Beet Soup Recipe - Ukrainian Borscht (2024)

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Beet Soup, also called Ukrainian borscht, is a simple, yet incredibly flavourful soup. Ready in less than an hour, this comforting beet soup is easy to make and the most satisfying, nutritious meal in a bowl.

Beet Soup Recipe - Ukrainian Borscht (1)

Why beet soup?

Besides being the most beautiful shade of ruby red and just generally pretty to look at, this quick and easy beet soup recipe is hearty, delicious, and very nutritious. Also called Ukrainian borscht, this soup is filled with your favorite veggies, like cabbage, carrots, and diced potatoes. Plus, with just 15 minutes or prep time and less than 30 minutes to cook, this mouthwatering beet soup can be ready in under an hour -- perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Beet Soup Recipe - Ukrainian Borscht (2)

What is Ukrainian borscht?

Ukrainian borscht is a beet-based soup, usually cooked with cabbage and potatoes, and sometimessausage or beef. But this soup always has beets, which is what gives it a beautiful ruby red colour.

The origins of this beet soup are in Eastern Europe, originating in Ukraine, but it is also commonly made in Russia, Poland, and Hungary, as well as the regions in North America that those populations settled when immigrating here.

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Here's What You Need For the Recipe

  • Seasonings: To season this Ukrainian borscht, you absolutely need to have dill -- fresh dill is always best but dried dill will work, too. Something is amazing about the pairing of beets and dill. The only other major seasoning I used in this recipe, besides the lemon, is garlic. And of course, salt and pepper.
  • Beets: If you need another reason to eat beets, it’s because, besides being delicious, they are also incredibly nutritious!
  • Sour Cream or Greek Yogurt: These are traditionally added as a garnish to borscht, then stirred into the beet soup to make it creamy, tart and rich.
  • Other Ingredients: I also used onion, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, olive oil, and vegetable stock in this beet soup recipe.

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How to Make Beet Soup, Step By Step

Step 1: Sauté Onions

First, heat oil in a large pot over medium heat, then when oil is hot, add onions and garlic. You will want to continue to sauté until the onions are softened and translucent, which usually takes about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Add Veggies

Next, you will want to pour in vegetable stock for your beet soup and bring the soup to a boil. When the broth is boiling, add beets, cabbage, and carrots. Bring the soup back to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.

Cover and allow the soup to simmer for about 15 minutes or until all veggies are tender.

Step 3: Add Potatoes

Now it is time to add potatoes! Cover and simmer an additional 15 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Step 4: Season and Serve

Remove your beet soup from the heat and stir in lemon juice, dill, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve your delicious borsht with sour cream or Greek yogurt for garnish, along with more fresh dill.

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The Many Variations of Beet Soup

There are many, many variations of Ukrainian borscht recipes, differing based on the countries that they come from, to the cooks that make them, to the ingredients that are plentiful in that region. The recipes have also been passed down through generations -- in fact, for me, this recipe is a very different version of the borscht that I grew up with.

I grew up in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, where there is a very large Doukhobor community. Until I ventured out into the culinary world, the Doukhobor version of borscht was the only one that I knew. I promise to post that recipe soon, because it is delicious in its own right, and still my favourite.

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FAQs

Is beet soup vegetarian?

For me, Ukrainian borscht is always meatless; however, there are many beet soup and borscht recipes using beef ribs, ground beef, and sausage. This vegetarian version is closer to what I am used to, and it tastes amazing without any meat.

Is beet soup tart or sweet?

This easy soup recipe has so much sweetness from the beets, which is wonderful -- but to balance that sweetness, it’s important to introduce a few tart notes to the soup. I use lemon juice in this recipe, but you can also use apple cider vinegar.

Are beets healthy?

Beets are low in calories, but very high in vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants and fibre. You can learn more about just how nutritious these root veggies really are for us here: Nutrition Benefits of Beets.

NOTE: The calorie value for this recipe is calculated without the addition of sour cream or yogurt. Typically, a tablespoon of sour cream or yogurt would be added to each serving.

Why do you need a food processor to make soup?

A food processor makes short work of this soup, reducing the chopping, & long cooking time of beets. If you don't have one, chop your veggies as small as possible.

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Looking for more beet recipes?

Do you love beets as much as I do? Check out these recipes too:

  • Roasted Beet and Apple Salad
  • Wild Rice Salad – Roasted Beet Salad
  • Roasted Beet Hummus

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Beet Soup Recipe - Ukrainian Borscht (8)

Borscht - Ukrainian Beet Soup

This soup, is hearty, delicious, and beautiful, besides being easy to make and very nutritious.

4.95 from 18 votes

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Course: Soup

Cuisine: European

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 139kcal

Author: Colleen Milne

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion large, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 6 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 lb beets peeled & shredded
  • 2 cups cabbage shredded
  • 3 carrots peeled & shredded
  • 2 potatoes peeled & diced
  • 3 tablespoon dill fresh, chopped
  • 1 lemon juice of
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • sour cream or Greek yogurt optional

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat

  • Add onions and garlic, cooking until onions are softened and translucent, about 5 minutes

  • Add vegetable stock, and bring to a boil

  • Add beets, cabbage, and carrots

  • Bring back to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.

  • Cover and allow to simmer 15 minutes, or until all veggies are tender.

  • Add potatoes, cover, and simmer a further 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender

  • Remove soup from heat and stir in lemon juice, dill, and season to taste with salt & pepper.

