Borscht Recipe: Ukrainian Beet Soup with Chicken

Explore the essence of Eastern European cuisine as we invite you to experience the vibrant flavors and cultural richness of Borscht, the iconic Ukrainian beet soup. In this culinary journey, we present a recipe that combines the earthy sweetness of beets, the hearty goodness of chicken, and a medley of vegetables. This delightful combination creates a symphony of colors and tastes that embodies the spirit of traditional Ukrainian comfort food.

I’m excited to share a delightful Ukrainian beetroot soup! With its tangy flavor and stunning, vibrant color, this dish is truly a feast for the senses. Originally from Slavic tradition, it’s gained worldwide popularity, and you can now savor it at restaurants in nearly every city. Enjoy exploring this delicious gem!

The ingredients are easy to find anywhere and versatile. Choose the type of meat that you love and make this soup according to your preferences. Use meat with bones, as the stock turns out more rich and flavorful.

The only constant in this recipe is a combination of four key ingredients sautéed in a skillet: three vegetables—beet, carrot, and onion (which can be omitted if you dislike onion in soups)—and tomato paste. You can make vegetarian borscht by simply avoiding meat or meat broth and instead using vegetable stock. Additionally, to enhance the nutritional value of the borscht, consider adding presoaked beans to the pot.

Borscht is an important part of Ukrainian culinary heritage, known for its rich flavors and nourishing qualities. As you prepare this beloved soup, you will see how the straightforward combination of fresh ingredients transforms into a beautiful bowl of culinary art.

Classic Borscht Ingredients:

• 300-400 g chicken;
• 1 beet;
• 1 carrot;
• 1 onion;
• 150 g white cabbage;
• 2-3 garlic cloves;
• 2 potatoes;
• half of a bell pepper (I had a quarter of a red and a quarter of yellow pepper);
• 1 tbsp. tomato paste;
• 3 tbsp. oil;
• salt, pepper to taste;
• 1 bay leaf;
• 1 tsp. sugar (optional);
• 1 tbsp. lemon juice, freshly squeezed;
• 20 g fresh herbs;
• 2 l water.

How to make traditional borscht at home:

• Rinse chicken legs under running water, put them into a deep pot, and cover them with water, add a bay leaf. Put the pot on the stove on high heat and let water boil. While the water is boiling, do not forget to get rid of all the foam. Lower the heat to low and let the broth simmer for 20 minutes.

• While you have the chicken boiling, let sauté vegetables. First, chop onion and bell pepper into small pieces. Grate carrot and beetroot using a coarse grater.

• First, add chopped onion with bell pepper to the oiled skillet and sauté them for 3-5 minutes until the onion softens. Then add grated vegetables and continue sautéing for an additional 5 minutes. Stir vegetables in the skillet from time to time.

• Add tomato paste, pressed garlic, sprinkle sugar, and add squeezed lemon juice (it will help to maintain that bright color of the beet). Pour broth from boiling chicken to cover all the vegetables in the skillet. Let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes on a low heat.

• After you’ve been boiling broth for 20 minutes, take out all the chicken drumsticks. Separate meat from the bone and return it to the broth on the stove.

• Add cubed potatoes and let them cook together with chicken meat. As a rule, potatoes will be ready in 10-15 minutes depending on the type and the size of cubes.

• Cut white cabbage into small thin slices and add them to the pot when the potato is almost ready. Get the broth to boiling again.

• Pour everything from the skillet into the pot and cook it for several minutes after the borscht reboils.

• Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper according to your taste; add freshly chopped herbs (parsley). Let it simmer for an additional minute or two, cover the pot with a lid, take it from the stove, and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving. Best enjoyed with sour cream!

Sour cream is absolutely essential for an amazing borscht experience! I can’t remember enjoying borscht without it, and pairing it with garlic bread elevates the dish even more. You really should plan to serve borscht at your next meal—your family and guests will be delighted! Give it a try; you won’t regret it!

We hope this journey has not only delighted your taste buds but also offered a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Eastern European flavors and traditions. The vibrant colors of beets, the hearty presence of chicken, and the harmonious blend of vegetables in this iconic soup create a culinary experience that transcends borders.

If you have Pinterest, feel free to pin the recipe! Share this delightful recipe with your friends and family!

May the rich colors of beets and the robust flavor of chicken remain in your memory, encouraging you to recreate this traditional borscht in your own kitchen. Whether enjoyed at a family gathering or relished during moments of quiet comfort, this recipe is a testament to the joy that comes from embracing culinary traditions and the stories that unfold with each lovingly prepared bowl.