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Holodnik – Russian Cold Soup

A must try Russian Cold Holodnik Soup recipe on a hot summer day. Wild looking, but gorgeous! Holodnik is a a little like cold borscht, but tangier.

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My stress levels are higher since I started working (naturally I guess), and my funny bone is suffering because of it. I’ll try a joke. Ahem. Two beets walk into a bar…… nope, it’s just not flowing. 🙁

Anyway, about this Holodnik – Russian Cold Soup recipe. It really is this color; a vibrant violet. It’s all in the beets. Gorgeous isn’t it? Wild looking, but gorgeous! Holodnik is a a little like cold borscht, but tangier. I guess its more like Okroshka so if you enjoyed that, you’ll like this too. Oh and the egg is nice. Don’t skip it.

Ingredients for Holodnik:

3 large red beets or 5 small beets
2 quarts water
1 quart buttermilk
1 medium onion or 3 green onions
4 cucumbers
Sea salt to taste
1 tsp sugar
1 bunch dill
4-6 boiled eggs (optional)

Large Cooking pot

Ingredients on the table for holodnik, a Russian cold soup

How to Make Russian Cold Holodnik Soup:

1. Boil beets, drain, and let them cool. I boiled mine for 35 min and added 1 Tbsp of sugar for extra sweetness. These were fresh beets. Older beets may take up to an hour.

3 cooked and peeled beets on a plate

2. Boil 2 quarts of water and let it cool. Mix cooled water with 1 quart of buttermilk in a large pot.

Buttermilk and water mixture in a pot

3. Shred beets and add them to the pot with water/buttermilk mixture.

Three photos of shredded beets being added into a pot with a buttermilk and water mixture

4. Add salt and sugar. I recommend starting with 1 Tbsp salt and adding more to taste, you may like it sweeter or saltier.

Two photos of holodnik, Russian cold soup, in a pot being seasoned

5. Next add sliced green onions, dill and diced cucumbers  (Vidalia Chop Wizard worked great for that) to the pot with the rest of the mixture.

Four photos of diced green onions, cucumbers and dill being added to holodnik, Russian cold soup in a pot

6. Place completed soup in the fridge to let it cool completely.

A pot with holodnik, a Russian cold soup

Enjoy it with half of a boiled egg. You can also serve it with a dollop of sour cream.


A bowl of holodnik, Russian cold soup, garnished with half an egg

Holodnik - a Cold Summer Soup

4.94 from 16 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
holodnik soup in bowl
Holodnik is an Eastern European Cold Soup recipe. It really is this color; a vibrant violet. It's all in the beets.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 10
  • 3 large cooked red beets or 5 small cooked beets
  • 2 quarts boiled cooled water
  • 1 quart buttermilk
  • 1 medium onion or 3 green onions
  • 4 cucumbers
  • 1 Tbsp sea salt, or add to taste*
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 bunch dill
  • 4-6 boiled eggs, optional

Large Cooking pot

    Instructions

    • Boil beets, drain, and let them cool.
    • Boil 2 quarts of water and let it cool. Mix cooled water with 1 quart of buttermilk in a large pot.
    • Shred beets and add them to the pot with water/buttermilk mixture.
    • Add salt and sugar. *I recommend starting with 1 Tbsp salt and adding more to taste, you may like it sweeter or saltier. 
    • Next add sliced green onions, dill and diced cucumbers.
    • Place completed soup in the fridge to let it cool completely.
    • Enjoy it with half of a boiled egg. You can also serve it with a dollop of sour cream.
    Course: Soup
    Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian
    Keyword: Holodnik, Russian Cold Soup
    Skill Level: Easy
    Cost to Make: $8

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    Natasha Kravchuk

    Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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    Read comments/reviewsAdd comment/review

    • Natasha
      May 13, 2023

      What’s the purpose of boiling/cooling water. Can plain filtered water be used? Also, can we use the liquid beets were boiled in? Thank you! Love this recipe!

      Reply

      • Natasha
        May 15, 2023

        HI Natasha, I wouldn’t use the water from the beets because it can taste a little too earthy from the beet skins. Boiled water prevents bacteria growth – that is the main reason for boiling the water. You can also use boiled and cooled water from a kettle.

        Reply

    • Cassie
      February 19, 2022

      Oh my, could this be what my grandmother called “Easter soup??”. It was the stuff dreams are made of, except she added kielbasa (she’s Polish) and it was actually served warm.

      Reply

    • Natalie M.
      June 19, 2020

      Delicious! My husband, who is meat and potatoes type of guy, really loved it! I made half a recipe, used plain kefir instead of buttermilk, added thinly sliced, cut up radishes, and used chives instead of green onion (as I had all these ingredients on hand). This recipe is a winner and I will definitely be making it again!