  • Serve with sour cream or Greek yogurt for garnish, along with more fresh dill

Notes

A food processor makes short work of this soup, reducing the chopping, & long cooking time of beets. If you don't have one, chop your veggies as small as possible.

The calorie value for this recipe is calculated without the addition of sour cream or yogurt. Typically, a tablespoon of sour cream or yogurt would be added to each serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 139kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 123mg | Potassium: 698mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 3869IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg

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Beet Soup Recipe - Ukrainian Borscht (9)

Beet Soup Recipe - Ukrainian Borscht (2024)

FAQs

Is there a difference between Russian and Ukrainian borscht? ›

It's standard for Ukrainian cooks to use pork in their Borscht and top it off with sour cream, whereas Russian cooks are more likely to use beef. Furthermore, Ukrainians will offer buns with their bortsch, and Russians will offer a native bread known as “black bread.”

What's the difference between beet soup and borscht? ›

Put simply, barszcz is a Polish name for a beetroot soup that is a shared staple in the whole of the Eastern Europe and the word borscht is an anglicised version of the Yiddish word for it. There are many many versions of this bright pink soup as it's eaten throughout the year.

What is Ukrainian borscht soup made of? ›

Borscht ingredients may include beef, pork, salo (fatback), beetroots, cabbage, carrots, celeriac, onions, potatoes, mushrooms, tomato paste, parsley, chives, dill, bay leaves, allspice and black pepper. The stock is typically made by boiling meat, bones, or both.

What is the difference between Polish and Ukrainian borscht? ›

Compared to typical Polish barszcz there is more vegetables and for me, the main difference is that we add white beans and cabbage to Polish Ukrainian Barszcz. What is this? Try this hearty soup, it's healthy and nutritious. It can be a complete meal itself, it's fulling and comforting.

Which country has the best borscht? ›

"Ukraine is frequently listed as borscht's country of origin, and Puzata Hata in Kiev has some of the best in the city."

Why is my borscht not red? ›

Cooking Time and Temperature: Beets can lose their vibrant red color if they are overcooked or cooked at high temperatures for too long. If you cooked the beets for an extended period or at a high temperature, it could cause them to lose some of their color intensity, resulting in a more orange appearance.

Should I peel beets for soup? ›

Sometimes beets are peeled before cooking. They may also be scrubbed and cooked until tender with their skins on; the skins slip off fairly easily after cooling. (Some people are happy to leave the skins on; they are fine to eat.)

How healthy is beet borscht? ›

Beets are also high in vitamins A, C and the minerals iron and magnesium. Looking at the amazing nutrients in this traditional soup, plus the tasty additions of fresh dill, parsley and sour cream, it's no wonder it serves as a staple.

What is a good side dish for borscht? ›

You can serve borscht with sides like Pumpernickel or rye bread, garlic toast, meat, salads, dairy, pickled foods, pierogi, grains, potato pancakes, mashed potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, deviled eggs seasoned with paprika or dill, gluten-free options, and accompany it with fermented Slavic beverages and Santa Carolina ...

How long can borscht stay in the fridge? ›

Cooled borscht can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To freeze, pack into containers leaving 1-inch (2.5 cm) headspace. For the best results and to save energy, let frozen soup thaw in the refrigerator compartment on the day you plan to use it.

Which soup is considered the most traditional in Ukraine? ›

The national dish of Ukraine is red borscht, a well-known beet soup, of which many varieties exist. However, varenyky (boiled dumplings similar to pierogi) and a type of cabbage roll known as holubtsi are also national favourites, and are a common meal in traditional Ukrainian restaurants.

Is borscht served warm or cold? ›

Borscht can be hot or cold, meaty or light, dairy-laden or broth-based, depending on your mood. According to Bonnie Frumkin Morales, chef and owner of Kachka in Portland, Oregon, the biggest benefit of making borscht at home is that “it's very malleable and riffable.

Is borscht eaten in Russia? ›

By the end of the 19th century, borscht had spread as far as Persia, France and, by virtue of Ashkenazi Jews immigrating there, the United States. It was also around this time that borscht became ingrained as a cultural symbol of Soviet Russia.

What does borscht mean in Russian? ›

In Russia, Poland, and other Eastern European countries, borscht simply means "sour soup," and the word comes from the Russian borshch, "cow parsnip." Definitions of borscht. an Eastern European soup usually containing beet juice as a foundation, originating in Ukraine.

Are there different types of borscht? ›

This Ukraine's rich cultural heritage is reflected in the different versions, such as white borscht vs red borscht, which are popular in different regions. In this article, we shall explore the differences between two popular types of borscht: white borscht and red borscht.

What is the difference between red and green borscht? ›

Red borscht is the most popular borscht in Ukraine, it is prepared from cabbage, potatoes (from the second half of the 19th century), carrots, onions, parsley, dill, and beets. Green borscht is a sorrel or spring borscht. It is cooked in the spring, with young greens.

What is the national dish of Ukraine? ›

The national dish of Ukraine is red borscht, a well-known beet soup, of which many varieties exist. However, varenyky (boiled dumplings similar to pierogi) and a type of cabbage roll known as holubtsi are also national favourites, and are a common meal in traditional Ukrainian restaurants.

Where is borscht originally from? ›

Although borscht is important in Russian and Polish cuisines, Ukraine is frequently cited as its place of origin. Its name is thought to be derived from the Slavic word for the cow parsnip, or common hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium), or from a fermented beverage derived from that plant.

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