Borsch, also known as Ukrainian beetroot soup, is a vibrant and flavorful dish that has captivated taste buds for centuries. Originating in Ukraine, this hearty soup has spread throughout Eastern Europe and beyond, becoming a beloved staple in many cultures. Made with a base of beets, cabbage, and tomatoes, borsch is characterized by its beautiful red-purple hue and earthy, slightly sweet flavor. It's a versatile dish that can be enjoyed hot or cold, and each region has its own unique variation. In this collection of recipes, we'll explore the diverse culinary heritage of borsch, from the classic Ukrainian version to modern interpretations with unique twists. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, these recipes will guide you in creating a delicious and authentic borsch that will warm your heart and delight your palate.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
RUSSIAN BORSCHT SOUP
With beets, carrots, cabbage and tomatoes, this Russian borscht soup recipe is great for gardeners like myself. Not only is it delicious, but its bright crimson color is eye-catching on the table. -Ginny Bettis, Montello, Wisconsin
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 1h15m
Yield 8 servings (2 quarts).
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, combine the beets, carrots, onion and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. , Add tomatoes and cabbage; cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until cabbage is tender. Stir in salt, dill and pepper. Top each serving with sour cream if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 71 calories, Fat 1g fat (0 saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 673mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (9g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
CABBAGE BORSCHT MENNONITE SOUP
This is my Omas recipe that she got from her mom, which she took with her when she fled Russia during the fall of the Czar. It's a real Mennonite soup.
Provided by Alea
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes Cabbage Soup Recipes
Time 2h20m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring beef soup bones and water to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, adding more water, as necessary, to maintain the 2 quart level. Remove and discard the soup bones, then strain the broth into a fresh pot, and return to the stove.
- Stir in the carrots, potatoes, cabbage, onions, parsley, allspice berries, bay leaf, star anise, salt, and pepper. Cook until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. Stir in tomatoes and return soup to a boil. Serve individual bowls of soup topped with heavy cream.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 273.8 calories, Carbohydrate 51.4 g, Cholesterol 20.4 mg, Fat 6.2 g, Fiber 11.1 g, Protein 7.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.6 g, Sodium 407 mg, Sugar 13 g
A BETTER BORSCHT (BEET) SOUP
This method was taught to my mom by my paternal "baba" so that her son wouldn't starve after they married. My Ukrainian husband has taken a liking to it and with some compromises we've decided this is the best way. It is different than any other method of making this soup than I've ever seen. It is also very - very good! The list of ingredients is daunting, but the procedure is simple, especially if you don't mind a bit of chopping!
Provided by less2saw
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 3h
Yield 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Place pork hocks in a stock pot and cover with 6 cups cold water (or enough to really cover them. Cover and place over fire until the hocks come to a boil.
- While this is coming to a boil, chop your onions, celery, carrots and beans.
- When the pot has boiled there will be a lot of foam at the top of the pot, Pour everything out and rinse the pot and meat well, then move to step 4. This is so that you don't have floaty things in the soup later (personally I often miss this step and don't mind the results at all). If you decide to miss cleaning everything just move straight to step 4 right away. Otherwise, you need to add 6 cups (or more, you need enough to cover them) clean cold water before step 4.
- Add the garlic, seasonings and the chopped vegetables.
- Bring the pot back to a boil, turn down and simmer 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the pork hock is loosened and tender.
- Remove the pork hock from the pot and cool. Return the stock to the fire and continue simmering until you've moved to the next step. While the pork hock is cooling, chop the potato and prepare the first four beets.
- To prepare the beets, peel them, cut them lengthwise in half (through the stem and top), turn cut side down and slice into 1/8" thin slices across the width of the beet. Lay the slices down and cut these into 1'8" slices across the width of the beet. This method gives the prettiest presentation.
- Add the potato to the pot and return the soup to a slow boil, then add the beet slices. DO NOT LET THE SOUP BOIL ONCE THE BEETS ARE ADDED OR IT WILL LOSE IT'S COLOR.
- While this is coming up to heat, clean the pork hock and return them to the pot. Make sure to get all the ugly bits and fat, but leave the meat as whole as you can, better to shred it in you bowl! Trust me!
- Leave this to simmer very slowly until the potato is cooked and the beets are tender. Meanwhile, chop the beet stalks (if they are tender) and the leaves; and peel and grate the final 2 beets.
