Ukranian Winter Borscht
Ukrainian Winter Borscht is a hearty, vibrant beet-based soup with tender vegetables and a tangy sour cream garnish, perfect for cold weather and comforting meals.
Ingredients
- unsalted butter ⓘ
- 4 Tbsp vegetable oil or margarine ⓘ
- 1 medium minced onion ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp minced garlic ⓘ
- 2 medium carrots in 1/4 rounds ⓘ
- 1 medium turnip, 1/2 dice
- 1 parsnip, 1/4 rounds ⓘ
- 1 cup small celeriac, diced ⓘ
- 1 cup diced can Italian tomatoes ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp kosher salt ⓘ
- 1 cup sour cream ⓘ
- 1 tsp ground black pepper ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 2 quarts beet stock ⓘ
- 1 1/2 lb beets, trimmed, scrubbed, and grated ⓘ
- 1 lb shredded cabbage ⓘ
- 1 lb boiling potatoes, cut into 1/2 dice ⓘ
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large pot over moderate heat.
- When foam subsides, add onion and garlic and sauté about 5 minutes.
- Add carrots and sauté 2 minutes.
- Add turnip, parsnip, and celeriac and sauté 5 minutes more.
- Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, vinegar, and sugar. Sauté 2 more minutes.
- Stir to combine and bring to a boil, then simmer at lower heat for 15 minutes.
- In a separate saucepan, bring 2 quarts of beef stock to a boil.
- Add cabbage and potatoes to the beef stock and return to a boil.
- Simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the cabbage, potatoes, and beet stock to the vegetable mixture.
- Stir in parsley, 1/3 cup dill, and shredded beets.
- Simmer for 15 minutes.
- Season to taste before serving.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using ghee instead of unsalted butter. If you don't have celeriac, celery can be a good substitute. Additionally, feel free to swap out the beets for roasted sweet potatoes for a different twist. To enhance the dish, add fresh herbs like thyme or bay leaves during simmering for more depth.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the borscht hot with a dollop of sour cream on top and fresh dill sprinkled for garnish. It pairs beautifully with crusty bread or a side of Fried Frogs' Legs for a heartier meal. This dish is also excellent with a side salad or pickled vegetables for a refreshing contrast.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To reheat, warm on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or additional broth to prevent drying out. This borscht can also be frozen for up to 3 months; just make sure to cool completely before freezing.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Ukranian Winter Borscht contains roughly 2571 calories, with 119g protein, 252g carbohydrates, and 151g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (545% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (432% of the Daily Value), and vitamin A (287% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this borscht vegetarian?
Yes, you can easily make this borscht vegetarian by substituting the beef stock with vegetable stock. This will maintain the flavor while keeping the dish plant-based. For additional depth, consider adding smoked paprika or liquid smoke to mimic the richness of the original recipe.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the borscht?
If you find the borscht too sweet, you can reduce the amount of sugar or add a splash more vinegar to balance the flavors. Taste as you go to achieve your desired sweetness level. You can also add more salt or pepper to enhance the savory notes.
What can I use instead of sour cream?
If you're looking for a substitute for sour cream, Greek yogurt works wonderfully for a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture. For a dairy-free option, you can use coconut cream or cashew cream, which will also add a rich texture to the borscht.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).