In Ukrainian culture, the potato isn’t just a side dish; it is a foundational element of the kitchen, often referred to as “second bread.” Among the many ways to prepare this versatile tuber, Ukrainian Dill Potatoes (Kartoplia z Kropom) stands out for its elegant simplicity. This recipe captures the essence of a Ukrainian summer—freshly dug baby potatoes, bright green dill gathered from the garden, and a generous amount of high-quality butter.
Ukrainian Dill Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds small potatoes
- sea salt to taste
- 3 tablespoons butter melted – vegan optional
- 3 medium garlic cloves crushed or grated
- ½ cup fresh dill finely chopped
Instructions
- If your potatoes are about an inch in diameter, leave them whole, larger cut them into 1-inch chunks, making sure all the potatoes are roughly the same size
- Place the potatoes in a large pot and add enough water to cover by about 2 inches
- Season with about 2 teaspoons of salt, cover tightly with a lid, and bring to a boil
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer with the lid ajar until the potatoes can be pierced easily with a knife, 12 to 15 minutes
- In a small bowl, stir together the oil and garlic
- Drain the potatoes and return to the pot
- Add the garlic oil and dill
- Gently toss to combine
- Taste and season with more salt, if needed
Nutrition Details
Tried this gluten free recipe?
Let us know how it was!What makes this dish a staple on the Gluten Free Journey is its natural accessibility. There are no thickeners, no flour, and no hidden gluten, just whole, earth-grown ingredients that come together to create a creamy, fragrant masterpiece.
Whether you are serving this alongside traditional Holubtsi (cabbage rolls) or a simple oven roasted chicken, these potatoes bring a sense of rustic warmth to the table.
The Ukrainian Dill Potatoes Technique
The secret to a truly authentic Ukrainian potato dish lies in the technique. It’s not just about boiling the potatoes until they are soft; it’s about the “steam-dry” method. By draining the water and allowing the potatoes to sit over low heat for sixty seconds, you evaporate the surface moisture. This allows the butter to penetrate the skin and the dill to cling to every crevice, ensuring that every bite is infused with flavour.
For those exploring their heritage or simply looking for a foolproof, gluten free side dish that pleases even the pickiest eaters, these Ukrainian Dill Potatoes are a revelation. They represent a bridge between simple farm cooking and gourmet flavour profiles.
For the most authentic texture, use “New” potatoes or baby yellow/red potatoes. These have a waxy texture that holds its shape well after boiling. Avoid starchy potatoes like Russets, as they tend to fall apart and become mushy rather than creamy.
Absolutely. While traditional Ukrainian recipes lean heavily on butter, you can substitute it with a high-quality extra virgin olive oil or a vegan butter alternative. If using oil, you may want to add a pinch more salt to compensate for the lack of dairy solids.
Dill is a delicate herb. If you add it to the pot while the potatoes are still boiling in water, or if you cook the potatoes with the dill for too long, the herb will turn brown and lose its punchy flavour. Always toss the dill in at the very end, once the potatoes are drained and buttered.
If you are using young, thin-skinned baby potatoes, leaving the skin on is highly recommended. Not only does it add a beautiful rustic look and extra nutrients, but the skin also helps hold the potato together. If using older, larger potatoes, it is better to peel them and cut them into uniform 1-inch chunks.
Ukrainian potatoes are famous for being even better the next day. To reheat, don’t microwave them. Instead, pan-fry them in a little bit of butter or oil until the outsides become golden and crispy. This creates a “smashed potato” effect that is incredibly delicious.
While most commonly served hot as a dinner side dish, these potatoes can also be served at room temperature as part of a summer salad spread. However, the butter is best enjoyed when melted and silky, so hot is the gold standard!
Thanks for sharing this amazing recipe. My family loved it. Will be sharing this recipe with my friends. They will like it!
Love the flavors and the addition of dill in this potatoes dish. So good and delicious!
Yum, this sounds like my kind of dish! As the weather is warming up my craving for dill is amping up. I think I’ll give this a shot this weekend because I already have all of the ingredients and it looks so easy!!
I used Idaho baking potatoes, cut in small pieces and put directly into crock pot. Tossed potatoes with remaining ingredients and added a little olive oil for moisture. Cooked until tender and the potatoes didn’t fall apart. Will definitely make again.
I’ve made plenty of potatoes but always used rosemary instead. And since we love dill this recipe tempted me to try the dill and onion flavor. WOW!! Hubs went nuts over the taste. I followed your tips for getting the outer skin crispier. It worked like a charm. This recipe will be included at our picnics and barbecues.
Bursting with dill flavor!
This is a dill lovers dream recipe. The perfect match for potatoes.
I love the flavor of dill, especially with potatoes! I admit I doubled the amount of dill used in the recipe, I love it so much! This is a really satisfying dish, I served it with eggs for brunch but I think it would be just as delicious with fish for dinner.
Potatoes and dill are some of my favourite things to eat! This was fantastic! Definitely going to be a regular in my house 🙂
I love how simple and delicious this recipe is! The use of dill adds so much flavor. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
We all have some kind of similar potato recipe using different herbs. I loved the flavor of dill with my potatoes. It is so amazing to be able to learn about different cuisines using the same versatile ingredients.
This is one of those comforting dishes that you want to make over and over again. Very easy to prepare. I had tons of potatoes at home and make them in no time. Delicious.
This Ukrainian potato recipe is a showstopper. I love it. It is unique and so flavorful. BTW you have so many great recipes, I will be visiting again!
Delicious!
Thank you very much for sharing! It was delicious
This potato recipe was very practical for our large family!