8 Classic Ukrainian Dinner Recipes for the Family (2024)

Are you tired of making the same old dinners night after night? Need some excitement on your plate?

Say hello to Ukrainian dinner recipes!

From classics like borshch and holubtsi to more modern dishes like Chicken Kyiv casserole, I’m sure your taste buds will be living the dream.

Ukrainian cuisine has something for everyone, whether you’re a meat lover, a veggie enthusiast, or on a keto diet.

8 Classic Ukrainian Dinner Recipes for the Family (1)

Enjoy the flavors of Ukraine without leaving your house with these simple recipes!

Classic Ukrainian Dinner Recipes

Ukrainian dinner dishes offer a taste of comfort and tradition with hearty ingredients like meat, beets, potatoes, cabbage, and more!

1

8 Classic Ukrainian Dinner Recipes for the Family (2)

Holubtsi (Cabbage Rolls)

Check out this recipe

Traditional cabbage rolls, or holubtsi, are a beloved dish in Ukraine. They’re filled with pork, rice and spices and wrapped in cabbage leaves.

The stuffed cabbage rolls simmer in a homemade tomato sauce. They showcase the creative transformation of humble components into a well-loved meal.

2

8 Classic Ukrainian Dinner Recipes for the Family (3)

Borshch (Ukrainian Beet Soup)

Check out this recipe

Beets are one of the most famous vegetables in Ukraine, and this hearty soup, known as borshch, is a tribute to this delicacy.

Beetroot, cabbage, potatoes and meat are all mixed together in this family favorite. It’s best enjoyed with sour cream, rye bread and salo (cured pork fat).

You can also make garlic bread rolls known as pampushky to serve with borshch. I can’t resist the garlicky kick!

3

8 Classic Ukrainian Dinner Recipes for the Family (4)

Beet Salad (Vinaigrette)

Check out this recipe

Beet salad called vinaigrette or vinegret is a fantastic example of how basic, in-season ingredients can be elevated to a whole new level.

You’ll need to combine beets with potatoes, carrots, onions, beans, and pickles to make this colorful salad. Some people also like adding sauerkraut and green peas.

Tossed in a light olive oil dressing, it goes wonderfully with any Ukrainian main course.

4

8 Classic Ukrainian Dinner Recipes for the Family (5)

Deruny (Potato Pancakes)

Check out this recipe

Potatoes are a key ingredient in Ukrainian cuisine, as proven by deruny.

Crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, these potato fritters are a winning combination—especially with sour cream on the side.

Making deruny is simple yet enticing: grated potatoes and onions are mixed with egg and a little bit of flour. After that, you just need to fry them until golden brown.

Denuny can also make a great breakfast! For similar ideas, check out my blog post on the best Ukrainian breakfast recipes.

Valenyky are Ukrainian dumplings stuffed with mashed potatoes, cheese, sauerkraut, meats or even fruits.

They taste best served with a dollop of sour cream for both savory and sweet versions.

Although they take some time to prep (unless you’re using frozen varenyky), they cook very quickly.

Boil them in salted water until they float to the surface for an amazing Ukrainian dish for dinner.

6

8 Classic Ukrainian Dinner Recipes for the Family (7)

Keto Chicken Kyiv Casserole

Check out this recipe

Making a contemporary take on the renowned Chicken Kyiv, this Keto Chicken Kiev Casserole features chicken breast, mushrooms, cheddar cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, heavy cream, a little Dijon mustard, and a keto-friendly crust.

It’s a tasty tribute to the original Ukrainian recipe, revamped for the health-conscious and ketogenic eaters.

Check out my guide to traditional Ukrainian food for more classic recipes!

More Ukrainian Dinners

Here are some more famous dishes you can find on Ukrainian dinner tables.

Plov (Rice Pilaf)

8 Classic Ukrainian Dinner Recipes for the Family (8)

A beloved traditional Ukrainian meal, Ukrainian Plov is another name for rice pilaf. The recipe calls for rice cooked with various meats, veggies, and seasonings.

Onions, garlic, carrots, and a variety of meats (chicken, lamb, beef) are traditional components of the meal.

My favorite version is chicken plov with carrots, onions and bell peppers.

Kotlety (Ukrainian Pork Meatballs)

8 Classic Ukrainian Dinner Recipes for the Family (9)

Kotlety are Ukrainian pork meatballs that are typically made from ground pork mixed with breadcrumbs, onions, garlic, and various seasonings such as salt, pepper, and herbs.

They are shaped into small, round patties and then fried or baked until they are cooked through and golden brown on the outside.

Kotlety are a popular dish in Ukrainian cuisine and are often served as a main course with mashed potatoes, kasha (buckwheat), or a side of vegetables.

Try out the recipe right away! 🙂

Viktoriia

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 ⅓ pounds ground meat (pork, beef, or a combination) (0.6 kg)
  • 1 small onion (finely chopped)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 slices white bread
  • cup milk (or water) (160 ml)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  • Soak the bread in milk or water for 2-3 minutes. Mash it into a paste.

    2 slices white bread, ⅔ cup milk

  • To make kotlety, start by combining ground meat (such as beef or chicken) with egg, bread, minced onions, and spices (such as salt, pepper, and minced garlic) in a bowl. Mix the ingredients together until well combined.

    1 ⅓ pounds ground meat, 1 small onion, 2 cloves garlic, Salt and pepper to taste, 1 egg

  • Next, shape the mixture into round patties about 1 inch thick.

  • Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat and fry the kotlety on both sides until they are browned and cooked through.

    Vegetable oil for frying

  • You can serve kotlety with mashed potatoes, vegetables, or a side salad.

I hope you enjoy your Ukrainian dinner! Share your favorite recipes in the comments!

Looking for recipes from other European countries? Check these out:

Kolaczki: Best Polish Cookie Recipes

Irresistible Romanian Cakes: 14 Recipes

8 Classic Ukrainian Dinner Recipes for the Family (2024)

FAQs

What is a traditional Ukrainian dinner? ›

The national dish of Ukraine is red borscht, a well-known beet soup, of which many varieties exist. However, varenyky (boiled dumplings similar to pierogi) and a type of cabbage roll known as holubtsi are also national favourites, and are a common meal in traditional Ukrainian restaurants.

What is the most popular meal in Ukraine? ›

The most famous traditional Ukrainian dishes are borshch, varenyky, holubtsi, Chicken Kyiv, banosh, and syrnyky, and it surely is not an exhaustive list. Borshch (sometimes written as borsch, borsht, bortsch, or borshch) is a sour soup with distinctive red colour.

What is the most popular bread in Ukraine? ›

Palyanytsya is the most famous Ukrainian bread now and the special word to check if you are Ukrainian or russian ( they can't pronounce this correctly) I was asked to share the recipe for baking this bread for fundraising campaigns. The recipe might need humidity adjustments.

Is borscht Russian or Ukrainian? ›

borscht, beet soup of the Slavic countries. Although borscht is important in Russian and Polish cuisines, Ukraine is frequently cited as its place of origin.

What does Malanka mean in Ukrainian? ›

Malanka (Ukrainian New Year's Eve) is traditionally celebrated on January 13th. It is rich in ancient ritual, folklore and magic. The ancestors of Ukrainians believed that on New Year's Eve, good and evil spirits descended on the earth.

Which dish is an absolute must have at Ukrainian Christmas Eve dinner? ›

Traditional Ukrainian kutia

1. Kutia is the most important dish at the Christmas dinner. It is usually prepared from boiled wheat and generously seasoned with honey, poppy seeds, nuts, and dried fruits. Eating this dish on Christmas Eve programmed the following year for a good harvest, livestock, and procreation.

What does a Ukrainian Christmas dinner look like? ›

Mushroom soup, lean cabbage rolls, fried or baked fish are also traditional dishes. And, of course, varenyky — a half-moon-shaped dough meal with filling. The filling can be different. Christmas-Eve dumplings are often made with cabbage or sweets — just add prunes or cherries as filling.

What kind of meat do Ukrainians eat? ›

Major staples of Iranian food that are usually eaten with every meal include rice, various herbs, cheese, a variety of flat breads, and some type of meat (usually poultry, beef, lamb, or fish). Stew over rice is by far the most popular dish, and the constitution of these vary by region.

What is Ukraine's national animal? ›

Ukraine national animal is the European Bison, known as "Zubr." It symbolizes an untamed spirit and a profound link to its natural surroundings. Zubr embodies the harmonious relationship between humanity and the environment, a testament to Ukraine's deep-rooted respect for nature's balance.

What do they drink in Ukraine? ›

What is a typical drink from Ukraine? If you mean something Ukrainians present to others, then vodka or balsam (herbal liquor). Like many other contemporary people, most Ukrainians drink daily coffee or tea — but those do not grow in Ukraine. Ukrainians drink beer often, and a lot of Ukrainian beers are not bad.

What time do Ukrainians eat meals? ›

Food in Daily Life.

Ukrainians prefer to eat at home, leaving restaurants for special occasions. Meal times are from 7:00 to 10:00 A.M. for breakfast, from 12:00 noon to 3:00 P.M. for dinner or lunch, and from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. for supper.

What do Ukrainians eat for breakfast? ›

Ukrainian people eat a lot of cereals for breakfast. For example, in cities, a common breakfast will include boiled buckwheat, rice, or oats. In Western Ukraine, corn porridge is also quite popular and is commonly eaten with white cheese. Bread with salo (pork fat) is a common addition for any meal.

What is the difference between Russian and Ukrainian food? ›

Ukrainian cooks will often add lard to accentuate the flavour of their meals. Furthermore, Ukrainian cuisine is centered around specific proteins, including duck, goose, and pig, whereas Russian cooks will primarily use poultry and fish.

What is a typical Ukrainian breakfast? ›

Ukrainian people eat a lot of cereals for breakfast. For example, in cities, a common breakfast will include boiled buckwheat, rice, or oats. In Western Ukraine, corn porridge is also quite popular and is commonly eaten with white cheese. Bread with salo (pork fat) is a common addition for any meal.

What meat do Ukrainians eat? ›

Pork is the most common type of meat used for kruchenyky, but beef, chicken, or even fish can be used instead of it. The stuffings vary from region to region, and some of the most common ingredients for the stuffing include mushrooms, carrots, onions, cheese, cabbage, and prunes.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanael Baumbach

Last Updated:

Views: 6575

Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanael Baumbach

Birthday: 1998-12-02

Address: Apt. 829 751 Glover View, West Orlando, IN 22436

Phone: +901025288581

Job: Internal IT Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Motor sports, Flying, Skiing, Hooping, Lego building, Ice skating

Introduction: My name is Nathanael Baumbach, I am a fantastic, nice, victorious, brave, healthy, cute, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.