Borscht (Beet and Cabbage Soup) - FOOD TO FIT Nutrition (2024)

Jump to recipe

Borscht (Beet and Cabbage Soup) - FOOD TO FIT Nutrition (1)Borscht (Beet and Cabbage Soup) - FOOD TO FIT Nutrition (2)

Brooke Bulloch, Dietitian and Mom

My maternal grandmother had Polish roots, and was born and raised on a farm on Treaty 2 territory in south west Manitoba. I remember Grandma always had a batch of soup on the stove or in her freezer, including borscht, a beet and cabbage soup. Although I don’t actually have my grandma’s recipe, this is how I like to picture her making it with her garden grown beets, potatoes, cabbage, and dill – the lemon may be my own addition as I enjoy my borscht a little tart/sour.

Borscht is packed with antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin C and beta carotene, as well as potassium, folate, and fibre. For a complete, balanced meal add a little protein, such as: plain Greek yogurt on top, boiled eggs, slices of cheese, hummus and crackers on the side, or a few slices of farmer sausage.

While beets are readily available in the Fall season, you can make this recipe year round if you have access to beets (fresh, frozen, or canned). Enjoy.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 medium sized beets, peeled and cubed
  • 3 cups shredded cabbage (I use a food processor, but you could use a cheese grater, a mandolin, or chop the cabbage with a knife).
  • 2 large carrots, chopped
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 6-8 cups chicken or vegetable stock
  • Juice from 1 large lemon (add another lemon if you like it more tart)
  • 1.5 cups fresh dill, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  • 1) Heat the oil over medium heat in a large soup pot. Sautee the onion and garlic a few minutes.
  • 2) Add the beets, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots sauteeing a few more minutes.
  • 3) Add the broth, lemon, salt and pepper, and bring to a soft boil. Stir, reduce heat, and cover for about 1 hour (until the beets are soft)
  • 4) Half way through the cooking time, stir in the fresh dill.
  • 5) Traditionally served hot or cold with sour cream on top.

Makes 6-8 servings.



Borscht (Beet and Cabbage Soup) - FOOD TO FIT Nutrition (2024)

FAQs

How healthy is beet borscht? ›

The anthocyanins and betalains in beets are responsible for their scarlet hue, and are also immune-supporting antioxidants. Interestingly, beets contain natural nitrates, which can help increase blood flow to muscles for athletes and also help with lowering blood pressure.

What protein to serve with borscht? ›

Adding meat to your borscht meal can offer a delicious contrast and additional protein to the already hearty dish. Smoked sausage like Kielbasa Ring offers a savory twist, while beef stew doubles down on the comfort factor. Poultry like grilled chicken or turkey can seamlessly blend well with borscht's unique flavors.

What is the nutritional value of borscht? ›

One serving of borscht has 2.8g total fat, 41mg sodium, 226mg potassium, 7.9g total carbohydrates (1.7g dietary fiber, 4.2g sugar), and 6.1g protein. Borsch has no cholesterol and contains about 3 percent calcium and iron.

Is borscht good for stomach? ›

There are a ton of nutrients in every bite of borscht

According to Happy Kitchen, borscht helps control blood pressure, while preventing heart, liver, and stomach diseases.

Can you eat borscht every day? ›

Borscht is healthy but should be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet. No strict consumption frequency exists.

What is the best and healthiest way to eat beets? ›

Eating beets raw or juicing and roasting them may be more beneficial than boiling them. Beetroots, commonly known as beets, are a vibrant and versatile type of vegetable. They're known for their earthy flavor and aroma. Many people call them a superfood because of their rich nutritional profile.

What do Russians eat with borscht? ›

It is often served with smetana or sour cream, hard-boiled eggs or potatoes, but there exists an ample choice of more involved garnishes and side dishes, such as uszka or pampushky, that can be served with the soup.

Is borscht good for liver? ›

This gorgeous looking soup is packed with flavour and nutrition. Beets are great to support the liver, bone broth is healing and nourishing for the gut, and turmeric brings in its anti-inflammatory goodness. With all the other vegetables and spices, this soup is a full meal in itself.

Is borscht a probiotic? ›

What is borscht? The borscht is a probiotic complex, the result of mainly lactic fermentation of wheat bran. It can be included in the category of live nutritious drinks. Other such drinks are cabbage mill, pickle juice, socata (a jus made of shock flower), kefir.

What is the healthiest form of beets? ›

Raw beets contain more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than cooked beets (yes, you can eat beets raw!). Like many vegetables, the longer you cook beets—especially in water—the more the colorful phytonutrients leach out of the food and into the water.

Are beets really healthy for you? ›

Beets are unique for their cardiovascular and heart health benefits,” says registered dietitian Sarah Thomsen Ferreira, RD. “Due to a combination of compounds found in beets, they are able to enhance blood flow, improve the health of arteries, support lower hom*ocysteine levels and reduce LDL cholesterol.”

Is borscht good for the liver? ›

This gorgeous looking soup is packed with flavour and nutrition. Beets are great to support the liver, bone broth is healing and nourishing for the gut, and turmeric brings in its anti-inflammatory goodness. With all the other vegetables and spices, this soup is a full meal in itself.

Is Beet borscht good for diabetics? ›

Beets have a variety of health benefits that are especially important for people with diabetes. Not only do these hearty vegetables contain anti-inflammatory compounds, but they're rich in antioxidants, too. Click below to watch chef Michel Nischan prepare this healthy, colorful soup.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 6125

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.