Borscht (Beet Soup)

[Andriel_Isilien]

This makes A LOT of soup; about 10-12 servings. I like to freeze half of it in portions to enjoy again later on. Warning about the beets, they are very juicy and can leave bright red stains. Be ready for your workspace to look like a crime scene. 😆

So, let's put on your apron, find the biggest pot you got in your kitchen, and get cooking! 👨‍🍳👩‍🍳

 

Ingredients:

🍲 2 large or 3 medium beets, thoroughly washed

🍲 2 large or 3 medium potatoes, sliced into bite-sized pieces

🍲 4 TB of cooking oil

🍲 1 medium onion, finely chopped

🍲 2 carrots, grated

🍲 1/2 head of cabbage, thinly chopped

🍲 1 can kidney beans with their juice

🍲 2 bay leaves

🍲 10 cup water and 6 cup broth to get 16 cup liquid total

🍲 5 TB ketchup

🍲 4 TB lemon juice

🍲 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

🍲 1 TB chopped dill

 

Instructions:

1. Fill a large soup pot with 10 cups of water. Add 2-3 beets. Cover and boil for about 1 hour. Once you can smoothly pierce the beets with a butter knife, remove from the water and set aside to cool. Keep the water.
2. Slice 3 potatoes, add into the same water and boil 15-20 minutes.
3. Grate both carrots and dice one onion. Add 4 TB of cooking oil to the skillet and sauté vegetables until they are soft (7-10 minutes). Stir in ketchup when they are almost done cooking.
4. Thinly shred 1/2 a cabbage and add it to the pot when potatoes are halfway done.
5. Next, peel and slice the beets into match sticks and add them back to the pot.
6. Add 6 cups broth of your choice, lemon juice, pepper, bay leaves and can of kidney beans (with their juice) to the pot.
7. Add sautéed carrots and onion to the pot along with chipped dill.
8. Cook another 5-10 minutes, until the cabbage is done.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream or mayo. I like to use plain Greek yogurt for more protein. Sprinkle in salt to your liking.

 

This version of Broscht is vegetarian or can be vegan with plant based dairy alternatives. Share below the variations you like!

Edited January 18, 2023 by Andriel_Isilien