About

Welcome to Natasha’s Kitchen! I’m Natasha Kravchuk, and together with my husband, Vadim, we’ve been passionately developing and sharing tried-and-true recipes since 2009. Over the years, we have created a trusted recipe resource beloved by millions.

In 2023, I published my debut cookbook – Natasha’s Kitchen Cookbook, which quickly became a New York Times Best-Seller for three consecutive weeks. The book is an extension of our blog with top-quality recipes you can trust.

I come from a family of fantastic cooks, and I’m here to share generations of recipes that are homey, fresh, healthy, family-friendly, authentic, and adventurous. Most importantly, our recipes are meticulously tested and guaranteed to be delicious and reliable.

Natasha holding a lasagna casserole

My Family and Heritage

My culinary journey is deeply rooted in my family’s story. My family came to the U.S. as refugees from Ukraine when I was 4 years old. They brought 5 tiny girls and had nothing but a stack of suitcases. They didn’t know the language, but they worked hard and achieved the American dream. Watch the TV News Segment about our incredible story. My parents’ resilience and passion for food inspire every recipe I create.

Natasha with family posing on steps next to a house
Natasha with her parents and 4 sisters (Natasha is the middle child)

Growing up, I was so shy that I thought no one would marry me until my husband came along and swept me off my feet (true story). Over 20 years ago, I married my wonderful husband, Vadim (who is also Ukrainian). We are blessed with two children. Every recipe that I develop is thoroughly tested and approved by each of us and is often critiqued by relatives and friends. We only post the recipes we love and make over and over.

We live in Idaho (famous for its potatoes), and we love the quieter pace of our beautiful state. We strive to walk in love and live our lives by the word of God and the life of Jesus.

Natasha and Vadim slicing vegetables in the kitchen

Professional Background

We’re so thankful to be full-time foodies and recipe developers. We’re living our dream because of you and I can’t thank you enough! My heritage and diverse professional background, including years in business and nursing, have uniquely equipped me to be the recipe developer, video creator, photographer, writer, and business owner that I am today. We set the bar high so you can expect great recipes and videos here.

The Resume

  • 2003-2007: I worked for 7 years as a business intern, which I consider my most valuable education. My boss and mentor taught me the importance of excellence in business and meticulous attention to detail, which has served me well.
  • 2007 Earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a double major in human resource management
  • 2007-2012 – Worked as a Realtor for 4 years. Fun fact: it was during my realtor days that I learned about blogging (although blogging about real estate was undeniably more boring than food)
  • 2012 Earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and worked as a Registered Nurse in Telemetry. The courses I took in nutrition, as well as being in a caring profession, made for a natural transition into serving my audience with recipes and connections that nurture body and soul.
  • Blogging since 2009 – What started as a way to share my family’s recipes and culinary journey, has turned into a vibrant community of millions of home cooks.

To summarize all of the many hats I wear – I am a wife, mom, food blogger, cookbook author, recipe developer, video creator, photographer, writer, influencer, social media boss, and entrepreneur, and I love to sing in my church choir. If I were a sandwich, I’d be a Chicken Bacon Avocado on Focaccia.

Natasha with family serving food

How I Got Started Cooking

To be completely honest, I wasn’t always excited about cooking. When I got married in 2003, it became a necessity – “must eat to live” and Mom wasn’t doing the cooking anymore. We had a lot of frozen meals and ate-out too much in the first year of our marriage. I had a free summer (and decided I would improve my cooking skills so we could live and eat healthier.

I dove into cookbook after cookbook and plundered my mom’s recipe books. I was at the library all the time bringing home piles of cookbooks; I was hooked! I even read my mother’s cooking textbook from her college days (Mom completed her culinary program when we moved to the US). I had discovered the joy of cooking. Within a few months, my husband and I each lost weight just from cooking more at home. Now I can’t stop cooking and thinking about cooking and dreaming about cooking… I was born for this!

