Classic Borscht Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

After several requests for my borscht recipe, here it is. Ukrainian Borscht…everyone knows what it is and many people around the world have fallen in love with this iconic beet soup.

Classic Borscht Recipe (VIDEO) (1)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

I love the deep ruby color of this borsch! It’s sohealthy andnutritious; packed with beans (protein), beets (iron), carrots (carotene), potatoes (vitC, potassium, VitB6), oftentimes cabbage is added (vitK, vit C, fiber, etc…). It feels so good serving this to my family.

Our Family’s Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup)

This is our family’s version of classic borsch and it’s one of the two soups my children absolutely love (Mom’s Meatball Soup being the second). Borscht is definitely on the regular rotation at our house!

This version keeps better because it is a meatless version but doesn’t lack in flavor because it uses good quality chicken broth.

Classic Borscht Recipe (VIDEO) (2)

Ingredients for Classic Ukrainian Borsch:

It’s best to have all of the ingredients prepped and ready to go which makes this soup super easy and care free. Start by peeling, grating, chopping, slicing and dicing all of the vegetables for borscht.

Once your potatoes are peeled and sliced, transfer them to a bowl of cold water to keep them from discoloring until ready for use.

Classic Borscht Recipe (VIDEO) (3)

Note on Using Cabbage:

We used to add cabbage but our children prefer it without so for years now we’ve been making it just like this without cabbage. If you prefer cabbage, add 1/4 to 1/2 small head of cabbage, thinly shredded, adding it when the potatoes are halfway cooked.

How to Peel and Cut Beets:

  • Use gloves when handling beets or your fingertips will stain red for a couple of days.
  • To peel beets, use a simple potato peeler like this one.
  • You can slice the beets into matchsticks but it is way way easier to grate and children don’t mind the texture of grated beets. We love our food processor for this task as it grates more coarsely than on a hand grater so the beets still have some texture. It also keeps the counter and your hands clean (beat juice can be a pain to get out of clothing and porous surfaces).

How to Remove Beet Stains:

When you eat borscht often, you learn quickly to pace a napkin in your lap and bibs on children. If you do get beet juice on your clothes, address the stain right away.

  1. Use a paper-towel to blot off any excess juice.
  2. Run cold water over the opposite/under side of the fabric to push the stain out.
  3. If the stain persists, apply a stain removing agent (I have found that dish soap works well in a pinch) and launder clothing as usual.

Classic Borscht Recipe (VIDEO) (4)

Watch Natasha Make Classic Borscht:


If you enjoy our videos, pleasesubscribe to our Youtube Channeland click the bell icon so you’ll be the first to know when we post a new video. THANK YOU for subscribing!We love spending time with you on ourYoutube Channel.

Classic Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup)

4.95 from 747 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Classic Borscht Recipe (VIDEO) (6)

Our family's go-to recipe for Borscht (Red Beet Soup). It's best to have all of the ingredients prepped and ready to go which makes this soon super easy and care free. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or real mayo.

SavePinReviewPrint

Prep Time: 30 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 10

For Borscht:

  • 3 medium beets, peeled and grated
  • 4 Tbsp olive oil, divided
  • 8 cups chicken broth , +2 cups water
  • 3 medium yukon potatoes, peeled and sliced into bite-sized pieces
  • 2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

For Zazharka (Mirepoix):

  • 2 celery ribs, trimmed and finely chopped
  • 1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped, optional
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 4 Tbsp ketchup or 3 Tbsp tomato sauce

Additional Flavorings:

  • 1 can white cannelini beans with their juice
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2-3 Tbsp white vinegar, or to taste
  • 1 tsp sea salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 large garlic clove, pressed
  • 3 Tbsp chopped dill

Instructions

  • Peel, grate and/or slice all vegetables (keeping sliced potatoes in cold water to prevent browning until ready to use then drain).

  • Heat a large soup pot (5 1/2 Qt or larger) over medium/high heat and add 2 Tbsp olive oil. Add grated beets and sauté 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until beets are softened.

  • Add 8 cups broth and 2 cups water. Add sliced potatoes and sliced carrots then cook for 10-15 minutes or until easily pierced with a fork.

  • While potatoes are cooking, place a large skillet over medium/high heat and add 2 Tbsp oil. Add chopped onion, celery and bell pepper. Saute stirring occasionally until softened and lightly golden (7-8 minutes). Add 4 Tbsp Ketchup and stir fry 30 seconds then transfer to the soup pot to continue cooking with the potatoes.