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        June 20, 2020

        I’m so glad you enjoyed that Natalie!

        Reply

    • Victoria Siegel
      June 12, 2020

      Dear Natasha IF the beets are very large can one cut them in half or quarters first, or is it better to leave them whole so as to not spoil the flavor and texture of the beets?
      Love your recipes and refer to them frequently thank you

      Reply

      • Natasha
        June 12, 2020

        Hi Victoria, if I am boiling beets, I don’t cut them but if you baken them or put them in an instant pot, that would work. Check out our beet salad post for instructions on baking or pressure cooking beets.

        Reply

    • Valery
      July 8, 2019

      Love all your recipes and this also looks fantastic, exactly how we make it 🙂 The only difference is that we mix in the fresh ingredients and kefir daily as we serve it. So question, how long can this last in the refrigerator in the pre-mixed form? Without cucumbers getting soggy and or spoiling? Thank you!

      Reply

    • serpil
      May 4, 2019

      Hello,
      Don’t you put kefir?even natural yogurt goes well 🙂 thank you for the recipe

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        May 4, 2019

        Hi! Yes, you can definitely use kefir!

        Reply

    • Pav
      July 23, 2018

      On point! Really quick to make, I kept the water from boiling the beets for the soup water later for a more dramatic effect and less cooking time. I also diced the eggs and tossed them into the soup as well. Worked out fantastic, a genuine old country recipe. Fantastic!

      Reply

      • Natashas Kitchen
        July 23, 2018

        It sure is a classic! Thanks for the great review!

        Reply

    • Elisabeth
      July 22, 2018

      I am confused with the salt proportions, is it really 3Tbsp? Or should it be 3tsp. It turned out way too salty I had to add double the liquid.

      Reply

      • Natasha
        July 22, 2018

        Hi Elisabeth, I’m so glad you asked! When we switched to the new recipe card, I think it somehow switched tsp to Tbsp. So sorry about that! I updated the recipe card and with this one, I recommend starting with 1 Tbsp salt and adding more to taste, you may like it sweeter or saltier.

        Reply

        • Elisabeth
          July 23, 2018

          Thank you for your quick response. This soup is delicious! What a great way to remember childhood favorites!

          Reply

          • Natashas Kitchen
            July 23, 2018

            You’re welcome!

            Reply

    • Valentina
      May 10, 2017

      My mom and my aunt always boil potatoes in water and let it cool before adding other ingredients. And ALWAYS added варёную колбасу, докторскую (that’s why I loved it when I was a child)

      Reply

      • Natasha's Kitchen
        May 11, 2017

        Yum! That sounds good! Thanks for sharing Valentina 😀

        Reply

    • Lisa Fauconnier
      July 15, 2016

      You can add some sliced pink radishes

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        July 15, 2016

        That sounds great and I’m sure it looks pretty as well! 🙂

        Reply

    • Katy
      April 23, 2016

      Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,delicious
      Mmmmmm,delicious

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        April 23, 2016

        Thanks Katy! 🙂

        Reply

    • caxap
      August 5, 2015

      привет. я из ирана .я кушала это блюдо в минске.оно самое вкусное блюдо во всем мире )).теперь я хочу приготовить его семьи в иране.спасибо большое что вы так хорошо обяснили как можно приготовить его♥

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        August 5, 2015

        I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

        Reply

    • Natalya
      May 9, 2015

      My absolute favorite!!! So good on a hot summer’s day!

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        May 9, 2015

        It is a great way to cool down in summer. 🙂

        Reply

    • Sandra
      January 3, 2014

      I use natural yogurt instead of butter milk and milk instead of Water. Thicker texture and taste much better 🙂 love this soup on hot summer days 🙂

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        January 3, 2014

        Oooh good idea! I’ll have to give it a try!

        Reply

    • GD
      August 4, 2013

      Nice recipe. I made it today!

      Reply

    • Olga
      May 28, 2013

      I want to add cooked potates to my holodnik, will I mess it up? Thanks, for all your recipes, Natasha! When I’m not sure what to cook, I get on your website and am always happy with the outcome! =)

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        May 28, 2013

        Hmm I haven’t tried that but it works for the other summer soup I have posted so I don’t see why not 😉

        Reply

      • Tatyana
        August 21, 2014

        We usually eat it alongside a hot potato, barely able to hold it in our hand. Spoonful of cold soup and a bite of hot potato…mmmm.

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          August 21, 2014

          That’s something I haven’t tried before :). Tatyana, are you referring to potato “в мундире”?

