Here's a collection of the best European recipes for beginners to try. I've added soups, main dishes, desserts, and even some iconic bread recipes you'll love to try. They're simple, delicious, and perfect for the American palate.
As you may know, I'm a Ukrainian who has now lived in the US for more than a decade. During my time in Europe, I had the opportunity to visit many countries and try so many dishes. Overtime, I have collected and tested recipes and shared them on my site.
These are the European recipes I recommend my American friends try at home - they're easy to make, use simple ingredients, and have flavors that work perfectly with American palates!
European Soups
French Onion Soup
A lighter take on the French classic, this vegan version keeps all the rich onion flavor with a cozy broth and toasty bread topping. It’s surprisingly hands-off to make and perfect for chilly nights or even a special dinner at home.
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Dutch Split Pea Soup (Snert)
Hearty and filling, this Dutch favorite is made with split peas, smoked sausage, and vegetables. It’s a comforting one-pot meal that’s perfect for cold weather and easy enough for weeknights.
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Greek Avgolemono Soup
Bright and comforting, this Greek chicken and rice soup gets its creamy texture from eggs and a squeeze of lemon. It comes together in about 30 minutes, making it a simple but satisfying dish.
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Polish Dill Soup (Zupa Koperkowa)
Fresh dill gives this Polish soup its signature flavor. With potatoes, carrots, and a tangy broth, it’s a comforting option that works any time of year.
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Vegan Borscht Recipe
A Ukrainian classic turned plant-based, this borscht is packed with cabbage, beans, and vegetables in a flavorful beet broth. It’s healthy, hearty, and beginner-friendly.
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Shchi (Russian Sauerkraut Soup)
This rustic Russian soup combines beef, sauerkraut, and fresh cabbage for a tangy, warming bowl. It’s especially good on cold fall and winter days.
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Lohikeitto (Finnish Salmon Soup)
Creamy and comforting, this Finnish soup features salmon, potatoes, and dill in a light broth. Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s simple enough for busy nights.
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Solyanka Recipe
With its bold balance of salty and sour, solyanka is a hearty Russian soup made with meat, pickles, and spices. It’s flavorful, filling, and a great cold-weather meal.
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Austrian Garlic Soup With Croutons
Creamy, rich, and full of garlic flavor, this Austrian soup is easy to prepare and pairs beautifully with crisp croutons. A simple recipe with big flavor.
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Spain Gazpacho Recipe
A refreshing chilled soup made from blended tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers. Quick to prepare with no cooking required, gazpacho is perfect for hot summer days.
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Dill Pickle Soup (Polish Zuppa Ogórkowa)
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Authentic Polish Sauerkraut Soup Recipe (Kapusniak)
If you’re looking for a soup this fall or winter that’s comforting, filling, and slightly tangy, then give this Polish sauerkraut soup a try. Traditionally known as Kapusniak, it’s a tasty combination of tender pork ribs simmered in a rich broth, combined with the tangy sauerkraut and hearty potatoes.
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European Salads and Light Bites
Portuguese Salad
Fresh, juicy peaches meet savory grilled chicken in this colorful salad. It’s light, healthy, and a perfect way to bring Mediterranean flavors to your summer table.
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Vinegret Salad
A vibrant beet and potato salad tossed with carrots, peas, and tangy pickles. This traditional Russian dish is simple to prepare and a refreshing alternative to heavier potato salads.
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Danish Cabbage Salad
Crunchy cabbage, crisp radishes, and sweet-savory candied bacon come together in this crowd-pleasing salad. Finished with a honey-mustard dressing, it’s bright and flavorful without being complicated.
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Herring Smørrebrød (Danish Sandwich)
These open-faced sandwiches are built on hearty rye bread and topped with ingredients like pickled herring, cucumber, or fresh herbs. Easy to assemble, smørrebrød makes a simple but authentic Danish meal.
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Cold Beet Salad With Greek Yogurt
Delicious and healthy Ukrainian Style Cold Beet Salad With Greek Yogurt Dressing is a real thing. So easy to make and worths to be added to a regular dinner menu as well special occasions.
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European Main Dishes
Spanish Style Pork Chops (Libritos de Lomo)
Crispy pork chops filled with ham, roasted peppers, and cheese. This Spanish classic is hearty, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make at home.
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Pozharsky Cutlets (Russian Ground Chicken Patties)
Juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside, these chicken patties are a beloved Russian dish. They’re simple enough for a weeknight dinner but special enough for holidays.
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Mustard Chicken Recipe
A one-pan chicken dinner with a creamy mustard sauce that’s full of flavor. Easy to prepare and always a favorite, this recipe is comfort food at its best.
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Greek Chicken Riganati (Kota Riganati)
Roasted with lemon, garlic, and herbs, this Greek chicken is juicy and full of bright flavor. It’s a simple recipe with just a handful of ingredients, perfect for beginners.
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Chicken Tartiflette
A cozy French casserole of potatoes, cheese, and chicken baked together until golden. Rich, creamy, and satisfying, it’s an easy dish that feels special.
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Buzhenina
Tender pork tenderloin roasted with herbs. With only four ingredients, this Ukrainian classic is effortless yet full of flavor.
