Traditional Ukrainian Borscht Recipe

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This Traditional Ukrainian Borscht Recipe with this flavorful recipe. This hearty soup has a long history and celebrates tradition and flavor. It is made with beets, potatoes, cabbage, and white beans. Learn how to prepare and store this iconic dish for a comforting meal that nourishes your body and soul.

Need more ideas for vegetable-based comfort foods that star fresh produce and good-for-you ingredients? Don’t miss the roundup of healthy soup recipes—they’re perfect for cozy nights when you want nourishing food that still feels like a treat.

As a chef and nutrition consultant, I deeply appreciate the nourishing power of traditional dishes like Ukrainian borscht. This vibrant beet soup is more than just a comforting meal—it’s a celebration of seasonal vegetables, rich bone broth, and centuries of Eastern European culinary wisdom.

I love that borscht combines immune-supportive ingredients like garlic and cabbage with antioxidant-rich beets, creating a deeply flavorful, gut-friendly bowl that feels both hearty and healing. Whether served hot with a dollop of sour cream or chilled for summer, borscht is a true nutritional powerhouse disguised as a beloved comfort food.

I grew up with the tradition of preparing borscht for nearly every important occasion. Each spoonful carries stories of generations—stories told as hands worked together, chopping, simmering, tasting. Here, I’ll walk you through a truly classic recipe, sharing not only the technique but a glimpse into the heart of Ukrainian culinary heritage. If you love discovering how food shapes celebration, you’ll find even more inspiration by exploring Slavic Winter Solstice Traditions.

Authentic Ukrainian Borscht Recipe

What is Borstch?

Borscht, a traditional soup in Slavic countries, made with beets as a primary ingredient, is associated with multiple Eastern European countries, including Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish. However, its exact origins are debated, and each country has its own version of the dish. Bortsch is a little bit like sweet and sour soup.

Variations of Borscht:

1. Russian Borscht: In Russia, borscht is a popular dish often made with a base of beef or pork broth, beets, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, and sometimes tomatoes. It may be served hot or cold and is often garnished with sour cream and fresh dill.
2. Ukrainian Borscht: Borscht is widely considered a traditional dish in Ukrainian cuisine. Ukrainian borscht typically features a rich, beet-based broth along with a variety of vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage, and sometimes beans or meat. It is often served hot with a dollop of sour cream and fresh herbs like dill or parsley.
3. Polish Barszcz: In Poland, borscht is known as “barszcz” and is commonly made with a clear broth rather than a thick beet-based one. Polish barszcz may contain beets, carrots, and other vegetables, and it is often served hot with a boiled egg or a side of uszka (small dumplings) filled with mushrooms. Check out my Authentic Polish Beet Soup Recipe for a unique variation on the classic borscht.

Traditional Ukrainian Borscht Recipe

Ukraine borscht is one of those soups I remember well from childhood. My family used to cook it quite often. We Poles love beets and borscht, so this version was prevalent in Poland because the soup was very versatile.

While the traditional recipe serves as the backbone of the dish, every family adds its own unique twist. Some prefer to add meat for extra richness, while others opt for a vegetarian version bursting with the natural goodness of the vegetables. Some add white beans or cabbage to the recipes, and others add other ingredients. Some people like it more creamy and mix it with sour cream, and some people just like it without it. 

The beauty of Ukrainian borsch lies in its simplicity. It is made from humble ingredients like beets, cabbage, onions, potatoes, and carrots. Each vegetable is carefully chopped and added to the pot, where it simmers slowly, allowing the flavors to meld together.

Some people like to add a secret ingredient that gives it its signature flavor: kvass. This fermented beverage adds a unique tanginess to the soup, balancing out the sweetness of the beets and infusing the broth with depth and complexity. Not all Ukrainian recipes contain kavass, so it is optional.

I love how borscht fits right into the idea that “It’s Always Soup Season” (It’s Always Soup Season). Whether you serve it fresh or enjoy leftovers, this iconic soup brings comfort year-round—without a spoonful of waste.