  • When potatoes and carrots reach desired softness, add 1 can of beans with their juice, 2 bay leaves, 2-3 Tbsp white vinegar, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, 1 pressed garlic clove, and 3 Tbsp chopped dill. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes and add more salt and vinegar to taste.

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian

Keyword: Borsch, Borscht

Skill Level: Medium

Cost to Make: $

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

So, which camp are you in? Do you love that dollop of sour cream at the end or the flavor that real mayo adds to borscht?

Natasha Kravchuk

Classic Borscht Recipe (VIDEO) (7)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Classic Borscht Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

FAQs

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.”

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

Barszcz is closer to a beet broth, while borscht is traditionally thicker, often containing extra ingredients like meat, root vegetables, or cabbage, served with a dollop of sour cream and fresh dill.

What is traditionally eaten with borscht? ›

Serve borscht with bread

The relationship between bread and borscht is a long-standing culinary tradition. The bread serves as the ideal complement, enriching the dish and providing balance. Pumpernickel or rye bread: Pumpernickel and rye's darker, dense texture makes them suitable for absorbing the soup's flavors.

What do Russians eat with borscht? ›

Borscht is a popular soup in Russia and many Russians do indeed love it. It is made with beets, cabbage, potatoes, and other vegetables, and often served with sour cream and bread.

Is borscht Ukrainian or German? ›

Ukrainian borscht is a hearty soup of beef and a variety of vegetables in which root vegetables and cabbage predominate, and the soup takes its characteristic deep red colour from beets. The soup is often eaten with a sour cream garnish and with pirozhki, turnovers filled with beef and onions.

How healthy is borscht? ›

How healthy is borscht? This healthy borscht soup is packed with nutrients from the potatoes and beets. Potatoes are a good source of fiber, protein, and vitamin C, while beets are low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, like folate and potassium.

What country invented borscht? ›

A commonly accepted theory is that borscht has origins dating even further back to the 14th century, and those origins are localized in the country we today know as Ukraine. Recipe books do seem to affirm that it was the Ukrainians who added beetroot.

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.

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.) You can also pickle cooked beets.

What is the difference between Polish borscht and Ukrainian borscht? ›

Polish borscht is a clear red soup made out of red beets. It may have small raviolis in the soup but is quite clear red color. Ukrainian borscht is also a red soup made of red beets but contains a lot of other vegetables in the soup like potatoes, onions carrots, leaves of the red beet plant, etc.

What's the difference between barszcz and borscht? ›

What distinguishes Russian borscht from barszcz is that borscht is often made with meat, served with sour cream, and can be served cold, whereas barszcz does not usually include sour cream and is most often served hot. That being said, there is a version called barszcz zabielany that is creamed and served cold.

Do Jews eat borscht? ›

Borscht can also be eaten hot or cold. It's become a beloved holiday meal in many Eastern European Jewish homes, eaten on Passover, Shavuot and Shabbat. For many Jews, Passover wouldn't feel complete without beet borscht.

What pairs with borscht? ›

  • Sour Cream. A dollop of sour cream in borscht is almost essential. ...
  • Mashed Potatoes. Mashed potatoes are a comforting side that pairs well with the liquid texture of borscht. ...
  • Garlic Bread. Garlic bread is a classic choice that never disappoints. ...
  • Shrimp And Polenta. ...
  • Pierogis. ...
  • Garden Salad. ...
  • Gluten Free Bread. ...
  • Rosemary Bread.
Jan 11, 2024

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 difference between Russian and Ukrainian food? ›

So Russian food incorporates a lot more moderately “exotic” cooking from her Asian colonies whereas Ukraine, Scandinavia, and much of Central Europe is REALLY heavy on pig products, root vegetables and things like peas and cabbage. Although Ukrainians tend to consume more pork dishes.

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 Polish borscht and Russian borscht? ›

What distinguishes Russian borscht from barszcz is that borscht is often made with meat, served with sour cream, and can be served cold, whereas barszcz does not usually include sour cream and is most often served hot. That being said, there is a version called barszcz zabielany that is creamed and served cold.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Stevie Stamm

Last Updated:

Views: 6395

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Stevie Stamm

Birthday: 1996-06-22

Address: Apt. 419 4200 Sipes Estate, East Delmerview, WY 05617

Phone: +342332224300

Job: Future Advertising Analyst

Hobby: Leather crafting, Puzzles, Leather crafting, scrapbook, Urban exploration, Cabaret, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is Stevie Stamm, I am a colorful, sparkling, splendid, vast, open, hilarious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.