- Add the peas and tops/leaves to the pot. When the peas are cooked add the grated beets (this is more to thicken the soup and add back any color that may have been lost before; and also DH loves the addition of shredded beat to this cause that's the way his mom made borscht). Continue to cook VERY SLOWLY.
- Once everything is tender you can finally add the dill and 1/2 teaspoon of sour salt. Tasting is important here, I usually add about 1 1/2 teaspoons of sour salt myself, but I prefer it a bit sour.
- I taste all the way through because I love the way the flavor builds, but it is very important at the end. Adjust the dill, salt and sour salt carefully, with some practice you'll find a soup that everyone loves.
- Add more water if this soup begins looking dry, but it is a thick soup so doesn't require a lot of broth - cream will be added at the table.
- You can park the soup overnight in the fridge and remove all the fat that rises the next day. This soup is excellent on day 1 but even better day 2, and healthier when the fat is removed.
- The broth shouldn't be sweet (the sweetness will happen with every bite) and it should have a bit of a sour tang (I like mine quite sour)and a taste of dill (and quite dilly). The soup SHOULD NEVER be salty because the meat may call for some seasoning in the bowl.
- This soup is better the next day, and may be put in jars and canned (10 minutes in a water bath) or frozen (but I find the beans go off when it's frozen so would leave them out in this case).
- Add sour cream or whipped cream at the table as a garnish. More fresh dill is pretty and tasty as well.
- Ask my friend Katlin - he loves this soup!
WHITE BORSCHT - POLISH EASTER SOUP - BIALY BARSZCZ
Finally got the 2nd soup from the Polish class added. Chef Tad picked an awesome recipe to share with us. Of course, this is another very authentic and distinct with flavors kind of soup. Most of all, I love the broth. The tartness of it alone just made me want to drink it by itself. Of course, the addition of a homemade Polish...
Provided by Kimberly Biegacki
Categories Other Soups
Time 4h
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- 1. Place pre-cooked ham and kielbasa in a roaster. Add 2 quarts of water, cover and roast for 2 hours at 350 degrees. Reserve the pan juices as this will be the base for your soup broth. Refrigerate and then remove the fat from top afterwards. NOw, add the juices to a large pot and your addtl water to make 8 quarts. *If using an uncooked ham, do not add kielbasa util 1 hour before ham is done cooking.
- 2. Add your peppercorns, garlic and bring to a simmer. In a medium bowl add your 1 cup of water and 1/2 flour, whisk till smooth and then add to your broth.
- 3. Now, add your vineager to the level of taste your desire. Add more if you like it to be a really tart soup. (I loved it with the extra vinegar.) Simmer for awhile till the soup thickens and flavors meld. Probably about 1 hr or a little longer.
- 4. Slice up Kielbasa 1/4 inch thick, cube ham and rye bread into bite sized pieces and the farmers cheese too. Coarsely chop your eggs. (The farmers cheese Chef Tad brought was extremely soft and so yummy too. It was unlike any farmers cheese I have had before. I will ask him this coming Sunday at our next class where he got it.)
- 5. Combine all the chopped ingredients into a large bowl, so that it can be scooped out and placed in serving dishes.
- 6. Now ladle your very hot broth over the top and add your desired amount of horseradish to your own bowl.
- 7. Now, you are ready to eat a most delicious bowl of authentic polish soup. I just love the tartness in the broth and our chef that taught us how to make this soup brought homemade polish smoked kielbasa. It packed so much flavor and was so delicious added into this soup.
GRANDMA'S BORSCHT (POLISH BEET SOUP)
When I made borscht for the first time, I was alone in my dorm room. When I tasted the first bite the first thing I thought was "it tastes like home." And then I thought of that scene from Ratatouille when the critic ate it and was brought back to his childhood. This is the vegetarian version, but it tastes pretty close to the real thing (Grandma made it with pork hock).
Provided by joanne.smolka
Categories Potato
Time 2h50m
Yield 2 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- caramelize the onion in some olive oil.
- Add the potatoes and fry for about 2 minutes, careful not to let the onions and potatoes stick to the bottom of the pan. Use a bit more oil if necessary.
- Add the vegetable stock and carrots. If you use fresh green beans, add them at this point. Bring to a boil. Cook for 5 to 10 minutes until potatoes and carrots are tender.
