Take a trip with these Eastern European recipes. Russian tea cakes, Hungarian goulash, Polish cabbage rolls and so much more will have you getting in touch with your roots.
30 Classic Eastern European Recipes to Try Today
1/29
Nut Rolls
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
4 loaves (12 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
It isn't officially the holidays until I've made this treasured nut roll recipe from my husband's grandmother. The apple-walnut filling is moist, subtly sweet and flavorful. —Donna Bardocz, Howell, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 222 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 87mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
2/29
Beef Paprikash with Fire-Roasted Tomatoes
Total Time
2 hours
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Beef paprikash, a Hungarian dish, makes a marvelous Sunday dinner. We prefer it with kluski egg noodles, or try mashed potatoes. —Gloria Bradley, Naperville, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup stew with 3/4 cup cooked noodles: 534 calories, 21g fat (8g saturated fat), 133mg cholesterol, 953mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 33g protein.
3/29
Caraway Seed Rye Bread
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 loaves (10 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
My parents were immigrants from Czechoslovakia and my mother would pull out this rye bread recipe when guests came over for dinner. Every time I bake it, I get nostalgic for those days. —Millie Feather, Baroda, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 126 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 238mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.
4/29
Polish Pierogi
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother measured ingredients for these using her hand. We've passed the recipe down over the years as the family has grown. —Veronica Weinkauf, South Bend, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 230 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 500mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 11g protein.
5/29
Borscht Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother used to make this hearty soup from her garden's bountiful crop of beets and other vegetables. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 48 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 375mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
6/29
Mom's Potato Pancakes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These old-fashioned pancakes are fluffy inside and crispy outside. Onion adds nice flavor. Mom got this recipe from Grandma, so we've enjoyed it for years. —Dianne Esposite, New Middletown, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
2 pancakes: 171 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 411mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
7/29
Hungarian Short Ribs
Total Time
2 hours 30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a special meal in our house—as soon as I get ribs, I know which dish my family will ask me to make. My husband and I have three children, so I've learned to be a versatile cook! —Joanne ShewChuk, St. Benedict, Saskatchewan
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 261 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 735mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein.
8/29
Belarus Pickled Carrots
Total Time
15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom’s holiday buffet always included these pickled carrots. I kept the tradition going, then passed the recipe to my daughter. In our family, it isn't a party without this dish. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, GA
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 38 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 74mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein.
9/29
Chocolate Chip Mandelbrot Cookies
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
about 4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Mandelbrot in Yiddish literally means "almond bread." The twice-baked cookie made with oil and almonds dates back to 19th century Eastern Europe. There are many variations made of different dried fruits and nuts. My chocolate chip version is more modern-American. —Kimberly Scott, Kosciusko, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 127 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 42mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
10/29
Cabbage Rolls
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It was an abundance of dill in my garden that led me to try this. My family liked the taste so much that, from then on, I made my old-fashioned cabbage rolls recipe with dill. This is how to make easy cabbage rolls. – Florence Krantz, Bismarck, North Dakota
Nutrition Facts:
2 cabbage rolls: 260 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 50mg cholesterol, 694mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 18g protein.
11/29
Kolaches
Total Time
40 min
Servings
28 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This kolache recipe was given to me by my mother-in-law, who received it from her mother! It was a standard treat in their family, made nearly every week. Now I make these kolaches for my own family for special occasions. —Maxine Hron, Quincy, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 kolache: 164 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 116mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
12/29
Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
Total Time
6 hours 30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love to make this for my husband and myself to have on a cold night. It warms us right up! Greek yogurt can be substituted for the sour cream. —Meg Hilton, Atlanta, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 317 calories, 18g fat (8g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 736mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 26g protein.
13/29
Meringue Snowballs In Custard
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family has passed down this elegant dessert generation by generation. It started with my Russian great-grandmother, who traveled to America more than 100 years ago. I love continuing the tradition with her recipe. —Tonya Burkhard, Palm Coast, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup sauce with 1 snowball: 216 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 88mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein.
14/29
Khachapuri
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
While in Russia, where we adopted our two children, my husband and I discovered these marvelous cheese pies. The traditional pastries, named khachapuri, can be served with a salad for a celebratory supper or shaped into bite-sized hors d’oeuvres. —Rachel Sauder, Tremont, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 roll: 511 calories, 30g fat (18g saturated fat), 128mg cholesterol, 820mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (8g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein.
15/29
Barley Risotto and Beef Stroganoff
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
4 servings.
