Okroshka (Cold Summer Ukrainian Soup with Vegetables, Eggs, and Cooked Meat) Recipe
Okroshka is a refreshing cold summer soup from Eastern Europe, made with a delightful mix of boiled and fresh vegetables, eggs, fresh herbs, and cooked meat. This nutritious and light dish is perfect for hot days when you prefer to avoid heating the kitchen, combining simple ingredients into a flavorful, chilled meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course, Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Eastern European, Ukrainian
Ingredients
Vegetables and Eggs
- 3 potatoes
- 3 hard boiled eggs, yolks separated
- 3 small cucumbers
- 6-8 red radishes
Meat
- ½ pound ham or other cooked meat
Herbs and Seasonings
- 1 bunch dill
- 3 green onions
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon salt
Liquids
- 3 cups cold still water
- ½ cup cold sparkling water
Instructions
- Boil the Potatoes and Eggs: Place whole potatoes in a pot with water and boil until fully cooked, about 30-40 minutes. In a separate pot, boil the eggs for 10 minutes. Remove both from heat and allow to cool completely before peeling.
- Prepare Ingredients: Peel the potatoes and eggs. Separate the egg yolks from the whites, setting yolks aside for the dressing. Dice the egg whites, cooked potatoes, cucumbers, radishes, and ham into small cubes.
- Chop Herbs: Finely chop the dill and green onions to add fresh flavor and aroma to the soup.
- Make the Egg-Yolk Dressing: In a small bowl, combine the reserved egg yolks, chopped dill, green onions, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and salt. Mash together thoroughly with a fork until you achieve a smooth, paste-like consistency.
- Assemble the Soup: Divide the diced ingredients evenly into serving bowls. Add about one tablespoon of the egg yolk dressing mixture to each bowl.
- Add Liquids and Serve: Pour approximately half of the cold still water and a splash of sparkling water into each bowl. Stir gently and adjust salt to taste. Serve immediately chilled, or refrigerate beforehand for a cold, refreshing experience. Optionally, add ice cubes.
Notes
- Liquid alternatives: You can substitute the water with cold Kvas, Kefir, Kombucha, or mineral water for varied flavors.
- Serving suggestion: This soup is traditionally served cold. Chill in the refrigerator before serving or add ice cubes for extra refreshment.
- Meat options: Feel free to use any cooked meat such as beef, chicken, or bologna. To make it vegetarian, omit the meat entirely.
- Nutrition facts are estimates and should be used for informational purposes only.
