ByUkrainian cuisine includes several national dishes, the recipes of which have been carefully preserved by Ukrainians for years. As for Ukrainian food, this country is famous for its comfort food and the usage of fresh, local ingredients. Though there are many types of dishes in Ukrainian cuisine, all these meals can be served for dinner with your beloved family members or friends. Here are 9 must-try dishes that showcase the best of Ukrainian culinary traditions.
Top 9 Ukrainian Dishes for Dinner
Ukrainian cuisine is naturally rich in taste and perfect for dinner, as most people like to have dinner as a main meal. From the meat- and cheese-stuffed pierogi to hearty vegetable stews, these recipes allow Ukrainians to indulge in their cuisine’s roots. Here are the 9 dishes that should be on the dinner table if Ukraine’s culinary experience were to be replicated at home.
1. Potato Pierogi
Potato pierogi are a popular delicacy in the Ukrainian cuisine. These soft dumplings are stuffed with mashed potatoes and meat. They can be served with a spoonful of sour cream. The softness of the dough and the creaminess of the potato filling will create a feel-good dish, which definitely can satisfy you.
As for the potato filling, potato pierogi can be on the next level if you have it with a zesty mustard and horseradish sauce. This will create a compelling experience for every food lover. They are suitable for vegetarians and meat lovers. They are considered an inseparable part of family and holiday meals in Ukrainian culture.
2. Meat Stuffed Cabbage
Meat stuffed cabbage or holubtsi, is a common meal in Ukrainian cuisine. This dish, which consists of rice and meat wrapped in soft cabbage leaves and cooked in a creamy mushroom gravy or savory tomato sauce, is filling and delicious.
Traditionally, Holubtsi is served with a spoonful of sour cream and is best eaten on Christmas Eve. The soft cabbage, homemade tomato sauce, or rich mushroom gravy create a perfect combination of tastes. Especially, the preparation of this dish is adored by many Ukrainians.
3. Braised Beef Pierogi
The third is the braised beef pierogi, which includes dumplings stuffed with melting beef cooked low and slow with onions, garlic, and spices. The combination of the soft dough and filling is equally delicious, and anyone who tastes it for the first time will be impressed. Pierogi with braised beef top is a perfect example of how Ukrainian cuisine turns basic ingredients into a dish to die for.
4. Chicken Paprikash
Chicken paprikash is a home-cooked meal that embraces the use of paprika in Ukrainian kitchens. Chicken pieces are prepared without bones. Instead, onions, black peppers, and a lot of paprika are used as ingredients, then simmered in a creamy sauce until tender.
Most often, this dish is served with Latkes (Potato pancakes), which provide a delightful contrast in flavor, fill the stomach, and warm the soul.
5. Potato Pancakes
Latkes, the potato pancakes, are famous in the Ukrainian cuisine. These crispy and golden pancakes are made of potatoes combined with eggs, onion, garlic, and ground black pepper. They are slightly fried to have a crunchy outer skin while the inside remains tender.
Latkes can be categorized under side dishes or dinners. Their simplicity and taste make them special, making them frequently cooked in many Ukrainian families.
6. Cheese Pierogi
Cheese pierogi are another variation of Ukrainian dumplings that use cheese filling. They are made with luscious pierogi dough and cheese, commonly farmer’s cheese.
Their perfectly sweet flavor paired with fried onions and sour cream is quite tasty and can be the perfect choice for Ukrainian cuisine. They are best consumed during a heavy meal or as a snack with a twist.
7. Bigos
Bigos, also identified as hunter’s stew, is a classic Ukrainian cuisine that comprises Chicken Stock, Pork, Onion, Allspice Berries, Paprika, Bay Leaf, Kielbasa, Sauerkraut Juice, Chicken Stock, and Black Pepper.
This stew is prepared by slow cooking and is made with onions, mushrooms, and different spices, making its taste rather intense.
8. Medovyk
Honey cake or Medovyk is one of those sweet surprises that is attributed to Ukrainian cuisine. This cake is made with thin layers of honey-sugary sponge cake, with each layer having a creamy filling, usually stangy sour cream and crunchy walnuts.
It is a perfect dish to be served at the end of a Ukrainian dinner as it exhibits the use of honey in Ukrainian sweets.
9. Ukrainian Borscht
Any list of Ukrainian cuisine should mention borscht, of course. This famous beet soup is well-known due to its bright red color and deep. To prepare Ukrainian Borscht, beets, beans, and pork are used, sometimes you can use meat like beef instead of pork.
The soup is then consumed hot with a spoonful of sour cream added on top. Borscht is a traditional Ukrainian dish, an embodiment of Ukraine, and also symbolizes Ukrainian people’s hospitality. It is a meal that unites families and is used in all seasons of the year.
If you’re wondering where to buy well-cooked Ukrainian food and enjoy it with your family, you can easily buy Ukrainian food online from Veselka. Veselka has several types of cuisines from Ukraine that can satisfy you and all of your family members!
To Conclude
Tasting these 9 dishes gives a brief idea of Ukrainian cuisine, which is diverse and has a long history. All of them are stories of tradition, home, and the satisfaction when Ukrainians enjoy a good meal with family and friends.
For an authentic taste of Ukrainian cuisine, here are some recommended meals that you can prepare at home or eat out at a Ukrainian restaurant. Some of the popular foods at Veselka include Ukrainian dishes prepared in the traditional style and can be arranged for home delivery.
This place prepares all Ukrainian meals, including potato pierogi, borscht, or anything else, so you are well covered! Visit their Ukraine restaurant online and offline to see the menu today. Taste delicious Ukrainian dishes, get a warm and cozy feeling with Veselka’s food!
