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8 Classic Ukrainian Dinner Recipes for the Family

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.

Classic Ukrainian Dinner Recipes featured image | Girl Meets Food

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!

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Two Ukrainian cabbage rolls (holubtsi) on the plate | Girl Meets Food
Holubtsi (Cabbage Rolls)
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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.

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A bowl of borscht soup topped with sour cream on the table | Girl Meets Food
Borshch (Ukrainian Beet Soup)
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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!

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A bowl of Beet Salad (Vinaigrette) | Girl Meets Food
Beet Salad (Vinaigrette)
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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.

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A plate of deruny and a ramekin with sour cream on the table | Girl Meets Food
Deruny (Potato Pancakes)
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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.

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A bowl of varenyky on the blue table cloth | Girl Meets Food
Varenyky (Ukrainian Dumplings)
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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.

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A plate of Keto Chicken Kiev Casserole on a plate | Girl Meets Food
Keto Chicken Kyiv Casserole
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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)

Cooking rice pilaf on open fire | Girl Meets Food

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)

Cooking rice pilaf on open fire | Girl Meets Food

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
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes

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:

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