          Reply

      • Irina
        July 13, 2016

        add fried potato – it’ll be really good!!!

        Reply

    • tanya
      February 23, 2013

      hi natasha u are so good quick ? do u eat this holdnik cold or hot

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        February 23, 2013

        Thank you Tanya. Holodnik should be eaten cold and best during warm weather months :).

        Reply

    • Tanya
      August 27, 2012

      I’ve never tried this before and never had cold soup so this was an interesting meal but this was so delicious, everyone loved it. I made it with plain kefir instead of buttermilk and plain Greek yogurt. Thank you for sharing the recipe and for all the time and effort you put into your blog, I have loved every single dish that I’ve made from your blog! Thank You!

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        August 27, 2012

        Yay!!!! That’s music to my ears 😀

        Reply

        • Gita
          July 13, 2013

          Has anyone who has made the soup with both buttermilk and plain kefir written about which one is better for the soup? I am ready to make it, but would like to know which of the milk products to buy.
          In either case, the soup sounds marvelously delicious – but which tastes better??

          Gita

          Reply

    • Katherine
      August 17, 2012

      Thanks for posting this recipe and for adding such awesome step-by-step photos!! I’m living in Ukraine now and trying to cook with local ingrediants and this meal is perfect! There is a pot of holodnik cooling off in the fridge right now. Your website is going to be a great resource for our future meals : )

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        August 17, 2012

        Thank you very much Katherine, you made me smile. 😀

        Reply

    • Vera Zecevic – Cupcakes Garden
      August 17, 2012

      Fantastic soup color! I heve never tried something similar in my life!

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        August 17, 2012

        Its all in the beets 🙂

        Reply

    • Irene
      August 10, 2012

      This soup is the best!!!!!!! W e had always enjoyed it with baked potatoe, its delicious!!!!!!!!!!!

      Reply

    • Jasmina
      August 8, 2012

      My grandmother made a similar version of this soup. I’d forgotten about it until I saw your post. Thanks!

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        August 8, 2012

        This soup is very good to eat during such a hot weather 🙂

        Reply

    • Elena
      August 7, 2012

      We always add radishes to our Holodnik 😉

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        August 7, 2012

        That’s a great idea, I will try it next time 🙂 Tnx for the tip

        Reply

    • Hope
      August 7, 2012

      my mom makes holodnik barely ever but i enjoy it!!!:)

      Reply

    • jelena
      August 7, 2012

      Mmm! i love this soup, so refreshing! i always make it with plain Kefir, instead of buttermilk! But im going to try tis way as well! Funny thing, when i make it, my husband always says ;”here comes liquid salad!”!!! But i love it!

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        August 7, 2012

        Liquid salad 🙂 ha! Where do you get plain kefir? I’ve only seen the flavored ones.

        Reply

        • jelena
          August 7, 2012

          I get it pretty much at any supermarket near me (i live in NJ), its made by LIFEWAY brand, they make plain and flavored ones.Also ive seen it in a russian specialty stores. I bought buttermilk today, so going to make it your way!!

          Reply

          • Natasha
            natashaskitchen
            August 7, 2012

            I’ll be on the lookout for it. Thank you 🙂

            Reply

        • Tatiana
          January 5, 2013

          Buy Kefir grains on Amazon … I’m in Australia, and we are making our own kefir .

          Reply

          • Natasha
            natashaskitchen
            January 5, 2013

            Amazon makes shopping so much more convenient :).

            Reply

    • Zina
      August 6, 2012

      My mother always made this soup in the summer….so refreshing and delish! She did not add water but served with ice cubes…..ah, such memories. Thanks for posting so others can enjoy it.

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        August 6, 2012

        Ice cubes sound fun. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

        Reply

    • Red Star to Lone Star
      August 6, 2012

      I just wrote about okroshka… I guess it’s the weather! Someone asked me about hlodnik but I wasn’t sure what it was. Definitely need to try this one.

      Reply

    • Inna K
      August 6, 2012

      YAYYYYYY I WAS SOOO HAPPY WHEN I SAW THIS THANK YOU SO MUUUCH SO EXCITED FINNAAAALLLYY WILL TRY IT DIDT TRUST THE OTHER SITES FOR IT.
      WHAT EXACTLY IS IT SUPPOSE TO TASTE LIKE? (NEVER MADE IT BEFORE AND REALLY DONT WANT TO TRY IT BUT WILL MAKE IT FOR HUBBY)
      THANK YOU!
      P.S. I HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER AND STRESS GOES DOWN!:)

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        August 6, 2012

        Have you had Okroshka before? Its kind of salty and sweet at the same time, best eaten fresh, but can be stored up to a week. Thank you Inna.

        Reply

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