Croatian Cuisine

Browse All Croatian Recipes: Croatian Appetizers | Croatian Beverages | Croatian Soups | Croatian Salads | Croatian Vegetarian | Croatian Meat Dishes | Croatian Snacks | Croatian Desserts

Croatian- Cooking and Food

Overview of Croatian Cuisine History
The cuisine of Croatia is known to be very diverse, as there are many cooking styles, throughout the country. The traditional dishes that are prepared by the Croatians have very old origins. The ingredients and the preparation techniques used by the people that live in the mainland Croatia differ from the ones that are practiced in the coastal regions. Many influences can be observed in the Croatian cuisine. For example, the mainland areas have been affected by the Slavic nations, as well as by the Hungarian, Austrian and Turkish cuisines, while the coastal areas present influences of very old civilizations, such as Greeks, Romans and Illyrians. Also, there are dishes that resemble of the Italian and French cuisines.

The Croatian dishes are mostly based on meat, either pork or game meat, such as rabbit, cheese, poppy seed. These are foods that have Hungarian origins. Also, the wine resembles of the Hungarian cuisine. The Turkish influence is felt in the great amounts of spices that are used, meat that is enhanced with onions and loaded with garlic. Austrians affected the Croatian cuisine and the influence can be seen in dishes that contain cabbage and in breaded dishes or desserts such as: strudel, donuts, cream puffs and cakes that contain walnut cream.

A traditional meal in Croatia features dishes that are based on potatoes, rice, corn, meat or fish. Marenda is a traditional dish that is served at the breakfast. It is made of cheese, fish and bread. The dairy products also are important for the Croatians.

Cuisines of Croatia


The influences that were adopted by the Croatian cuisine are numerous. Due to the high number of the countries that affected the traditional cuisine of Croatia and to the relief which differs from one zone ton another, each region of the country has developed a certain cooking style. This variation is also determined by the ingredients that can be used by the local people, in order to prepare the foods. For example, most of the meals of the people that are located in the coastal region of Croatia are based on fish and seafood. Potatoes and cabbage represent the essential ingredients for another region of the country, while the cuisine of the third region is based on soups and dairy products.

By Geographic Area:


 * The Mountain Cuisine of Croatia


 * The Mediterranean Cuisine of Croatia


 * The Continental Cuisine of Croatia

Add an Croatian Article or Recipe: createpageform-croatian

Croatian Food Glossary
Finding the ingredients for a Croatian Recipe is not so easy when you do not know the names of the ingredients. Take time to make a list of ingredients and the name they may be found under at the Local Markets.


 * Check out the Croatian Food Glossary

 Add a Term to the Croatian Food Glossary: createpageform-croatianingredients

Special Equipment for Croatian Cooking
Most Croatian dishes don’t require you to purchase any special tools. However, having a coffee grinder helps with roasting and grinding spices and maximizes their volatile oils, which, in turn, provides your food with more flavor.

However, here are a few kitchen utensils you might want to use:

People in Croatian Food

 * Are you into Croatian Cooking and would like to be interviewed?

Croatian Cuisine Related Recipes

 * Category Croatian