Creamy Beet Borscht

Creamy Beet Borscht

Borscht is a vegetable soup from Eastern Europe that is now enjoyed throughout the world. Any variety of vegetables can be used, but beets are essential. My friend Mike has been requesting a homemade borscht soup for a long time now. It was an especially good time to fulfill his wish as beets are currently in season and also one of my current favorites. I've come across a few recipes that I've liked but this creamy beet borscht seems to have the perfect balance of flavors. It turned out to be a success. I served it hot, but it can also be chilled and served cold if desired.

For best results, make the soup the day before and add bits of chopped mushrooms to the pot just before reheating it at a low temperature.

Creamy Beet BorschtCreamy Beet Borscht
Recipe by
Cuisine: Eastern European
Published on November 5, 2007

Simple, creamy beet and vegetable borscht with sour cream and fresh dill

Preparation: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 45 to 55 minutes

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Ingredients:
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or crushed
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 6 medium beets (1 1/2 lbs or 675 g), peeled and chopped
  • 3 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 1 small turnip, chopped
  • 1 large potato, chopped
  • 2 jalapeños, seeded and finely chopped
  • 1 large carrot, chopped
  • 2 bay leaves
  • juice from 1 lemon (3 tablespoons)
  • 6 cups vegetable stock or water
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste
  • fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup fresh dill, chopped
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
Instructions:
  • In a large saucepan or soup pot, heat the oil or butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes or until soft. Add the garlic and vinegar and cook until most of the vinegar evaporates, about 3 minutes. Add the chopped vegetables, bay leaves, stock or water and half of the lemon juice. Bring to a boil, immediately reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 30 to 40 minutes or until the vegetables are very tender. Add more stock or water as desired. Once the vegetables are cooked, remove the soup from the stove, stir in the remaining lemon juice, and let cool for 5 minutes.

  • While the soup is cooking, combine the sour cream with most the chopped dill, reserving a little dill for garnish, and set aside.

  • Once the soup has cooled down a bit, purée with an immersion blender or in batches in a food processor or countertop blender until smooth. Return the soup to the stove and gently heat over low heat. Season with salt and black pepper and serve warm or chilled in bowls with a dollop of the sour cream and dill mixture. Garnish the bowls with the remaining chopped dill.

Makes 6 to 8 servings

Creamy Beet Borscht

10 comments:

MapMaster said...

The best way to eat beets that I've ever had. The dill with the sour cream is an inspiration.

Mansi said...

I am going wide-eyed over the color!!! what a perfect way to make someone eat beet!! I'm thinking of making beet-ginger juice, and this color makes me want to do it even faster than I planned!:)

Ruth Daniels said...

I love beet borscht. Too bad no one else here does. Perhaps I can make it and freeze it in portions just for me! Thanks for sharing.

Kalyn Denny said...

What a great photo of the soup. The color is fantastic. I love the combination of ingredients in this recipe.

Peter M said...

Hi there, 1st time visitor and your borscht looks ddivine...I just might try yours!

TBC said...

I have tasted Borscht once.
What a gorgeous color your Borscht has!

Unknown said...

I made this borscht today, and it is really as super as it looks! Very tasty! This will give a great way to use the beetroot from my garden.

Anonymous said...

Borshch in a blender is something new to most of the Ukrainians where borhsch originally comes from. I do it for my kids only :)
Ukraine has more than 50 varieties of borshch! There is one group on Facebook dedicated to the love of borshch, Borshch - I love it.

Mild Bill said...

I substituted a parsnip for the turnip and used only one small plum tomato. I never had borscht before but love beets, and this is an excellent use for beets. I'm wondering if a half, to three-quarters cup,of heavy cream after cooking, could substitute for the sour cream, and sprinkle fresh chopped dill in the bowl when serving. I'm loving this soup.

Lisa Turner said...

Hi Bill. You certainly could use heavy cream instead of sour cream. Glad you enjoyed the soup. I have other recipes for borscht on my blog too that you may enjoy.