Salmon Ensaladilla Recipe: Creamy Spanish Potato Salad 2026

Salmon ensaladilla is a creamy, satisfying salad that takes the classic Spanish potato salad and gives it a rich, smoky twist with smoked salmon. Cubes of tender potato and carrot, sweet peas, hard-boiled egg and crunchy pickles all come together in a generous cloak of mayonnaise and fresh dill.

It is remarkably easy to make and, even better, it is designed to be made ahead. Chilling the salad lets all the flavors marry, so it is a brilliant choice for parties, picnics, tapas spreads or a light lunch. Serve it cold and it becomes one of those dishes that disappears from the table in minutes.

The key is cutting everything to a similar small size so every spoonful delivers a bit of everything, and cooking the vegetables just until tender so they hold their shape instead of turning to mush.

Ingredients for Salmon Ensaladilla

This makes 4 servings as a starter or side.

• 450 g potatoes
• 130 g carrots
• Salt
• 50 g frozen peas
• 1 hard-boiled egg
• 130 g smoked salmon
• 30 g pickled gherkins
• 60 g mayonnaise or lactonesa
• 1 tablespoon chopped dill

How to Make Salmon Ensaladilla Step by Step

1. Boil the Potatoes, Carrots and Peas

Boil 450 g of potatoes and 130 g of carrots, both peeled and cut into small cubes, in salted water for 10 minutes. They should be cooked through but not too soft. In the last 5 minutes, add 50 g of frozen peas. Drain and let cool.

2. Chop the Egg, Salmon and Gherkins

Cut 1 hard-boiled egg into small pieces. Cut 130 g of smoked salmon into small pieces, reserving a few strips for decoration. Also finely chop 30 g of pickled gherkins.

3. Combine the Potatoes with the Other Ingredients

Place the potatoes, carrots, peas, egg, chopped salmon, 60 g of mayonnaise or lactonesa (as preferred) and 1 tablespoon of chopped dill in a large bowl.

4. Chill the Salmon Ensaladilla

Season with salt to taste and refrigerate to cool before serving.

5. Plate, Decorate and Serve

For a very attractive presentation, serve the salmon ensaladilla on plates using a plating ring. Decorate with the reserved salmon and serve immediately.

Tips for the Best Salmon Ensaladilla

Cut Everything the Same Size

For an exquisite, pleasant bite, cut all the ingredients to the same size. This ensures a balanced texture and flavor in every spoonful.

Don't Overcook the Vegetables

The vegetables should be just tender, not overly cooked, so they don't fall apart. Keep an eye on the cooking time to maintain a pleasant texture.

Make It Ahead and Keep It Cold

It's best to prepare the salmon ensaladilla the day before and store it in the refrigerator so the flavors meld and it can be served well chilled. On very hot days, use commercial mayonnaise or lactonesa for extra food safety.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

Like a lot of home cooks, I like having a go-to lineup that covers cozy classics, dishes from around the world, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent craving hits, my picks are usually this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and comforting sounds good, this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe is the one I reach for.

Some mornings I want an easy breakfast or a lighter plate, so I'll whip up these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple to keep in the pantry, this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I rely on.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean flavors, I bounce between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe also comes out whenever I want to serve something a bit more special.

For filling lunches and cozy dinners, my recommendations are this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. When I'm after something heartier, I'll bake this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Anytime I'm in the mood for street food or party-style plates, I'll usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also work great as a laid-back appetizer or snack.

And when I'm hosting guests with drinks and a full spread, dinner often gets paired with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes to Cook for the Family

After years of testing and tweaking recipes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the best dishes are built on simplicity, dependable techniques, and big flavor.

Every recipe in this collection is one I genuinely come back to time and time again—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something elegant yet effortless. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, knowing how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When something fresh and simple is what I'm after, I usually reach for the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often point people to the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

Traditional dishes from around the world are another thing I love to share, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook often, since they save time while still delivering great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for anyone steering clear of wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that classic baked pasta can still be rich, cheesy, and completely satisfying without gluten.

Gluten free Empanada Dough Recipe 🍕 Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe 🍔 Langos Hungarian Fried Bread Recipe 🌭 Gluten Free French Brioche Recipe 🍟 Madeira British Sponge Cake Recipe 🌮 Chocolate Argentinian Cookies Alfajores Recipe 🌯 Barmbrack Irish Sweet Bread Recipe 🥙 Gluten free Cookies Recipe 🥗 Homemade cream Maruxas Galician Biscuit Recipe 🍝 Japanese Dumplings Gyoza Dough Recipe

American Gluten Free Cookies Recipe 🍜 Gluten Free King Cake Recipe 🍲 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe 🍛 Extremadura Style Chard Recipe 🍣 Keto Sliced Sandwich Bread Recipe 🍱 Gluten Free Waffles Recipe 🍤 Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe 🍗 Gluten Free Bread Rolls Recipe 🍖 Flourless Gluten Free Bread Buns Recipe 🥓 Protein Ice Cream Recipe 🥞 Chia Pudding Dessert with Seeds Recipe

Fluffy Cloud Bread Pan Nube Recipe 🧇 Quinoa Bread Recipe 🍞 Schiacciata Tuscan Focaccia Flat Bread Recipe 🥐 Shokupan Japanese Milk Bread Recipe 🥨 Potato Sandwich Bread Recipe 🧀 Homemade Breadsticks Recipe 🍳 Stollen German Dried Fruits Cake Recipe 🥚 French Gingerbread Spiced Cake Recipe 🍰 Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

🥔 Potato-omelet-in-Thermomix 🍓 Smores-Sandwich-Dessert 🍰 Womens-Day-Mimosa-cake ☕ Coffee-Sorbet 🍆 Eggplant-pizza 🍋 Ciambella-Italian-Lemon-Cake 🥖 Zapiekanka-Polish-Snack 🌰 Dukkah-Egyptian-Nuts-Mix 🧆 Best-Hummus 🥑 Best-Avocado