22 Classic Ukrainian Dishes

I grew up in Ukraine and lived there until 1998 when my family immigrated to the west coast of the United States. My childhood was full of what I call “village life.” Gardening, taking care of the animals, cooking, baking, etc. was my daily life. Indeed, I have so many good memories from my childhood living in our “selo” (village).

Yet, out of all those memories, the taste of the food is probably what stands out the most and has followed me so many years later. I just love homey Ukrainian meals, especially the way my grandmother and mom always did it. Therefore, I hope you enjoy these family recipes as a collection of classic Ukrainian recipes the way we have always made them.

The Foundations of Ukrainian Cuisine

Ukrainian food is deeply connected with its Eastern European neighbors, such as Poland, Belarus, and Russia. The same dishes are frequently found across borders, though with local variations. In Ukraine specifically, the food that is most often grown is what shapes the type of dishes made. Here are a few core ingredients frequently found in this cuisine:

• Beets: From classic borscht (beetroot soup) to colorful grated beet salads, this powerhouse vegetable is a staple in Ukrainian homes.
• Potatoes: Potatoes are a versatile and filling ingredient used in so many different types of dishes. They’re very affordable, which was important for the poor and those living in villages. Today, they remain a comfort and central key component of the cuisine.
• Cabbage: If you ask any Slavic person, they’ll tell you cabbage is a staple in the cuisine. It’s especially popular in holubtsi and borscht.
• Dairy & Mayo: Sour cream is a major condiment used to top soups and dumplings, while mayonnaise is common in marinades and dressings. Both add a vital creaminess to the dish.
• Aromatics & Herbs: Garlic is a “must-have” ingredient in nearly all savory dishes. Dill is also considered the “super herb” of the cuisine, as it is used to brighten up many meals.

22 Delicious Ukrainian Dishes

1. Fluffy Poppy Seed Buns (Piroshki)

These light and fluffy yeast buns are perfect for a light breakfast with a hot cup of coffee. They’re stuffed with a sweet filling of poppy seeds and sweetened condensed milk, and if you know me — you know I love poppy seeds!

2. Chicken Roulade (The Best)

This chicken roulade (or roll) is a meat lover’s dream. It has three different kinds of protein – chicken, pork and beef, all wrapped into a “roll” shape. It’s usually served cold with bread and salo (Ukrainian-style pork belly).

3. Baked Rice Pudding with Condensed Milk

This baked rice pudding (or “risovaya zapekanka”) is straight from my grandmother’s kitchen. The combination of tender rice, milk, vanilla, butter, sweet caramelized condensed milk, and raisins is sooo crazy good.

4. Mom’s Chicken Dumpling Soup

Much like American-style chicken and dumplings, this Ukrainian soup is comfort in a bowl. It features boneless skinless chicken thighs, tender potatoes, Ukrainian-style flour dumplings, and carrots swimming in a light broth spiked with fresh dill and green onions.

5. Creamy Vegetarian Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup)

This borscht is the vegetarian version of the classic. The vegetables jam pack the ruby red beet broth. Feel free to add a dollop of sour cream to really transform the soup into something super special.

6. Halushki Recipe (Traditional Ukrainian Dumplings)

Halushki are to Ukrainians what gnocchi are to Italians. This Ukrainian dish is generally dressed with butter, salt, black pepper, sautéed mushrooms, and crispy bacon bits.

7. Split Pea and Lentil Soup with Pork Chops

This savory split pea and lentil soup is the Ukrainian spin on a world-wide favorite. It’s filling on its own with a delicious depth of flavor added by the tender, fatty pieces of pork.

8. Grandma’s White Bean Soup (The Best)

Pork, white beans, and veggies make up this soup that transports me right back to my childhood. Pair a bowl with a buttery, crusty piece of baguette and curl up on the couch afterwards.

9. Olivier Potato Salad (Салат Оливье)

Similar to American-style potato salad, olivier salad features chopped potatoes, hard boiled eggs, and pickles tossed in a creamy dressing and served cold. What makes it especially Ukrainian? The addition of peas, carrots, and salty bologna or ham.

