Traditional Ukrainian Christmas Foods: Celebrating with Flavor and Heritage

ukranian christmas foods traditional
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Ukrainians celebrate Christmas as per the Julian calendar on January 7th. The tradition of Christmas dinner is pretty intriguing, as it consists of twelve meatless dishes that symbolize twelve apostles. The dinner starts when the first star pops up in the night sky, marking the arrival of Christmas and the birth of Christ. It is a tradition to serve a real feast for this magical moment, so here are signature food recipes for Ukrainian Christmas.

Kutya -Sweet Wheat Pudding

If you needed to choose the most important dish Ukrainians make for Christmas, it would definitely be kutya. It has great symbolic importance, representing prosperity and unity, so it is an inevitable part of Christmas dinner. You can make this sweet, unique, earthy dish with wheat grains, poppy seeds, honey, nuts, and dried fruits.

Kutia Recipe (Sweet Wheat Berry Pudding)
Kutia (Kutya) is a traditional Christmas wheat berry pudding. It’s sweetened with milk and honey and has a perfect balance of fruit, nuts, and poppyseeds.
Check out this recipe
Kutia Recipe (Sweet Wheat Berry Pudding)

Broscht Soup – Beet Soup

This soup has a rather specific flavor and interesting looks, as it comes in a vibrant, deep red shade. It will leave a complex taste on your palate, and you will definitely need a moment to specify the flavors when you try it for the first time. It ranges from sweet and earthy to tangy and savory, depending on the ingredient combo. Traditionally, for Christmas, borscht doesn’t call for meat, but you can definitely add some beef if you like to.

Vegetarian Borscht Recipe
Borscht almost always features beets and typically has meat in it, but this vegetarian version is light, hearty, and far greater than the sum of its parts.
Check out this recipe
Vegetarian Borscht Recipe

Varenyky – Ukrainian Dumplings

Varenyky are a staple in Ukrainian cuisine because of their homey, comforting taste, so it is only logical thing to prepare them for Christmas, too. These boiled dumplings come in a variety of flavors, from classic mushroom over sauerkraut to fruit varenyky. I chose this recipe with potatoes because it pairs with borscht impeccably, so don’t separate this duo!

Varenyky (Ukrainian Dumplings)
Want to make delicious Varenyky? These classic Ukrainian dumplings are perfectly formed, folded, and stuffed with a potato-onion filling!
Check out this recipe
Varenyky (Ukrainian Dumplings)

Holubtsi – Ukrainian Stuffed Cabbage

There are many recipes for stuffed cabbage, and this is a Ukrainian take on this fantastic dish. This recipe requires bulgur wheat, but you can definitely opt for beef, pork, or a blend instead. Cabbage rolls have a melt-in-mouth texture, especially because of the amazing tomato-based sauce they are submerged in. Don’t forget sour cream on top for a perfect bite!

Vegan Holubtsi (Ukrainian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)
Vegan Holubtsi or stuffed cabbage rolls – traditional Ukrainian dish made vegan. Stuffed with bulgur and soy mince and cooked in delicious tomato sauce.
Check out this recipe
Vegan Holubtsi (Ukrainian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)

Pampushky – Ukrainian Sweet Donuts

These traditional soft and fluffy buns are a must-try! They can be savory or sweet; thus, I chose this sweet recipe for the list because I love them more. Ukrainians usually fill them with poppyseed blend or jam and dust them with powdered sugar just before serving. I love the recipe for poppy filling because it includes raisins as well!

Pampushky (Ukrainian Sweet Donuts)
Pampushky, or pampuhy, are known as a ritual dessert in Ukraine. Every important event and occasion is associated with these round yeast donuts, and every
Check out this recipe
Pampushky (Ukrainian Sweet Donuts)

Uzvar – Ukrainian Christmas Drink

Ukrainian compote is just next level! Ukrainians typically serve it during the Christmas holidays, as it gives a special, wintery note. To make this gem, you need to simmer dried fruits slowly to extract their natural sweetness and flavors. If you want to boost the sweetness, add some honey or sugar, but it is not necessary, as the fruit assortment is sugary itself – prunes, dried apples, apricots, raisins, and cinnamon are winter in a cup!

