Lesya Hearty Ukrainian Pea Porridge is a warm and wonderfully simple dish with deep roots in history. Dating back to the Middle Ages, dried peas have long been a staple in Ukrainian cuisine, providing nourishment and comfort through generations. This rustic porridge is made by slowly simmering yellow split peas until they become thick and creamy, then enhanced with golden fried onions and carrots for extra richness.
The pickled cucumbers bring a delightful tangy contrast to the earthy taste of this dish. In our recipe, we’ll also add fresh greens for a touch of vibrancy, however, feel free to also add crispy croutons or cracklings to make it your own. The best part? This vegetarian pea porridge is naturally flavorful and doesn’t require a lot of spices to taste great. The simple and rustic ingredients coming together in a deliciously satisfying way.
Want to see how we make the Hearty Ukrainian Pea Porridge? Watch our YouTube video “How to Cook Peas: Ukrainian Recipes with Yellow and Green Peas”, where we guide you through the cooking process and compare the taste and texture of three dishes made from peas!
Hearty Ukrainian Pea Porridge
Equipment
- 1 Pot or casserole dish
- 1 Skillet
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 Chef's knife
Ingredients
- 250 g yellow dried split peas
- 1.2 liter water
- 1 carrot (medium size)
- 3 potatoes
- 1/2 white onion
- 1 clove garlic
- 4 pickled cucumbers
- 1 bay leaf
- fresh dill
- fresh parsley
- 1/2 tbsp salt (or to taste)
- 1 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 20 g butter for frying
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Rinse and drain yellow dried split peas. No need to soak.
- Bring water to a boil, add peas to the water, and boils them over medium to low heat for 45 minutes. Add bay leaf to the water.
- Slice and chop potatoes. Put them into a bowl with cold water to prevent from darkening.
- Meanwhile, chop white onion and garlic.
- Chop the carrot into small pieces.
- Preheat the skillet. Add a piece of butter and 1 table spoon of vegetable oil to the skillet.
- Put the chopped onion and garlic in the skillet and lightly fry for 3 minutes.
- Add the chopped carrot to the skillet, mix well and sauté with the onion and garlic for 2 minutes.
- Skim off the foam from the surface of the boiling water.
- Add potatoes to the boiling water. Mix well.
- Once the potatoes become fork-tender, add the sautéed vegetables to the porridge and again, mix well.
- Add salt and black pepper.
- Chop fresh dill and parsley.
- Turn off the heat, and let the porridge rest covered with a lid for at least 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle the chopped dill and parsley and serve warm.
Peas in Ukrainian Cuisine: A Nutritious Tradition
Hearty Ukrainian Pea Porridge is just one of the many comforting dishes made with yellow split peas in traditional Ukrainian cuisine. The dried pea porridge (Horokhova kasha) has been know for ages – simple, aromatic, and so satisfying! You can make it by boiling yellow split peas until they turn thick and creamy. Then you top the porridge with fried onions, butter, or crispy cracklings for extra flavor. In our article we show this recipe, but we use just chopped greens instead of cracklings.
Dried peas also make their way into a pea soup – a hearty, comforting dish served with croutons. In some regions of Ukraine, people get creative with pea patties – the mashed peas are shaped into little fritters, and fried until golden brown. While dried peas may not be as common in Ukrainian cooking as beans or buckwheat, they have always been around — humble, nourishing, and full of flavor.
Why Add Pickled Cucumbers to Hearty Ukrainian Pea Porridge?
Hearty Ukrainian Pea Porridge is rich, creamy, and deeply comforting. But for us, it wouldn’t be complete without pickled cucumbers. That’s how we remember it from childhood — sometimes the cucumbers were served on the side, crisp and tangy, and the other times, they were chopped right into the porridge, mixing their bright, sour flavor into every bite.
That contrast between the smooth, hearty peas and the zesty crunch of pickles is what makes this dish so special. In Ukrainian cooking, pickled vegetables have always been a staple, adding a little brightness to simple, rustic meals, and this porridge is no exception. However you choose to add them, pickled cucumbers bring the perfect finishing touch.
The Nutritional Benefits of Hearty Ukrainian Pea Porridge
Hearty Ukrainian Pea Porridge isn’t just comforting — it’s also packed with nutrition. Yellow split peas are an excellent source of plant-based protein and rich in fiber, which supports digestion and helps keep you full for longer. This porridge provides essential minerals like magnesium and iron, along with vitamins A, K, C, and B, all contributing to overall well-being. Also, it contains wholesome, slow-digesting carbohydrates that offer steady energy and real nourishment.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Hearty Ukrainian Pea Porridge is a dish that brings comfort, nutrition, and a taste of tradition to the table. Whether you enjoy it with pickled cucumbers on the side or mixed in, this simple yet satisfying meal is sure to warm you up. With its rich flavors and wholesome ingredients, it’s a perfect example of how humble ingredients can come together to create something truly special. We hope you enjoy making and sharing this dish.
Enjoy this satisfying Ukrainian pea porridge and explore other delicious recipes on our website and YouTube channel:
