10+ Russian Recipes to Try at Home for Delicious Meals

Russian cuisine offers a rich tapestry of flavors, textures, and traditions that reflect its diverse history. From hearty soups to savory pastries, these recipes bring warmth and comfort to any meal. Exploring Russian recipes allows you to experience authentic dishes that can delight your family and friends.

Each dish tells a story, whether it is a festive celebration or a simple gathering. The use of fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods makes Russian cuisine truly special. You will find that trying out these recipes can not only expand your cooking skills but also create memorable moments at your table.

1) Beef Stroganoff

Beef Stroganoff is a classic Russian dish that features tender strips of beef in a creamy sauce. It’s perfect served over noodles or rice. You’ll love how simple it is to prepare while being so flavorful.

The dish usually combines beef, mushrooms, and onions with a sour cream sauce. You can customize it with your favorite spices. This recipe is great for both family dinners and special occasions.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs sirloin steak
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tsp paprika
• Cooked egg noodles or rice for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the sirloin steak into thin strips.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
3. Add onions and mushrooms; cook until they soften.
4. Add beef strips and cook until they brown.
5. Stir in sour cream and paprika; season with salt and pepper.
6. Serve over cooked noodles or rice. Enjoy!

2) Borscht

Borscht is a classic soup that comes from Russia and many Eastern European countries. It’s known for its vibrant red color, mainly from beets. This hearty dish is both nutritious and filling.

You can make borscht with different ingredients, including vegetables and meats. Common additions are potatoes, cabbage, and carrots. Many people enjoy it with a dollop of sour cream on top.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will need beets, potatoes, onions, and broth. Cooking borscht usually takes about an hour, making it a great option for a cozy meal.

Ingredients

• 3 medium beets, peeled and grated
• 3 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 8 cups chicken or beef broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Sour cream for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onions and cook until soft.
3. Stir in beets and potatoes, cooking for a few minutes.
4. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat and simmer for about 40 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream.

3) Blini

Blini are traditional Russian pancakes that you can enjoy in many ways. They are thin and flexible, perfect for sweet or savory fillings. Popular toppings include sour cream, fruit preserves, or smoked salmon.

To make blini, you’ll need basic ingredients like flour, milk, eggs, and salt. You can modify the recipe to include whole wheat flour or even add yeast for a fluffier texture.

Cooking blini is simple. Heat a non-stick skillet and pour in a small amount of batter. Cook until the edges lift and the bottom is golden brown. Flip to cook the other side briefly.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk (or substitute with kefir)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, eggs, milk, and salt until smooth.
2. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
3. Pour a small amount of batter into the pan, swirling to cover.
4. Cook for 1-2 minutes until golden, then flip.
5. Cook the other side briefly and remove.

4) Piroshki

Piroshki are delightful Russian pastries that come filled with various tasty ingredients. You can enjoy them with savory fillings like meat, potatoes, or cabbage, or choose sweet options like fruit or jam.

To start making piroshki, you’ll need to prepare some soft, fluffy dough. The dough forms the perfect pocket for your chosen filling. After shaping the piroshki, you can either bake or fry them until they are golden brown.

These pastries are great for parties or as a snack. They are easy to customize based on your taste, making them a favorite for many.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups (500 g) all-purpose flour
• 1 packet (1 ½ teaspoons) active dry yeast
• ½ teaspoon table salt
• 1 cup (240 ml) warm milk
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 egg

Cooking Instructions:

1. Warm the milk to about 110°F (43°C) and mix in sugar and yeast. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. In a bowl, combine flour and salt.
3. Add the milk mixture, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a dough forms.
4. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth.
5. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.
6. Fill the dough with your choice of filling and shape it into pockets.
7. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes or fry until golden.

5) Russian Olive Salad

Russian Olive Salad, also known as Olivier Salad, is a popular dish in Russia and other former Soviet countries. It’s perfect for gatherings and special occasions.

This salad typically includes a mix of boiled potatoes, carrots, dill pickles, and hard-boiled eggs. You can also add bologna or ham for extra flavor. The ingredients are diced and combined with mayonnaise, giving it a creamy texture.

You can enjoy this salad chilled or at room temperature. It is both filling and refreshing, making it a favorite among many.