From the Recipe Creator:
I was missing my Russian grandma's barley porridge and beef stroganoff, so I combined the two dishes. Cook the barley using the risotto method to keep the grains whole and irresistibly chewy. —Tatiana Kireeva, New York, New York
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked steak with 1 cup barley: 463 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 859mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 9g fiber), 33g protein.
16/29
Cucumber Salad with Sour Cream
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
It’s been a tradition at our house to serve this dish with the other Hungarian specialties my mom learned to make from the women at church. It’s especially good during the summer when the cucumbers are fresh-picked from the garden. —Pamela Eaton, Monclova, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 62 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 5mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 fat.
17/29
Hunter's Stew (Bigos)
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Moist, tender meat and thick, rich gravy are the hallmarks of my classic recipe simmered in a cast-iron pot. —Joyce Worsech, Catawba, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 351 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 778mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 7g fiber), 31g protein.
18/29
Polish Poppy Seed Loaves
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
2 loaves (12 pieces each)
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 234 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 118mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (20g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.
19/29
Roasted Cabbage & Onions
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I roast veggies to bring out their sweetness, and it works wonders with onions and cabbage. The piquant vinegar-mustard sauce makes this dish similar to a slaw. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 183 calories, 14g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 636mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 4g fiber), 2g protein.
20/29
Slow-Cooker Golombki
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I modified my mom's classic Polish dish to fit my hectic life. Instead of boiling the cabbage and then filling it with beef, I just toss the ingredients in the slow cooker. It's much easier and tastes just as delicious. —Mary Walker, Clermont, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cups: 307 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 35mg cholesterol, 1166mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 6g fiber), 16g protein.
21/29
Russian Tea Cakes
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to present my favorite holiday cookies in a special way. I pile this fresh-baked Russian tea cakes recipe on pretty plates that I buy throughout the year, then wrap them with colored cellophane to give friends. —Valerie Hudson, Mason City, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 83 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 49mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
22/29
Chicken Kiev
Total Time
50 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
From holiday dinners to potluck suppers, this is one of my favorite meals. Folks love the mildly seasoned chicken roll-ups. —Karin Erickson, Burney, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 357 calories, 13g fat (6g saturated fat), 146mg cholesterol, 281mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 47g protein.
23/29
Hungarian-Style Green Beans
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A vacation to Hungary inspired this flavorful side of green beans with paprika and mushrooms. Being a vegetarian, I welcome these tasty ideas. —Sherry Johnston, Green Cove Springs, Florida
24/29
Roasted Beet Jam
Total Time
2 hours 30 min
Servings
2 half-pints
From the Recipe Creator:
This spicy jam recipe is from my Russian grandmother, who had no written recipes and who gave a few jars of the jam as gifts. I re-created the recipe from memory and think of her each time I prepare it. If you want to increase the yield, it's easy to double the recipe. I like to serve the jam on buttered toast or with cream cheese on toasted pita. The jars, which are dark red from the beets, make a welcome gift.—Susan Asanovic, Wilton, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 132 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 63mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
25/29
Hungarian Goulash
Total Time
7 hours 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Talk about your heirloom recipes! My grandmother made this Hungarian goulash recipe for my mother when she was a child, and then Mom made it for us to enjoy. Paprika and caraway add wonderful flavor, and sour cream gives it a creamy richness. It’s simply scrumptious! —Marcia Doyle, Pompano, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup goulash with 1 cup noodles: 388 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 285mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 7g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
26/29
Hungarian Mushroom Soup
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You'd think you were eating at a fine restaurant when you taste this cream soup. It's so delicious! —Sandy Vaughn, Central Point, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 275 calories, 18g fat (12g saturated fat), 57mg cholesterol, 1249mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 8g protein.
27/29
Russian Krendl Bread
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
While dinning with a Russian immigrant family, I jumped at the chance to add this wonderful bread they served to my recipe collection. Of course, I never turn down hugs from my grandchildren after I've prepared something special...and this recipe always works!
—Ann Sodman, Evans, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 146 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 31mg cholesterol, 92mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.
28/29
Bohemian Pot Roast
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love this pot roast recipe because it's so easy to prepare and serve. You can put this "meal in one dish" together to cook, then practically forget about it until dinnertime. Coleslaw is a great accompaniment. —Vera Melvin, St. Ann, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked beef: 268 calories, 14g fat (4g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 437mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.
29/29
Grandma’s Polish Cookies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
20 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
This traditional khruchiki recipe has been handed down through my mother's side from my great-grandmother. As a child, it was my job to loop the end of each cookie through its hole. —Sherine Elise Gilmour, Brooklyn, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 246 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 205mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 4g protein.