Favorite Balkan Holiday Dishes (Winter Edition)

ByAida

Here's a list of favorite Balkan holiday dishes (winter edition), showcasing holiday classics from ex-Yugoslav countries - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo. Shall we?

Collage of photos from the blog depicting favorite Balkan dishes.
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Background

Each ex-Yugoslav country - Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo - has a few favorite holiday specials, while many dishes are enjoyed across the region.

This list is a winter edition round-up of these recipes. It includes food cooked for Christmas (Catholic and Orthodox), but particularly food for New Year's Eve, (a huge deal in the region!).

We’ve kept the region’s shared culinary heritage in mind while creating this list. Additionally, we've included your favorites like sarma, veal shank, burek, Shopska salad, and more.

There’s something here for everyone! From savory, melt-in-your-mouth pies to showstopping meat centerpieces, and succulent sides. (Oh and take a look at that dessert section!!)

Whether you're hosting a holiday party, or just want to add a touch of Balkan flair to your dining table, this is the list to explore!

Breads and Strudels 

Homemade Bread
Perfectly peasant homemade bread.
Check out this recipe
Homemade bread on a cutting board on a blue background.
Pogača (Pogacha)
Traditional Balkan no-yeast bread.
Check out this recipe
Woman holding halved pogacha.
Potica: Poppy Seed Roll
Potica, povitica or štrudla sa makom is a classic poppy seed roll.
Check out this recipe
Closeup of a poppy seed slice.

Pies

Burek: Meat (or other) Pie
Flaky fillo pie with a filling (meat in B-H, other fillings elsewhere).
Check out this recipe
Quarter of a burek pie on a plate on gray background.
Sirnica: Cheese Pie
Cheese and egg flaky pie (cheese burek).
Check out this recipe
Three pieces of pie on top of each other.
Zeljanica: Spinach and Cheese Pie
Spinach, cheese, and egg flaky pie (spinach burek).
Check out this recipe
Three pieces of spinach pie.

Salads and Appetizers

Meza: Balkan Charcuterie Board
Balkan meat, cheese, veggie, and appetizer plate
Check out this recipe
Overhead photo of a meat and cheese wooden tray platter on a gray background.
Šopska Salata: Shopska Salad
Fresh veggies and plenty of feta.
Check out this recipe
Salad and salad ingredients on a white background.
Ruska Salata: Salad Olivier
Hearty salad made with veggies, meat and mayo.
Check out this recipe
Glass bowl full of Russian salad on black background.
Roasted Red Pepper Salad
Roasted red pepper salad with an olive oil and garlic dressing.
Check out this recipe
A fork holding red pepper salad above a plate on a marble table.

Soups and Stews

Supa s Noklicama: Semolina Dumpling Soup
Semolina dumpling soup (knedle or noklice) is an all-around favorite.
Check out this recipe
A bowl with soup and a spoon on a cutting board on a white background.
Beef Noodle
Beef noodle soup is comforting and cozy.
Check out this recipe
Red pot with soup, a ladle and a soup bowl with soup on a gray background (spoon and kitchen towel also included).
Grah (Pasulj): Balkan Bean Stew
Tasty, buttery bean stew.
Check out this recipe
Bowl filled with ham and bean soup on a honeycomb plate.

Main Courses

Koljenica: Veal Shank Roast
Veal shank roast is one of the favorite meat choices for the holidays.
Check out this recipe
Overhead photo of a tray holding veal shank roast surrounded by veggies on a gray background.
Klepe: Meat Dumplings
Balkan ravioli-like dumplings with beef in a rich sauce.
Check out this recipe
Bowl of klepe in traditional plating, on a gray background.
Moussaka
Mouthwatering potato and meat moussaka.
Check out this recipe
Moussaka layers in a pan.
Sarma: Stuffed Cabbage
These stuffed sour cabbage rolls are a holiday must!
Check out this recipe
Stuffed cabbage on a spoon in a copper pot.
Dolmas: Stuffed Veggies
Medley of stuffed veggies: tomatoes, zucchini, onions and more.
Check out this recipe
Metal dish with a lid full of stuffed veggies and a spoon ladle.

Side Dishes

Tavče Gravče: Baked Beans
Amazing oven baked beans with onions.
Check out this recipe
Closeup of beans on a spoon.
Podvarak: Baked Sauerkraut
Sour cabbage baked with meat and spices.
Check out this recipe
Spoon holding sauerkraut above pan filled with sauerkraut on a gray background.
Stuffed Peppers
Potato stuffed peppers are the perfect side!
Check out this recipe
Cast iron pan filled with yellow stuffed peppers and a kitchen towel on a gray background.

Desserts

Mama's Chocolate Walnut Cake
Classically delicious walnut cake with chocolate.
Check out this recipe
A piece of cake on a fancy plate and the remaining cake in the background on a marble background.
Bajadera: Nougat Pralines
These nougat praline bars are dreamy!
Check out this recipe
Three bajaderas on top of each other.
Orašnice: Walnut Cookies
Wonderful walnut cookies.
Check out this recipe
A plate with five walnut cookies, a pitcher with milk and a small glass of milk on a marble background.
Jam Butter Crescents
Yummy, flaky butter crescents filled with jam.
Check out this recipe
5 cookies on a gray background.
Hazelnut Truffles
Hazelnut truffle balls with chocolate.
Check out this recipe
A hand holding a chocolate ball above a glass bowl full of chocolate balls.
Photo collage on the blog depicting favorite Balkan dishes.

Thoughts?

If you make any of today's recipes and like what you made, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5-star) rating. This will help others find the recipes more easily!

You can also leave a comment, I read EVERY one! Finally, if IG is more your thing, consider tagging us @balkanlunchbox.

Prijatno, Dobar Tek, and Bon Appetit!

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