Mimosa Salad

Whether you're hosting a party, or wanting to try something new, Mimosa Salad (салат мимоза) is a crowd pleaser. Perfect for parties and very visually appealing because it's so bright.

What is Mimosa Salad?

Mimosa is classic Soviet salad made for special occasions or celebrations. Specifically for New Years and for March 8 - International Women's Day. Named after the Australian wattle, it now grows around the world, including along the Black Sea in Russia. The crumbled egg yolks on Mimoza Salad are reminiscent of the yellow flowers, thus the name.

Why You'll Love This Salad

• Visually Appealing - the bright and colorful salad is sure to catch the eye of your guests
• Nostalgia - if you grew up in the Eastern European culture, this is a salad from your childhood - let this recipe bring your memories to life
• It's a Potato Salad - it just looks different - layered for visual appeal
• Adaptable - personalize and adapt ingredients with great flavor ideas

Ingredients

• Canned Tuna
• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• White Onion
• Hard Cheese - like White Cheddar or Gouda
• Mayonaise
• Salt and Pepper
• Fresh Dill Garnish

How to Make Mimosa Salad

1. Cook Vegetables - boil peeled potatoes and carrots for about 20 minutes, or until they are soft. Allow to cool, grate separately and set aside.
2. Hard Boil Eggs - cover eggs with water in saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover with lid and remove from heat. Set timer for 11 minutes. Remove eggs and place in ice bath to cool.
3. Prepare Eggs - Peel eggs and separate egg yolks from the egg whites. Grate egg whites and set aside. Using a fork, gently crumble the egg yolks until they are in small pieces (not mashed).
4. Prepare Onion - finely dice white onion, set aside.
5. Mix Tuna - drain the tuna, mash using a fork with about ¼ cup mayo.
6. Assemble the Salad - layer ingredients in a springform pan.
7. Potatoes - Layer grated potatoes across the base of the pan. Lightly drizzle with mayo, using back of spoon to thinly spread across the dish. Season with salt and pepper.
8. Tuna - Spread evenly the tuna over the grated potato. Put the chopped onions evenly over the tuna. Add more mayonnaise to thinly spread across the dish.
9. Carrots - spread grated carrots evenly over the tuna and lightly cover with another light layer of mayonnaise.
10. Egg Whites - layer the grated egg whites evenly across the Mimoza Salad. Add the final layer of mayonnaise.
11. Egg Yolks - spread the final layer of crumbled egg yolks and garnish with fresh dill.
12. Chill - Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.

Mimosa Variations

• Vegetarian Mimosa - skip the tuna and increase vegetables like adding bell peppers, cucumber and cherry tomatoes
• Spicy Mimosa - sprinkle cayenne pepper over the potato layer or use Spicy Kewpie Mayo for a spicy kick
• Seafood Mimosa - substitute tuna with canned crab, artificial crab meat or cooked shrimp
• Keto Mimosa - you heard that right! Skip the potatoes for a keto friendly salad that will have everyone talking for days
• Chicken Mimosa - skip the tuna and use canned chicken (hello Costco) or try shredding smoked chicken
• Fish Mimosa - use canned pink salmon or canned trout

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Experiment with Garnish - while simple dill is a classic garnish, go big with lots of dill to decorate around your salad. Decorate with cherry tomatoes, sliced carrot or red caviar
• Change the Mayo - Russian style mayo is preferred, especially the sour cream mayonnaise. For a lighter salad, mix sour cream with mayo, or try Japanese Kewpie Mayo for a different taste
• Serve in a Glass Dish - instead of a springform pan, layer your salad in a glass bowl or a glass baking dish. Easy to transport as it maintains shape
• Cheese Variations - use a mild, hard cheese like a White Cheddar, Tilsit Cheese, Gouda, Monterey Jack or Emmental Cheese
• Tuna in Oil - canned tuna in oil tends to have better flavor, but is also higher in calories. Tuna in Spring Water balances out the calories in all the mayo. Either can be used

Can I Make Mimosa Salad in Advance?

Yes. Best to make Mimosa Salad on the same day you are serving. Allow for at least 2 hours in the fridge to allow salad to fully chill before serving.

Storage

Place leftover Mimosa Salad in an airtight container and place in fridge. Enjoy within 2 to 3 days.

Hearty Salads You'll Love

• Herring Under a Fur Coat
• Imitation Crab Salad
• Vinegret Beet Salad
• Olivier Potato Salad
• Tuna Rice Salad
• Korean Carrot Salad
• Shuba with Smoked Salmon
• Achichuk - Uzbek Tomato Salad

You have to try this Mimosa or Mimoza Salata (салат мимоза)! A hearty and delicious Russian layered salad with lots of Mayo. Who needs regular potato salad when you can this classic Mimoza! Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

©PetersFoodAdventures.com *originally posted December 2017, updated January 2024