Ingredients For This Incredible Borscht Recipe

Red Beets:

• Beets are the main ingredients, giving the borsch a vibrant hue and earthy sweetness.

Green Cabbage:

• The cabbage adds a hearty texture and subtle sweetness to Ukrainian borsch. 

Potatoes:

• Potatoes provide a comforting, starchy element to Ukrainian borsch, offering substance and heartiness to each spoonful. 

Carrots:

• Carrots lend a touch of sweetness and vibrant color to the borsch. 

Onions:

• Onions serve as the aromatic base of Ukrainian borsch, adding depth and complexity to the flavor profile. 

Beef or pork ribs: (optional)

• Beef provides a savory richness to Ukrainian borsch, elevating it from a simple vegetable soup to a satisfying meal.

Kvass:

• Kvass is a fermented beverage made from rye bread, imparting a tangy flavor and subtle acidity to Ukrainian borsch. It adds depth and complexity to the broth, balancing out the sweetness of the beets and enhancing the overall taste of the soup.

Tomatoes:

• Add acid to the soup. You can use fresh, diced, or tomato sauce.

Garlic:

•  Garlic lends its pungent aroma and robust flavor to Ukrainian borsch, providing a savory kick to complement the sweetness of the vegetables.

Apple Cider Vinegar: 

• Balance the flavor and bring up the vibrant red color of cooked beets.

Bay leaves:

• Bay leaves impart a subtle herbal note to Ukrainian borsch, enhancing the broth’s complexity. 

White beans:(Optional)

• White beans add starch, proteins, and creaminess to the soup.

Sour cream (optional):

• Sour cream adds a creamy richness and tangy flavor to Ukrainian borsch, offering a luxurious finishing touch. 

Vegetable broth, chicken broth, beef stock, or other meat broth – according to your personal preference. 

How to Make It?

1. Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
2. Add the diced beets, potatoes, and grated carrots to the pot. Pour in the vegetable or beef broth, ensuring that the vegetables are submerged. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
3. Once the vegetables are cooked, add the shredded cabbage, white beans, tomato paste, bay leaves, white vinegar or lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir well to combine.
4. Gentle simmer the borscht for an additional 45 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
5. Remove the bay leaves from the pot and discard. Serve the Ukrainian borscht hot, garnished with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh dill, if desired.

With the addition of white beans, your Ukrainian borscht will have a delightful creaminess and extra protein, making it a hearty and satisfying meal. Feel free to adjust the quantities of ingredients and seasonings according to your taste preferences. Enjoy your culinary adventure with Ukrainian borscht!

What to Serve Borscht With

1. Sourdough Bread: A crusty bread is the perfect complement to Ukrainian borscht. 
2. Pampushky (Garlic Bread Rolls): These Ukrainian garlic bread rolls are soft, fluffy, and infused with garlic flavor. They are traditionally served alongside borscht for dipping or as a side to soak up the delicious broth.
3. Smetana (Sour Cream): A dollop of smetana, or sour cream, adds a creamy richness and tangy flavor to Ukrainian borscht. It can be stirred into the soup or served on the side for diners to add as they please.
4. Fresh Dill: Sprinkling chopped fresh dill over the borscht just before serving adds a burst of freshness and herbaceous aroma. Dill complements the soup’s flavors beautifully and enhances its visual appeal.
5. Pelmeni or Varenyky (Dumplings): Ukrainian dumplings filled with meat, potatoes, or cheese are a popular accompaniment to borscht. Serve them boiled or pan-fried and topped with butter or sour cream for a satisfying meal.

Storage

After preparing Traditional Ukrainian borscht recepie store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, borscht will keep for up to 3-4 days. When ready to enjoy, simply reheat gently on the stovetop until warmed through. Remember to remove any bay leaves before storing or reheating. Enjoy the flavors of Ukrainian borscht within a few days to ensure optimal taste and freshness.

This Ukrainian borscht soup is an iconic beet soup that will satisfy your belly! Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #thetastesoflifeholisticblog

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