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| Meta Title | Ukrainian Borscht Soup Recipe (Beet Soup) - The Forked Spoon |
| Meta Description | Traditional Ukrainian Borscht Soup is an iconic red beet soup made with hearty stew beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, garlic, and fresh dill and served with a dollop of creamy sour cream and rye bread. Enjoyed warm or cold, it's the perfect hearty and nutritious wintertime soup. |
| Meta Canonical | null |
| Boilerpipe Text | Traditional
Ukrainian Borscht Soup
is an iconic red beet soup made with hearty stew beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, garlic, and fresh dill and served with a dollop of sour cream and rye bread. Enjoyed warm or cold, it’s the perfect hearty and nutritious wintertime soup.
Borscht is probably my favorite soup of all time.
What is Borscht?
Borscht (also spelled as “borshch,” “borsh,” or “borsch”) is a traditional sweet and sour soup popular in many Eastern European and Central European countries, especially Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and Belarus. It is a
healthy and nutritious soup
made primarily of beets, which gives the soup its distinctive deep red color.
The most important thing to note about this ruby-colored soup is that
the exact ingredients and preparation methods vary widely
– from the vegetables added to the type of meat used as the base for the soup (beef, pork, or poultry) to the temperature it’s served at (hot or cold).
Table of Contents
What is Borscht?
Key Ingredients
How to Make Borscht Soup
How to Prepare the Beets
What to Serve with It
How to Store Leftovers
More Soup Recipes
Ukrainian Borscht Soup Recipe (Beet Soup)
Key Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post
for the full list and amounts of each ingredient
.
Meat
: Meat, or a combination of both meat and bones, is typically used to make a flavorful beef broth for the soup. The type of meat used varies, but beef and pork, or a combination of each, is typical. This recipe calls for beef stew meat, but feel free to use brisket, ribs, shank, chuck, and marrow bones. Some versions of borscht are vegetarian, replacing the meat with beans.
Beets
: Fresh beets are what give this soup its beautiful bright red color. They also give it a robust, earthy flavor and natural sweetness.
Onions, carrots, garlic
: These veggies will be used in two places: the first to flavor the beef broth and the second in the soup itself.
Tomato sauce and tomato paste
: Tomato sauce and paste are added for both flavor and acidity.
Potatoes:
Cubed potatoes add a little heartiness to the soup. For best results, choose a waxy potato versus a starchy potato – starchy potatoes tend to dissolve in soups and stews with repeated heating and cooling. Waxy potatoes include Yukon gold, creamer potatoes, fingerling potatoes, and red potatoes (the classic starchy potato is Russet potatoes).
White vinegar
: Vinegar is added to help retain the soup’s vibrant color while also adding a slight tang. Sometimes fresh lemon juice is added in place of, or in addition to, the vinegar.
Cabbage
: Finely shredded green cabbage is popular and blends right into the soup.
(Optional) Additions
: Sour cream and fresh dill.
How to Make Borscht Soup
1.
Brown the Beef
: Heat the olive oil in a large pot set over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and cook until all the pieces are brown.
2.
Prepare the Beef Stock
: Add the whole celery, carrot, onion, garlic, bay leaves, coriander powder, salt, and pepper, and fill the pot with enough water to cover everything with about 1-2 inches of water. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce it to a simmer. Simmer for approximately 2 hours, skimming off any scum settling on the surface of the broth.
3.
Sauté the Onions and Beetroot
: Melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook until translucent. Add the shredded beets and carrots and cook them down for 10 minutes or until they are soft and the carrots have turned red.
4.
Add the Tomatoes
: Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Cook fo 5 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
5.
Add the Potatoes to the Beef Broth
: Remove all the vegetables and the bay leaves, then stir in the cubed potatoes. Continue to simmer for approximately 15 minutes.
6.
Add the Beet Mixture and Cabbage
: Carefully stir the beet mixture and shredded cabbage into the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the cabbage has softened. At the very end, just before serving, stir in the dill.
7.
Garnish
: Serve with sour cream, bread, fresh bread, and fresh dill if desired.
How to Prepare the Beets
Beets happily stain surfaces, clothing, and your hands. Before handling beets, I recommend wearing gloves and an apron to protect your clothing. Beets may also stain your cutting boards or countertops, so consider using a piece of parchment paper as a barrier.
Wash and Scrub
: Thoroughly wash the beets under cold water before using a vegetable brush to gently scrub each beet free of any dirt or debris.
Peel
: Use a vegetable peeler to peel the tough outer layer of each beet working from the top to the bottom.
Julienne or Grate
: When making borscht soup, beets are typically julienned, grated, or cut into thin strips. Use a cheese grater or a mandoline slicer.
You may also want to check out
How to Cook Beets (3 Ways!)
How to remove beet juice from clothing
If you get beet juice on your clothing, it’s best to address the stain as soon as possible – ideally before the stain dries. To treat a beet stain, try the following tips:
Blot, Don’t Rub…Very Gently
: Remove as much liquid as possible, but avoid rubbing, as this can push the stain deeper into the fabric.
