When was the last time you had a perfect bowl of borscht? Was it in a restaurant, or do you make this delicious soup at home? If you haven’t, you definitely should—perhaps even right now! Or maybe this weekend, because you’ll need to head to the store for beets and other essential vegetables. Try our borscht recipe!
I always get excited when we cook something with beets. I have to admit, it’s not something we do often, and that’s a shame because beets are such a healthy and flavorful vegetable. And what better dish to showcase beets than a rich and hearty borscht?
If you have extra beets left over, make sure to try my other recipes, like roasted beets with potatoes, bryndza, and bacon, or a delicious beetroot risotto.
Both are absolutely worth trying.
The Perfect Borscht Recipe
There is no single recipe for borscht. The fact that this traditional and popular soup is prepared in various Eastern European countries means there are many variations. Every Russian or Ukrainian grandmother has her own tips and secret tricks for making the best borscht.
The Borscht Recipe can vary most when it comes to whether or not to include meat. Since this soup is often eaten during colder months, it’s essential that it fills you up. Along with the hearty vegetables, the addition of beef, or sometimes pork, helps make it a full meal.
That’s why I like to make a good beef broth as the base for my borscht. The type of meat you use is up to you. I often use beef shank or ribs. Simply cover the beef and vegetables with cold water. As for vegetables, you don’t need to overthink it, but onion, carrots, celery, parsley, leek, and garlic should not be missed.
Add about 15 black or allspice peppercorns and two bay leaves.
Let this simmer for at least three hours. During the cooking process, be sure to skim off the foam that forms on the surface. When the broth is done, strain it through a sieve, and you can use the tender beef in your borscht later on.
What Vegetables to Use for Borscht?
Be sure to use plenty of beets. The more beets, the richer the color of the soup. You can dice or slice the beets thinly or grate them. The same goes for cabbage, which is another essential ingredient in borscht.
Don’t forget the potatoes. I recommend using new potatoes. Peel and dice them into smaller pieces. You’ll also need carrots, onion, and garlic. Some people like to add beans to their borscht as well.
I always like to season my borscht with a pinch of five-spice blend, which brings together and enhances all the wonderful flavors.
How to Serve Borscht?
There’s one rule when serving borscht: don’t forget the sour cream! It’s an essential part of the dish and adds a delicious creaminess that balances the flavors perfectly. Enjoy your borscht with fresh, crusty bread for the full experience.
This traditional Ukrainian soup is known and loved worldwide. Its unique combination of beets, vegetables, and meat, along with the rich broth, makes borscht a truly exceptional dish.
Try this perfect Borscht Recipe and savor the comforting taste of homemade borscht.
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