My recipe collection continues to grow. I love to try new recipes and will share my favorites with you (like our internet-famous Meatloaf and beloved Banana Bread Recipe). I hope you enjoy this blog and find recipes that will become your family favorites as well.

Natasha with mom and daughter making pierogi

Natasha’s Kitchen Today

I started this food and family blog in 2009 as a way to share favorite recipes and events with family and friends. It has grown much larger than I could have imagined with about 1,300 recipes and about 19 million hungry visitors per month. In 2024, we passed 3,500,000 subscribers on YouTube and our channel is growing fast. We’ve been featured on:

  • Forbes
  • Good Morning America
  • ABC News
  • New York Times
  • Associated Press
  • USA Today
  • And hundreds more (see Press page for more)

My goal with Natasha’s Kitchen is for you to really discover and fall in love with cooking and find many new favorite recipes your family will love. The ingredients we use are simple and easily accessible, not overly hoity-toity. My motto: if you can read (a well-written, tested, and trusted recipe), you can cook.

Most of the recipes I share come from my mom and mother-in-law, family, friends, and my own experience in the kitchen. I am so thankful to have such amazing people in my life who generously share their rich knowledge of cooking.

It Takes a Village! I’m so blessed to partner with an incredible group of specialists who share their talents to support Natasha’s Kitchen. Whether it’s social media, email marketing, content editing, or video editing, their expertise helps everything run smoothly so I can focus on creating delicious recipes and fun videos for you. I’m so grateful for their contributions and for YOU, our amazing readers, who make it all possible.

Natasha's family prepping food in the kitchen

Natasha’s Kitchen Recipes

It’s very important to me to share trusted recipes that are reliable and work well in every kitchen and for every cooking skill level. This is why I develop and perfect all of my recipes through careful research and several rounds of testing in my own Kitchen in Idaho (elevation about 2,600 feet).

Every recipe is tested and approved by my family, and often friends, relatives, and even neighbors. All of the photography is done by myself, and I’m the one showing up in our videos. My husband edits the photos and videos (and he’s the videographer, single-handedly running 3 cameras at once).

Get Featured: If you would like your recipe featured on this site, email it to me by clicking here.

Community Guidelines: I love how this food blog has grown into a supportive cooking community – your comments, questions, tips, and success stories make every recipe better. Review my Comment Policy, then join the conversation.

Disclaimer: Per my Nutrition Disclaimer, this blog includes only my own opinions and is not professional advice. It is not intended to be dietary advice or a diet plan. Please talk to your Doctor or nutritionist for medical or dietary advice. I am not liable if you eat too many Hamburgers.

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Comments

  • Quinto
    January 2, 2015

    Thanks for the great blog. I am so happy for your achievements.
    Ever since I become a veggie, I haven’t had many options at home, my wife isn’t the greatest cook, will certainly refer her here. Keep up the good work. Possible to add an icon on your recipes indicating veggie or non veggie ?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 2, 2015

      If I can figure out a way to do that, it really is a great idea! Thanks for the tip Quinto 🙂

      Reply

  • Lyana
    January 1, 2015

    Natasha, I really enjoy looking at your recipes. So many varieties!! I am Ukrainian-American as well, but living in England. I keep coming back to your blog especially around Ukrainian Christmas which our kids love to celebrate (mostly because of food:)). I especially like getting recipe ideas for desserts here. And your pictures are amazing!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 1, 2015

      I know another blogger who lives in England; that’s just so awesome that we can connect here from different parts of the world. I’m always amazed by that. Thank you so much for your sweet comment! I’m so happy you are enjoying the blog 🙂

      Reply

  • Juls
    December 31, 2014

    I was looking for a good baked salmon recipe and stumbled upon your site. I don’t usually make comments on blogs but was so enticed by your story and the fact that I might actually be able to cook from a different culture that I had to. I have the traditional family recipes (German/Irish) and several Vietnamese cookbooks. It would be amazing to add a few Russian/Ukrainian ones to the shelf. By the way, the salmon was amazing (Dijon/garlic one)!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 1, 2015

      Thank you so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed the salmon recipe and thanks for taking the time to share that with me 🙂

      Reply

  • Darrell
    December 29, 2014

    Very well done!!! I piddle in the kitchen with my wife and family the guinea pigs… but, they love the torture as much as I do.