Rinse
: Hold the stain under
cold
running water, flushing the beet juice through the fabric.
Pre-treat
: Apply a few drops of liquid laundry detergent or dish soap, gently massaging into the fabric.
Machine Wash
: Wash in
cold
water with regular detergent. Do not dry unless the stain is gone, as heat can set the stain.
What to Serve with It
Ukrainian borscht soup is most often served warm with a hearty dollop of sour cream (
smetana)
and a sprinkle of freshly chopped dill. Sometimes, cured pork belly,
hard-boiled eggs
, rye bread, or potatoes may be added or served on the side. In Moscow, people often swap the sour cream for mayo.
How to Store Leftovers
Borscht soup often tastes even better a day or two after it’s been made, as the flavors have been given a chance to meld and deepen.
Storing
: Allow leftovers to cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. Place in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
Reheating
: For best results, reheat only the amount of borscht you plan to consume to avoid repeated cooling and reheating, which can mess with the soup’s texture and overall flavor. Heat on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave.
Can you freeze borscht?
Yes, borscht can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
To freeze borscht, allow leftovers to cool to room temperature before transferring to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and transfer to the freezer.
Allow frozen borscht to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stovetop or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave until heated through.
More Soup Recipes
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Vegetable Beef Soup
The Best Chicken Soup Recipe
Albondigas Soup (Mexican Meatball Soup)
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Beef Barley Soup
If you try making this Easy Borscht Soup Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know!
I always love to hear your thoughts.
For the Beef
▢
2
tablespoon
vegetable oil
▢
2
pounds
beef stew meat
,
cubed
▢
2
ribs
celery
▢
1
large
carrot
▢
1
onion
▢
2
cloves
garlic
,
peeled
▢
2
bay leaves
▢
1
teaspooon
coriander powder
▢
1
teaspoon
salt
▢
1
teaspoon
black pepper
For the Beet and Vegetable Part of the Soup
▢
4
tablespoon
unsalted butter
▢
1
white onion
,
diced
▢
3
large
red beets
,
peeled and shredded
▢
2
carrots
,
peeled and shredded
▢
3
cloves
garlic
,
minced
▢
1
cups
tomato sauce
▢
2
tablespoon
tomato paste
▢
1
teaspoon
white vinegar
▢
½
teaspoon
salt
,
plus more to taste
▢
½
teaspoon
ground black pepper
,
plus more to taste
▢
1½
pounds
Yellow potatoes
,
peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
▢
3
cups
green cabbage
,
shredded
▢
1
tablespoon
fresh dill
,
minced
▢
sour cream
,
for serving
Heat the oil in a large soup pot set over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and cook until all the pieces are brown.
Add the whole celery, carrot, onion, garlic, bay leaves, coriander powder, salt, and pepper, and fill the pot with enough water to cover everything with about 1-2 inches of water.
Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil before immediately reducing the heat to medium-low. For the first 15-20 minutes, periodically skim off any scum settling on the surface of the broth. Stir as needed.
Continue to simmer for 1½-2 hours or until the beef is tender and the broth has reduced by ⅓.
About 30 minutes before the soup is ready, melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook until translucent. Add the shredded beets and carrots and cook them down for 10 minutes or until they are soft and the carrots have turned red.
Next, add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine. Cook it down for another 5 minutes then remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
Once the beef is tender, remove all the vegetables and the bay leaves, stir in the potatoes, and continue to simmer for approximately 15 minutes.
Carefully stir the beet mixture and cabbage into the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes until the cabbage has softened. At the very end, just before serving, stir in the dill.
Serve with sour cream, bread, fresh bread, and fresh dill if desired.
Store leftover borscht in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Calories:
389
kcal
|
Carbohydrates:
34
g
|
Protein:
30
g
|
Fat:
15
g
|
Saturated Fat:
6
g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat:
3
g
|
Monounsaturated Fat:
5
g
|
Trans Fat:
0.3
g
|
Cholesterol:
85
mg
|
Sodium:
784
mg
|
Potassium:
1370
mg
|
Fiber:
6
g
|
Sugar:
12
g
|
Vitamin A:
2337
IU
|
Vitamin C:
27
mg
|
Calcium:
88
mg
|
Iron:
5
mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Jessica Randhawa
Chef | Food Photographer
Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon, sharing 15 years of experience and over 1,200 original recipes, kitchen tips, and practical cooking advice. Inspired by her world travels, Jessica's approachable recipes have been featured in outlets such as USA Today, Daily Mail, and CNET. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.
You may also like: |
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# Ukrainian Borscht Soup Recipe (Beet Soup)
[](https://theforkedspoon.com/about/)
Posted by [Jessica Randhawa](https://theforkedspoon.com/about/)
4\.93 from 13 votes
Updated Jun 27, 2025
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Traditional **Ukrainian Borscht Soup** is an iconic red beet soup made with hearty stew beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, garlic, and fresh dill and served with a dollop of sour cream and rye bread. Enjoyed warm or cold, it’s the perfect hearty and nutritious wintertime soup.

