Salads with Mayonnaise

Classic salads with mayonnaise for festive occasions and everyday meals

Salads with mayonnaise make up one of the most popular categories of salads, including both traditional festive recipes and simple everyday dishes. Mayonnaise plays a key role, not just as a dressing but as an essential component that unites the taste and texture of meat, vegetables, eggs, mushrooms, cheese, and seafood. In this category, you’ll find salads to suit every taste – from classic Olivier to modern variations with avocado, smoked meats, or nuts. Depending on the combination of ingredients, such salads can be hearty or light, delicate or bold in flavor. In addition to rich taste, mayonnaise salads are valued for their ease of preparation, making them indispensable in everyday cooking. Thanks to their versatility, they remain relevant at all times – they were prepared decades ago, are popular today, and will continue to be made in the future.

Mayonnaise Salad Recipes

Salads with mayonnaise cover a wide range of recipes – from childhood favorites to refined and unexpected pairings. They can be simple or complex, made with three or ten ingredients, but they are always favorites at festive tables. This category includes both traditional choices – Olivier, Mimosa, crab salad – and modern combinations with fresh flavors. The recipes are suitable for any occasion: holiday dinners, quick weekday meals, or make-ahead dishes. With flexible proportions, varied ingredients, and serving options, mayonnaise salads are a universal choice.

Salad with Korean carrot, chicken fillet, eggs, and corn with mayonnaise

Korean Carrot Salad

Korean carrot salad is a piquant dish with a rich flavor that successfully combines chicken meat, spicy carrot, tender eggs, and juicy corn. I often prepare this salad for both holidays and family meals – it’s easy to make, yet has a bright, memorable taste. If you're looking for a protein-packed appetizer with Asian notes, this dish is the perfect choice.

Salad made from boiled beef liver, pickled onions, carrots, and eggs with mayonnaise

Liver and Pickled Onion Salad

Liver and pickled onion salad is a tender, aromatic dish with a rich flavor, combining beef liver, sweet carrots, juicy eggs, and tangy onions. This salad is perfect both for festive occasions and everyday lunches – it's easy to prepare, and the flavor always rewards the effort. This recipe will definitely be appreciated by those who enjoy offal and classic combinations.

Salad made with canned cod liver, boiled eggs, potatoes, and onions

Cod Liver Salad

Cod liver salad is a delicate, nutritious, and refined dish that combines a marine delicacy with simple homemade ingredients. Canned cod liver gives the salad a rich flavor, while eggs, potatoes, and onions create a balanced texture. This salad is suitable both for a regular lunch and a festive table – it impresses with its tenderness and health benefits. It’s a combination of subtle taste, healthy fats, and humble homemade presentation.

Hearty salad made with canned beans, croutons, hard cheese, and garlic with a mayonnaise dressing

Bean and Crouton Salad

Bean and crouton salad is a nutritious appetizer with a bold flavor that is quick to prepare and requires no cooking. Thanks to the combination of protein-rich beans, hard cheese, garlic, and crispy croutons, it has a tender texture with contrasting elements. This salad is perfect for lunch, dinner, or a buffet. It's a dish for those who value speed, simplicity, and heartiness without compromising on taste.

Salad with hard cheese, fresh herbs, eggs, and mayonnaise

Cheese and Herb Salad

Cheese and herb salad is a light, protein-rich dish with a fresh herbal aroma and delicate texture. Thanks to the combination of grated cheese, eggs, and a mayonnaise-based dressing, it is quite filling, while the fresh herbs make it especially appetizing. This salad works perfectly in tartlets, on toast, or as a standalone appetizer. It’s a simple, hearty, and always relevant option for a homemade cold dish.

Salad with boiled eggs, hard cheese, garlic, and mayonnaise

Egg and Cheese Salad

Egg and cheese salad is one of the simplest and most satisfying snack options. It’s made from accessible ingredients in just a few minutes, tastes both delicate and piquant, and is perfect for everyday meals or festive occasions. Serve it on bread, in tartlets, or small bowls – and it will instantly become a favorite on your table. This is a versatile appetizer suitable for a quick snack, a holiday buffet, or a light breakfast.

Salad with boiled squid, eggs, onion, and mayonnaise

Squid Salad

Squid salad is a refined, delicate, and at the same time easy-to-make option for those who enjoy seafood. Just a few ingredients – squid, eggs, onion, and mayonnaise – create a well-balanced combination of flavors that is especially suitable for summer or festive occasions. I make it both for a romantic dinner and when I want a light, protein-rich meal without excess carbs.

