Borscht

Borscht is one of the most beloved and recognizable dishes of East Slavic cuisine. Classic borscht is prepared with meat broth, cabbage, beets, and vegetables. Here is a basic recipe:

🥘 Ingredients (serves 6–8)

Beef on the bone (or pork) - 500-700 g

Potatoes - 3-4 pcs.

White cabbage - 300-400 g

Beets - 2 medium-sized

Carrots - 1-2 pcs.

Onion — 1–2 pcs.

Tomato paste - 2 tbsp. (or 2-3 fresh tomatoes)

Garlic - 3-4 cloves

Bay leaf - 2 pcs.

Sugar - 1 tsp.

9% vinegar - 1 tbsp. (for beets, to preserve color)

Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetable oil - 2-3 tbsp.

Greens (dill, parsley) - for serving

Sour cream on the table

🔪 Preparation

Broth.
In a pot, cover the meat with cold water, bring to a boil, skim off the foam, and simmer for 1–1.5 hours.

Beetroot.
Peel, grate on a coarse grater or cut into strips. Fry in a pan with oil, add tomato paste, a little sugar and vinegar. Simmer for 10-15 minutes covered.

Vegetables.
Chop the onion and carrot (onion finely, carrot into strips or grated), fry in a pan until golden brown.

Potatoes and cabbage.
Add diced potatoes to the prepared broth. After 10 minutes, add cabbage.

Assembly.
Add stewed beets, sautéed onions and carrots, bay leaf to the pot with broth and vegetables, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 10–15 minutes.

Finish.
Add minced garlic and herbs 2–3 minutes before the end of cooking.

Serve.
Let the borscht steep for 15-20 minutes with the lid on. Serve with sour cream and fresh bread or garlic pampushky.

🥣 Health benefits of borscht

Borscht is not only a delicious but also a nutritious dish. Thanks to the large amount of vegetables, it is rich in vitamins, fiber, and minerals. Beets improve digestion and support heart function, cabbage contains vitamin C and strengthens immunity, and meat broth provides the body with energy and a feeling of fullness.

Borscht is a great choice for a family lunch, for regaining strength in cold weather, and even for the diet of those who monitor a balanced diet. And if you let the borscht steep, it becomes even tastier the next day.

👉Cook borscht at home and delight your loved ones with a healthy and proven classic!

Tips and variations for cooking

Classic borscht is a base that is easy to adapt to your taste. You can add beans for more heartiness, replace beef with chicken, or make a lean version without meat. Some housewives add bell peppers, celery, or a little adjika for spiciness.

Don't be afraid to experiment with spices and proportions – that's how

👉Try this recipe today and create your perfect version of borscht!