12 Most Popular Ukrainian Vegetables and Their Uses

I can’t imagine my country’s traditional cuisine without these Ukrainian vegetables. Despite their simplicity, they’re responsible for very rich and nuanced flavors.

Fresh vegetables are also a staple in Ukrainian vegetarian recipes where they combine to create hearty meals.

Every traditional cuisine needs some veggies and our bodies need them too. So, let’s take a closer look!

The Most Popular Ukrainian Vegetables

Oh, and I forgot to mention vegan recipes with Ukrainian flavors are also gaining popularity!

Beetroot

Beetroot plays a key role in the iconic Ukrainian soup called borshch. Apart from that, it can be used to add an earthy flavor to salads and appetisers.

For example, a popular vinaigrette salad includes boiled beetroot as one of the main ingredients to impart the dish with vibrant red color.

Another Ukrainian food that can’t exist without beets is beetroot horseradish, a pungent dip served with meats.

Carrot

You can find carrots in almost all Ukrainian soup recipes and more. It’s a mainstay in Ukrainian cuisine and I don’t see it becoming less important.

Carrot’s natural sweetness and color are essential for traditional dishes like borshch, vinaigrette salad, holubtsi (cabbage rolls) and more.

Onion

The same goes for onion. Even though it’s unnoticeable in many dishes, it’s a crucial ingredient. You won’t believe how much it changes the flavor of many Ukrainian dishes.

You can find onion in soups, stews, potato fritters, cutlets—almost everything.

I can’t eat varenyky (Ukrainian dumplings) without some sautéed onions on top. It might just be my favorite vegetable or garnish if we take green onions.

Garlic

Garlic isn’t behind in that regard either. It’s a staple in Ukrainian recipes. 

The most prominent use of garlic in traditional foods is in garlic bread buns called pampushky. They’re a delightful addition to borshch.

Potato

Ukrainians eat potatoes a lot and it’s no surprise considering how versatile they are.

From classic dishes like varenyky and deruny (potato pancakes) to more modern creations like potato salad, potatoes are a must-have.

Along with carrots and onions, they’re almost in every soup you can think of.

Cabbage

There are many cabbage-based foods in Ukraine, such as sauerkraut, cabbage soup (kapusniak) and stuffed cabbage rolls (holubtsi).

It’s also a great addition to fresh salads and coleslaw. 

Cucumber

Salads, soups, and snacks with cucumbers provide a refreshing twist to traditional Ukrainian cuisine.

They’re a very popular vegetable in summer salads. They’re quite easy to grow in Ukraine so you can find them in almost every garden.

Ukrainian food can’t be real without pickles, so we value cucumbers a lot. They’re pickled in a brine solution with dill, garlic, and other spices.

Tomato

The easiest Ukrainian salad to make is to throw together some tomatoes and cucumbers.

Tomatoes are also very popular in sauces for holubtsi and borshch. We eat pickled tomatoes too in the winter; they’re delicious!

Squash

Pumpkin and zucchini are two of the most popular squash varieties in Ukraine. Zucchini is my favorite vegetable for frying and I make zucchini fritters every summer.

Pumpkin is mostly used in pies, soups and porridge made with rice or millet.

Split Pea

Peas are quite popular in Ukraine and not only the usual green peas. Dried yellow split peas are often used in soups and stews.

Some popular options are stewed cabbage with split peas and pea soup.

Bean

Beans are often added to ethnic dishes for flavor and protein. They’re a great addition to soups, salads, and stews.

 Boiled beans with carrots and onions are a popular side dish.

Bell Pepper

Ukrainians also love bell peppers in their cooking. They taste great in dishes like stuffed peppers, salads, and stews.

I hope I didn’t miss any important Ukrainian vegetables. Share your favorite one in the comments!

Also, check out these delicious Ukrainian dinners to test out those veggies!