10. Homemade Kielbasa Sausage Recipe

Sausage-making is an all-day event in Ukrainian homes. This recipe for kielbasa features spiced ground meat stuffed into casings and made into beautiful spirals. Double or triple the recipe and freeze some for a rainy day.

11. Green Cabbage Cucumber Salad with Herbs

Almost every meal needs to have a salad to be complete! This chopped cabbage and cucumber salad is a super popular one. The salad is tossed with fresh herbs and oil, and is great with shish kabobs or other savory proteins.

12. Farmer’s Cheese Cake with Raisins (Zapekanka)

Zapekanka is similar to American-style cheesecake. However, it is less sweet and made with a combination of farmer’s cheese and sour cream. Eaten for breakfast or dessert and often topped with fresh berries, it’s a feast for the eyes.

13. Drunken Cherry Cake (Classic Recipe)

Nothing says a Ukrainian party like a cake spiked with a bit of liquor. This drunken cherry cake is a real showstopper and is made with vodka soaked cherries and decadent chocolate cake. YUM!

14. The Classic Pierogi (Potatoes and Cheese)

Pierogi are perhaps the most well known Eastern European dish on the planet. This Ukrainian version boasts tender, boiled dumplings stuffed with mashed potatoes and cheddar cheese, finished with a pan fry, then tossed with butter, bacon bits, and caramelized onions.

15. Braised Potatoes with Beef

If you’re looking for a comforting one-pot meal, this braised potatoes with beef recipe is just what the doctor ordered. It has all the same comforting components of an American pot roast, ready to warm your soul from the first bite.

16. Steamed Blueberry Pierogi

One of my favorite memories growing up was eating sweet pierogi (aka vareniki) in Ukraine. They were stuffed with fresh blueberries and sugar and topped with sour cream. It’s one of my family’s most beloved Ukrainian dishes!

17. Quick Poppy Seed Rolls

These poppy seed rolls feature beautiful pastry spirals stuffed with a sweet filling of poppy seeds and sweetened condensed milk. These have to be one of my favorite sweet snacks, ever!

18. Aspic Recipe (Kholodets)

Aspic is a savory meat jelly made with rich, marrowy broth, chicken, and veggies. It may look a little strange, but it’s so worth a try! This surprisingly delicious Ukrainian dish is a frequent feature at parties and holidays!

19. One Pan Braised Cabbage with Rice

This one pan braised cabbage with rice features juicy chicken, tomatoes, and spices braised to tender perfection. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners and meal prep and is another one of those classic, no-frills Ukrainian recipes.

20. Traditional Cabbage Rolls

Ukrainian cabbage rolls, aka holubtsi, are an essential Ukrainian food. They feature boiled cabbage leaves stuffed with a savory ground meat mixture and topped with a rice tomato sauce. Before you dig in, make sure to top them with sour cream!

21. Cabbage Soup Recipe

This cabbage soup is a low-calorie, warm bowl of goodness. It features bone-in meat, veggies, and potatoes, making it one of those Ukrainian recipes that never gets old. I find it best made it a Dutch oven like this one!

22. Ukrainian Garlic Bread (Pampushky)

Pampushky are one of my favorite ukrainian dishes. And if you love rolls as much as me, you’re gonna love these! These soft yeast buns are covered in loads of garlic and herbs. They are a true childhood comfort and a must-try!

More Tasty Recipes from Ukraine

• Easter Bread (Paska) – Festive Easter Brioche
• Chicken Kiev (Kyiv) – Golden, crispy chicken stuffed with a herb compound butter.
• Cottage Cheese Pancakes (Quick & Easy) – Sweet and salty breakfast pancakes
• Kiev Cake (Ukrainian Classic) – Dulce de leche cake with hazelnuts
• Dulce de Leche Waffle Cake – Rainbow waffle cake layers with dulce de leche
• Potato Pancakes Recipe – Savory, crispy potato pancakes