Russian Christmas Food Recipes You Should Try!

One of my mini-life goals in the kitchen is to explore the diverse cuisines of different countries during their holiday celebrations. This time, I’ve been diving into the delightful world of Russian Christmas food, and let me tell you, it’s a culinary adventure you don’t want to miss! 

To help you get started, I’ve put together a list of must-try Russian Christmas recipes that are sure to bring a unique and delicious twist to your holiday spread.

Olivier Salad Recipe (Russian Potato Salad)

There’s no better way to kick off this listicle than with this classic Russian potato salad. This dish brings together creamy potatoes, crunchy pickles, and other tasty ingredients, creating a comforting and festive blend that’s perfect for any occasion. I love how this salad brings a taste of tradition!

Olivier Salad Recipe (Russian Potato Salad)

This Olivier Salad (Russian Potato Salad) recipe is such a unique recipe. It’s a traditional dish in Russian cuisine and is served in most restaurants and at parties. This salad is also well known as the Russian Salad or Olivye in the Ukrainian community.

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Russian Pelmeni

I absolutely love dumplings! They’re such a fantastic way to start a meal and get ready for the main course. These flavorful meat-filled dumplings are delightful comfort food, a good match with a dollop of sour cream or a splash of vinegar.

Russian Pelmeni

Pelmeni are Russian meat-filled dumplings. Making them is a favorite family pastime during the long winter months. These dumplings are a common convenience food. Large batches can be frozen and quickly boiled or fried on demand. We usually double this recipe in our house and fold about 200 pieces. Pelmeni are usually served with sour cream or vinegar.

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Grilled Pork Kebabs (Shashlik)

Kebabs are always a crowd favorite, and I’ve seen this dish go out in minutes at every gathering! These juicy and tender grilled pork skewers are a must-have, perfect for bringing people together during Christmas gatherings!.

Shashlik – Grilled Pork Kebabs

Grilled pork kebabs (shashlik, in Russian) is the summer staple! Let’s learn to make the juiciest and most tender grilled pork skewers together.

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Russian Vinegret Salad

Wow… another classic Russian dish is this vibrant salad! The rich, beet-red color always leaves me in awe and adds such a pop to any meal. It’s not only a feast for the eyes but also a healthy and satisfying choice that’s super easy make!

Russian Vinegret Salad

Vinegret salad is a traditional Russian beet salad that is naturally vegan, healthy, and filling. The main ingredient in this salad is beets, so it has a distinctive vibrant pink color. It’s simple and easy to make, and the dressing is made with basic ingredients that you already have in your kitchen.

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Russian Piroshki (Meat Hand Pies)

Time for some hand pies! I love making these delightful pies as either a tasty appetizer or a light side dish. With their soft, tender dough and savory meat filling, they’re always a hit whether served fresh out of the oven or at a casual get-together.

Russian Piroshki (Meat Hand Pies)

Perfect for picnics, potlucks and dinners at home, these Russian piroshki (meat hand pies) are made of tender and soft dough, filled with simple meat and rice mixture and fried till crisp golden perfection!

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Salmon Wellington (Salmon Coulibiac)

This salmon dish is a 100% must-try—it’s just so good! With tender salmon fillets wrapped in flaky puff pastry, layered with a delicious mix of rice and mushrooms, it’s truly a standout. I can’t get enough of this meal!

Salmon Wellington (Salmon Coulibiac)

Classic Coulibiac of Salmon, tender salmon fillets layered with rice and mushrooms, wrapped in puffed pastry, just like Salmon Wellington!

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Classic Beet Borscht

Just look at that vibrant color! This beet soup is such a comforting and festive meal, perfect for warming up during cold weather. It’s hearty, earthy, and packed with veggies, making it a win for cozy winter dinners!

Classic Beet Borscht

Learn how to make hearty borscht full of beets, cabbage, and tender beef to keep you warm all winter long.

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Pork Roast Recipe for Spice Rubbed Pork Belly Roast Stuffed with Herbs and Spices

This pork roast looks absolutely heavenly! The crunchy skin combined with the blend of spices and herbs makes each bite incredibly flavorful – I’m not even exaggerating! It’s the kind of dish that’s perfect for special occasions when you want something truly unforgettable.

Pork Roast Recipe for Spice Rubbed Pork Belly Roast Stuffed with Herbs and Spices

This pork roast recipe makes a spice rubbed roast pork stuffed with garlic, herbs and spices that is as rich and delicious as it looks. The slow cooked pork belly roast has a crunchy skin and moist pork belly infused with spices and herbs. It’s so rich, you wouldn’t want to eat it every weekend, but it’s perfect for holidays such as Christmas and Easter.

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Russian Roast Goose with Apples

Can’t forget about the classic Russian roast goose with apples! Goose is such an underrated main dish, and when roasted with tart apples, it’s truly something special. The rich, tender meat and the sweetness of the apples make it a holiday favorite!

Roast Goose with Apples

In Russia, a roast goose with apples is like a Thanksgiving turkey with stuffing. Roasting a goose is not the same as roasting a chicken or a turkey; It's skin is very thick and fatty, so it requires a few extra steps to prepare for roasting compared to other birds. It is simple, though, and well worth it! Enjoy this holiday classic!

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Russian Lamb Pilaf (Plov)

If you haven’t tried plov yet, now’s the time! The flavor combination of tender lamb, fragrant rice, and sweet raisins is just so yummy. This dish is a comforting and satisfying meal that’s very ideal for sharing with family and friends.

Russian Lamb Pilaf (Plov)

This Russian lamb pilaf recipe, known as plov in Russian, is made with long-grain white rice, saffron, raisins, prunes, and a combination of boneless lamb cubes and ground lamb.

