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Holodnik – Russian Cold Soup Recipe

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Holodnik is a traditional Russian cold soup made with boiled beets, refreshing cucumbers, and tangy buttermilk. It’s a vibrant and healthy dish, perfect for warm weather, served with boiled eggs and sour cream for added richness.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes (including chill time)
  • Yield: 10 servings

Ingredients

3 large cooked red beets (or 5 small cooked beets)

2 quarts boiled and cooled water

1 quart buttermilk

1 medium onion or 3 green onions

4 cucumbers

1 Tbsp sea salt (or to taste)

1 tsp sugar

1 bunch fresh dill

46 boiled eggs (optional)

Sour cream (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Beets: Boil beets for 30–40 minutes until tender. Let cool, peel, and shred the beets.
  2. Prepare the Liquid Base: In a large pot, combine 2 quarts of cooled water and 1 quart of buttermilk. Mix well.
  3. Add the Beets and Seasonings: Stir in shredded beets, 1 tbsp salt, and 1 tsp sugar. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  4. Add Vegetables and Dill: Slice onion (or green onions), dice cucumbers, and add them to the pot along with chopped fresh dill. Stir well.
  5. Chill the Soup: Refrigerate the soup for at least 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the soup to chill.
  6. Serve: Serve the soup cold, garnished with boiled eggs and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Notes

For a vegan version, use a dairy-free buttermilk substitute (like cashew milk with lemon or vinegar).

Add a spicy twist by incorporating red pepper flakes or finely chopped hot peppers.

Additional vegetables like carrots or radishes can be added for extra crunch.

  • Author: Chloe Mae
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: undefined
  • Category: Soup
  • Method: Boiling, Chilling
  • Cuisine: Russian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 120
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 700mg
  • Fat: 5g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 18g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg