When it comes to hosting a memorable party, Ukrainian party food is a hit. I know that because I had a party serving Ukrainian dishes not too long ago.
My friends and I made borshch and served it with pampushky and salo. If you’re not familiar with these foods, I’ll explain in a minute.
Of course, not every party is based on traditional foods, so I’ll share everything that is realistically served at Ukrainian events.
These can be birthdays, weddings, holidays, or simply get-togethers with friends and family.
Ukrainian Party Food
From traditional foods to modern ideas, meet Ukrainian party foods that you’ll most probably see in any Ukrainian home!
Traditional Ukrainian Foods
Whenever there is a party, the popular Ukrainian dumplings, varenyky, steal the spotlight. They can be filled with cottage cheese, potatoes, sauerkraut or meats.
Holubtsi, cabbage rolls featuring cabbage leaves stuffed with a delicious mixture of rice, pork, and aromatic spices, are another Ukrainian specialty served at parties.
The most popular Ukrainian soup known as borshch is essential for every traditional Ukrainian meal. It’s made of beets, cabbage, potatoes and other vegetables cooked in a hearty broth.
You can’t go wrong with borshch topped with a dollop of sour cream for any type of party!
Borshch is served with salo, cured pork fat, which is sliced thin and served on rye bread. And of course, pampushky (garlic bread rolls), are a must-have accompaniment.
As I mentioned, I recently had the honor of throwing a party with a Ukrainian theme, and I loved it! Here are some pictures from my party so you see can what we served:
Salads
You can often see different kinds of salads at Ukrainian parties.
Although traditional ideas like vinaigrette (beet salad) and Olivye (potato salad) are still a hit, Ukrainians have also embraced new salad options.
I often see Caesar salad, Greek salad, and Caprese salad at parties. We also love cabbage so you might find a coleslaw with cabbage, cucumber and dill on the Ukrainian table.
Would you like to know the easiest Ukrainian salad? I can’t speak for everyone but my pick is a tomato-cucumber salad dressed with sour cream or with olive oil and vinegar.
Oh, and by the way, you should definitely try my Olivye salad. You’ll have a yummy dish ready in a flash!
Ingredients
- 4 large potatoes (boiled and diced)
- 4 medium carrots (boiled and diced)
- 4 hard-boiled eggs (diced)
- 1 cup boiled green peas (150 g)
- 1 cup diced dill pickles (150 g)
- 1 cup diced cooked ham or bologna (150 g)
- ½ cup diced onion (70 g)
- 1 cup mayonnaise (230 g)
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh dill or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Prepare Ingredients:
- Boil the potatoes, carrots, and eggs until they are fully cooked. Allow them to cool before peeling and dicing.4 large potatoes, 4 medium carrots, 4 hard-boiled eggs
- Boil the green peas until tender. If using frozen peas, you can thaw them.1 cup boiled green peas
- Dice the pickles, ham (or bologna), and onion.1 cup diced dill pickles, 1 cup diced cooked ham or bologna, ½ cup diced onion
Mixing:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced potatoes, carrots, eggs, green peas, pickles, ham (or bologna), and onion.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.Salt and pepper to taste
Dressing:
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise and Dijon mustard until well combined.1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until all ingredients are coated.
Chill:
- Cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and enhances the taste.
Serve:
- Before serving, check the seasoning and adjust if necessary.
- Garnish with fresh dill or parsley if desired.Fresh dill or parsley for garnish
Enjoy:
- Serve the Ukrainian Olivye salad as a side dish or as a main course during festive occasions. It pairs well with bread or as a topping for crackers.
Meats
A variety of meats are a common component of Ukrainian party cuisine.
One standout is shashlyk, a type of skewered and grilled meat, typically marinated before cooking. It’s the most popular meat dish at outdoor parties and barbecues.
Kovbasa, a traditional Ukrainian sausage, is another fan favorite.
You can often see charcuterie boards with a diverse selection of meats served at Ukrainian parties. These can also include salo, an iconic part of Ukrainian cuisine.
Ukrainian Kanapky
Kanapky are open-faced sandwiches topped with ham, salami, cheeses, smoked fish, pickles, fresh vegetables, and spreads.
They’re super easy to make and usually loved by everyone!
Pizza
Pizza is not traditionally Ukrainian, but it is a popular and flexible addition to modern Ukrainian recipes.
Pizza is a popular and easy food to share, making it great for parties.
Whether it’s a classic Margherita, Pizza ai quattro formaggi or something with a local twist, this international favorite has rooted itself in Ukrainian cooking.
Sushi
Japanese sushi has also made its way into Ukrainian gatherings. It’s a trendy addition, especially loved by the younger generation.
Sushi platters with a variety of rolls are often seen at Ukrainian parties. The most popular rolls include California rolls, Philadelphia rolls, and Dragon rolls.
There are a lot of sushi restaurants and take-out options in Ukraine, so we can easily add sushi to party menus.
Desserts
No Ukrainian party is complete without a variety of delicious desserts.
One traditional dessert that you’ll commonly find at Ukrainian parties is the honey cake, or medovyk. It’s made with layers of honey-infused sponge cake and creamy filling.
Another classic is the cherry varenyky—dumplings filled with sour cherries and served with a dollop of sour cream.
Other popular desserts include the poppy seed roll, known as makivnyk, and the beloved Kyiv cake.
For more sweet things, check out my blog post on the best Ukrainian desserts to try!
You can also explore unique Ukrainian cakes and traditional cookie recipes from Ukraine!
Which Ukrainian party foods are you excited to try? Let me know in the comments!
Looking for drinks to serve at your party? Check out my blog post on Ukrainian drinks for some ideas!
