This collection of traditional Russian Christmas food is what’s traditionally served during the holidays. When it comes to Christmas, the Russians know how to celebrate. From delicious food to unique traditions, Russian Christmas is a time to be enjoy with family and friends. Here are some of the best Russian traditions for Christmas that you can enjoy too!
Christmas celebrations begin on January 7th as they follow the julian calendar. The main event is a religious service know as moleben. The 25th of December, Christmas follows the current Gregorian calendar, but both involve church, family, and lots of delicious food.
A moleben can be either in a church or at home. After the service, people usually exchange gifts and share a meal with their families. One popular Russian Christmas tradition is the baking of kutia. Kutia is a grain pudding made with honey, poppy seeds, and nuts. Traditionally eaten as the first course of the Christmas Eve meal. I’ve complied a list of the best Russian Christmas food.
In Russia, relatives gather together to celebrate the holiday, whether it’s on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day. The celebration continues into New Year’s eve where Grandfather Frost (or Ded Moroz) gives gifts to children (as opposed to Santa Claus). Ded Moroz is accompanied by his granddaughter, Snegurochka, a snow maiden.
The celebration is always centered around the Russian Orthodox Church and includes many prayers and blessings, including the Lord’s prayer and the prayer of Thanksgiving. The table is laid with a white tablecloth to symbolize the swaddled baby Jesus. The food that is served is equally as important and everything has meaning. The holy supper usually includes lenten bread, soup and Vsvar, which is served at the end of the meal.
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This collection of traditional Russian recipes are perfect for celebrating Russian Christmas with a family dinner feast to take you through the season. Some include deer, goat and goose and likely include red wine.
Expert Tips for Making Russian Orthodox Christmas Food
Christmas in Russia is a time for family, friends and, of course, food. The Russian Christmas table is usually has an assortment of traditional dishes and drinks. Here are some tips on making Russian Christmas food and having the most beautiful table for the holiday dinner.
Double: These holiday recipes are great for the entire family. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two baking dishes before baking.
Meat Thermometer: A lot of Russian dishes typical have some type of meat in them. Try using this meat thermometer.
Preparation Tip: Some recipes use a type of dough, prepare the dough the night before.
Table Decoration: Impress your friends and family with a beautifully set holiday table. Try out this holiday table set for your next gathering.
Alternate cooking method tip: If you find yourself running out of space in your oven, try cooking some thing in an air fryer. Just adjust the time and temperature you would usually cook at and check on the food every so often to make sure its cooking properly.
Savory Russian Recipes
If you’re in the mood for something savory and different, Russian recipes are the way to go. Hearty and filling, these dishes will leave you satisfied. From stews to dumplings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Russian Chicken Pelmeni Recipe
Pelmeni are a classic Slavic tradition. You must try these chicken pelmeni recipe with a juicy filling.
A hearty, fluffy and delicious Kurnik cake. The pie dish is filled with chicken fillets, potatoes and onions and baked in the oven until tender. This makes the kurnik very juicy and incredibly tasty.
The Christmas season is a great time to try out new recipes and Russian cuisine offers a wide variety of delicious appetizers perfect for holiday gatherings.
Homemade Sauerkraut Recipe (Kvashenaya Kapusta)
Homemade Sauerkraut is a classic Ukrainian/Russian tradition and it’s way easier than you might think! You could make a fantastic salad with it?
Sharing my mom’s secret to the softest and fluffiest piroshki (Russian hand pies) with simple beef and rice filling. But you can customize the filling however you like!
This Mushroom Julienne recipe is the perfect dish for your meal plan. Serve it as an appetizer, a meatless main dish, a side, or use it as a topping for meats.
When it comes to Christmas breakfast, Russians know how to do it right. Of course, they are easy to make your Russian Christmas breakfast extra special.
Syrniki Recipe – Russian Cheese Pancakes
An easy Syrniki recipe you have to try! Make these delicious, pillowy-soft, cheesy Russian cheese pancakes for a delicious breakfast treat. Serve these syrniki pancakes like you would traditional pancakes – with your favorite pancake toppings such as maple syrup.
Billowy soft and lightly sweet Donut Holes (Russian Ponchiki). These donut holes are made with cheese giving them unforgettable flavor. Easy donut recipe!
Potato Latkes or Draniki are made by mixing shredded potatoes with egg and flour, then frying on both sides until crispy. Serve them with sour cream or applesauce – your choice!
Delicious desserts from Russia are hard to come by, but we’ve got the recipes for some of the best. From honey cakes to crepes to mushroom cookies, which are a russian christmas cookies, these desserts are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. Truly a great end to the holy supper or family dinner with relatives.
Delicate and Tender Layer Cake – Smetannik (Торт ”Сметанник”)
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.
Russian Pryaniki are popular Russian tea cookies that often find their way onto holiday cookie trays. They are soft on the inside while covered with a crispy glaze!
Russian kartoshka cake is my beloved childhood treat. Here’s the history of this dessert and the simplest recipe that can be made at home in 15 minutes!
Christmas baking is a part of the holiday tradition in many countries. Cakes, muffins, rolls, cookies, marzipan and chocolate figurines appear in large numbers on bakery store shelves and in our kitchens.
3 thoughts on “Traditional Russian Christmas Food”
Thanks! It helped me with my homework.
Thank you for sharing these recipes! My second grader is doing a class project of Christmas around the world and they are supposed to bring in a food item that is eaten at Christmas for their country. Again, thank you for sharing.
Thanks! It helped me with my homework.
Thank you for sharing these recipes! My second grader is doing a class project of Christmas around the world and they are supposed to bring in a food item that is eaten at Christmas for their country. Again, thank you for sharing.
YAY! I’m so glad this helped you! 🙂