Best Russian Cuisine Food Recipes 2024 - Step by Step with Pictures

Russian Cuisine

Russian cuisine is diverse, hearty, and reflects the vastness of the country’s geography and cultural influences. It is characterized by its reliance on staple ingredients like grains, root vegetables, and meats, as well as its emphasis on preserving methods. Traditional Russian meals are known for their abundance, with soups, stews, and hearty dishes taking center stage. The cuisine is a blend of Slavic, Baltic, Siberian, Caucasian, Central Asian, and Eastern European influences.

History of Russian Cuisine

Ancient Roots: Russian culinary traditions have deep roots in the agricultural practices of ancient Slavic tribes. Grains, particularly wheat and barley, were staple foods.
Mongol-Tatar Influence: The Mongol-Tatar invasion in the 13th century introduced new ingredients like rice, spices, and various cooking techniques. Russian cuisine adapted by incorporating these influences.
Tsarist Era: During the Tsarist era, Russian cuisine saw the introduction of more elaborate and refined dishes influenced by French and European cuisines. The aristocracy embraced French culinary styles, leading to the creation of dishes like beef stroganoff.
Soviet Period: The Soviet period brought changes to Russian cuisine due to economic factors. Convenience foods became more prevalent, but traditional dishes like borscht and pelmeni remained popular.
Post-Soviet Era: With the dissolution of the Soviet Union, there has been a revival of interest in traditional Russian cuisine. Chefs explore regional variations and incorporate modern cooking techniques.

Commonly Used Ingredients in Russian Cuisine

Buckwheat (Gretchka): A staple grain in Russian cuisine, buckwheat is used in kasha (porridge) and various side dishes.
Potatoes: Versatile and widely used in Russian dishes, potatoes are a key ingredient in soups, stews, and side dishes.
Cabbage: Both fresh and fermented cabbage play significant roles in Russian cuisine. Cabbage is used in soups like shchi and as a main ingredient in dishes like golubtsy (stuffed cabbage rolls).
Beets: The vibrant color of beets is a common sight in Russian cuisine. Borscht, a beet soup, is a classic example.
Carrots: Carrots are used in a variety of Russian dishes, adding sweetness and color. They are commonly found in soups and stews.
Meat (Beef, Pork, Chicken): Meat is a fundamental component of Russian cuisine. It is used in various forms, from hearty stews like beef stroganoff to grilled shashlik.
Fish: With access to rivers and the Baltic Sea, fish is an important protein source. Salted and smoked fish are popular, as seen in dishes like shuba salad.
Dill: A ubiquitous herb in Russian cuisine, dill adds a fresh and aromatic flavor to many dishes, including soups, salads, and sauces.
Sour Cream (Smetana): A staple condiment, sour cream is often drizzled over soups, blini (pancakes), and other dishes, providing richness and tanginess.
Mushrooms: Foraged wild mushrooms, such as porcini, play a significant role in Russian cuisine. They are used in soups, sauces, and various main dishes.

Popular Dishes in Russian Cuisine

Borscht: A hearty beet soup, borscht is often made with meat, cabbage, and root vegetables. It is served hot or cold, with a dollop of sour cream.
Pelmeni: Dumplings filled with minced meat, usually beef or a mixture of pork and beef. They are typically served with butter or sour cream.
Shchi: A cabbage soup that can be prepared with various additional ingredients like meat, mushrooms, or sauerkraut.
Beef Stroganoff: Sliced beef in a creamy mushroom sauce, typically served over rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Olivier Salad: A festive salad made with boiled potatoes, carrots, peas, pickles, and mayonnaise. Often served during holidays.
Piroshki: Small, baked or fried buns filled with a variety of ingredients, such as meat, cabbage, or potatoes.
Kotleti: Russian-style meat patties, usually made with ground meat, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. They are pan-fried and served with a side dish.
Shashlik: Marinated and grilled skewers of meat, commonly enjoyed during outdoor gatherings.
Solyanka: A hearty and sour soup made with various meats, pickles, olives, and sometimes mushrooms.
Golubtsy: Cabbage rolls stuffed with a mixture of ground meat and rice, often served with a tomato sauce.
Pirog: A traditional Russian pastry, often sweet, filled with fruits, berries, or jams.
Kasha: A porridge made from various grains, with buckwheat kasha being a popular and nutritious choice.
Kholodets: A cold meat jelly made from pork or beef, usually served with mustard or horseradish.
Medovik: A layered honey cake, with sweetened sour cream between the layers.
Shuba Salad: A layered salad made with beets, potatoes, herring, carrots, and mayonnaise, often served during celebrations.

Salad with Chicken and Vegetables Recipe

April 24, 2021April 24, 2021 | By Creator

Very tasty, interesting and moderately spicy salad. It can easily replace lunch or dinner. Simple, fast, affordable!

Layered Salad with Chicken and Kiwi Recipe

April 24, 2021April 24, 2021 | By Creator

In the spring, you especially want salads, after the winter there is a lack of greens and vitamins. This salad is suitable for those who like to experiment with different flavors. The salad is fresh, tender, light, but satisfying. The aftertaste is very pleasant. Chicken-saturates, kiwi and apple-refresh, egg – gives tenderness. A creamy and savory dressing makes the dish delicious. Let the salad brew and it will delight you with its taste! I recommend cooking, despite the fact that this is a meat salad with fruit (which many do not like so much). The site has similar options, but the point here is garlic))
The taste of the salad is tender with a pleasant sourness. Garlic gives a piquancy with a pleasant aftertaste. Due to the chicken, the salad turns out to be satisfying, but not heavy. Sour cream makes the dressing more tender and creamy. Fruits give juiciness and freshness.

Potato Salad with Green Radish Recipe

April 22, 2021April 22, 2021 | By Creator

I’ve been cooking this salad for many, many years. Very simple, but, thanks to the green radish, interesting, spicy. Salad is perfectly combined with meat, you can serve it as a side dish or as a completely independent dish. It is convenient to take this salad with you to nature – it is very tasty with shish kebab or sausages. And one more advantage-this salad is prepared from simple products. Fast, simple and delicious!

Wild Rice Salad with Chicken Breast Recipe

April 22, 2021April 22, 2021 | By Creator

Very tasty and juicy exotic salad. Wild rice is perfectly combined with ripe mango and orange. This salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

Bean Salad Recipe

April 22, 2021April 22, 2021 | By Creator

Delicious, juicy and bright salad with beans, vegetables and chicken. Moderately savory and satisfying, but not heavy. It can serve as a lunch or dinner.

Chicken Liver and Cucumber Salad Recipe

April 21, 2021April 21, 2021 | By Creator

Very tasty and hearty liver salad with onion and cucumber. I love it also for the fact that it is prepared literally in 20 minutes. Chicken liver can be replaced with both pork and beef. A fresh cucumber can be replaced with a salted one. It is delicious both warm and cold. I recommend it.