    God bless your family and keep on keeping on…

    Darrell

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 29, 2014

      Thank you so much Darrell. I bet they love being your tasters! 🙂

      Reply

  • Sarah
    December 21, 2014

    Just discovered your blog with morning while searching recipes for lemon curd tarts. Love it already…and will be making those tarts tonight for a party! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 21, 2014

      I’m so happy to hear that :-). Welcome to my blog!

      Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 21, 2014

      Welcome to the site Sarah, I hope you’ll find many new favorites here :).

      Reply

  • Youngmi
    December 20, 2014

    Wow.. All of the cake “perfect”
    I hope i can baking like u

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 20, 2014

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply

  • Karly
    December 10, 2014

    Natasha, I LOVE your blog!! I just got married 6 months ago, and that’s when I decided to kick myself in the butt and start cooking for the man! He’s Italian, so trying to impress that kind of cooking finesse isn’t easy. I have taken so many recipes from your blog and introduced them to my modest kitchen in Michigan. I love them all! I love the culture, the diversity… I love the little things I learn while cooking (most recently, how to make cake flour – how can I thank you enough?!). Your blog and your recipes are truly inspiring. I hope you continue to blog and live out your dream as I am chasing mine as well. Thank you for being so great.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 10, 2014

      Thank you so much for your sweet and inspiring words :-). I’m so happy you’re enjoying the blog!! Congrats on getting married 🙂

      Reply

  • Diana
    December 5, 2014

    Hi Natasha,
    Hope you’re doing well. Few questions for you.
    ** How do you plan your grocery list. Do you plan ahead as in what meals you will make for the week and them make-up your grocery list based on that?
    ** 2015 is fast approaching. Do you think you will have new slow cooker recipes coming up?

    Thanks,
    Diana

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 5, 2014

      I’ll definitely be doing more slow cooker recipes this year. Thanks for the reminder! 🙂 We plan our Menu on Monday and do all of our big shopping that day at Costco and Fred Meyer. I think planning a menu saves time and money at the grocery store. What’s your strategy?

      Reply

  • Ramona Rice
    November 22, 2014

    I have used your recipe for sugared nuts several times now. Tonight I looked at the rest of your site and I will definitely come back later. My husband and I are also foodie Christians. Not as healthy as you look, but working on it! This Thanksgiving will be at our house, so we are planning carefully, including making sure there is no meat or fish in side dishes except the stuffing. Our younger son is dating a vegetarian, and my husband has taken up the challenge. He is inventing a complicated vegetarian farro pilaf that should become a classic in our house. I have no daughters, but I would have considered naming a girl Olivia after one of the best trees God gave us!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 23, 2014

      I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving! Its definitely a challenge to host Thanksgiving and especially when it’s vegetarian! 🙂 What are you doing in leu of turkey?

      Reply

  • Hope
    November 16, 2014

    My elderly father who lives with me, has dementia. I have a hard time getting him to eat. I thought if I could make the food of his childhood, (his family came from L’viv,) this might help him eat better. Could you recommend a few simple recipes? Thank-you.
    Hope

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 17, 2014

      Hi Hope!
      Does he have problems chewing? That will make a difference it recommendations, but a few great classic choices that are really comfort foods in Lviv are:
      Beef pilaf (cut the beef into small cubes if he has problems chewing)
      Braised Cabbage (you can sub for chicken or pork if you wish in either of these recipes)
      Braised potatoes with pork
      Chicken Katleti
      I sure hope those help. I thought about what my parents and grandparents would love most 🙂

      Reply

  • Masha
    November 15, 2014

    Thank you Natasha for the website! God bless!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 15, 2014

      Awww thanks so much Masha 🙂

      Reply

  • Nuna
    November 8, 2014

    Hello Natasha… Thanks a lot for this lovely website, I am a foodie myself and I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes…I was just wondering about the program you use to post your printing version recipe as I am working on my first cooking book and I can really find the perfect layout, and I liked yours a lot…

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 9, 2014

      It is actually a pluggin through wordpress that provides the format. I don’t know of any that aren’t tied to wordpress.