Crab stick salad with eggs, corn, and rice

Crab Stick Salad

Crab stick salad is a tried-and-tested recipe for a festive dish made with accessible ingredients. Crab sticks, eggs, rice, and corn create a tender texture and harmonious taste, while the mayonnaise dressing makes the salad juicy. It's a versatile dish for the New Year's table, home celebrations, or an everyday lunch. Easy to make, enjoyed by all, and it stays fresh even the next day.

Tuna salad with egg and corn on a plate

Tuna Salad

Tuna salad is the perfect dish for those looking for a tasty, nutritious, and quick lunch or dinner option. This recipe combines the tenderness of boiled eggs, the juiciness of fresh cucumber, the sweetness of corn, and the rich flavor of tuna. This salad is not only easy to prepare but also ideal for home meals, diet menus, and festive tables. It’s convenient to take with you to work, serve in lavash, dessert bowls, or as a standalone appetizer. Best of all – no extra effort: just a few simple ingredients and a delicious result is guaranteed.

Smoked Chicken, Corn, and Cheese Salad

Smoked Chicken and Corn Salad

Smoked chicken and corn salad is a simple, hearty, and very flavorful option that takes literally fifteen minutes to prepare. Thanks to the smoked meat, the dish has a bold taste, while the sweet corn adds freshness and softness. This salad is convenient to take with you, serve for dinner, or offer to guests during festive gatherings. It requires minimal ingredients but always leaves a pleasant impression. It pairs well with toast, can be served in a salad bowl or in portions – a universal solution for any occasion.

Chicken, mushroom, and cheese salad

Chicken and Mushroom Salad

Chicken and mushroom salad is one of those recipes that always comes in handy when you want to make something delicious, hearty, and visually appealing. Thanks to the combination of sautéed mushrooms, tender fillet, eggs, and cheese, it has a rich flavor and appetizing appearance. It's often made in layers, which gives it a festive presentation, especially if shaped in a ring. A versatile option for family gatherings, holidays, or a cozy dinner. It's quite easy to prepare, yet the result exceeds all expectations.

Salad with pineapple, chicken and cheese

Chicken and Pineapple Salad

Chicken and pineapple salad is a delicate, vibrant and very simple dish that combines the sweetness of fruit with the heartiness of boiled chicken, eggs and cheese. Thanks to the mayonnaise, the ingredients turn into a single harmonious composition. This salad is perfect for festive occasions – its flavor always pleasantly surprises guests, and it is very quick to prepare. It is served in portions – in a salad bowl or shaped into a ball or a ring. If desired, you can experiment slightly with the presentation without changing the classic base.

Traditional Mayonnaise Salads: Time-Tested Classics

When it comes to mayonnaise salads, the first that come to mind are the traditional recipes beloved across generations in Ukrainian households. They are a staple of the festive table, and even those who prefer light meals seldom refuse a spoonful of classic Olivier or Mimosa. These salads are based on simple, accessible ingredients, easy to prepare, and always create a cozy, festive atmosphere. The most well-known are Olivier, a symbol of the New Year celebration, and Mimosa – a tender layered salad with fish, eggs, and grated yolk that brightens any occasion. Also popular is crab salad with eggs and corn – great for holidays or a casual dinner. In these recipes, mayonnaise acts as a binding element that creates a smooth texture and gives softness and expressive flavor to every bite. Proper technique is key: boiled vegetables should be cooled before mixing to preserve the consistency of the mayonnaise; eggs should not be overcooked; meat or sausage should be fresh and evenly diced. All of this contributes to a unified taste. Fans of these salads may also enjoy recipes featuring vegetables, eggs, and dairy – especially those with corn, which adds sweetness and color that perfectly complements the main ingredients.