Borscht is probably my favorite soup of all time.
## What is Borscht?
Borscht (also spelled as “borshch,” “borsh,” or “borsch”) is a traditional sweet and sour soup popular in many Eastern European and Central European countries, especially Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and Belarus. It is a **healthy and nutritious soup** made primarily of beets, which gives the soup its distinctive deep red color.
The most important thing to note about this ruby-colored soup is that **the exact ingredients and preparation methods vary widely** – from the vegetables added to the type of meat used as the base for the soup (beef, pork, or poultry) to the temperature it’s served at (hot or cold).
## Table of Contents
- [What is Borscht?](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-what-is-borscht)
- [Key Ingredients](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-key-ingredients)
- [How to Make Borscht Soup](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-how-to-make-borscht-soup)
- [How to Prepare the Beets](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-how-to-prepare-the-beets)
- [What to Serve with It](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-what-to-serve-with-it)
- [How to Store Leftovers](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-how-to-store-leftovers)
- [More Soup Recipes](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-more-soup-recipes)
- [Ukrainian Borscht Soup Recipe (Beet Soup)](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#wprm-recipe-container-81701)


## Key Ingredients
*Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post* *for the full list and amounts of each ingredient*.
- **Meat**: Meat, or a combination of both meat and bones, is typically used to make a flavorful beef broth for the soup. The type of meat used varies, but beef and pork, or a combination of each, is typical. This recipe calls for beef stew meat, but feel free to use brisket, ribs, shank, chuck, and marrow bones. Some versions of borscht are vegetarian, replacing the meat with beans.
- **Beets**: Fresh beets are what give this soup its beautiful bright red color. They also give it a robust, earthy flavor and natural sweetness.
- **Onions, carrots, garlic**: These veggies will be used in two places: the first to flavor the beef broth and the second in the soup itself.
- **Tomato sauce and tomato paste**: Tomato sauce and paste are added for both flavor and acidity.
- **Potatoes:** Cubed potatoes add a little heartiness to the soup. For best results, choose a waxy potato versus a starchy potato – starchy potatoes tend to dissolve in soups and stews with repeated heating and cooling. Waxy potatoes include Yukon gold, creamer potatoes, fingerling potatoes, and red potatoes (the classic starchy potato is Russet potatoes).
- **White vinegar**: Vinegar is added to help retain the soup’s vibrant color while also adding a slight tang. Sometimes fresh lemon juice is added in place of, or in addition to, the vinegar.
- **Cabbage**: Finely shredded green cabbage is popular and blends right into the soup.
**(Optional) Additions**: Sour cream and fresh dill.






