The Best Lenten Vareniki Recipes for Christmas – What to Make?

A Christmas table during Lent can be no less generous and flavorful than a regular one. Vareniki are a dish that fits perfectly into the atmosphere of family warmth: simple to prepare, versatile, and always delicious. We at joy-pup offer three tried-and-true Lenten vareniki recipes that are perfect for the Christmas menu. Also read about which stuffed pancakes to make for the Christmas table.

Vareniki with Potatoes and Fried Onions

What you’ll need for the dough:

• 300 g flour
• 150 ml warm water
• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• pinch of salt

Filling:

• 4–5 potatoes
• 1 large onion
• 2–3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

First, knead a soft, elastic dough and let it rest. Boil the potatoes, mash them, and combine with the onion, fried until golden brown. Roll out the dough, cut out circles, and form into dumplings. Cook until they float to the surface—and enjoy the aromas of real home cooking.

Lenten Dumplings with Cabbage and Carrots

For the dough:

• Use the same basic recipe as in the first option.

Filling:

• 300 g white cabbage
• 1 carrot
• 1 onion
• oil for frying
• salt, pepper, bay leaf

Instructions:

Thinly shred the cabbage, grate the carrots, and finely chop the onion. Fry the vegetables until soft, add the spices, and simmer for about 10 minutes. The filling is very flavorful, and the vareniki are juicy, light, and healthy. Serve with fried onions or aromatic vegetable oil.

Sweet vareniki with poppy seeds and honey

Dough:

• The same recipe without eggs—lenten and versatile.

Filling:

• 100 g poppy seeds
• 2–3 tbsp honey or sugar (many use sugar syrup during Lent)
• 1 tbsp raisins (optional)

Instructions:

Pour boiling water over the poppy seeds, let them steep, then puree with honey or sugar syrup. Add the raisins—they will add a more vibrant flavor to the filling. Form the vareniki and boil for a few minutes after they float to the surface. Serve with warm honey or sweet syrup—it’s a true Christmas dessert.

To be continued…