From the bustling streets of Moscow to the quaint villages of the countryside, Russian cuisine has a lot of delicious treats and contrary to the popular believe, it’s not all meat but you can also find Russian vegetarian food that can satisfy even the most picky (vegetarian) eaters. From hearty stews and aromatic soups to savory pies and vegetarian versions of popular Russian dishes, here are some of the best vegetarian dishes in Russia.
Salads
We’re starting this journey to Russia’s vegetarian food scene with a few of our favorite Russian salads.
Vinegret
Vinegret is a refreshing salad that consists of a combination of beetroots, potatoes, carrots, onions, and gherkins, with the occasional addition of sauerkraut. The name might be deceiving though because the salad dressing usually uses more olive oil and just a bit of vinegar but that doesn’t matter, what matters is that its delicious tangy flavor makes up for the perfect appetizer/side dish. Not bad for a salad that started of as something made from a leftover dish, right?
Boiled Beet Root Salad
Now, I know this sounds disgusting but it really isn’t. The Russian-style Boiled Beet Root Salad is a classic dish featuring tender beetroots dressed with a simple yet flavorful combination of olive oil and vinegar, a combo that brings out the best from beetroots.
Carrot, Apple and Nut Salad
Probably a combination that wouldn’t fall on your mind when thinking about salad but the mix of raw carrots, apples and nuts is the bomb- it’s nutritious, it has proteins, and it actually even fills you up a little bit, making it a perfect, healthy Russian snack. The sweet and sour flavor of the apples combined with the crunchiness of the nuts and a dash of vinegar that accents the apple’s sweetness is just perfect.
Veg Olivier Salad
Oliver salad, also known as салат Оливье, invented in 1860s by actually Belgian chef Lucien Olivier in the renowned Moscow restaurant ‘Hermitage’ (‘Эрмитаж’), this has not only become a popular dish in Russia but now the whole world calls it Russian Salad. This hearty salad is basically a mix of boiled potatoes, gherkins, peas, eggs, carrots, and meat (which can obviously be omitted for a vegetarian option). Everything is diced into small pieces and coated in a lot of creamy mayonnaise.
Stews
Stews are a crucial part of Russian cuisine and this list of Russian vegetarian dishes couldn’t be complete without a few of Russia’s most popular strews, starting with (of course)…
Borscht
Borscht is easilly one of the most popular dishes of Russian and Eastern European cuisines and true, it’s traditionally a meat-based soup/stew, but you can easily whip up a vegetarian version by skipping the meat, although you might make some Russians angry along the way. At the core of borscht are the vibrant beetroots that lend their striking red hue to the dish (but there is also a green version). The other ingredients include carrots, potatoes, onions, cabbage, and herbs, and spices.
Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our guide to Siberian food.
Meatless Shchi
This timeless dish has been a part of Russian cuisine since way back in the ninth century. The traditional version consists of a hearty mix of cabbage or sauerkraut, meat, potatoes, carrots, onions, and an array of spices but you can easily not add any meat and still get a delicious and hearty stew for your next meal.
Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our guide to Dagestan food or this guide to Tatar cuisine.
Solyanka
If you’re a fan of tangy tastes, solyanka will likely become onf your favorite Russian dishes! Similar to the other stews on this list, soyanka is usually made with either meat or fish, but there is also a vegetarian version that consists of a hearty and thick soup that’s loaded with pickled cucumbers, salted mushrooms, cabbage, tomatoes, onions, vinegar, and brine and to add an extra zing, a sprinkle of lemon zest is often included, and it’s served piping hot with lemon slices and a dollop of sour cream on top.
Okroshka
When summer’s heat is in full swing, nothing beats a bowl of okroshka to cool you down! This chilled soup is a delightful mix of spring onions, cucumbers, potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and fresh dill, sour cream, or kefir (a fermented milk drink), accompanied by kvass (a tangy drink from fermented rye bread). It’s all about the details – make sure to chop those veggies super finely, as the name of the soup, “okroshka,” comes from the Russian word for “crumble.”
Pastries
We continue this list of Russian vegetarian food with a few delightful pastries that will quickly win you over.
Blini
Blini, a beloved vegetarian dish, shines during the Orthodox festival of Maslenitsa. Typically crafted from buckwheat flour, blini are best enjoyed with a dollop of sour cream. Whether you prefer savory varieties like mushroom and cheese (my personal top picks!) or sweet versions filled with fruit, blini offer dozens of different variations.
Enjoying this post? Then you may also like our guide to Chechen food.
Piroshki
For a more substantial treat, sink your teeth into some pirozhki! These delightful small pies are packed with various fillings. Vegetarian pirozhki often feature mashed potato, mushroom, egg, or cabbage and if you have a sweet tooth, indulge in fruity or creamy cheese (творог) stuffed options. Pirozhki are the ultimate street food choice, perfect for grabbing a quick bite while in a rush.