## How to Make Borscht Soup
1\. **Brown the Beef**: Heat the olive oil in a large pot set over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and cook until all the pieces are brown.
2\. **Prepare the Beef Stock**: Add the whole celery, carrot, onion, garlic, bay leaves, coriander powder, salt, and pepper, and fill the pot with enough water to cover everything with about 1-2 inches of water. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce it to a simmer. Simmer for approximately 2 hours, skimming off any scum settling on the surface of the broth.






3\. **Sauté the Onions and Beetroot**: Melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook until translucent. Add the shredded beets and carrots and cook them down for 10 minutes or until they are soft and the carrots have turned red.
4\. **Add the Tomatoes**: Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Cook fo 5 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and set aside.






5\. **Add the Potatoes to the Beef Broth**: Remove all the vegetables and the bay leaves, then stir in the cubed potatoes. Continue to simmer for approximately 15 minutes.
6\. **Add the Beet Mixture and Cabbage**: Carefully stir the beet mixture and shredded cabbage into the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the cabbage has softened. At the very end, just before serving, stir in the dill.
7\. **Garnish**: Serve with sour cream, bread, fresh bread, and fresh dill if desired.




## How to Prepare the Beets
Beets happily stain surfaces, clothing, and your hands. Before handling beets, I recommend wearing gloves and an apron to protect your clothing. Beets may also stain your cutting boards or countertops, so consider using a piece of parchment paper as a barrier.
1. **Wash and Scrub**: Thoroughly wash the beets under cold water before using a vegetable brush to gently scrub each beet free of any dirt or debris.
2. **Peel**: Use a vegetable peeler to peel the tough outer layer of each beet working from the top to the bottom.
3. **Julienne or Grate**: When making borscht soup, beets are typically julienned, grated, or cut into thin strips. Use a cheese grater or a mandoline slicer.
**You may also want to check out [How to Cook Beets (3 Ways!)](https://theforkedspoon.com/how-to-cook-beets/)**
### How to remove beet juice from clothing
If you get beet juice on your clothing, it’s best to address the stain as soon as possible – ideally before the stain dries. To treat a beet stain, try the following tips:
- **Blot, Don’t Rub…Very Gently**: Remove as much liquid as possible, but avoid rubbing, as this can push the stain deeper into the fabric.
- **Rinse**: Hold the stain under cold running water, flushing the beet juice through the fabric.
- **Pre-treat**: Apply a few drops of liquid laundry detergent or dish soap, gently massaging into the fabric.
- **Machine Wash**: Wash in cold water with regular detergent. Do not dry unless the stain is gone, as heat can set the stain.


## What to Serve with It
Ukrainian borscht soup is most often served warm with a hearty dollop of sour cream (*smetana)* and a sprinkle of freshly chopped dill. Sometimes, cured pork belly, [hard-boiled eggs](https://theforkedspoon.com/how-to-make-hard-boiled-eggs/), rye bread, or potatoes may be added or served on the side. In Moscow, people often swap the sour cream for mayo.
## How to Store Leftovers
Borscht soup often tastes even better a day or two after it’s been made, as the flavors have been given a chance to meld and deepen.
**Storing**: Allow leftovers to cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. Place in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
**Reheating**: For best results, reheat only the amount of borscht you plan to consume to avoid repeated cooling and reheating, which can mess with the soup’s texture and overall flavor. Heat on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave.
**Can you freeze borscht?**
**Yes, borscht can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.** To freeze borscht, allow leftovers to cool to room temperature before transferring to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and transfer to the freezer.
Allow frozen borscht to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stovetop or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave until heated through.


