Ukrainian Dill & Garlic Potatoes – Simple, Humble, Delicious (VIDEO)
- Innichka Chef
- Aug 19
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 22
Ukrainian Dill & Garlic Potatoes – Simple Comfort from the Heart
In Ukraine, the simplest dishes often hold the most warmth. This recipe for potatoes with dill, garlic, sunflower oil, and butter is as humble as it gets — yet it carries the flavor of home, family, and long summer evenings. With just a few ingredients, you can transform ordinary potatoes into a dish that feels like a hug on a plate.
Whether served alongside roasted meats, grilled fish, or just with a slice of fresh bread and pickles, these potatoes without quashing are the definition of Ukrainian comfort food.
Have you subscribed to my cooking channel? Go and click here to be the first to see my new videos and THANK YOU so much for subscribing. It means a lot to me!
What the Rolls of Potatoes in Ukrainian Cuisine?
Potatoes might seem so common in Ukrainian cooking today that it’s hard to imagine a time when they didn’t exist in the region. Yet this humble tuber has a fascinating journey — one that took centuries to reach Ukrainian tables and become the backbone of so many beloved dishes.
Although potatoes didn't arrive in Eastern Europe until the 19th century, they rapidly became a staple food for the rich and the poor, and quickly became known as the "second bread". They provided necessary sustenance, in absence of protein, as a main ingredient to meals. Potatoes to Ukrainians are like eggplant to the people of the Middle East; the true king vegetable.
My mom, who just passed away a few days ago, was a true potato lover. In our family, it became a running joke—no holiday or gathering felt complete to her unless there was at least one dish made with potatoes. If the table didn’t have some kind of potato on it, she would say, “There’s nothing to eat here, no reason to sit down.” It always made us laugh, but it also showed just how much she cherished this humble, comforting food. Potatoes, in many ways, were her symbol of warmth, tradition, and love at the table.
What are the Two Flavors of Ukrainian Cuisine?
When you think of Ukrainian cooking, two flavors immediately come to life — dill and sunflower oil.
🌿 Dill –the herb you’ll find everywhere in Ukraine. It’s sprinkled fresh over potatoes, soups, pickles, salads, and fish. More than just a garnish, dill is part of the soul of Ukrainian food, adding brightness and familiar comfort. Ukrainian people eat dill a lot — it’s almost impossible to imagine a meal without it. Even in my home, the tradition continues; my daughter loves dill so much that she can eat it by itself, like a little bouquet of green.
🌻Sunflower Oil – golden and rich, it is the essence of Ukrainian kitchens. We use it for frying, dressings, marinating, and drizzling over rustic dishes. Extra Virgin (Unrefined) Sunflower Oil connects deeply to the endless fields of sunflowers across Ukraine, a true national symbol. To me, extra virgin sunflower oil is the key to capturing authentic Ukrainian flavor — simple, wholesome, and full of tradition.
Together, dill and sunflower oil aren’t just ingredients; they are the taste of home, memory, and heritage.
Why This Recipe Works?
Few ingredients, big flavor – Fresh dill and garlic add brightness, while sunflower oil gives that distinctive Ukrainian aroma.
Quick & easy – Boil the potatoes, toss them with the dressing, and you’re done.
Authentic taste – This is a recipe you’ll find in kitchens all over Ukraine, especially in a late summer when new potato harvest just arrives and fresh dill still abundant.
More Ukrainian Recipes with Potatoes
Ukranian style Potato Cakes, called "Deruny"
Let's do it...
Prep time: 10 minutes
Making time: 20-30 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Total time: 40-50 minutes
Author: Inna of innichkachef.com
Serves: 6 people
Ingredients
3 lbs. potatoes (small so you won't need to cut them)
3–4 tbsp sunflower oil (cold-pressed for best flavor)
4 tbsp butter, good quality butter is always a key
3–4 cloves garlic, finely minced or pressed
A handful of fresh dill, chopped
Salt, black pepper to taste
Directions:
Boil the potatoes – Scrub them well and boil whole in salted water until tender (about 20–25 minutes, depending on size). Drain.
Prepare the dressing – using a mortar and pestle crush garlic and salt together. Then add chopped dill and oil.
Toss everything together – Place the warm potatoes in a bowl, add the butter, stir all together until butter is completely melted.
Finish the dressing - Add chopped dill, pour over the garlic-salt mixture. Then add oil. Give a good mix.
Incorporate the flavors - Add aromatic garlic-salt-dill and oil mixture into the pot with warm potatoes swimming in the melted butter.
Serve immediately – Enjoy while hot, with fresh bread or as a side to your favorite main dish.
Tips & Variations
Use baby potatoes for a tender, creamy texture.
For a lighter version, skip the butter and use only extra virgin sunflower oil.
Leftovers are delicious pan-fried the next day.
Serving Suggestion
In true Ukrainian fashion, pair these potatoes with a crisp cucumber-tomato salad, pickled vegetables, or fried fish.
More Ukrainian comfort food recipes:
I hope you'll make this recipe soon. If you do, please tag me #innichka_chef on Instagram, Facebook, Patreon or Pinterest.
Comments