Vatrushka
Vatrushka is a traditional Russian pastry that comes in sweet or savory form with the sweet version being filled with a mixture of quark cheese, sugar, and raisins while the savory version is filled with ingredients like mashed potatoes or cabbage. Sweet vatrushka is often dusted with powdered sugar on top for a decorative touch and can be eaten as a snack, dessert, or alongside a cup of tea or coffee.
Kulebyaka
Coulibiac, also known as Kulebyaka, is a traditional Russian pastry typically filled with layers of salmon, rice, hard-boiled eggs, and dill, but it can also be made vegetarian if you remove the fish and use some other fillings like mushrooms or other vegetables instead. Kulebyaka is usually sliced into portions and served warm, it can be enjoyed on its own or accompanied by a side of dollop or sour cream.
Main Course
Now we get to the meat and potatoes of this article. Well, without the meat, I mean. Without further ado, here are some of the most popular Russian vegetarian main course dishes.
Mushroom Stroganoff
Mushroom stroganoff is a vegetarian remake of one of the most popular Russian culinary classics, the beef stroganoff. The preparation is more or less the same, except the veg version requires less time because mushrooms cook a lot faster compared to beef. It’s usually served with plain rice or pasta.
Pelmeni
Pelmeni is one of the most popular snacks in Eastern Europe. They come in meat-filled versions, but for vegetarians, there are options like mushroom or mashed potato fillings. Making pelmeni is a breeze since the dough only requires flour and water, and Russians even have special machines (пельменицы) to lend a hand and there are also many frozen pelmeni that can be bought from the store and prepared in a matter of minutes.
If you like dumplings, you may also like our chicken momos, veg momos, beef momos, and pork momos recipe.
Kasha
This list of vegetarian Russian dishes couldn’t be complete without one of the basic staples- kasha, Russian porridge made from various grains like buckwheat, barley, or oats. The key ingredients for kasha typically include grains such as buckwheat, water or broth, and seasonings like salt and butter for savory versions or honey and fruits for sweet variations.
Sup Iz Chechevitsy
This hearty and flavorful soup typically includes lentils as the main ingredient, along with vegetables like carrots, onions, and potatoes and herbs and spices such as bay leaves, thyme, and garlic. Honestly, it’s not that Russian as this dish is also popular in many differnent countries but it surely deserves a mention on this lust.
Golubsky
Golubtsy is the Russian version of Sarma. It’s basically a cabbage/sauerkraut roll, stuffed with a mixture of rice and ground meat but it also has a vegetarian version that uses only rice cooked in a mixture of spices and herbs. It’s a beloved Eastern European dish that is usually prepared by simmering it in a flavorful tomato sauce until tender.
Courgette Caviar
Courgette caviar is a type of spread or dip made from cooked and mashed courgettes (zucchini) but it can also be made of eggplants (similar to Macedonian pindjur). It has a texture that resembles traditional caviar which is why it’s called caviar even though the dish does not contain fish eggs. It’s typically seasoned with herbs, garlic, onions, and various spices and can be used as a dip, spread, or a condiment.
Desserts
Last but not least, we kept the sweets for the end. We conclude this list of Russian vegetarian food with a. few sweet delights.
Oladyi
Oladyi is a simple and delicious vegan version of a pancake and one of the most delightful vegetarian desserts of Russian cuisine. It consists of grated apples, aquafaba, and plant-based yogurt. The pancakes are fluffy and soft and have a very unique texture that’s difficult to believe it’s made without using any milk or eggs. They can be eaten as a dessert or served for breakfast.
Baked Apple
In the realm of Russian desserts, you’ll often find creations that are rich, decadent, and indulgently sweet, dripping with buttercream or luscious sweetened condensed milk. However, amidst this sea of sweetness, there exists a hidden gem – the humble baked apple, stuffed with different kinds of nuts and topped with sweet syrup. If you like this, you may also check out our Bosnian take on this dessert- tufahija.
Kissel
Kissel is a Russian concoction that dances on the fine line between a fruit jelly and a thick, luscious dessert. It consists of ripe, juicy berries, simmered to perfection with just the right amount of sugar. The final result is velvety, jelly-like consistency that clings to your spoon. It’s simple and easy to make and humble yet satisfying treat that captures the essence of Russian cuisine.
Sounds interesting? Then you may also want to check out our kompot recipe.
Medovik
In its essence, medovik is a honey cake with multiple layers (usually 15 or more) of ginger and cinnamon-spiced honey pastry and a combination of sweetened cream and condensed milk. The texture is smooth and floffy while the frosting is so velvety smooth it melts in your mouth.
Kartoshka
Last but not least, we conclude this list of Russian vegetarian food with kartoshka, a popular Russian dessert made with crushed biscuits or cookies, cocoa powder, condensed milk, and sometimes nuts. The mixture is typically shaped into small potato-like balls, coated in cocoa powder or powdered sugar, and sometimes garnished with a hazelnut to resemble a potato.
How did you like this list of Russian vegetarian food? Did you ever try any of these dishes? Do you know of any other tasty veg dishes we forgot to mention? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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