Culinary Intricacies in Preparing Okroshka


The term okroshka comes from Russian. It is a traditional Russian cold soup or salad, similar to tarator.

Its name comes from "крошить", in literal translation meaning "to crumble into small pieces". It is a food of choice during the summer months because it cools, satiates, and all without leaving you that heavy feeling.

There are 2 main types of okroshka - with kvass and with kefir.

Unlike tarator, which is made mostly from cucumbers, okroshka is made from a mix of fresh vegetables of your choice. These can be cucumbers, green onions, radishes.

Russian Okroshka

Potatoes, eggs, ham, dried salami or other dried meat, as well as kvass also go into it. Besides kefir, kvass can be substituted with another liquid, such as whey, beer, diluted vinegar, diluted yoghurt and others.

Even though the ingredients are quite similar to the ones used for Russian salad, okroshka is very different. The ingredients need to be chopped and combined with the kvass, the result being something unique.

Aside from the products listed, some prefer to consume their okroshka with mustard and/or milk salad.

Here you'll fine a recipe for okroshka with all possible spices. Any deviation from the traditional recipe is optional.

Okroshka soup

Russian Okroshka

Ingredients: 1/2 cucumber or 2-3 gherkins, 4-6 radishes, 2 bunches green onions, 5 bunches dill, 2 hard-boiled eggs, 2 boiled potatoes, 5.5 oz Hamburg salami or ham, or boiled or roasted meat, 1 2/5 cups cold kvass, kefir or thick ayran.

For seasoning: 1/2 tsp spicy mustard, horseradish or wasabi, 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp oil, 2-3 tbsp kvass, kefir or ayran.

Preparation: Cut the cucumber, salami, radishes, potatoes, onions and egg into medium pieces. Combine them and then distribute into serving bowls. Pour kvass or other liquid of your choice over them. Season the salad with the seasoning mixture.

Serve immediately with cream (of your choice).


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