Top 10 Recipes for Traditional Bulgarian Christmas Eve Dishes

Bulgarian Christmas Eve, or Badni Vecher (Бъдни вечер), Observed on December 24th, is a holy time for families to come together, honor their heritage, enjoy a traditional feast, and prepare for the joy of Christmas Day. The dishes, symbolic of health, prosperity, and gratitude, must follow a no-meat, no-dairy rule to honor the fasting period before Christmas Day. These dishes, deeply rooted in Bulgarian culture, carry a rich history and tradition. Below, you will find 10 authentic recipes for Bulgarian Christmas Eve dishes to bring this special occasion to life in your kitchen. Let the festive season begin, and prepare some delicious vegan meals that will bring joy and excitement to your holiday season.

The Festive Christmas Eve Table: A Feast of Odd Numbers

The Bulgarian Christmas Eve table is central to the celebration. We cook traditional Bulgarian Christmas Eve dishes all day and enjoy them with the whole family in the evening. Bulgarian Christmas Eve menu must include an odd number of dishes – seven, nine, or eleven – because odd numbers are believed to bring good luck. Each dish carries its own symbolism, from health to fertility and abundance, reflecting our cultural values and beliefs. If you want to learn more about my country and why it is a great travel destination, you can check out my detailed post about Bulgaria.

Let’s now look at some of the most common and beloved Bulgarian Christmas Eve dishes. Below, you will find recipes for 10 of them that you can easily prepare if you want to experience and connect with Bulgarian Christmas traditions. The joy of preparing these dishes, often a family affair, is as delightful as the taste of the final meal. I admit some of these Christmas Eve meals below are prepared only once a year at my home, but I really don’t know why because they are so delicious!?

1.Bean Soup (Bobena Chorba, бобена чорба)

Bean Soup is a hearty and symbolic dish representing fertility and abundance. It’s typically slow-cooked, allowing the flavors to mix beautifully, often served with a side of crusty bread (on Christmas Eve with a piece of pitka) or fresh chili peppers for an extra taste. Here’s a detailed recipe for Bobena Chorba, a delicious and budget-friendly option for anyone exploring Bulgarian culinary traditions.

Ingredients:

2 cups dried white beans

1 medium onion (finely chopped)

1 carrot (diced)

1 celery stalk (diced)

3 cloves garlic (minced)

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp dried savory

3 tbsp vegetable oil

6 cups water

Salt to taste

Preparation:

1.Soak the beans overnight, then drain and rinse.

2.Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a pot, add the beans, and cook until tender (1-1.5 hours).

3.Sauté onion, carrot, celery, and garlic in oil until soft. Add paprika and savory, and mix well.

4.Combine sautéed vegetables with the beans, simmer for another 15 minutes, and adjust salt.

2.Stuffed Cabbage Leaves (Postni Sarmi, зелеви сарми)

The next traditional Bulgarian Christmas Eve dish is Postni zelevi sarmi. They symbolize longevity and family unity. While traditionally meat-free, Stuffed cabbage leaves pack a punch of flavor thanks to the slow cooking process, which allows the cabbage to soak up the savory tomato or lightly spiced broth they’re simmered in.

Ingredients:

10–12 pickled cabbage leaves

1 cup rice

1 medium onion (finely chopped)

1 carrot (grated)

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp dried savory

1 tsp black pepper

2 tbsp vegetable oil

2 cups water

Preparation:

1.Sauté onion and carrot in oil until soft. Add rice, tomato paste, savory, and black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes.

2.Spoon the mixture into cabbage leaves and roll tightly. Arrange in a pot, cover with water, and simmer for 40 minutes.

3.Banitsa with Pumpkin (Tikvenik, тиквеник)

Yummy! A sweet and aromatic dessert to end the vegan Bulgarian Christmas Eve dinner. We bake Tikvenik until golden and crispy, and the pumpkin filling becomes perfectly tender and fragrant. It’s a popular treat during the autumn and winter months, often enjoyed during festive occasions, such as Christmas Eve in Bulgaria, or as a comforting homemade dessert paired with a cup of tea, coffee or ayran. If you are in Bulgaria and want to learn more about Bulgarian food, not only about the dishes for Christmas Eve, you can go on a culinary tour in Sofia. 

Ingredients:

500g filo pastry

3 cups grated pumpkin

1 cup sugar

1 cup ground walnuts

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup vegetable oil

Preparation:

1.Mix pumpkin, sugar, walnuts, and cinnamon.

2.Brush filo sheets with oil, spread the mixture, and roll. Repeat for all sheets.

3.Arrange in a greased baking tray and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 30 minutes until golden and crispy.

4.Boiled Wheat with Honey and Walnuts (варено жито с мед и орехи)

Rich in symbolism, the wheat represents fertility and renewal. At the same time, the honey and nuts symbolize the sweetness and richness of life. Boiled wheat with honey and walnuts is a traditional Bulgarian dish often prepared for special occasions, particularly on memorial days or religious holidays. 

Ingredients:

2 cups wheat kernels

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)

1 tsp cinnamon

Preparation:

1.Boil wheat in water until tender (1.5–2 hours). Drain and let cool.

2.Mix with honey, walnuts, and cinnamon. Serve at room temperature.

A touch of cinnamon or dried fruits is sometimes added for extra flavor.

5.Roasted Peppers with Garlic (Pecheni chushki, печени чушки с чесън)

The next traditional dish, prepared on Christmas Eve in Bulgaria, is Pecheni chuchki. It is a flavorful addition to the vegetarian spread. You can try roasted peppers with garlic, often served as a refreshing salad or appetizer, offering a vibrant combination of sweet, smoky, and tangy flavors.