## More Soup Recipes
- [Chicken Gnocchi Soup](https://theforkedspoon.com/chicken-gnocchi-soup/)
- [Vegetable Beef Soup](https://theforkedspoon.com/vegetable-beef-soup/)
- [The Best Chicken Soup Recipe](https://theforkedspoon.com/chicken-soup-recipe/)
- [Albondigas Soup (Mexican Meatball Soup)](https://theforkedspoon.com/albondigas-soup/)
- [Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup](https://theforkedspoon.com/creamy-chicken-noodle-soup/)
- [Beef Barley Soup](https://theforkedspoon.com/beef-barley-soup/)
**If you try making this Easy Borscht Soup Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know\!** I always love to hear your thoughts.
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4\.93 from 13 votes
## Ukrainian Borscht Soup Recipe (Beet Soup)
***


[Jessica Randhawa](https://theforkedspoon.com/about/)
Traditional **Ukrainian Borscht Soup** is an iconic red beet soup made with hearty stew beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, garlic, and fresh dill and served with a dollop of creamy sour cream and rye bread. Enjoyed warm or cold, it's the perfect hearty and nutritious wintertime soup.
Prep: 30 minutes mins
Cook: 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Total: 3 hours hrs
Servings: 8 servings
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### Ingredients 1x 2x 3x
#### For the Beef
- ▢
2 tablespoon [vegetable oil](https://amzn.to/41mHTu9)
- ▢
2 pounds beef stew meat, cubed
- ▢
2 ribs celery
- ▢
1 large carrot
- ▢
1 onion
- ▢
2 cloves [garlic](https://theforkedspoon.com/how-to-mince-garlic/), peeled
- ▢
2 [bay leaves](https://amzn.to/3Fboi3z)
- ▢
1 teaspooon [coriander powder](https://amzn.to/2FedpTa)
- ▢
1 teaspoon salt
- ▢
1 teaspoon [black pepper](https://amzn.to/4hGoYAj)
#### For the Beet and Vegetable Part of the Soup
- ▢
4 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ▢
1 white onion, diced
- ▢
3 large red beets, peeled and shredded
- ▢
2 carrots, peeled and shredded
- ▢
3 cloves [garlic](https://theforkedspoon.com/how-to-mince-garlic/), minced
- ▢
1 cups tomato sauce
- ▢
2 tablespoon [tomato paste](https://amzn.to/3Bh6hjk)
- ▢
1 teaspoon [white vinegar](https://amzn.to/49G7MHl)
- ▢
\½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ▢
\½ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- ▢
1\½ pounds Yellow potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- ▢
3 cups green cabbage, shredded
- ▢
1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced
- ▢
sour cream, for serving
[US Customary](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/) – [Metric](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/)
### Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large soup pot set over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and cook until all the pieces are brown.
- Add the whole celery, carrot, onion, garlic, bay leaves, coriander powder, salt, and pepper, and fill the pot with enough water to cover everything with about 1-2 inches of water.
- Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil before immediately reducing the heat to medium-low. For the first 15-20 minutes, periodically skim off any scum settling on the surface of the broth. Stir as needed.
- Continue to simmer for 1\½-2 hours or until the beef is tender and the broth has reduced by ⅓.
- About 30 minutes before the soup is ready, melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook until translucent. Add the shredded beets and carrots and cook them down for 10 minutes or until they are soft and the carrots have turned red.
- Next, add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine. Cook it down for another 5 minutes then remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
- Once the beef is tender, remove all the vegetables and the bay leaves, stir in the potatoes, and continue to simmer for approximately 15 minutes.
- Carefully stir the beet mixture and cabbage into the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes until the cabbage has softened. At the very end, just before serving, stir in the dill.
- Serve with sour cream, bread, fresh bread, and fresh dill if desired.
### Notes
- Store leftover borscht in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
### Nutrition
Calories: 389kcal \| Carbohydrates: 34g \| Protein: 30g \| Fat: 15g \| Saturated Fat: 6g \| Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g \| Monounsaturated Fat: 5g \| Trans Fat: 0\.3g \| Cholesterol: 85mg \| Sodium: 784mg \| Potassium: 1370mg \| Fiber: 6g \| Sugar: 12g \| Vitamin A: 2337IU \| Vitamin C: 27mg \| Calcium: 88mg \| Iron: 5mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment below\!


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Jessica Randhawa
Chef \| Food Photographer
Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon, sharing 15 years of experience and over 1,200 original recipes, kitchen tips, and practical cooking advice. Inspired by her world travels, Jessica's approachable recipes have been featured in outlets such as USA Today, Daily Mail, and CNET. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.
[Read more about Jessica](https://theforkedspoon.com/about/)
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4\.93 from 13 votes ([11 ratings without comment](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/))
## 4 Comments
1. **Gale** says:
June 27, 2025 at 4:03 pm
this is a beautiful soup can’t wait to make it .
.
[Reply](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#comment-36071)
1. **Jessica Randhawa** says:
June 27, 2025 at 4:13 pm
Thanks, Gale, please let me know how it turns out. 🙂
[Reply](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#comment-36072)
2. **Hanna** says:
November 19, 2023 at 10:16 pm

So true about different variations of different recipes. My husband’s grandma always cooked it with beans which also add more flavour to it. In some Ukrainian regions it even was cooked with fried fish. I don’t freeze it as don’t like the taste of potato after thawing but I freeze cooked onions, beets and carrots with tomato sauce and seasonings. We call it ‘zasmazhka’. It saves so much time with cooking it next time.
[Reply](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#comment-30200)
3. **Robert Labazevych** says:
October 29, 2023 at 9:18 am

Thank you for sharing UKRAINIAN! national food recipe ! But! I’m make remark – BORSCHT never was , never is & never be moskovian recipe!🤯 According to UNESKO – BORSCHT WAS & IS ABSOLUTELY UKRAINIAN NATIONAL FOOD! 🇺🇦 Слава нації! 🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦
[Reply](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#comment-29744)

Jessica Randhawa
Chef \| Food Photographer
For over 15 years, I've developed more than 1,200 well-tested recipes at *The Forked Spoon*, combining hands-on culinary experience with practical kitchen tips to help home cooks cook smarter, with confidence.
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| Readable Markdown | Traditional **Ukrainian Borscht Soup** is an iconic red beet soup made with hearty stew beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, garlic, and fresh dill and served with a dollop of sour cream and rye bread. Enjoyed warm or cold, it’s the perfect hearty and nutritious wintertime soup.

Borscht is probably my favorite soup of all time.
## What is Borscht?
Borscht (also spelled as “borshch,” “borsh,” or “borsch”) is a traditional sweet and sour soup popular in many Eastern European and Central European countries, especially Ukraine, Russia, Poland, and Belarus. It is a **healthy and nutritious soup** made primarily of beets, which gives the soup its distinctive deep red color.
The most important thing to note about this ruby-colored soup is that **the exact ingredients and preparation methods vary widely** – from the vegetables added to the type of meat used as the base for the soup (beef, pork, or poultry) to the temperature it’s served at (hot or cold).
## Table of Contents
- [What is Borscht?](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-what-is-borscht)
- [Key Ingredients](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-key-ingredients)
- [How to Make Borscht Soup](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-how-to-make-borscht-soup)
- [How to Prepare the Beets](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-how-to-prepare-the-beets)
- [What to Serve with It](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-what-to-serve-with-it)
- [How to Store Leftovers](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-how-to-store-leftovers)
- [More Soup Recipes](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#h-more-soup-recipes)
- [Ukrainian Borscht Soup Recipe (Beet Soup)](https://theforkedspoon.com/borscht-soup/#wprm-recipe-container-81701)

