Borscht
Often eaten: Lunch or dinner
Known for: All across Ukraine
Everyday mealFamily gatherings
Photo: Sophi Photographer (CC BY-SA 4.0)
4 dishes to discover
Food of Ukraine
Ukraine has a rich and diverse food culture that has been influenced by its history and geography. Ukrainian food is hearty and often features ingredients like potatoes, cabbage, and beets. Meals are an important part of family and social life.
Featured Dishes
Meal Culture
Ukrainians love sharing meals with family and friends. Eating together is important and often includes tasty and hearty dishes.
Eating Etiquette
In Ukraine, it is polite to wait until everyone is served before you start eating. People usually say 'Smachnoho' which means 'Enjoy your meal' before starting.
When People Eat It
Holubtsi
Often eaten: Lunch or dinner
Known for: All across Ukraine
CelebrationsHolidays
Varenyky
Often eaten: Lunch or dinner
Known for: All across Ukraine
Festive diningFamily meal
Deruny
Often eaten: Breakfast or as a snack
Known for: Western Ukraine
Quick snackCasual meals
Make It Yourself
👩🍳 Cook together! Always ask a grown-up to help with hot or sharp steps.
BorschtБорщ
Makes 6 servingsIngredients
- 3 beetsBeets, peeled and grated
- 2 cups (140 g)Cabbage, shredded
- 2 potatoes, 1 carrotPotatoes and carrots
- 1 onion, 2 tbspOnion and tomato paste
- 6 cups (1.4 L)Vegetable or beef broth
- to serveSour cream and dill
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to soften the onion and carrot in a big pot, then stir in the tomato paste.
- 2Add the grated beets and cook for a few minutes.
- 3Pour in the broth and add the potatoes.
- 4Simmer for 15 minutes, then add the cabbage and cook 10 more minutes.
- 5Season with a little salt and a splash of lemon to keep the color bright.
- 6Serve each bowl with a swirl of sour cream and fresh dill — UNESCO calls borscht part of Ukraine's heritage.
HolubtsiГолубці
Makes 12 rollsIngredients
- 12 leavesCabbage leaves, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (280 g)Cooked rice
- 1/2 lb (225 g)Ground beef or pork
- 1 eachOnion and carrot
- 2 cups (475 ml)Tomato sauce
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to soften the cabbage leaves in hot water until bendy.
- 2Mix the rice, meat, and chopped onion and carrot for the filling.
- 3Place a spoonful of filling on each cabbage leaf.
- 4Fold in the sides and roll into a neat parcel.
- 5Pack the rolls in a baking dish and pour the tomato sauce over them.
- 6Cover and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 1 hour, until tender.
VarenykyВареники
Makes 30 dumplingsIngredients
- 2 1/2 cups (310 g)Flour
- 3/4 cup (180 ml)Water
- 1 eggEgg
- 2 cupsMashed potato or cheese filling
- to serveButter and fried onion
How to Make It
- 1Mix the flour, water, and egg into a smooth dough and rest it for 30 minutes.
- 2Roll the dough thin and cut out circles with a cup.
- 3Place a spoonful of filling on each circle.
- 4Fold into a half-moon and pinch the edges tightly shut.
- 5Ask a grown-up to boil them for 3–4 minutes, until they float.
- 6Toss with butter and fried onion, and add a dollop of sour cream.
DerunyДеруни
Makes 12 pancakesIngredients
- 5 potatoesPotatoes, grated
- 1/2 onionOnion, grated
- 1 eggEgg
- 2 tbspFlour
- 1/4 cup (60 ml)Oil, for frying
- to serveSour cream
How to Make It
- 1Squeeze the grated potato and onion in a towel to remove extra water.
- 2Mix in the egg, flour, and a pinch of salt.
- 3Ask a grown-up to heat the oil in a pan over medium heat.
- 4Spoon in rounds of the potato mixture and flatten them.
- 5Fry for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and crisp.
- 6Serve hot with sour cream — Ukrainian potato pancakes.
Vocabulary
Borscht, a bright beet soup, is one of Ukraine’s most beloved dishes — UNESCO even named it part of Ukraine’s cultural heritage. Many Eastern European neighbours enjoy hearty cooking too, but Ukrainian food has its own special flavour.