Ukrainian Christmas Uzvar
Ukrainian Christmas uzvar is a traditional Ukrainian winter drink made with dried fruits, sugar, and spices.
Check out this recipe
Ukrainian Christmas Uzvar

Herring Shuba Salad – Ukrainian Fish Salad

Shuba salad is most definitely not your classic salad, as it has clearly defined layers, and you can cut it out as a piece of cake. Its name actually symbolizes winter coats in the Slavic part of the world, so it is a logical choice to serve for Christmas dinner. The base layer is diced salty herring, then come layers of veggies: onions, potatoes, carrots, plus mayonnaise. The finishing touch is a pinkish-red top layer made with beet.

Ukrainian Herring Shuba Salad (Layered Veggie + Fish Salad)
This Ukrainian Herring Shuba Salad recipe has been passed down generations in my family and it’s the most common way it’s made in most Slavic households!
Check out this recipe
Ukrainian Herring Shuba Salad (Layered Veggie + Fish Salad)

Kapusta – Sauerkraut Stir-Fry

This is the ultimate winter dish in Eastern Europe, and, generally, people love it or hate it – there is no between. The base ingredient is sauerkraut, and everything else is just an addition that varies from place to place. Some add sausages, smoked pork, or beef, while others go for a vegetarian option like this recipe. The blend of pickled cabbage and mushrooms is the perfect dish for Christmas, as Ukrainians don’t eat meat on this sacred day.

Kapusta
Kapusta is a Polish cabbage dish baked with onions, mushrooms, and sauerkraut. This grandmother’s recipe can be served as a side or a vegetarian main dish.
Check out this recipe
Kapusta

Knyshy – Mini Pie Buns

These tiny buns will definitely bring Christmas joy to your table! The first thing you need to do is knead a stretchy dough, which is easier than it sounds – the secret is in a tablespoon of vinegar (but you didn’t hear it from me!). This recipe comes with potato filling, but you can go with cheese, spinach, or even pumpkin. Check it out!

Knyshy
One day I was watching numerous foody videos.. among those millions just one stuck in my head. Russian cook (don’t know his name) made small pies with potato filling, which he called knyshy.…
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knyshi 9

Ukrainian Red Fish is Tomato Sauce

Fish is almost exclusively the centerpiece of Christmas dinner, as that’s the only meat allowed on this day. There are numerous traditional recipes, as every family has its own take on the main dish. I chose this classic – fish in tangy-sweet tomato sauce with a perfect, creamy texture. I’m a sucker for fish in the sauce as you get to dip it with a homemade loaf of bread!

Ukrainian Red Fish in Tomato Sauce
Ukrainian Fish in Red Sauce is a classic recipe from Mariupol. Flaky, firm fish is slowly simmered in a tomato sauce with caramelized onions.
Check out this recipe
Ukrainian Red Fish in Tomato Sauce

Kolach – Ukrainian Christmas Bread

When it comes to Ukrainians and their culinary and holiday traditions, one thing is clear – they love bread! This one has the simplest ingredient list, but the secret is in kneading. It comes out cloudy, soft, with a nice crisp, and incredibly decorative. Yum!

Bread Machine Kolach Ukrainian Bread
This Kolach Bread is a traditional braided Ukrainian Bread for Christmas and other celebrations, made right in your bread machine!
Check out this recipe
Bread Machine Kolach Ukrainian Bread

Khrustyky – Fried Christmas Cookies

If you’re already making fruit compote – uzvar, don’t skip these cookies, as they are the perfect duo. For this Ukrainian gem, you’ll need vanilla-infused thinly-rolled dough, then cut out the pieces and deep fry them to get crispy, light, and aromatic “cookies.” Dust them with powdered sugar for a final touch!

Khrustyky (Ukrainian Fried Cookies)
Merry Ukrainian Christmas Eve! Just when you thought Christmas was long behind us, up pops the Orthodox celebration.
Check out this recipe
Khrustyky (Ukrainian Fried Cookies)

Chefs, a big thank you for sharing your fantastic recipes and pieces of tradition with us!

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