## Key Ingredients
*Scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post* *for the full list and amounts of each ingredient*.
- **Meat**: Meat, or a combination of both meat and bones, is typically used to make a flavorful beef broth for the soup. The type of meat used varies, but beef and pork, or a combination of each, is typical. This recipe calls for beef stew meat, but feel free to use brisket, ribs, shank, chuck, and marrow bones. Some versions of borscht are vegetarian, replacing the meat with beans.
- **Beets**: Fresh beets are what give this soup its beautiful bright red color. They also give it a robust, earthy flavor and natural sweetness.
- **Onions, carrots, garlic**: These veggies will be used in two places: the first to flavor the beef broth and the second in the soup itself.
- **Tomato sauce and tomato paste**: Tomato sauce and paste are added for both flavor and acidity.
- **Potatoes:** Cubed potatoes add a little heartiness to the soup. For best results, choose a waxy potato versus a starchy potato – starchy potatoes tend to dissolve in soups and stews with repeated heating and cooling. Waxy potatoes include Yukon gold, creamer potatoes, fingerling potatoes, and red potatoes (the classic starchy potato is Russet potatoes).
- **White vinegar**: Vinegar is added to help retain the soup’s vibrant color while also adding a slight tang. Sometimes fresh lemon juice is added in place of, or in addition to, the vinegar.
- **Cabbage**: Finely shredded green cabbage is popular and blends right into the soup.
**(Optional) Additions**: Sour cream and fresh dill.
## How to Make Borscht Soup
1\. **Brown the Beef**: Heat the olive oil in a large pot set over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and cook until all the pieces are brown.
2\. **Prepare the Beef Stock**: Add the whole celery, carrot, onion, garlic, bay leaves, coriander powder, salt, and pepper, and fill the pot with enough water to cover everything with about 1-2 inches of water. Bring it to a boil over high heat, then reduce it to a simmer. Simmer for approximately 2 hours, skimming off any scum settling on the surface of the broth.
3\. **Sauté the Onions and Beetroot**: Melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook until translucent. Add the shredded beets and carrots and cook them down for 10 minutes or until they are soft and the carrots have turned red.
4\. **Add the Tomatoes**: Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Cook fo 5 minutes, then remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
5\. **Add the Potatoes to the Beef Broth**: Remove all the vegetables and the bay leaves, then stir in the cubed potatoes. Continue to simmer for approximately 15 minutes.
6\. **Add the Beet Mixture and Cabbage**: Carefully stir the beet mixture and shredded cabbage into the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the cabbage has softened. At the very end, just before serving, stir in the dill.
7\. **Garnish**: Serve with sour cream, bread, fresh bread, and fresh dill if desired.
## How to Prepare the Beets
Beets happily stain surfaces, clothing, and your hands. Before handling beets, I recommend wearing gloves and an apron to protect your clothing. Beets may also stain your cutting boards or countertops, so consider using a piece of parchment paper as a barrier.
1. **Wash and Scrub**: Thoroughly wash the beets under cold water before using a vegetable brush to gently scrub each beet free of any dirt or debris.
2. **Peel**: Use a vegetable peeler to peel the tough outer layer of each beet working from the top to the bottom.
3. **Julienne or Grate**: When making borscht soup, beets are typically julienned, grated, or cut into thin strips. Use a cheese grater or a mandoline slicer.
**You may also want to check out [How to Cook Beets (3 Ways!)](https://theforkedspoon.com/how-to-cook-beets/)**
### How to remove beet juice from clothing
If you get beet juice on your clothing, it’s best to address the stain as soon as possible – ideally before the stain dries. To treat a beet stain, try the following tips:
- **Blot, Don’t Rub…Very Gently**: Remove as much liquid as possible, but avoid rubbing, as this can push the stain deeper into the fabric.
- **Rinse**: Hold the stain under cold running water, flushing the beet juice through the fabric.
- **Pre-treat**: Apply a few drops of liquid laundry detergent or dish soap, gently massaging into the fabric.
- **Machine Wash**: Wash in cold water with regular detergent. Do not dry unless the stain is gone, as heat can set the stain.

