmm Monika this looks delicious. I love salads on a buffet and this would be ideal! Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x
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.
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.
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.
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
I am so glad! Let me know if you liked it:)
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
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’?
I have never had Russian salad but it sounds lovely #cookblogshare
Do try it! My son refused to even try it for years and when he finally did a few days ago he loved it:)
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.
Great! Let me know how you like it:)
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!!!
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:)
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
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.