Ingredients

• 3 small to medium potatoes
• 4 medium carrots
• 8 hard-boiled eggs
• 1 lb (450 g) bologna or ham
• 8 small dill pickles
• 1-2 small cucumbers
• 1 cup (240 ml) mayonnaise
• 1 cup (150 g) sweet peas
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the potatoes and carrots until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Let them cool.
2. Hard-boil the eggs, then peel and chop them.
3. Dice the cooled potatoes, carrots, bologna, pickles, and cucumbers.
4. In a large bowl, mix all the diced ingredients with sweet peas.
5. Add mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
6. Chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving.

6) Pelmeni

Pelmeni are traditional Russian dumplings filled with meat. You can use a mix of ground pork and beef for a tasty filling. They are easy to make and perfect for sharing.

To prepare the dough, combine flour, water, and eggs until smooth. Roll it out thin and cut it into circles. Place a small spoonful of filling on each circle, fold, and pinch the edges to seal.

Cook the dumplings in boiling water for about 5-7 minutes, or until they float. Serve them warm with sour cream and fresh herbs for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup water
• 9 oz ground pork
• 9 oz ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix flour, water, and egg to form a dough.
2. Roll the dough and cut it into circles.
3. Combine meat, onion, salt, and pepper.
4. Fill each circle with meat mixture and seal.
5. Boil in water at 212°F (100°C) until they float.
6. Serve with sour cream.

7) Cabbage and Potato Soup

Cabbage and Potato Soup is a comforting dish. It’s simple, tasty, and perfect for a chilly day. You can make it with fresh ingredients, and it’s quite filling.

To start, you need chopped cabbage, diced potatoes, onion, and vegetable broth. You can also add herbs like dill for extra flavor. This soup is usually cooked until the vegetables are tender.

Once everything is ready, just simmer it together. After about 20-30 minutes, you’ll have a warm bowl of soup that the whole family will love.

Ingredients

• 1 medium green cabbage, chopped
• 2 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh dill (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft.
3. Stir in the cabbage and cook for a few minutes.
4. Add diced potatoes and vegetable broth.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.

8) Kasha

Kasha is a tasty dish made from buckwheat that warms you up. It is common in Russian cuisine and can be prepared in many ways. You can cook it with vegetables, meat, or simply butter. It’s not only delicious but also nutritious.

To make kasha, start with buckwheat groats. You can cook it as a savory dish or even a sweet breakfast porridge. Many people enjoy it with onions, mushrooms, or bacon for added flavor.

Here’s how to get started:

Ingredients

• 1 cup buckwheat groats
• 2 cups water (or broth)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse the buckwheat groats under cold water.
2. In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil.
3. Add the buckwheat, butter, and salt.
4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and let it stand for 5 minutes before serving.

9) Chicken Kiev

Chicken Kiev is a classic dish that is loved for its crispy outside and flavorful, buttery center. This recipe comes from Russian and Ukrainian cuisines, making it a popular choice for many dinner tables.

To prepare Chicken Kiev, you wrap a flattened chicken breast around herb butter. Then, you bread it and fry it until it turns golden brown. The result is tender chicken filled with melted butter when cut open.

This dish is best served with sides like mashed potatoes or a fresh salad. It’s perfect for special occasions or a cozy dinner at home.

Ingredients

• 2 large chicken breasts
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 cup flour
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tablespoons cold water

Cooking Instructions

1. Flatten the chicken breasts.
2. Mix the butter, garlic, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Place the butter mixture in the center of each breast and roll them up tightly.
4. Dip each roll in flour, then the egg mixture, and finally breadcrumbs.
5. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
6. Fry the chicken until golden brown. This should take about 4-5 minutes per side.

10) Syrniki

Syrniki are delightful Russian cheese pancakes. They are made primarily from farmer’s cheese or cottage cheese, giving them a rich flavor. These pancakes are slightly sweet and perfect for breakfast or a tasty snack.

To make delicious syrniki, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients. They have a crispy outside and a soft inside, making them quite enjoyable. You can serve them with sour cream, jam, or fresh fruit for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup farmer’s cheese or cottage cheese
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 cup flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• A pinch of salt
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the cheese, egg, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. Form small patties using your hands, then dust with flour.
3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F or 180°C).
4. Fry the patties for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
5. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.