Холодець

Name: Холодець
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 360 min
Total time: 390 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Ukrainian
Ingredients: 1 kg beef shank with bone; 2 beef knuckle bones; 1 carrot, whole; 1 onion, halved; 6 cloves garlic, minced; 10 black peppercorns; 2 bay leaves; salt to taste; fresh parsley for garnish; horseradish and mustard for serving

Холодець (khoh-loh-DETS)

Beef Aspic (Meat Jelly)

⏱ Prep Time 360 min

📈 Difficulty Hard

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 228 kcal

Crystal-clear savory beef jelly studded with tender shredded meat, carrots, and garlic — a traditional cold appetizer for festive occasions.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 28.0g

Carbs 2.0g

Fat 12.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free nut-free

Equipment Needed

large stock pot cheesecloth molds or deep dishes

Presentation Guide

Vessel: chilled platter

Garnishes: parsley leaves, carrot flowers

Accompaniments: horseradish sauce, mustard

Ingredients

1 kg beef shank with bone
2 beef knuckle bones
1 carrot, whole
1 onion, halved
6 cloves garlic, minced
10 black peppercorns
2 bay leaves
salt to taste
fresh parsley for garnish
horseradish and mustard for serving

Instructions

1
Place beef shank and knuckle bones in a large pot, cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and skim foam thoroughly.
2
Add whole carrot, onion halves, peppercorns, and bay leaves. Reduce to the lowest possible simmer.
3
Cook for 5-6 hours, maintaining a bare simmer. The broth should reduce by about one-third.
4
Remove meat and bones. Shred meat finely by hand, discarding fat and gristle.
5
Strain broth through cheesecloth. Stir minced garlic into the broth. Season with salt.
6
Arrange shredded meat and carrot slices in molds, pour warm broth over, and refrigerate overnight until firmly set.
7
Unmold and serve cold with horseradish and mustard.

💡

Did You Know?

Making holodets is a multi-day labor of love — Ukrainian families traditionally prepare it days before New Year's Eve, and its clarity is a point of pride.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large stock pot
cheesecloth
molds or deep dishes

Garnishing

parsley leaves, carrot flowers

Accompaniments

horseradish sauce, mustard

The Story Behind Холодець

Holodets is one of the oldest preservation techniques in Ukrainian cuisine, predating refrigeration. The natural gelatin extracted from slow-simmered bones and connective tissue creates a firm jelly without any added gelatin, showcasing mastery of traditional cooking technique.

Served exclusively at festive occasions — New Year's Eve, Christmas, weddings, and major celebrations — holodets is a dish that requires patience, skill, and the best quality beef.

Modern holodets remains a New Year's Eve essential in Ukrainian homes, and its crystal clarity (or lack thereof) is still the subject of friendly family competition.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed new year's eve, festive occasions 📜 Origins: Medieval

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