Top 5 Delicious Balkan Dishes to Cook This Spring

Springtime in the Balkans is a season of renewal, vibrant flavors, and cherished traditions. As fresh ingredients fill local markets, families in Romania and Bulgaria come together to cook hearty, seasonal dishes. From festive Easter specialties to everyday comfort food, spring cuisine in this region is about intense flavours and colorful tables that bring people together.

Whether you’re looking for something traditional or a new recipe to try, here are five must-try Balkan dishes that will bring some authentic flavors to your kitchen this spring.

1. Drob – The Traditional Romanian Easter Lamb Dish

Why Romanians make it for Easter

Drob is a beloved Easter dish in Romania, symbolizing abundance and tradition. Made from lamb offal, fresh herbs, and eggs, it resembles a flavorful meatloaf and is served during the Easter feast. Many families prepare it as a way to honor their heritage while enjoying a delicious, protein-rich meal.

Ingredients for Drob:

• 500g lamb liver
  
• 500g lamb heart and lungs
  
• 3-4 green onions, finely chopped
  
• 1 bunch fresh dill, chopped
  
• 1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
  
• 5 boiled eggs
  
• 3 raw eggs
  
• 2 slices of bread, soaked in milk
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
  
• 1 tbsp oil
  

How to prepare it at home (easy steps to follow)

1. Boil the lamb organs until tender, then finely chop them.
   
2. In a pan, sauté the green onions in oil.
   
3. Mix the chopped organs with sautéed onions, fresh herbs, soaked bread, and raw eggs. Season with salt and pepper.
   
4. Pour half of the mixture into a greased baking dish, add the boiled eggs in the center, and cover with the rest of the mixture.
   
5. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for about 40 minutes until golden brown.
   
6. Let it cool very well before slicing. Serve it as an appetizer.
   

2. Pasca – The Sweet Romanian Easter Pie

Why Romanians put it on the Easter table

Pasca is a special Easter dessert that no Romanian celebration is complete without. This sweet, cheese-filled bread is symbolic of prosperity and new beginnings. Traditionally, families bake it on Holy Saturday, filling their homes with its irresistible aroma: imagine vanilla and lemon & orange zest anywhere you visit! 

We’ll share with you the original recipe, but you should know, this dessert has many variations nowadays: chocolate pasca is almost as common as the cheese one, there is also the sour-cream one or the even more traditional ones that have mostly sweet bread and a bit of salty cheese in the middle – called “poale-n brâu”. 

But here is a recipe you will for sure love to make for your loved ones! 

Ingredients:

• 500g all-purpose flour
  
• 200ml warm milk
  
• 100g sugar
  
• 100g butter, melted
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 25g fresh yeast (or 7g dry yeast)
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 1 pinch salt
  

For the filling:

• 500g fresh cow’s cheese (or ricotta)
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 100g sugar
  
• 1 tsp lemon zest
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  
• 50g raisins
  

How to Make It at Home:

1. Dissolve yeast in warm milk with a little sugar and let it activate.
   
2. Mix flour, remaining sugar, salt, eggs, and melted butter, then add the yeast mixture. Knead into a soft dough and let rise for an hour.
   
3. Mix all the filling ingredients.
   
4. Roll out the dough and place it in a round baking pan. Add the cheese filling in the center.
   
5. Create a braided edge from leftover dough and place it around the filling.
   
6. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 40-45 minutes until golden brown.
7. You may serve it both warm or cold.
   

3. Tarator – Bulgaria’s Refreshing Spring Soup

Why Bulgarians prepare it 

As the temperatures rise, Bulgarians turn to Tarator, a cold yogurt and cucumber soup, for refreshment. This light and healthy dish is perfect for spring and is often served as a starter or a cooling side during warmer days. 

Imagine the perfect picnic day or just a late morning brunch in the garden – that is the perfect setting to find a tarator soup on a Bulgarian’s table. Want to impress some friends and make it for yourself? Here’s what you’re going to need: 

Ingredients:

• 500g yogurt
  
• 1 cucumber, finely diced
  
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1 tbsp olive oil
  
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
  
• 1 cup cold water
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
  
• Crushed walnuts (optional)
  

Steps to follow

1. In a bowl, whisk the yogurt with water until smooth.
   
2. Add diced cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper.
   
3. Mix well and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
   
4. Serve cold, garnished with crushed walnuts.
   

4. Kavarma – A Hearty Bulgarian Spring Stew

Why Bulgarians love it so much

Kavarma is a traditional Bulgarian stew that highlights the freshness of spring vegetables combined with tender meat. And not only that! Bulgarians love it for the nostalgia it brings to the table: it reminds everyone of their childhood days when grandma would prepare it with ingredients from the garden and serve it fresh and hot! 

It is slow-cooked to perfection, making it a comforting yet vibrant dish perfect for the season. 

Here’s the recipe for you to try it!

Ingredients:

• 500g pork or chicken, cubed
  
• 1 onion, chopped
  
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
  
• 2 tomatoes, diced
  
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
  
• 1 tsp paprika
  
• 1 tsp dried thyme
  
• 1 tbsp sunflower oil
  
• 200ml white wine
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
  

Make Kavarma at Home

1. In a pan, heat oil and sauté the onion, garlic, and bell pepper.
   
2. Add the meat and cook until browned.
   
3. Stir in the tomatoes, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
   
4. Pour in white wine and let simmer on low heat for about 40 minutes until the sauce thickens.
   
5. Serve hot with rice or bread.
   

5. Salată de Leurda – Romania’s Wild Garlic Salad

Why Romanians prepare it as a side dish

Romanians love cooking with seasonal ingredients and what they find fresh in open markets or in their grandparents’ gardens.

Spring brings an abundance of wild garlic (leurda) to Romanian lands, and locals love to turn it into a delicious and healthy salad. Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, this simple dish is a refreshing addition to any meal – with or without meat. You can either pair it with a grilled steak or just with a huge portion of roasted potatoes. 

Ingredients you’ll need

• 1 bunch wild garlic (leurda), chopped
  
• 1 boiled egg, chopped
  
• 1 tbsp olive oil
  
• 1 tsp lemon juice
  
• Salt and pepper to taste
  

How to make this salad at home

1. Wash and chop the wild garlic leaves.
   
2. In a bowl, mix with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
   
3. Add the chopped boiled egg and toss gently.
   
4. Serve as a side dish with grilled meats or cheese.
   

Eat Like a True Balkan This Spring!

Spring is the perfect time to explore the rich and diverse flavors of Balkan cuisine. Whether you try a refreshing Tarator, a hearty Kavarma, or a traditional Easter delight like Drob and Pasca, each dish tells a story from the Balkans! A story of tradition, family, and seasonal abundance.

So why not bring a taste of the Balkans to your table this spring? Pick a recipe, gather fresh ingredients, and experience the authentic flavors cherished for generations!

If you’re not interested in cooking and want a real, authentic culinary experience in one of these countries, contact Balkan Trails and let’s plan your trip together!