Okroshka - Cold Soup

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.

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

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 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.

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)

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.

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!

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