18 Of The Most Popular Russian Dishes

Russian cuisine is a mixture of Eastern and Western culinary influences, leading to an abundance of yummy recipes.

They might not all be exactly what you are used to, but trying new things mainly surprises people and they find things they actually love to eat! 

These dishes are just a few of the most popular. Russian food is evolving, and so are the dishes. These are 18 of the most popular, with a few tips on how to cook them.

It might be a bit different to what you’re used to but there are some great combinations of flavors in the mix on this list! 

1. Beef Stroganov 

The beef stroganov recipe is an easy to prepare classic dish that is perfect for a dinner party.

This classic beef stroganov recipe is easy to make, and is perfect for the winter months when you want to serve something warming and comforting. Make sure you choose a cut of beef that can be pan fried to have the best, tender results. 

2. Kurnik

This is a traditional chicken pie in Russia which might sound simple but the flavors work very well together. 

You will also be including mushrooms, hard boiled eggs and rice. This is a tradition because it is mainly served at weddings or events in Russia (see also ‘17 Russian Desserts For A Taste Of Russia‘). 

3. Borscht

This is a traditional Russian soup made with beetroot, beet leaves and other root vegetables. The beetroot is cooked in a broth made with pork, sauerkraut, caraway, celery, onion and a few more. 

A delicious recipe for borscht, a traditional Russian soup that’s full of beets and beet greens.

4. Vareniki

Vareniki are a traditional Ukrainian and Russian soup that are quick, easy, and incredibly tasty. They are often made with cottage cheese, raw egg, and flour, but you can also make them with cheese, cream or ricotta instead of cottage cheese.

Vareniki are small, savory dumplings that are typically filled with meat, cheese, and chopped vegetables. They are served in soup, as a side, or as an appetizer.

5. Pelmeni

Pelmeni are Russian meat dumplings or “pierogis” made of either ground pork, beef or veal, or a mixture of the two, along with a small amount of potato.

Pelmeni are Russian patties, which are made with a thin, spongy dough that is filled with various kinds of meat and are quite easy to make in the comfort of your own home. 

6. Leg Of Venison

The recipe for leg of venison in moscowite sauce is now a universal recipe due to its popularity and can be used with almost any cut of meat.  

This recipe is a favorite in the UK and US and has been published in a number of cookbooks over the last 100 years.

7. Hychin

This particular dish is an authentic tradition created by the Balkar people of Russia (see also ‘17 Russian Desserts For A Taste Of Russia‘). 

If you’re someone who loves your flatbreads, this is one with a twist. The filling is the star of the show with a cheese and potato filling with a garlic sauce to complement. 

It might sound simple, but they are normally the best dishes and this is easy to make yourself.  

8. Russian Cabbage Pie

Russian cabbage pie, a classic from the Eastern European Cabbage family, is a favorite holiday dessert.

This is a great recipe for a side dish. There are always different ways to prepare cabbage and I found this recipe. It is so easy to make and is a great side dish to any meal. Many people like to serve it with pork.

9. Russian Salad

Authentic Russian Salad ‘Olivye’ is a great recipe for a party. It is prepared with fresh cucumbers, fresh tomatoes, onions and parsley.

The traditional Russian salad is also a mix of red and green lettuce and other vegetables. 

This is one of the more healthy options out of the authentic recipes which is easy and quick to make for any guests. 

10. Sunflower Salad

This traditional Russian salad is something you will be able to impress with. It is slightly more difficult to make than other salads but it has a beautiful finish, almost too good to eat. 

This is a chicken and mushroom salad but you would think it was an actual sunflower. 

11. Russian Pancakes

These Russian pancakes are known as Blini and might be a bit different to the usual pancakes you might have at home. 

A blini is an open-faced Russian pancake, also known as a Beluga. This recipe is adapted from one in the ‘Russians’ cookbook.

Blini are the perfect treat for a summer picnic. These pancakes are easy to prepare, delicious, and light and airy.

12. Ukha (Fish Soup)

If you are a fish lover then this will be the perfect delight. 

The fish needs to be gently cooked to have the desired texture and is not overcooked. You will also be adding potatoes and carrots to the mix. This hearty soup will be rich in flavor and packs a punch! 

13. Piroshki

This is a traditional Russian small die mixed with a variety of different flavors. 

The dish is filled with protein including eggs, meat and fish which all make this pie so healthy and good for you. 

You are looking to have a beautifully sweet interior and a slight crisp from cooking on the exterior, and you know you have it spot on. 

14. Lamb Pilaf

This lamb pilaf is light and aromatic, and the tomatoes and fresh mint in the sauce lend an earthy taste. Serve with grilled chicken and roasted potatoes for a complete meal.

A dish of lamb pilaf is a great choice for a delicious and healthy dinner. This recipe uses lamb (see also ‘23 Leftover Lamb Recipes You Need To Try!‘), but you can also use chicken or beef.

15. Carrot Salad

A carrot salad is not something you have probably had with carrot being one of the main ingredients but it is a very authentic meal in Russia. 

This is made with carrot, coriander and lots of garlic. This is to really enhance all three strong flavors. 

16. Romanoff

Russian romanoff is a rich dessert, made of flaked sweetened custard, baked with meringue on top.

Rich, sweet, creamy and so very easy to make! This classic recipe has been a family orientated favorite for many.

This is creamy with a crunch from the strawberries. It is a light and fresh dessert which is perfect after eating a heavy main. It is authentic and simple and perfect to be making in your own home. 

17. Khol Odets

This traditional dish is an elegant one with chunks of tender meat placed in a flavorsome and gelatinized broth. 

This is a really healthy option if you’re looking at something with everything you need in your diet. 

It is traditionally served with a spicy horseradish or beet sauce to finish it off and give the meal that extra kick. 

18. Golub’s

This is a very popular dish in Russia but there are a wide variety of these types of recipes with slight changes across the world. 

This particular recipe is made with cabbage, meat and rice. Sour cream is usually the go to sauce to add in because it lifts the flavors and makes it lighter. 

This is also a great dish to make at home because you are able to substitute out different ingredients for ones that you might prefer. Or you can keep it the same and see how the Russians like to eat it.  

Frequently Asked Question

What Is Russia’s National Dish?

MelindaSiklosi/Getty images. Pelmeni is considered the national dish of Russia. They are pastry dumplings typically filled with minced meat and wrapped in a thin, pasta-like dough. They can be served alone, slathered in butter and topped with sour cream, or in a soup broth.

What Is Russian Cuisine?

People are often surprised at the variety and flavors of Russian dishes, which were influenced by the country’s connection to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Russian cuisine is a reflection of the geographical features of this enormous country, its Christian beliefs and interesting customs.

Conclusion

Overall, when trying to choose out of hundreds of recipes on the internet that link to Russia, it can be consuming and overwhelming that you might just give up.

This is a more condensed, easy to read guide about the type of recipe you will be creating. All of these are pretty simple to make at home, and you should be able to find most of the ingredients in your local stores. 

Hopefully this guide has helped you find a few new recipes to add to your meal plan which are traditionally Russian. There are a wide variety of different mains, appetizers and desserts to choose from.

They might be a bit different from what you are used to, but it is all about trying new flavors and how other cultures cook. There will be a burst of new flavors and combinations which might excite you and you could end up finding your go to dish!