Delicious Ukrainian cuisine: 10 national dishes from different regions

Ukrainian cuisine is rich, authentic, and delights with an enormous palette of flavors. In different regions of our country, there are local interpretations of traditional dishes such as borshch, varenyky, holubtsi, and deruny. Moreover, almost every homemaker has their own signature take on these recipes. So today we will dive into the diverse world of Ukrainian dishes and talk about their origins, types, and variations.

Ukrainian dishes that have become true favorites

Ukrainian culinary traditions are very diverse, and the list of tasty dishes we cook today is truly immense. Ancient Ukrainian cuisine was shaped mainly under the influence of the living conditions of our ancestors. Working the land, they needed wholesome yet quite hearty food that would provide enough energy.

Fertile soil and a favorable climate contributed to variety in the diet. The menu of ancient Ukrainians was rich in vegetables, meat, grains, and fruit. An important feature of Ukrainian cuisine is the large number of ingredients: some traditional dishes are quite complex to prepare.

Traditional Ukrainian soups

Borshch

The first course no one can resist! According to the traditional recipe, borshch is cooked on meat broth with the addition of vegetables: potatoes, beans, and cabbage. Its special color comes from red beetroot. Borshch is usually finished with a sauté of onion and carrot and served with garlic pampushky and salo.

But the most interesting fact is that almost every region of Ukraine has its own way of cooking borshch! No one knows for sure how many recipes exist. Some say 70, while other researchers claim there are more than 300.

In different regions of Ukraine, borshch is made with:

• smoked meats;
• fish;
• prunes;
• apples;
• pears;
• bell pepper.

In addition to traditional red borshch, there is also green borshch (without beetroot) and cold borshch.

Kapusniak

Another delicious first course of traditional Ukrainian cuisine. To prepare kapusniak, white cabbage is finely grated. The dish also includes:

• Meat – usually pork, sometimes chicken or beef.
• Potatoes – for heartiness.
• Millet or rice – adds texture and nutrition.
• Carrot and onion – for aroma and color.
• Spices – bay leaf, pepper, garlic.

Ukrainian main courses

Varenyky (dumplings)

Varenyky are usually made from unleavened dough with milk, less often with water or kefir. The filling can be meat, cottage cheese, mushrooms, various vegetables, or even cherries. Sweet varenyky are topped with butter, and savory ones with rendered pork fat and fried onion cracklings. Traditionally, varenyky are served with sour cream.

Deruny

Ukrainian deruny are a type of potato pancake. They are fairly simple to make: potatoes are grated, then mixed with raw eggs, a bit of flour, salt, and pepper. The mixture is fried in a pan until golden.

Besides the classic version, regional recipes offer deruny with:

• meat (chicken or pork);
• vegetables (carrot, pepper, etc.);
• mushrooms and other ingredients.

Traditional deruny are served with sour cream. For a festive version of this Ukrainian dish, the pancakes are additionally stewed in clay pots after frying.

Banosh

This is a delicious dish of Hutsul cuisine. Banosh is made from cornmeal cooked in cream and milk. It is topped with bryndza cheese, cracklings, mushrooms, and onions. Today, the dish is quick and easy to make at home, but in ancient times, Hutsuls cooked banosh in a cast-iron cauldron over an open fire.

Halushky

Halushky are small pieces of dough boiled in water, broth, or milk. They can be a standalone dish, a side, or an addition to soups. They are served both savory and sweet, depending on the recipe.

The base of halushky is simple ingredients that are always on hand:

• Flour – the main component.
• Eggs – to bind the dough.
• Salt and water – basic ingredients for mixing.
• Milk or kefir – sometimes used for a more delicate taste.
• Additional ingredients – potatoes, cheese, or meat can be used as filling.

Holubtsi (cabbage rolls)

Speaking of Ukrainian main courses, it’s impossible not to mention holubtsi. Traditionally, they are made from cabbage leaves (pre-blanched), filled with millet porridge, meat, and salo fried with onion. In modern Ukrainian cuisine, millet is most often replaced with rice, and mushrooms, vegetables, and spices can be added.

Like many national dishes, holubtsi have their own recipes in almost every region. They also vary in size: in Zakarpattia they are large, palm-sized, while in central, eastern, and southern regions they tend to be small.

Krychenyky (meat roulades)

These are meat rolls made from pork or beef tenderloin. The meat is cut into thin slices and pounded. Inside, a filling of mushrooms, rice, boiled eggs, and other ingredients is wrapped. Volyn-style krychenyky, for example, are made with sauerkraut, chicken, and prunes.

Kholodets (aspic)

A traditional winter dish – kholodets, or meat aspic. It is made from beef, pork, or poultry. Its special feature is the long cooking time, which allows you to achieve a rich flavor and thick, gelatinous texture. Kholodets is best served with horseradish and mustard.

Chicken Kyiv

This dish has long since become legendary. Chicken fillet stuffed with butter and coated in breadcrumbs is fried until golden. It is best served with mashed potatoes or vegetables.

What traditional drinks does Ukrainian cuisine offer?

Of course, enjoying Ukrainian dishes is impossible to imagine without delicious drinks. Let’s talk about the most popular ones!

Uzvar

Uzvar is a drink made from dried fruit, most often apples, pears, plums, or cherries. The fruit is simmered in water with little or no added sugar to preserve its natural taste. Uzvar is traditionally prepared for Christmas, but can be enjoyed year-round as a healthy and refreshing alternative to sugary drinks.

Kvas

Kvas is one of the oldest drinks in Ukraine, made by fermenting rye or barley bread, honey, or berries. This low-alcohol drink has a sweet-and-sour taste and is perfect for quenching thirst in summer.

Herbal tea

Ukrainians have long brewed tea from medicinal herbs: mint, linden blossom, St. John’s wort, chamomile, and rosehip. Such a drink not only warms you up but also helps with various ailments thanks to its healing properties.

Now you know a little more about Ukrainian cuisine. Enjoy these traditional dishes!

With care for you, the Pronto team!