      Reply

      • Diana
        November 13, 2014

        Love this website. It gives me lot’s of ideas! Thank you so much Natasha! May God bless you!

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          November 13, 2014

          Thank you Diana! 🙂

          Reply

  • Julie
    November 6, 2014

    Just wanted to say thank you for the blog. I’m really enjoying the recipes and your articles,,, Good job!!! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 6, 2014

      Thank you so much Julie! 🙂

      Reply

  • Sheri
    October 23, 2014

    Hi Natasha. I’m 55 years old and have never liked to cook. I’m very clumsy in the kitchen. Since I never had kids and my ex-husband liked to cook I just never bothered. Now I am in the process of adopting my 2 1/2 year old great-nephew and I need to be able to cook. I’ve been trying and struggling because it always seems to take so much time and since I also run my family’s small business as well as raising Josh, I don’t have much of that. I just found your recipe for creamy chicken and rice. It looks and sounds great so I’m going to try it this weekend. Pray for me if you think of it. Your story is lovely and inspiring. Thank you.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 24, 2014

      I read your comment and couldn’t help but pray for you before messaging back. God bless you as you raise little Josh and in all of your cooking adventures. It definitely is no easy feat to raise a toddler but I pray that your life is richer and filled with joy and love in this journey. Adoption stories are incredible. They always make me think of God’s love towards us and how he adopted us as sons and daughters. God bless you and I do hope you both love the rice. My sisters toddlers sure love it and so does my son who is 4. 🙂

      Reply

  • Bin
    October 21, 2014

    Hi Natasha,

    I love your blog! Your recipes are easy to follow; the descriptions are clear; photos are artistic and sufficient (but not overwhelming). I had great successes in trying them! I pray that the Lord Jesus will keep blessing you with talents and enable you to continuously shin for His glory, and I pray we both will deepen our understandings and live it out loud that whether we eat or drink or whatever we do, do it all for the glory of God.

    Love,

    Bin

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 21, 2014

      I was so blessed by your comment. Thank you so much. God bless you too!

      Reply

  • irina
    October 14, 2014

    Guys, you awesome.

    Reply

  • Courtney @ FitCakes
    October 13, 2014

    Nice to meet you Natasha! Your website is gorgeous and the food looks amazing. I’ve honestly never tried Ukranian food, so I’m excited to find some recipes for it!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 14, 2014

      Hi Courtney :). Welcome to the blog! 🙂 I think you’ll love Ukrainian food. It’s just delicious. Your blog looks awesome too. I love the concept of fit cakes. I’m afraid most of my cakes aren’t very fit ;).

      Reply

  • Anna stolyar
    October 12, 2014

    I did the stuffed shells tonight! They were delicious, thank you so much for the recipe!
    -anna

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 12, 2014

      I’m so happy you enjoyed the recipe! 🙂

      Reply

  • Jane Gray
    October 12, 2014

    I’m so glad I found your website, I love Ukrainian food. My
    My family and I served as missionaries to the
    Lugansk Region 22 years ago and spent 8
    years there. We are sad to hear about all the
    bombing there but grateful to God that our
    friends have their hope and trust in Jesus.
    My daughter, Lindsey, and I made Okroshka
    today. It is wonderful.
    Can you post a recipe for Sylonka, soup with
    sausage and pickles?

    Reply

  • Arun Antony
    October 12, 2014

    Hai,

    your blog was awsome. god bless u, i just started my carrier,now i am a commi-2 working at HollidayInn, Soudi Arabia.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 12, 2014

      Nice to meet you Arun and welcome to the blog 🙂

      Reply

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