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    Home » Recipes » Russian Soups

    Okroshka - Cold Soup

    Author: Peter · Published: Jan 21, 2024

    Jump to Recipe

    Okroshka with Kefir (окрошка на кефире) is a traditional Russian cold soup with tangy flavors and full of vegetables. Crispy fresh vegetables, a meat protein and probiotic rich Kefir is a great healthy way to stay cool and fed this summer.

    bowl of Okroshka soup
    okroshka ingredients
    chopping cucumbers okroshka

    What is Okroshka? It's a cold summer soup (like Gazpacho), jam packed with vegetables, popular in Russian and Eastern Europe. Okroshka is derived from the Russian word literally meaning “chop” крошить, which is why it's chopped up in small pieces.

    Why You'll Love This Recipe

    • Easy to Make - anyone can master making Okroshka, it's mostly just chopped raw vegetables!
    • Probiotics - Kefir is packed with healthy probiotics which boost your digestion and immune system
    • Budget Friendly - made with summer vegetables that are in season and won't break the bank
    • Refreshing - the best way to cool down from the inside out, with a bowl of crisp and refreshing cold soup

    Ingredients

    • Kefir - a fermented milk drink, similar to buttermilk or drinkable yogurt
    • Water - to thin the kefir to your desired consistency
    • Vegetables - potatoes, cucumber, radishes, 
    • Eggs - hard boiled
    • Protein - chopped meat (ham)
    • Aromatics - fresh dill and green onions
    chopping okroshka
    bowl of chopped vegetables

    Equipment

    Vegetable Chopper - the hardest part of making Okroshka chopping everything into similar sized pieces. A chopper is a timesaver and helps with the uniformity of your chopped vegetables

    How to Make Okroshka

    1. Boil Potatoes - peel potatoes and cook until fork tender, but not mushy and overcooked. Allow to fully cool.
    2. Hard Boil Eggs - cover eggs with water in saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover with lid and remove from heat. Set timer for 11 minutes. Remove eggs and place in ice bath to cool before using.
    3. Prepare Ingredients - Chop ham, potatoes, cucumbers and radishes into small cubes. Chop green onions and fresh dill.
    4. Mix Soup Base - in a bowl, mix kefir and water until desired consistency is reached. 
    5. Combine Chopped Vegetables - add eggs, potatoes, ham, cucumbers, radishes, green onions and dill into the bowl and stir together (or fill individual bowls with vegetables and add kefir).
    6. Season and Chill - season with salt and place in refrigerator to cool for at least 2 hours. Alternatively can add ice cubes to Okroshka to speed up chilling and serve immediately.
    7. Serve - place a dollop of Smetana (sour cream) and extra fresh dill into each bowl when serving. Optional: squeeze juice of half a lemon for a burst of acidity and freshness.
    okroshka chopped vegetables
    pouring kefir on okroshka

    Okroshka Variations

    • Vegetarian Okroshka - another classic version, skip the meat and protein and enjoy this healthy chilled vegetable soup
    • Seafood Okroshka - substitute ham with grilled shrimp or crab meat
    • Spicy Okroshka - definitely non-traditional, but add a freshly chopped chili peppers or a dash of Sriracha Sauce for a spicy twist
    • Avocado Okroshka - dice a firm, but ripe avocado to add an extra layer of creamy texture (also non-traditional but growing in popularity)

    Recipe Tips and FAQs

    • Chilling - ensure all ingredients are fully chilled before chopping and pouring. Especially important for the Kefir and water to be chilled. (not just tap water) which will speed up your serving time.
    • Mineral Water - substitute water with mineral water for a fizzier soup base
    • Adjust Soup Thickness - Kefir to water ratios are a personal preference. Adjust to your own thickness. Can leave kefir with a few ice cubes for a thicker soup.
    • Vegetable Broth - if extra depth of flavor, substitute water with vegetable broth when thinning the Kefir
    • Herb Garnish - boost flavor by adding fresh parsley or cilantro
    • Prepare Individual Bowls - don't mix all together in a bowl, but made individual portions of ingredients and pour Kefir into each bowl. This has better presentation if making it for guests.
    Kefir and Yogurt
    pouring kefir into bowl

    What Meats Can I Use for Okroshka

    • Ham
    • Doktorskays Kolbassa (a Russian style of Bologna sausage)
    • Smoked Chicken
    • Beef - (boiled and sliced)
    • Boiled Beef Tongue
    • Leftover Roast Chicken - (or boiled chicken breast)
    • Hot Dogs or Wieners

    Kefir Substitutions

    • Greek Yogurt - mix 3 cups of plain Greek Yogurt and 1 cup of milk
    • Buttermilk - substitute Kefir for Buttermilk - or add buttermilk to Kefir instead of water
    • Whey - mix 3 cups of plain Yogurt with 1 cup of whey (leftover whey used from making Tvorog)
    squeeze lemon over okroshka
    spoonful of okroshka

    What to Serve with Okroshka

    Okroshka is traditionally served as a first course, but can also be served as a lunch. Here are some Okroshka serving suggestions;

    • Crusty Loaf or Rye Bread
    • Greniki
    • Beef Kotleti
    • Garlic Butter Boiled Potatoes
    • Cabbage Piroshki
    • Russian Fried Potatoes and Onions

    Storage

    • Refrigerator - place in an airtight container and keep refrigerated. Best enjoyed within 3 to 4 days.
    • Freezer - this soup should not be frozen. When the vegetables and dairy defrosts, the texture of the ingredients are unpleasant and watery.
    pouring kefir into chopped vegetables

    Russian Recipes You'll Love

    • Okroshka with Kvass
    • Svekolnik - Cold Beet Soup
    • Holodnik Cold Soup
    • Olivier - Russian Potato Salad
    • Chicken Stroganoff
    • Golubtsi - Cabbage Rolls
    • Ukha - Fisherman's Soup

    Okroshka is a very healthy meal, perfect for an easy lunch or as a starter with your dinner. Jam packed with fresh vegetables, herbs and probiotics. A very Russian meal, eaten on a hot day at the dacha to cool you down. Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

    bowl of Okroshka soup

    Okroshka - Cold Soup

    Okroshka is a very healthy meal, a classic cold soup perfect for an easy lunch or as a starter with your dinner. Jam packed with fresh vegetables, herbs and probiotics. (окрошка на кефире)
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 55 minutes mins
    Total Time 55 minutes mins
    Course Soup
    Cuisine Eastern European, Russian
    Servings 6 servings

    Equipment

    • Vegetable Chopper

    Ingredients
      

    • 32 oz (1 Litre) Kefir unsweetened and chilled
    • 2 cups water
    • 2 large potatoes peeled, cooked and finely cubed
    • 4 hard boiled eggs finely cubed
    • 2 cups finely diced ham or smoked chicken (¼ pound or 250 grams)
    • 1 long english cucumber finely cubed
    • 6 radishes finely cubed
    • 2 green onions sliced
    • ¼ cup fresh dill chopped
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • sour cream to dollop when serving

    Instructions
     

    • Boil Potatoes - peel potatoes and cook until fork tender, but not mushy and overcooked. Allow to fully cool.
    • Hard Boil Eggs - cover eggs with water in saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover with lid and remove from heat. Set timer for 11 minutes. Remove eggs and place in ice bath to cool before using.
    • Prepare Ingredients - Chop ham, potatoes, cucumbers and radishes into small cubes. Chop green onions and fresh dill.
    • Mix Soup Base - in a bowl, mix kefir and water until desired consistency is reached. 
    • Combine Chopped Vegetables - add eggs, potatoes, ham, cucumbers, radishes, green onions and dill into the bowl and stir together (or fill individual bowls with vegetables and add kefir).
    • Season and Chill - season with salt and place in refrigerator to cool for at least 2 hours. Alternatively can add ice cubes to Okroshka to speed up chilling and serve immediately.
    • Serve - place a dollop of Smetana (sour cream) and extra fresh dill into each bowl when serving. Optional: squeeze juice of half a lemon for a burst of acidity and freshness
    Keyword Okroshka, okroshka kefir, Russian Cold Soup

    ©PetersFoodAdventures.com *originally posted January 2016, updated January 2024

    okroshka soup pinterest pin
    okroshka soup pinterest pin

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Anna

      January 07, 2016 at 9:07 pm

      Now I can see You have Summer down there. The recipe is great as all Russian recipes. I make a similar soup called Chłodnik in Polish, but mine is much simpler or maybe I just adapted it to be simple.
      fermentedfoodfreak.com/2015/06/11/sour-milk-and-beet-soup

      Reply
      • PetersFoodAdventures

        January 07, 2016 at 9:16 pm

        Thanks Anna! Yes, I know the soup, we call it Holodnik, I'm making it next week! It was 39 degrees today, too hot for hot food! Your soup looks fantastic! Love Eastern European food, so many variations in our food! ????

        Reply
    2. Gretchen

      January 04, 2016 at 6:49 pm

      Definitely haven't heard of this. I'll have to try it in the summer.

      Reply
      • PetersFoodAdventures

        January 05, 2016 at 2:48 pm

        There are a few versions of this, all very different, I'll post more soon. This is the summer of cold soup for me! ????

        Reply
    3. gingy55

      January 04, 2016 at 4:38 am

      Interesting. Not sure about a cold soup. I'm in agreement that I'd have to acquire the taste. Looks awesome!

      Reply
      • PetersFoodAdventures

        January 05, 2016 at 2:46 pm

        I know what you mean, I love it, my wife not so much. Lol

        Reply
    4. Kitchen-Counter-Culture

      January 04, 2016 at 4:02 am

      I have long wanted to make this. Your food styling is beautiful.

      Reply
      • PetersFoodAdventures

        January 05, 2016 at 2:45 pm

        Thanks so much for the compliment, hope you enjoy it! ????

        Reply
    5. youthfoodblog

      January 04, 2016 at 3:14 am

      Looks like a very enticing dish!

      Reply
      • PetersFoodAdventures

        January 05, 2016 at 2:44 pm

        Thanks! You can't go wrong with all the veggies!!!

        Reply
    6. lynne hoareau

      January 04, 2016 at 2:04 am

      Wow ! this sounds interesting Peter.... pinned 🙂 . I will be making this, I love trying new things.

      Reply
      • PetersFoodAdventures

        January 05, 2016 at 2:43 pm

        Thanks Lynne! Definitely a great summer soup, perfect after a visit to a Farmer's Market!

        Reply
        • lynne hoareau

          January 05, 2016 at 3:47 pm

          Agreed 🙂

          Reply

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    Peter's Food Adventures - where you'll find Russian recipes, Slavic and International favorites with some fun travel and cooking videos. A Russian Food Blogger.

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