Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (2024)

I love any kind of soup, and this borscht recipe definitely tops my list.

Beets give this soup an earthy sweetness and a vibrant color, while a dash of lemon juice and fresh dill add a hint of freshness!

It’s a deliciously hearty soup perfect for any time of year.

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (1)

Borscht is a traditional beetroot soup from Eastern Europe, especially Ukraine, Poland, and Russia, to name a few. It most commonly contains beets, shredded cabbage, and a sour ingredient such as wine vinegar or lemon juice.

Beyond that, ingredients for borscht recipes can vary widely with the addition of onions, beans, celery, and tomatoes, among many other ingredients, including beef. I include carrots and potatoes and use vegetable stock (although chicken or beef stock will taste great as well).

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (2)

How to Make Borscht

Borscht (aka borsch) has a deep ruby-red color which will also stain your hands and/or white cutting boards. Wearing gloves is a great idea when preparing beets, as they need to be peeled.

  1. Peel and chop the beets per the recipe below.
  2. Cook until slightly softened, and then add the broth. Simmer until everything is tender.
  3. Stir in lemon juice and zest and serve hot.

Save the beet tops to make sauteed beet greens!

Swirl in a dollop of sour cream in each bowl. The fat in the cream helps balance the acidity of the soup and provides some richness and body. Serve borscht as an appetizer with dinner or as a light meal with a side of corn muffins, soda bread, parker house rolls, or cheese biscuits.

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (3)

Serving & Storing Borscht

Add a generous dollop of rich sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill as a topping. Serve it with fresh rye bread or rolls and butter for dunking!

This recipe is easy to store in the refrigerator or in the freezer. The flavor deepens as it sits, so make enough for lots of leftovers. It will keep 4 days in the fridge or up to 4 months in the freezer.

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (4)

Savory Soup Recipes

Baked Potato Soup

Italian Bean Soup

Creamy Corn Soup

Potato and Sausage Soup

Did your family enjoy this homemade Borscht? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (9)

4.98 from 78 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup)

Borscht soup gets natural sweetness from the beets, and a bit of lemon juice and zest add a tangy twist to balance the flavors.

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (10)

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 50 minutes minutes

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (11)

Servings 6

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (12)

Author Holly Nilsson

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 red beets peeled and ½ inch diced (approx 1 ½ pounds)
  • 2 carrots ½ inch diced
  • 1 large russet potato peeled and ½ inch diced
  • ½ small green cabbage thinly sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 bay leaf
  • kosher salt & black pepper to taste
  • sour cream optional, for serving

Instructions

  • In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the beets, carrots, potatoes, and cabbage. Cook stirring occasionally until slightly softened, about 10 minutes.

  • Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds or until fragrant.

  • Pour in the broth and add the bay leaf. Simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until the beets and carrots are tender.

  • Discard the bay leaf. Stir in the fresh dill, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Taste and season with salt and black pepper.

  • Serve with a dollop of sour cream and additional fresh dill.

Notes

Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

4.98 from 78 votes

Nutrition Information

Calories: 157 | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 991mg | Potassium: 920mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 3817IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (14) Course Side Dish, Soup

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (15) Cuisine Polish, Ukraine

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (16)
Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (17)
Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (18)
Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (19)

Categories:

Meatless Main Dishes, Recipes,

Like our recipes?
Follow us on Pinterest!

Follow us on Pinterest

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (20)

Recipes you'll love

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken

Easy Hamburger Soup

Beef

Beef Stew Recipe

Vegetable Soup Recipe

Healthy Recipes

The Best Chili Recipe

Chicken Stew

About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
See more posts by Holly

Follow Holly on social media:

pinterest facebook twitter instagram

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (28)

Free eBook!

Subscribe to receive weekly recipes and get a FREE Bonus e-book: Quick & Easy Weeknight Meals!

You can unsubscribe anytime by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of emails you receive.

Latest & Greatest

Ham and Bean Soup

Slow Cooker

CrockPot Beef Stew

Slow Cooker

Beef

Chicken and Rice Soup

Beef Cabbage Soup

Quick Cabbage Soup

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) (2024)

FAQs

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

The Polish word barszcz means borscht, but this soup is slightly different. Whereas traditional borscht is an opaque purple and commonly includes meat, tomatoes, and cabbage, barszcz is more of a basic beet broth that is somewhat translucent, whether red or white in color.

What is the 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.”

Does borscht lower blood pressure? ›

There are several health benefits you can enjoy when eating borscht as a result of the nutrients in the ingredients including reduction of blood pressure, stomach, liver and heart protection, and blood cleansing support!

How long does borscht last 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.

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.

How healthy is beet borscht? ›

Red beets: These are crucial for both color and nutrition, a good source of Vitamin C. Pork butt: This adds meaty depth and texture. Potato, cabbage, and lima beans: These veggies add heft and balance. They provide Vitamin B9, which is essential for overall cell health, and potassium to help maintain blood pressure.

What do Russians eat with borscht? ›

Most often, borscht is served with sour cream, the East European version of which, known as smetana, is runnier than its American counterpart.

Is borscht Ukrainian or German? ›

A traditional dish of the Eastern Slavs, it is a common first course in Ukrainian cuisine.” Admittedly, the wider, non-Slavic world views borsch as Russian, while Poles know it only as beloved Polish barszcz.

What does Ukrainian borscht taste like? ›

Borscht is a beet soup that's warm, sweet, and sour all in one bowl. It has the umami and complexity of a well-developed chicken soup but the beets add a whole different flavor profile. Its sweetness comes from the beets, onions, and cabbage, and its tartness from tomatoes and vinegar.

What is the number one vegetable to lower blood pressure? ›

Leafy greens: Cabbage, collard greens, spinach, kale, and other greens are high in nitrates, which have been found to offer blood pressure benefits. It's easier to get your daily dose of greens by varying how you eat them.

Is it OK to eat beets everyday? ›

Can you eat beets everyday? It's always best to follow a varied diet. Eating a small amount of beetroot every day is unlikely to do any harm, but a high intake could lead to low blood pressure, red or black urine and feces, and digestive problems for anyone with a sensitivity to the nutrients.

What is the name of the Russian soup made from beets? ›

Borscht is a classic beet soup that's so comforting and delicious.

What is the name of the soup made from beets? ›

Borscht is a soup, usually made with beets, originating from Central and Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. It is especially popular in the cuisines of Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Romania, Latvia, and Ukraine.

What does beet soup taste like? ›

Borscht is a beet soup that's warm, sweet, and sour all in one bowl. It has the umami and complexity of a well-developed chicken soup but the beets add a whole different flavor profile.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Last Updated:

Views: 5571

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (76 voted)

Reviews: 91% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Ignacio Ratke

Birthday: 1999-05-27

Address: Apt. 171 8116 Bailey Via, Roberthaven, GA 58289

Phone: +2585395768220

Job: Lead Liaison

Hobby: Lockpicking, LARPing, Lego building, Lapidary, Macrame, Book restoration, Bodybuilding

Introduction: My name is Sen. Ignacio Ratke, I am a adventurous, zealous, outstanding, agreeable, precious, excited, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.