From Pierogies to Borscht, Our All-Time Favourite Ukrainian Recipes

Pierogies AKA varenyky are a staple of Eastern European cuisine. These dumplings can be eaten savoury or sweet, stuffed with potato and cheese or sauerkraut and mushrooms — or served as a dessert with fruit filling and a sprinkling of sugar. Make a day of it and whip up a big batch of these perfect freezer-friendly Ukrainian favorites.

Cabbage rolls are a humble, but delicious staple in Ukrainian dining. Filled with a hearty mix of brown rice, ground pork and beef and simmered slowly in a tomato and sauerkraut sauce, these make for a perfect hot meal on a cold day.

Sour rye bread is a fixture in the breadbasket of Europe. You’ll find fresh, delicious loaves in any European grocery store, but why not try your hand at making it yourself at home?

Ukrainian pickles are slightly more sour and garlicky than your average sandwich pickle. This recipe calls for two cloves of garlic, but it can be added to suit your tastes (hint: for a more traditional Uki recipe, a bulb might be more appropriate). See here for more foods you can pickle at home!

For this Ukrainian crepe recipe, also known as nalysnyky, the crepes are spread with mushroom filling and rolled up. For a sweet variation, fill with ricotta cheese or fruits.

This beet soup was first made in what is now modern-day Ukraine. Serve it hot and strained as an immune-boosting flavourful broth or serve it cold topped with sour cream and dill.

Smoked sausage or kielbasa is a heavily smoked pork sausage spiced with garlic that’s common in Ukrainian and Polish cuisine. Boiled, baked or served cold, it’s a common dish in Eastern European homes.

Poppy seed cakes or loaves are the perfect, not-too-sweet ending to a meal or as a tea-time dessert.