15 Russian Recipes

These traditional Russian recipes are easy to make and packed with flavor!

From soups to salads to pies, Russian cuisine brings a unique twist to your weekly menu!

If you loved the biographical documentary, The Last Czars, and the animated movie, Anastasia, chances are you’re highly interested in Russian history and culture.

What better way is there to get to know a country more than through its food? 

Russia may be more famous for its rich history, but did you know that it also has a myriad of delicious dishes to offer?

Today, get to know this vast country a bit more by checking out this collection of authentic recipes.

Don’t be intimidated by their difficult-to-pronounce names! These dishes are packed with flavor and are also easy to make!

1. Russian Cabbage Soup

Schi is a traditional Russian soup made with cabbage.

Every region has its own version, and each uses other veggies instead of cabbages, such as sorrel, spinach, and sauerkraut.

While the soup doesn’t contain meat, it’s still hearty and tasty because it’s loaded with potatoes and tomatoes.

Flavored with vegetable broth, dill, and sour cream, it’s incredibly rich and savory!

2. Borscht

You’ve probably heard of it somewhere, but what is borscht, and what makes it so popular?

Borscht is another traditional Russian soup made of beetroot that’s loaded with potatoes, carrots, tomato, and a type of meat.

It can be served either hot or cold and topped with dill and sour cream. 

Apart from the flavor, the color contrast between the red beets, green dill, and white sour cream makes it even more appetizing!

3. Ukha (Russian Fish Soup)

Ukha, or fish soup, is the ultimate Russian comfort food. A bowl of ukha consists of fish fillets, potatoes, and carrots in a savory broth.

To give it even more flavor, the broth is infused with black peppercorns and bay leaf. One slurp will warm you right up! 

4. Russian Cabbage Pie

Russia is highly abundant with cabbage, so they use it in many of their dishes. Case in point: the Russian cabbage pie.

Hearing about this dish the first time made me scratch my head. Cabbage in a pie? I wasn’t sure it would work, but it definitely does.

This pie is made of braised cabbage on boiled eggs on a bed of buttery crust. It’s wonderfully rich, savory, and downright delicious!

5. Russian Hot Honey Beverage

It’s almost always winter in Russia, so hot beverages are a must. Sbiten is a sweet honey-based drink that predates coffee and tea.

The combination of hot water, honey, jam, and spices makes this sbiten a wonderful drink.

One sip is guaranteed to warm not just your body, but your heart and soul as well!

6. Russian Piroshki (Meat Hand Pies)

Piroshki or pirozhki – however you want to spell it, one thing is for sure: this Russian mini-pie is ridiculously delicious.

Whether it’s stuffed with meat, fish, eggs, potatoes, or jam and cottage cheese, piroshki sure hits the spot.

You really can’t go wrong with a flaky and buttery crust filled with a sweet or savory filling!

7. Russian Lamb Pilaf (Plov)

Lamb pilaf of plov is a hearty mixture of rice, prunes, raisins, and lamb. These ingredients create a beautiful harmony of textures and flavors.

Just like the Spanish paella, plov makes use of saffron, which turns the dish into a vibrant yellow.

To make it, all you need is to toast rice in oil or butter and simmer it in a rich broth. Then, just add the rest of the ingredients until cooked. 

8. Russian Carrot Salad

Russian carrot salad is a super simple dish that features – as you may have guessed – carrots.

Flavored with lots of garlic and coriander, carrot salad is insanely addictive. Not to mention, it smells amazing, too!

9. Russian Blini

Blini is the Russian version of classic pancakes. They’re more similar to crepes, except they are made with yeasted dough.

Blini are super soft and light and taste even more amazing when served with sweet or savory fillings.

Egg salad, ground meat, and cottage cheese are common pairings, but the most popular ones are caviar, honey, and sour cream.

10. Spiced Tea (Russian Tea)

Warm black tea, orange juice, lemon juice, cloves, and cinnamon make up this unbelievably tasty tea!

It’s the perfect morning and afternoon drink! Pair it with your favorite bread or biscuit, and you’ll have the most comforting, heartwarming meal.

11. Russian Vinaigrette Salad

This gorgeous vinaigrette salad features beets, sauerkraut, potatoes, carrots, and pickles.

It has such tasty elements that together form an even more succulent dish! 

The combination of veggies is so good, you won’t even need too much for the dressing. Just some olive oil, vinegar, and onion are all it takes.

Be sure to make this salad ahead of time because it tastes ten times better the next day.

12. Russian Potato Salad

Also called the Olivier Salad (after its inventor), Russian potato salad is an ultra-rich dish packed with meat, veggies, eggs, and a creamy mayo dressing.

It’s both a feast for the eyes and the lips!

The best part is, it’s very easy to customize. You can use whatever meat, veggies, and herbs to suit your taste. 

13. Kurnik: Russian Chicken Pie

Kurnik is a mixture of rice, hard-boiled eggs, chicken, and mushrooms stuffed in a flaky and buttery crust. In short, it’s the ultimate chicken pie!

The fact that it also has rice in it makes this dish super hearty. It’s perfect for feeding a pack of hungry guests! 

14. Russian Beef Stroganoff

Beef stroganoff is a classic Russian dish that’s loved all over the world.

It’s strips of tender beef, mushrooms, and onions swimming in a super-rich gravy, and it’s amazing.

Whether you serve it with rice, pasta, noodles, or just by itself, you can’t go wrong.

15. Russian Romanoff

For dessert, how about an easy-peasy strawberry treat? 

Strawberries and sweetened whipped cream are all you need to make this uber-refreshing sweet.

Plus, look how pretty it is! The contrast between the red berries and white, fluffy cream is simply adorable.