Hearty Slow-Cooked Borscht
Discover the comforting flavors of Eastern Europe with this Hearty Slow-Cooked Borscht. This vibrant soup, known for its delightful mix of vegetables and tender beef, is perfect for cozy gatherings or meal prepping for the week. The combination of earthy beets, crunchy cabbage, sweet carrots, and protein-packed round steak creates a rich, satisfying dish that warms you from the inside out. Ready in a slow cooker, just set it and forget it, letting your kitchen fill with fragrant aromas. Serve hot with a swirl of creamy sour cream for a delightful finish.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
round steaks, cubed
1 1/2-2 lbs (Cut into 1-inch cubes)
oil
1 tablespoon (for browning the steak)
carrots, diced
2 cups (fresh)
beets, diced
2 cups (fresh or canned (drained))
onion, chopped
1 cup (fresh)
cabbage, chopped
2 cups (fresh)
potatoes, diced
2 (peeled and cut into cubes)
celery, diced
1 cup (fresh)
water
3 cups
tomato soup
1 (12 ounce) can
salt
1 tablespoon
sugar
1 tablespoon
vinegar
1 tablespoon (white or apple cider)
pepper
1/4 teaspoon (freshly ground)
half-and-half cream
1 cup
sour cream
1/2 cup
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat. Add the cubed round steak and brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, drain any excess fat.
2
In the crock pot, layer the diced carrots, beets, chopped onion, chopped cabbage, diced potatoes, and diced celery. Spread the browned steak on top of the vegetables.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine the water, tomato soup, salt, sugar, vinegar, and pepper. Stir well to dissolve the salt and sugar; then pour the mixture over the beef and vegetables in the crock pot.
4
Cover the crock pot and set it to cook on low for 10 to 12 hours or high for 5 to 6 hours, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
5
About 45 minutes before you're ready to serve, skim off any excess fat that rises to the top. Stir in the half-and-half cream and sour cream for a creamy finish.
6
Serve the borscht hot, garnished with additional sour cream if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Slow-Cooked Borscht?
Hearty Slow-Cooked Borscht is a vibrant Eastern European soup made with earthy beets, cabbage, carrots, and tender round steak.
What cut of meat is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1.5 to 2 pounds of round steak, cut into 1-inch cubes.
How long does it take to cook on the low setting?
In a slow cooker, this borscht should cook on low for 10 to 12 hours.
How long does it take to cook on the high setting?
If you are in a hurry, you can cook the soup on high for 5 to 6 hours.
Can I use canned beets for this borscht?
Yes, you can use 2 cups of either fresh or canned (drained) diced beets.
What vegetables are included in this soup?
The soup includes carrots, beets, onion, cabbage, potatoes, and celery.
Is this a slow cooker recipe?
Yes, it is specifically designed to be prepared in a crock pot or slow cooker.
How should I brown the round steak?
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet and brown the cubed steak on all sides for 5 to 7 minutes before adding it to the crock pot.
What is used for the soup liquid base?
The liquid base consists of 3 cups of water and one 12-ounce can of tomato soup.
Why is vinegar added to the borscht?
One tablespoon of vinegar is added to provide a traditional tang that balances the sweetness of the beets.
When should I add the cream and sour cream?
Add the half-and-half and sour cream about 45 minutes before you are ready to serve the soup.
What dairy products are used for the finish?
The recipe uses 1 cup of half-and-half cream and 1/2 cup of sour cream for a creamy finish.
Does this recipe contain sugar?
Yes, it includes 1 tablespoon of sugar to enhance and balance the earthy flavors.
How many potatoes are needed?
You will need 2 potatoes, which should be peeled and diced into cubes.
How much cabbage is required?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of chopped fresh cabbage.
What type of vinegar can I use?
You can use either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
How many carrots are used?
The recipe requires 2 cups of fresh diced carrots.
Is the steak added to the crock pot raw?
No, the steak should be browned in a skillet with oil and drained of excess fat before being layered in the crock pot.
How much water is added to the recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 cups of water.
What is the total ingredient count for this borscht?
There are 16 total ingredients in this recipe.
Should I skim the fat off the soup?
Yes, about 45 minutes before serving, you should skim off any excess fat that has risen to the top.
How much onion is used?
The recipe uses 1 cup of chopped fresh onion.
What kind of seasoning is used?
The soup is seasoned with 1 tablespoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground pepper.
How much celery is needed?
The recipe requires 1 cup of diced fresh celery.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prepping?
Yes, it is described as being perfect for meal prepping for the week.
What is the recommended garnish?
The borscht is best served hot with an additional swirl or dollop of sour cream.
Is this considered Russian cuisine?
Yes, it is tagged as Russian cuisine and is a staple dish in Eastern Europe.
What size can of tomato soup is used?
A standard 12-ounce can of tomato soup is required.
How do you layer the ingredients in the crock pot?
Layer the carrots, beets, onion, cabbage, potatoes, and celery first, then spread the browned steak on top.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to brown the cubed round steak in a large skillet with oil for 5-7 minutes.