- Add the beets, green beans, bay leaf, and dill. Simmer for a couple of hours. Serve with sour cream if desired.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 232.9, Fat 0.6, SaturatedFat 0.1, Sodium 115, Carbohydrate 53.2, Fiber 10.6, Sugar 13.2, Protein 7.5
SUMMER BEET BORSCHT (COLD SOUP)
This is my take on Ina Garten's recipe. I love a cold soup in the summer and this is low fat. If you prefer you can use low fat for all sour cream but I think the mixture gives a better taste. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I do, very light and refreshing and, yes, the soup is purply-pink!
Provided by Mary Schrum
Categories Other Soups
Time 2h
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 375. Line sheet pan with aluminum foil. Leave skin on beets lightly coat with olive oil. Roast for 30 minutes or longer until tender. After roasting, pull foil around beets to enclose, sit out to cool completely.
- 2. In large bowl whisk sour creams, yogurt, sugar, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper. Peel cooled beets by rubbing the skins off or using paring knife(hint, use gloves for rubbing skins off to prevent staining of your hands.) Dice beets to 1/2 to 1 inch cubes. Add beets, cucumber, scallion and dill to soup mixture.
- 3. Cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 4 hours, overnight is better. Season with salt again if needed and serve cold with a dollop of sour cream and dill sprig.
BORSCHT (BEET SOUP)
My husband's heritage is Ukrainian, he grew up eating borscht and still loves it. If you would like to make this Vegetarian or Vegan, just omit the meat and/or the sour cream (I do and we aren't vegetarians). My husband rates this as one of his favorite soups I make (5 stars)! I cook this one Vegan style.
Provided by CHILI SPICE
Categories Vegetable
Time 1h
Yield 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Crumble the sausage into a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until no longer pink. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Fill a large pot halfway with broth and bring to a boil. If using sausage add to broth, and bring back to a boil. Add the beets and cook until they have lost their color. Add the carrots, potatoes and garlic, simmer until tender (about 15 min). Add the cabbage and the can of diced tomatoes.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until tender. Stir in the tomato paste and water until well blended. Transfer to the pot. Simmer another 5-10 minutes, and adjust seasoning (salt, pepper and sugar) to your liking. Cover, turn off heat and let soup stand for about five minutes.
- Ladle into serving bowls, and garnish with sour cream and fresh parsley.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 101, Fat 1.7, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 219.6, Carbohydrate 20.7, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 7.8, Protein 3
POLISH WHITE BORSCHT ..SOUP
A, J.A.P.friend, E-mailed me after looking at my 50 POLISH RECIPE, cookbook and asked me if I had a recipe for White Polish Borscht Soup she had in Chicago. I went to my Polish file and there it was.A wonderful recipe from my good Polish neighbor who moved to Chicago ten years ago. I wish I had remembered it to put in my J.A.P....
Provided by Nancy J. Patrykus
Categories Other Soups
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- 1. Put water in a large pan. Add the sausage and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook on low-simmer for 25 minutes. Remove sausage, reserving the liquid. Set sausage aside and let cool.
- 2. Add buttermilk to cooking liquid and return to a boil. reduce heat to low and simmer. In a medium size bowl, combine 1 egg with the 1 cup of milk. Gradually whisk in the flour and stir till smooth.
- 3. Add 3 Tablespoons of the simmering soup to the milk and egg mixture and stir to combine. Slowly drizzle milk,egg and flour mixture into the simmering soup, whisking continuously until all has been added. Continue to simmer and stir until the soup has thickened.
- 4. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the cut up cup cooked potatoes, along with the sausage cut up into bite size pieces. Serve on a bowl with the hard boiled, quartered egg on top. I like to add some prepared horseradish on the side, along with a sprinkle of parsley.
GRANDMA'S BORSCHT (BEET SOUP)
This recipe hails from the Ukraine and is a soup my great grandmother passed down to my grandmother. Full of flavor to tantalize the taste buds. This is NOT your typical borscht recipe that tastes bland. It is also said that not everyone likes this soup. But I have not served this to anyone yet for the first time, that does not...