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The Ultimate Beef Stroganoff Recipe

I can already feel the tender beef melting in my mouth just by looking at this dish! It’s super rich, creamy, and packed with amazing flavors that make it perfect for a holiday dinner. This is the kind of comfort food that hits all your taste buds!

The Ultimate Beef Stroganoff Recipe

Tender, medium-rare beef with a carefully layered, flavorful sauce.

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Russian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Golubtsi)

I love cabbage rolls—they’re both healthy and tasty! These rolls are packed with a flavorful mix of ground beef, pork, rice, and veggies, all wrapped up in cabbage leaves. It’s a comforting dish that’s satisfying and easy to make.

Russian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Golubtsi)

Cabbage leaves stuffed with a delicious combination of ground beef, pork, rice and vegetables.

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Kharcho Beef Soup

Another hearty soup! I’m growing fond of comforting soups that can serve as an appetizer or side dish for my holiday dinners, and this one is no exception. With rich beefy flavors balanced by a tomato or plum sauce, this soup is as warming as it is delicious.

Kharcho Beef Soup

Beef soup Kharcho is a traditional dish of the Republic of Georgia and is known well outside of Georgia itself. There is a good reason for that – the soup is exceptionally delicious and has a characteristic rich flavor thanks to the spice mix that goes in it. This soup is traditionally made of fatty cuts of beef – chuck or brisket. As a result, the soup is rich and comforting.

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Russian Cutlets (Pozharsky Cutlets)

That melted cheese center is amazing—so yummy and creamy! These cutlets are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and perfect for a cozy dinner. I can’t get enough of the combination of textures and flavors in every bite!

Russian Cutlets (Pozharsky Cutlets)

Pozharsky Cutlets are coated in croutons with a melted cheese center. They're super crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. These Russian cutlets are ideal for a Sunday family dinner.

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Walnut Shaped Cookies with Dulce De Leche (Oreshki)

Time for desserts and snacks, and let’s begin with these traditional walnut-shaped cookies! These delightful treats are made with buttery shortbread and filled with creamy dulce de leche, making them a sweet bite of heaven. I love how each cookie is perfectly crisp on the outside with a rich and creamy  center. 

Oreshki – Walnut Shaped Cookies with Dulce De Leche

Oreshki or Walnut Shaped Cookies are traditional Russian cookies and are made with a shortbread cookie and delicious dulce de leche buttercream. I am here to share all my secrets to perfect oreshki.

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Delicate and Tender Layer Cake (Smetannik)

This cake looks so good and perfect for Christmas—oh my, it’s so fluffy! With layers that are delicate, it literally melts in your mouth. The sweet sour cream frosting adds just the right touch to make this cake irresistible!

Delicate and Tender Layer Cake – Smetannik

Smetannik is a Russian cake that has multiple thin and fluffy cake layers with a tangy and sweet sour cream frosting. The cake is so tender and delicate, it just melts in your mouth. 

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Farmer’s Cheese Cake with Raisins (Zapekanka)

Did anyone say cheesecake? Then I’m already in love with it! The touch of raisins adds an amazing burst of flavor, making this cake a perfect treat as a Christmas dessert.

Farmer’s Cheese Cake with Raisins (Zapekanka)

Zapekanka is slightly sweet, packed full of plump and golden raisins. It’s a traditional Russian cake that can be served as a light breakfast or dessert.

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Easy Apple Cake (Sharlotka)

Apple cakes will never go out of style, especially during Christmas! This one is soft, moist, and airy, making it a perfect addition to your holiday spread with just a few simple ingredients. I love how sweet apples feel! 

Easy Apple Cake – Sharlotka

Meet your new favorite Easy Apple Cake! This Russian apple cake (a.k.a. Sharlotka) is soft, moist, airy, and easy with only 6 ingredients.

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Russian Mushroom Cookies (Gribochky)

These Russian mushroom cookies look so cute and tasty! I’m actually giggling over how adorable they are—definitely perfect for Christmas. Their whimsical shape and flavor make them a fun and festive addition to any holiday cookie jar.

Christmas Cookies #1: Russian Mushroom Cookies – “Gribochky”

The first cookies on my list are Russian mushroom cookies “Gribochky”. After all, today is Russian Monday. It was a wonderful tradition to bake mushroom cookies back at home in St. Petersburg. This year I have baked them with my kids – it was fun! My children enjoyed playing with the dough and chocolate and they smiled all the way. If you like something unique for your holiday cookie jar – these “mushrooms” are for you!

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Raspberry Pistachio Rogaliki Cookies

Pistachio is a personal favorite flavor of mine, and these cookies are a perfect way to enjoy it! They look so sweet and festive, with a soft and buttery dough wrapped around raspberry jam and ground pistachios. I love how they add a delightful touch to any holiday spread!

Raspberry Pistachio Rogaliki Cookies – Rugelach

An old-world recipe for Polish Rogaliki cookies, also known as rugelach. These raspberry pistachio rogaliki cookies are my favorite! They’re made with a soft and buttery yeast dough, filled with ground pistachios and raspberry jam, then baked until golden. Enjoy these Polish cookies warm with a cup of coffee or tea!

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Napoleon Cake – Russian Christmas Cake

And last is this Russian Christmas cake! Oh my gosh, look how beautiful and Christmas-y it looks! The rosemary and pomegranate toppings are incredible, adding an elegant touch that makes it more suitable for your Christmas spread. 

Napoleon Cake – Russian Christmas Cake

Traditional Russian Christmas cake.

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Much love and thanks to the original creators of these recipes – you guys are the best!