Ingredients:

6 roasted red peppers (peeled)

4 cloves garlic (minced)

3 tbsp vegetable oil

2 tbsp vinegar

1 tbsp parsley (chopped)

Salt to taste

Preparation:

1.Slice the roasted peppers and arrange on a plate.

2.Whisk garlic, oil, vinegar, and parsley, and drizzle over the peppers.

6.Pita Bread with Hidden Coin (Pitka, питка)

Breaking the bread together symbolizes unity and luck. Pitka is a soft, round bread, beautifully decorated, making it as much a centerpiece of the Christmas Eve dinner. We hide a small coin inside the dough before baking, and the bread is broken and shared among family members during the meal. Whoever finds the coin in their piece is believed to have good luck and fortune in the coming year. With its tender crumb and slightly sweet flavor, Pitka is often enjoyed warm, paired with honey, jam, or savory dishes, making it both a delicious and meaningful tradition.

The bread is typically hand-shaped and ornamented with symbolic designs created using dough. These decorations often include:

Braids and twists: Representing unity and the intertwining of family bonds. 

Crosses: To symbolize faith and blessings.

Sun or flowers: Signifying prosperity, growth, and the hope for a fruitful year ahead.

Grain or wheat patterns: A nod to fertility, abundance, and connection to the earth.

Animals or tools: Sometimes, small symbols like sheep, plows, or baskets are crafted in dough to represent rural life and gratitude for the harvest.

Ingredients:

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1 packet of dry yeast

1.5 cups warm water

3 tbsp vegetable oil

Preparation:

1.Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let sit for 10 minutes.

2.Mix flour and salt, add yeast mixture, and knead into a soft dough. Let rise for 1 hour.

3.Shape into a round loaf, hide a coin wrapped in foil, and bake at 200°C (400°F) for 30 minutes.

7.Pickled Vegetables (Tursiya, туршия)

Tursiya is a spicy and crunchy side dish. But we usually prepare it during the fall season for the long, cold winter days. Practical and delicious, Tursiya is an excellent and timeless way to enjoy fresh vegetables year-round.

Ingredients:

2 cups cauliflower florets

2 cups carrots (sliced)

2 cups cabbage (chopped)

3 cups water

1 cup vinegar

2 tbsp salt

1 tbsp sugar

Preparation:

1.Pack vegetables into jars.

2.Boil water, vinegar, salt, and sugar. Pour over vegetables and seal jars. Let sit for 3–5 days.

8.Lentil Stew (Leshta, леща)

Leshta is a rich and delightful dish. Slow-cooked until the lentils are tender, Lentil stew is a warming and budget-friendly meal, often served with a slice of crusty bread or a drizzle of vinegar for an extra tang. Whether enjoyed as a vegetarian main course or as a simple, rustic side dish, Leshta is a wholesome and satisfying taste of Bulgaria.

Ingredients:

1 cup lentils

1 medium onion (chopped)

1 carrot (diced)

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp dried savory

3 cups water

2 tbsp oil

Salt to taste

Preparation:

1.Sauté onion and carrot in oil. Add lentils, paprika, and savory.

2.Stir in water and tomato paste. Simmer for 30–40 minutes until lentils are tender.

9.Rice with Dried Fruits (ориз със сушени плодове)

It is a sweet and symbolic dish representing abundance. Rice with Dried Fruits is perfect as a side dish or a light dessert. It’s a simple yet elegant way to enjoy the natural flavors of dried fruits.

Ingredients:

1 cup rice

1/2 cup dried plums

1/2 cup dried apricots

1/4 cup raisins

3 cups water

1 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preparation:

1.Boil rice in water until cooked. Add sugar, cinnamon, and chopped dried fruits. Simmer for 5 minutes.

2.Nuts like almonds or walnuts are sometimes added for extra texture and richness. 

10.Grape Leaf Rolls (Lozovi Sarmi, лозови сарми)

Last but not least on the list of traditional Bulgarian Christmas Eve dishes is Lozovi sarmi. It is a lighter variation of cabbage sarmi. While traditionally meat-free and enjoyed during fasting periods, variations of Grape leaf rolls with minced meat are also popular. These bite-sized rolls are simmered in a tangy tomato or lemon-infused broth, giving them a beautifully balanced flavor. Often served with a bit of yogurt (but not on Christmas Eve), Lozovi Sarmi makes for a light yet satisfying appetizer or main course, and it’s a dish that embodies Bulgaria’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

Ingredients:

15–20 grape leaves (jarred or fresh)

1 cup rice

1 onion (finely chopped)

2 tbsp dill

2 tbsp lemon juice

3 cups water

Salt to taste

Preparation:

1.Sauté onion, add rice and dill. Cook for 5 minutes, then add water.

2.Roll the mixture into grape leaves and simmer with lemon juice and water for 30 minutes.

Experiencing Christmas Eve in Bulgaria is an unforgettable journey into a world of centuries-old customs, symbolic dishes, and the warmth of family togetherness. Bulgarian Christmas Eve dishes offer a culinary delight and a glimpse into the country’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Whether you’re breaking bread to find the hidden coin in Pitka or savoring the sweet aroma of Tikvenik, each dish tells a story of gratitude, hope, and unity.  

I hope you will like this list of the 10 most popular Bulgarian Christmas Eve dishes and you will prepare some (or at least try them when visiting Bulgaria). But preparing them at home will immerse you in the warmth and symbolism of this beloved holiday. 

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