Provided by Linda Kauppinen
Categories Other Soups
Time 3h
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- 1. Peel and cut your beets into thin shoe strings. Add onion, bay leaf, pork neck bones, parsley, salt, celery stalk and beets into a stock pot with water. Simmer until beets are tender.
- 2. Remove Stalk of Celery and bay leaf. Add cider vinegar a tablespoon at a time to the soup. VERY IMPORTANT! BE A TASTER! You need to taste the liquid for the tartness that you prefer, so be sure to only add a Tbsp at a time.
- 3. In a bowl mix the sour cream, flour and egg. Beat together. Add a little of the hot soup to this mixture (about 1 cup) adding it little at a time and beat well each time. You do not want to curdle the mix.
- 4. Turn heat down under the soup low enough as to no longer be boil at all. Add the cream mix in the bowl to the pot of soup VERY SLOWLY. BE CAREFUL that it DOES NOT boil and that you do not add it too quickly or else the mixture from the bowl will curdle.
- 5. Serve hot garnished with a fresh sprig of curled parsley on top. ENJOY!
UKRAINIAN RED BORSCHT SOUP
My friend's mother from Ukraine taught me this recipe for the classic beet soup. It's as authentic as it gets. It can be served vegetarian-style by omitting the sausage.
Provided by Patti
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Vegetable Soup Recipes Borscht
Time 1h5m
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Crumble the sausage (if using) into a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until no longer pink. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Fill a large pot halfway with water(about 2 quarts), and bring to a boil. Add the sausage, and cover the pot. Return to a boil. Add the beets, and cook until they have lost their color. Add the carrots and potatoes, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes. Add the cabbage, and the can of diced tomatoes.
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, and cook until tender. Stir in the tomato paste and water until well blended. Transfer to the pot. Add the raw garlic to the soup, cover and turn off the heat. Let stand for 5 minutes. Taste, and season with salt, pepper and sugar.
- Ladle into serving bowls, and garnish with sour cream, if desired, and fresh parsley.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 256.9 calories, Carbohydrate 24.4 g, Cholesterol 31 mg, Fat 13.8 g, Fiber 4.8 g, Protein 10.1 g, SaturatedFat 5.2 g, Sodium 626.3 mg, Sugar 8 g
OLGA'S BORSCHT (BEET SOUP)
Steps:
- Heat oil in a stock pot over medium-high heat. Add cabbage, carrots, potatoes, onion and garlic, and cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are beginning to soften, stirring often. Add vegetable stock, tomatoes and juice, beets, beet tops, salt, cloves, bay leaf and sugar. Bring to a quick simmer, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer gently for 45-60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beets are very tender. Remove from heat and discard bay leaf. Using caution, puree 3 cups of soup in a blender until smooth, 1 cup at at time, placing puree in a separate bowl. Add puree to remaining soup in pot and stir well to incorporate. Reheat soup just until steaming hot and do not allow to boil. Remove from heat, add dill, lemon juice/zest, salt and pepper to taste, and stir well to blend. Ladle soup into warmed bowls, top with a generous dollop of sour cream sprinkled with dill and lemon zest. Notes: - recipe may be easily halved - soup freezes well and keeps 3 months - fresh spinach may be used in lieu of beet tops - requires considerable chopping time, so best to prep all veggies prior to beginning cooking process
BORSCHT SOUP
After a busy day, I like to unwind by creating something delicious for dinner. This recipe proves great meals can be quick.-Courtney Bird, Papillion, Nebraska
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 10m
Yield 8-10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Drain one can of beets; place beets in a blender, add the soup, consomme, pickles and sour cream; process until smooth. Pour into a large bowl. Add undrained can of beets and cabbage. Chill at least 4 hours.
Nutrition Facts :
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful vegetables and a good-quality broth will make all the difference in your borscht soup.
- Don't overcook the vegetables: You want them to retain their vibrant color and texture.
- Add the cabbage last: This will help to prevent it from overcooking and becoming mushy.
- Season to taste: Add salt, pepper, and other spices to your liking.
- Serve with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt: This will add a creamy, tangy flavor to the soup.
Conclusion:
Borscht soup is a delicious, hearty, and nutritious soup that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a very versatile soup, so you can easily customize it to your liking. Whether you like your borscht soup with beef, chicken, or vegetables, there is a recipe out there for you. So next time you're looking for a comforting and flavorful soup, give borscht a try. You won't be disappointed!
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