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Cod Provencal
A light fish dish baked in a tomato-based sauce with Mediterranean herbs. Simple, healthy, and quick to prepare.
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Pierogies with Potatoes and Mushrooms
Classic Eastern European dumplings made with a savory potato and mushroom filling. They’re comforting, filling, and a fun hands-on recipe for beginners.
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Chicken Chasseur
This Chicken Chasseur (Hunter's Chicken) is a classic French dish with tender chicken, flavorful mushrooms, and a savory tomato sauce. It's perfect for both a weeknight meal and a special occasion.
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Chicken Contadina
Chicken Contadina is a healthy and affordable weeknight dinner for the whole family. Chicken legs are seared until crispy and then braised low and slow in an aromatic vegetables until tender.
Hungarian Chicken Paprikash
This Hungarian Chicken Paprikash is a one winning dinner recipe. It is simmered in fingerlickin sour cream sauce and loaded with comforting flavors. So good, you'll be making it again and again.
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Spanish Chicken And Rice (Best Arroz Con Pollo)
This one-pan Spanish chicken and rice (Arroz Con Pollo) recipe is a hearty, comforting dish that's bursting with flavor. Perfect for a weeknight or Sunday dinner, it's a simple, delicious one-pot meal that the whole family will love.
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Ukrainian Cabbage Rolls
These Ukrainian Cabbage Rolls are warm, comforting, and full of flavor. The tender cabbage leaves wrap around a savory rice and pork filling that’s simply delicious. It’s the kind of meal that tastes like home.
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Easy Spaghetti Carbonara
This Easy Spaghetti Carbonara is comfort food at its best. Made with crispy bacon and a delicious combination of Italian cheeses, this flavorful pasta will quickly become your favorite hearty meal.
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European Breads
Garlic Focaccia
Fluffy on the inside with a golden, crunchy crust, this focaccia is one of the best Italian breads you can bake at home. It’s perfect for dipping in olive oil, serving with soups, or even using for sandwiches.
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Swedish Limpa
A lightly sweet Scandinavian rye bread flavored with molasses, spices, and raisins. Traditionally enjoyed at Christmas, this festive bread is simple to make and delicious any time of year.
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Paska (Ukrainian Easter Bread)
A tall, lightly sweet bread traditionally made for Easter. With its soft, fluffy interior and raisins throughout, paska makes a beautiful centerpiece and is easier to bake than it looks.
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European Desserts
Risalamande (Danish Rice Pudding)
A creamy rice pudding folded with whipped cream and almonds, then topped with cherry sauce. This festive Danish dessert is a holiday favorite but simple enough to enjoy year-round.
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Italian Lemon Ricotta Cake
Moist, tender, and full of fresh lemon flavor, this cake is made extra soft with ricotta cheese. A foolproof Italian dessert that works for any occasion.
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Pear Tarte Tatin
Caramelized pears baked under buttery pastry and flipped to reveal a glossy, golden tart. A French classic that looks impressive but is easy to master.
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Pannenkoeken (Dutch Pancakes)
Thin Dutch pancakes that are quick to prepare and endlessly versatile. Serve them with sweet toppings like fruit and syrup or go savory with cheese and ham.
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Russian Jam Cookies
Simple, delicate cookies filled with jam. With their tender crumb and pretty centers, they’re perfect for tea time, holidays, or a quick snack.
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Trdelnik
A popular street food pastry from Prague, baked on a spit, and coated with cinnamon-sugar and nuts. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, it’s a fun treat to try at home.
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Hausfreunde Cookies
Layers of pastry with jam and almond paste, dipped in chocolate and finished with caramelized cashews. A festive cookie that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.
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Foolproof And Easy Chocolate Eclair Recipe With Custard Filling {Plus Video}
This easy Chocolate Eclair Recipe is one of the most famous and most delicious desserts ever created. And I'm going to help you make this classic French treat at home using my foolproof recipe that’ll give you perfect results every single time.
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Banket (Dutch Christmas Log)
Banketstaaf is an amazingly simple Dutch almond pastry that takes only 10 minutes to assemble. Oven will do the rest of the work. Flaky puff pastry is stuffed with a mixture of sweet almond paste and orange zest, rolled into a log and baked until crispy perfection. Banket is an easy and delicious Dutch Christmas food made in no time.
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Lemon Posset With Coconut Shortbread Crust
This Lemon Posset with Coconut Shortbread Crust is my dream dessert - zesty, sweet, and perfectly buttery. It’s a luxurious, make-ahead treat that always impresses when I’m entertaining.
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Best Creme Brulee Recipe
This Orange Creme Brulee is one of the easiest, creamiest, and most melt-in-your-mouth delicious desserts you can make. Your friends and family will devour it in no time and ask for seconds.
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Easy Vegan Raspberry Panna Cotta Without Gelatin
This 15-minute vegan Raspberry Panna Cotta is creamy, rich and literally foolproof. With no gelatin, it is so easy, you can make it every day. I'll show you how to make Panna Cotta that is dairy-free, sugar-free and absolutely delightful. Perfect for any occasion.
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Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
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