Modern Interpretations: Mayonnaise in a New Light

While mayonnaise salads are rooted in tradition, they lend themselves well to modern interpretations. New ingredients, creative presentation, and unexpected combinations breathe new life into familiar dishes. Instead of boiled meat – use smoked meats, prosciutto, fried turkey, or roast beef; combine vegetables with fruits, nuts, seeds, or even caramelized components. This retains the creamy texture of the mayonnaise dressing while adding depth and new flavor. A popular technique is blending classic ingredients with culinary trends: quail egg mayonnaise, truffle oil, Dijon mustard, lemon zest. The result is a refined salad with layered flavor – perfect for banquets or elegant dinners. Increasingly, these salads are served in individual portions – in glasses, tartlets, or shaped molds – adding a decorative touch. Another way to refresh a classic is by using homemade mayonnaise or custom sauces with controlled fat content, acidity, and additions like spices, herbs, or garlic paste. This approach allows the recipe to be tailored to any taste – from mild to bold. For fans of unique combinations, we recommend checking out the diet section, where mayonnaise-based dressings are paired with light ingredients and unexpected accents. These creative variations give beloved recipes a fresh voice without losing their essence.

Cheese in Mayonnaise Salads: Softness and Richness

Cheese is often used in mayonnaise-based salads, adding a creamy texture, rich flavor, and extra nutritional value. Its taste pairs perfectly with the tenderness of mayonnaise as well as with other traditional ingredients such as eggs, chicken, vegetables, mushrooms, or ham. Hard cheeses are grated or diced, soft varieties are mashed into a smooth consistency, and aged cheeses are used for a piquant accent. Thanks to the wide variety of cheeses available, the same salad can take on different flavors depending on the type of cheese chosen. In classic recipes, cheese is frequently added to layered meat salads, especially those with chicken or beef. It adds heartiness without overpowering the taste – particularly if light mayonnaise or homemade dressing is used. These salads look appetizing even without additional decoration, as cheese naturally forms a decorative top layer. Especially appealing are combinations with tangy ingredients like pickles, apples, or canned pineapple, which create a balance between salty, sweet, and sour notes. It’s also worth noting that cheese is a valuable source of protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients, making its use in salads beneficial not only from a culinary perspective but also from a nutritional one. It adds satiety and makes the dish suitable as a full lunch or dinner. If you're looking for recipes featuring this ingredient, check out the cheese salads section, where cheese plays the main role and pairs wonderfully with mayonnaise and other components.

Eggs as a Textural Base: A Classic of Mayonnaise Salads

Among all the ingredients that combine well with mayonnaise in salads, eggs hold a special place. Their soft structure, neutral taste, and high nutritional value make them indispensable in both traditional and modern recipes. From hard-boiled eggs in vegetable salads to grated yolk in Mimosa-style salads, eggs not only enhance the dish but also give it shape, volume, and a pleasant consistency. In combination with mayonnaise, they form a tender mixture that coats other components and enhances their flavors. In layered salads, eggs are often separated into distinct layers or used for decoration. Yolks are grated on top to create an appetizing "cap," while whites are placed in the lower or middle layers. This structure not only adds visual appeal but also distributes flavor evenly throughout the salad. Eggs are also a source of complete protein, B vitamins, choline, and essential trace elements needed for the nervous and cardiovascular systems. Combinations of eggs with vegetables, cheese, mushrooms, or seafood allow for both simple everyday meals and festive dishes. Eggs can be hard-boiled, soft-boiled, or pickled for a unique flavor. With the right proportions and quality ingredients, an egg salad turns out hearty, tasty, and well-balanced. You can find more options featuring this ingredient in the egg salads section, where eggs play a central or key role and pair perfectly with mayonnaise-based dressings.

Salads with Mayonnaise and Corn: A Sweet Touch in Classic Recipes

Corn is one of the most popular ingredients in mayonnaise salads. It brings a pleasant sweetness, vibrant color, and interesting texture to the dish. Canned kernels require no extra preparation, pair easily with other ingredients, and work well in both meat and vegetable salads. Their mild sweetness ideally balances the saltiness of cheese, the richness of mayonnaise, or the savory taste of meat. The result is a dish that is both refreshing and satisfying. In many popular recipes, corn “brightens up” the composition. For example, crab stick salad is hard to imagine without corn paired with eggs, rice, or cheese. It is also frequently added to salads with ham, boiled chicken, vegetables, and even apples – creating subtle flavor contrasts. Canned corn is available year-round, and its tender skin and juicy center add variety to the salad’s texture. In addition, it’s rich in B vitamins, iron, magnesium, and fiber, making the dish not only tasty but also nutritious. When combined with mayonnaise, which binds all the ingredients into a unified whole, corn doesn’t get lost – instead, it stands out as a distinct flavor note. If you’d like to expand your recipe collection with this ingredient, visit the corn salads section, which features dishes that clearly demonstrate how well it pairs with mayonnaise-based dressings.