Hearty Ukrainian Beet Borscht
Drawing from my husband's rich Ukrainian heritage, this vibrant beet borscht is a comforting and nourishing soup that tickles the taste buds and warms the soul. Made with earthy beets, hearty vegetables, and a medley of spices, this recipe can easily be adapted for a vegetarian or vegan diet by omitting the optional pork sausage and sour cream. Every spoonful is a delightful reminder of tradition, and my husband gives it a solid 5 stars! Whether served with a dollop of creamy sour cream or enjoyed as a wholesome vegan option, this borscht is sure to be a family favorite.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
pork sausage
1 (16 ounce) package (optional, crumbled)
low sodium vegetable broth or beef broth
8 cups (as base for the soup)
beets
3 large (peeled and diced small)
carrots
3 large (peeled and shredded)
baking potatoes
3 medium (peeled and diced)
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing onions)
onion
1 medium (chopped)
tomato paste
1 (6 ounce) can (as thickening agent)
water
3/4 cup (to mix with tomato paste)
cabbage
1/2 medium (cored and shredded)
diced tomatoes
1 (8 ounce) can (drained)
garlic cloves
5 (minced)
salt
... (to taste)
pepper
... (to taste)
granulated sugar
1 teaspoon (or to taste)
sour cream
1/2 cup (for topping, optional)
parsley
1 tablespoon (chopped for garnish, optional)
Instructions
1
In a skillet over medium-high heat, crumble the pork sausage (if using) and cook until browned and no longer pink. Remove from heat and set aside.
2
In a large pot, pour in the vegetable or beef broth and bring to a boil. If using sausage, add it to the broth before boiling.
3
Once boiling, add the diced beets and cook until they have lost their color, which will take about 10 minutes.
4
Next, add the shredded carrots, diced potatoes, and minced garlic to the pot. Simmer until the vegetables are tender, approximately 15 minutes.
5
Stir in the shredded cabbage and drained diced tomatoes, allowing the mixture to meld for an additional 5 minutes.
6
In a separate skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
7
Stir in the tomato paste and water, making sure the mixture is well combined, and then transfer it to the main pot with the soup.
8
Simmer the borscht for another 5-10 minutes, adjusting the seasoning with salt, pepper, and granulated sugar to your taste.
9
Turn off the heat and cover the pot, allowing the flavors to infuse for about 5 minutes before serving.
10
Ladle the borscht into bowls and garnish with a spoonful of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Ukrainian Beet Borscht?
Hearty Ukrainian Beet Borscht is a comforting and nourishing soup made with earthy beets, hearty vegetables, and a medley of spices, drawing from rich Ukrainian heritage.
What are the main ingredients in this recipe?
The main ingredients include pork sausage, vegetable or beef broth, beets, carrots, potatoes, onion, tomato paste, cabbage, diced tomatoes, and garlic.
How can I make this borscht vegetarian?
To make this recipe vegetarian, simply omit the optional pork sausage and ensure you use vegetable broth and a vegetarian-friendly sour cream.
Is there a vegan version of this borscht?
Yes, this recipe becomes vegan if you omit both the optional pork sausage and the sour cream garnish, and use vegetable broth.
What type of broth should be used?
You can use either low sodium vegetable broth or beef broth as the base for this soup.
How should the pork sausage be prepared?
If using pork sausage, crumble it into a skillet over medium-high heat and cook until browned and no longer pink before adding it to the broth.
When do I add the beets to the soup?
Add the diced beets to the pot once the broth has reached a boil.
How long do the beets need to cook?
The beets should cook for about 10 minutes, or until they have lost their color.
Which vegetables are added after the beets?
After the beets have cooked, you add shredded carrots, diced potatoes, and minced garlic.
How long do the carrots and potatoes need to simmer?
Simmer the carrots and potatoes for approximately 15 minutes until they are tender.
When is the cabbage added to the borscht?
Stir in the shredded cabbage and drained diced tomatoes after the potatoes and carrots have become tender.
How do I prepare the onions for the soup?
Chop the onion and sauté it in vegetable oil over medium heat for about 5 minutes until softened.
What is the purpose of the tomato paste?
Tomato paste is used as a thickening agent and to add a rich, deep flavor to the broth.
How is the tomato paste integrated into the recipe?
Mix the tomato paste with 3/4 cup of water and the sautéed onions before transferring the mixture into the main soup pot.
What seasonings are used in this borscht?
The soup is seasoned with salt, pepper, and granulated sugar to taste.
Why is granulated sugar added to the soup?
A teaspoon of sugar is added to help balance the earthy flavors of the beets and the acidity of the tomatoes.
How long is the final simmer?
After adding the onion and tomato paste mixture, simmer the borscht for another 5 to 10 minutes.
What is the final step before serving the soup?
Turn off the heat and cover the pot, allowing the flavors to infuse for about 5 minutes before serving.
What are the recommended garnishes for this dish?
The soup is traditionally garnished with a spoonful of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley.
How many garlic cloves are used in this recipe?
This recipe calls for 5 minced garlic cloves to provide a robust flavor.
What kind of potatoes are best for this soup?
The recipe recommends using 3 medium baking potatoes, peeled and diced.
How do I prepare the beets for the soup?
The 3 large beets should be peeled and diced into small pieces before cooking.
Can I use canned tomatoes in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for one 8-ounce can of diced tomatoes, drained.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a wholesome, nourishing soup packed with various vegetables like beets, carrots, and cabbage.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
While specific serving sizes aren't listed, the recipe uses a large 8-cup broth base and 17 ingredients, making it a hearty family meal.
Does this soup have a high rating?
Yes, the creator mentions that her husband gives this specific recipe a solid 5-star rating.
How much water is needed for the tomato paste mixture?
You will need 3/4 cup of water to mix with the tomato paste and sautéed onions.
How is the cabbage prepared?
Use half of a medium cabbage, cored and shredded, to add texture to the soup.
What heat level is used to sauté the onions?
The onions should be sautéed over medium heat until they are softened.
Can I use fresh parsley?
Yes, 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley is recommended as an optional garnish for the finished bowls.