## What to Serve with It
Ukrainian borscht soup is most often served warm with a hearty dollop of sour cream (*smetana)* and a sprinkle of freshly chopped dill. Sometimes, cured pork belly, [hard-boiled eggs](https://theforkedspoon.com/how-to-make-hard-boiled-eggs/), rye bread, or potatoes may be added or served on the side. In Moscow, people often swap the sour cream for mayo.
## How to Store Leftovers
Borscht soup often tastes even better a day or two after it’s been made, as the flavors have been given a chance to meld and deepen.
**Storing**: Allow leftovers to cool to room temperature before transferring to an airtight container. Place in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
**Reheating**: For best results, reheat only the amount of borscht you plan to consume to avoid repeated cooling and reheating, which can mess with the soup’s texture and overall flavor. Heat on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave.
**Can you freeze borscht?**
**Yes, borscht can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.** To freeze borscht, allow leftovers to cool to room temperature before transferring to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags and transfer to the freezer.
Allow frozen borscht to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating on the stovetop or in a microwave-safe bowl in the microwave until heated through.

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**If you try making this Easy Borscht Soup Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know\!** I always love to hear your thoughts.
#### For the Beef
- ▢
2 tablespoon [vegetable oil](https://amzn.to/41mHTu9)
- ▢
2 pounds beef stew meat, cubed
- ▢
2 ribs celery
- ▢
1 large carrot
- ▢
1 onion
- ▢
2 cloves [garlic](https://theforkedspoon.com/how-to-mince-garlic/), peeled
- ▢
2 [bay leaves](https://amzn.to/3Fboi3z)
- ▢
1 teaspooon [coriander powder](https://amzn.to/2FedpTa)
- ▢
1 teaspoon salt
- ▢
1 teaspoon [black pepper](https://amzn.to/4hGoYAj)
#### For the Beet and Vegetable Part of the Soup
- ▢
4 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ▢
1 white onion, diced
- ▢
3 large red beets, peeled and shredded
- ▢
2 carrots, peeled and shredded
- ▢
3 cloves [garlic](https://theforkedspoon.com/how-to-mince-garlic/), minced
- ▢
1 cups tomato sauce
- ▢
2 tablespoon [tomato paste](https://amzn.to/3Bh6hjk)
- ▢
1 teaspoon [white vinegar](https://amzn.to/49G7MHl)
- ▢
\½ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- ▢
\½ teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste
- ▢
1\½ pounds Yellow potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
- ▢
3 cups green cabbage, shredded
- ▢
1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced
- ▢
sour cream, for serving
- Heat the oil in a large soup pot set over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the beef and cook until all the pieces are brown.
- Add the whole celery, carrot, onion, garlic, bay leaves, coriander powder, salt, and pepper, and fill the pot with enough water to cover everything with about 1-2 inches of water.
- Increase the heat to high and bring it to a boil before immediately reducing the heat to medium-low. For the first 15-20 minutes, periodically skim off any scum settling on the surface of the broth. Stir as needed.
- Continue to simmer for 1\½-2 hours or until the beef is tender and the broth has reduced by ⅓.
- About 30 minutes before the soup is ready, melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook until translucent. Add the shredded beets and carrots and cook them down for 10 minutes or until they are soft and the carrots have turned red.
- Next, add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine. Cook it down for another 5 minutes then remove the pan from the heat and set aside.
- Once the beef is tender, remove all the vegetables and the bay leaves, stir in the potatoes, and continue to simmer for approximately 15 minutes.
- Carefully stir the beet mixture and cabbage into the pot and cook for 2-3 minutes until the cabbage has softened. At the very end, just before serving, stir in the dill.
- Serve with sour cream, bread, fresh bread, and fresh dill if desired.
- Store leftover borscht in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Calories: 389kcal \| Carbohydrates: 34g \| Protein: 30g \| Fat: 15g \| Saturated Fat: 6g \| Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g \| Monounsaturated Fat: 5g \| Trans Fat: 0\.3g \| Cholesterol: 85mg \| Sodium: 784mg \| Potassium: 1370mg \| Fiber: 6g \| Sugar: 12g \| Vitamin A: 2337IU \| Vitamin C: 27mg \| Calcium: 88mg \| Iron: 5mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Jessica Randhawa
Chef \| Food Photographer
Jessica Randhawa leads The Forked Spoon, sharing 15 years of experience and over 1,200 original recipes, kitchen tips, and practical cooking advice. Inspired by her world travels, Jessica's approachable recipes have been featured in outlets such as USA Today, Daily Mail, and CNET. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of California.
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