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Rassolnik

A hearty soup of barley, beef, and pickled cucumbers in a savory-sour broth — Russia’s beloved pickle soup, said to cure everything from hangovers to heartbreak.

⏱ 25 minPrep time
🔥 1 hrCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 Russian KitchenCategory
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Rassolnik

Rassolnik is the pickle lover’s soup — a savory broth of barley, potatoes, and carrots, brightened by pickled cucumbers and their tangy brine. It is proof that sour belongs at the heart of comfort food.

Traditionally built on a beef or kidney broth, rassolnik warms from the inside out and is often finished with a swirl of sour cream. The pickle brine is added at the end, guarding its bright edge.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Simmer the barley in the broth until almost tender, about 30 minutes.
  2. Add the potatoes and cook until nearly soft, about 10 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, sauté the onion and carrots in the butter until golden; stir into the pot with the bay leaf and peppercorns.
  4. Add the pickles and simmer for 10 minutes more.
  5. Pour in the brine, taste, and season with salt if needed; simmer for 5 minutes.
  6. Serve hot with sour cream and dill.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Add the brine at the very end so its tang stays bright instead of cooking away. Taste before salting — the brine is already salty.

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Recipe details

Prep25 min
Cook1 hr
Servings6
CategoryRussian Kitchen
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →