Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup: 1 Warm Hug

Oh, hello there! I’m so excited you’re here. As the cook, taste-tester, and storyteller behind Reciqa, my kitchen is always buzzing with cozy aromas and the promise of something delicious. My passion for recipes started way back in a kitchen filled with simple ingredients that somehow turned into pure magic on the table. Today, I want to share a real gem with you: this incredible Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup. It’s a recipe that was lovingly shared with me by my friend Patti, who got it from her Ukrainian mother. It’s the kind of soup that just wraps you up in a warm hug, perfect for those days when you just need some comfort food.

Why You’ll Love This Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup

Honestly, this soup is just pure comfort in a bowl! You’ll love it because:

• It’s incredibly comforting and deeply delicious.
• It’s surprisingly easy to whip up, perfect for a weeknight meal.
• It’s wonderfully adaptable – you can easily make it vegetarian!
• It’s the perfect cozy dish for everyday cooking.

Gathering Your Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup Ingredients

Alright, let’s get everything ready for our amazing Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup! First up, you’ll need about a pound of ground beef sausage, and make sure to remove those casings. Then, grab three medium beetroots – these are the stars of the show, so peel them and give them a nice fine shred. You’ll also want three medium carrots, peeled and shredded just like the beets. For the heartiness, we’re using three medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into nice half-inch cubes. Don’t forget about half a medium green cabbage, cored and thinly shredded, along with one 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes, all drained well.

For the flavor base, we’ll need one tablespoon of neutral vegetable oil and one medium yellow onion, finely chopped. Grab a 6-ounce can of tomato paste, and about 8 ¾ cups of water, but have a little extra handy just in case. We’ll also need three cloves of garlic, minced nice and fine, and just a teaspoon of granulated sugar, or a little more if you like it a touch sweeter. Of course, we’ll season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. And for serving? A generous dollop of full-fat sour cream and some fresh dill or parsley, chopped up, makes it perfect!

Crafting Your Authentic Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup

Alright, let’s get this amazing Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup simmering! It’s really not complicated, and watching it come together is half the fun for me. We’ll start with the foundation, then build all those lovely flavors, and finish it off with those little touches that make it truly special.

Preparing the Base for Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup

First things first, let’s get that sausage going. Take your pound of ground beef sausage and crumble it right into a skillet over medium-high heat. Just cook it and stir it until it’s all browned up and no pink is showing. Once it’s done, scoop it out with a slotted spoon and set it aside on a plate. Now, grab your biggest soup pot – the one you’ll cook the whole soup in. Fill it about halfway with water, so roughly 8 cups, and get that water boiling. Once it’s at a rolling boil, carefully add your cooked sausage to the pot. Give it a cover, and let it come back to a boil. This is our delicious starting point!

Building Flavor in Your Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup

Now for the magic! Add those beautiful shredded beets to the pot with the sausage and water. Let them simmer away for about 10 minutes – this really helps get their color and flavor going. After that, toss in your shredded carrots and the cubed potatoes. Keep cooking those until the potatoes are nice and tender, which usually takes another 10 minutes or so. You want them soft enough to easily pierce with a fork. Give everything a good stir, and then add in your shredded cabbage and the drained diced tomatoes. This is where it really starts looking like borscht!

Finishing Touches for the Perfect Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup

While the veggies are finishing up, let’s get the flavor base ready. Heat up that tablespoon of vegetable oil in the same skillet you used for the sausage over medium heat. Toss in your chopped onion and cook until it’s soft and a little translucent, maybe 5-7 minutes. Then, stir in that tomato paste and the remaining 3/4 cup of water, mixing it all really well until it’s smooth. Pour this glorious mixture into the big soup pot. Now, add your minced garlic – wow, the smell is amazing! Cover the pot, turn off the heat completely, and just let it all sit and meld together for about 5 minutes. Give it a final stir, add the teaspoon of sugar (or more if you like!), and season generously with salt and pepper until it tastes just right. My friend’s mom always said to taste and adjust, so don’t be shy!

Tips for Success with Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup

Getting this Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup just right is all about a few simple things. First, make sure you shred your beets and carrots finely; this helps them cook evenly and release their gorgeous color. Don’t skip browning the sausage properly – that little bit of extra flavor at the start really makes a difference! Also, remember to turn off the heat and let the soup rest for those 5 minutes after adding the garlic; it’s like a little flavor spa for the soup. And always, always taste and adjust your salt and pepper at the end. It’s your soup, make it taste perfect for you!

Variations on Your Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup

This Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup is fantastic as is, but you know me, I love to play around! If you want to switch things up, try adding other root vegetables like parsnips or celery root along with the potatoes and carrots. For a different flavor profile, you could swap out some of the cabbage for kale or even add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice at the end for a little tanginess. Some people love adding a bay leaf while it simmers, or even a pinch of caraway seeds for a unique aroma. It’s all about making it your own!

Serving Your Delicious Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup

This hearty Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup is a meal in itself, but it’s even better with a few simple friends on the side! A crusty loaf of dark rye bread is absolutely perfect for dipping into that flavorful broth. You could also serve it with a dollop of extra sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley right on top. Sometimes, a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette feels just right too!

Storing and Reheating Your Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup

Leftover Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup is a gift that keeps on giving! Once it’s cooled down, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should stay delicious for about 3 to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just ladle some into a pot and reheat it gently over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s heated through. You might need to add a splash of water or broth if it seems a bit thick. Easy peasy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup

Got questions about this amazing Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup? I’ve got answers!

Can I make Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup vegetarian? Absolutely! It’s super easy. Just leave out the sausage entirely. You might want to add a little extra olive oil or even some mushrooms when you sauté the onions to give it a bit more depth, but honestly, it’s still incredibly flavorful without the meat. It’s a fantastic vegetarian meal!

How long does Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup last in the refrigerator? This soup is a great make-ahead dish. Once it’s cooled down, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. The flavors actually meld and deepen even more on the second day, which is pretty great!

What is the best way to shred beets for Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup? My friend’s mom, who shared this recipe, always swore by using the medium shredding holes on a box grater. This gives you nice little shreds that release their color and flavor beautifully without getting too mushy. You can also use a food processor with a shredding disc, but watch it closely so you don’t over-process them. Just peel them first, and maybe wear gloves to avoid stained fingers!

Can I use different types of meat? Yes, you can! While the beef sausage gives it a wonderful richness, you could also try ground beef or even some diced checken ham. Just make sure to brown whatever meat you choose before adding it to the pot.

Estimated Nutritional Information for Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup

Just a friendly heads-up, these numbers are estimates, but they give you a good idea of what you’re getting! A typical serving of this delicious Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup is around 257 calories. It has about 10g of protein, 24g of carbohydrates, and 14g of fat. It’s a wonderfully satisfying bowl!

Share Your Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup Experience

I would absolutely LOVE to hear how your Ukrainian Red Borscht Soup turned out! Did you try any fun variations? Please share your thoughts, rate the recipe below, or tag me on social media with your delicious bowls. Let’s share something delicious together!

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