This beet soup recipe is inspired by a classic European-style borscht soup. Made with red beets, potato, onion, and garlic, this simple soup is made with pantry staples to create a flavor-packed meal that is equal parts beautiful looking and delicious tasting.
Beets are such an underrated vegetable. Not only are they a whole food, source of complex carbohydrates and nutrient-dense, but they are incredibly flavourful and a very versatile ingredient in the kitchen. Beets can be eaten raw, thinly sliced into salads or sandwiches, streamed, boiled, or roasted. Although beets can be intimidating, due to their bright color and ability to stain, cooking with beets is very similar to cooking with potatoes, sweet potatoes, or any other root vegetable, making them a great addition to any soup or stew.
Beet soup, also known as borscht, borsch, borsht, or bortsch, is said to have its food roots in Ukrainian cuisine (although there is some debate) and is also an important part of Russian and Polish cuisines. Consumed both hot and cold, borscht is commonly made by combining beef stock or bone broth with red beets and other vegetables, including cabbage, carrots, and onions. Depending on the exact recipe, borscht can also include meat or fish, or be left purely vegetarian, and it is often topped with a garnish of sour cream. This particular beet soup recipe is certainly not traditional borsch; rather it’s my quick and easy take on this classic and delicious dish.
More Healthy Soup Recipes:
Beet Soup
This beet soup recipe is made with red beets and potatoes and blended to create a rich, velvety creamy textured soup.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes -
Cook Time: 30 minutes
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Total Time: 40 minutes
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Yield: 4 servings
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Category: Soup
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Method: Stovetop
- Diet: Vegetarian
Prep Time:
Yield:
Category:
Method:Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 large red beets, peeled and diced (roughly 1.5 lbs)
- 1 medium white potato, peeled and diced
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
To Serve (optional):
- Sour cream or crème fraîche
- Dill, fresh
Instructions
- In a large pot on medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add onion and garlic and cook for 3-4 minutes until onions are soft and translucent.
- Add beets, potatoes, salt, and pepper, stir to coat with the onion mixture.
- Add broth, just enough to cover the beets and stir until well combined. (Only add enough broth to cover the vegetables, you may need more or less depending on the size of your beets, as you don’t want a runny soup and you can always add more at the end if needed.)
- Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes until the beets are tender and can easily be pierced with a fork.
- Once cooked, using an immersion blender or in batches using a bar blender, purée until smooth.
- Once blended, season generously with additional salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately with a dollop of sour cream and a sprig of dill.
- Any leftover soup can be cooled completely and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 167 calories
- Sugar: 15 grams
- Fat: 4 grams
- Carbohydrates: 31 grams
- Fiber: 7 grams
- Protein: 4 grams
Yummy!! It’s seems delicious and healthy. I definitely include in my diet. Thanks for sharing.
Just wanted to let you know that the beet soup has been a great hit. I am serving it as part of my Valentine’s menu and everybody loves it.
I used a combination of red and yellow beets and it worked out very nicely.
Did you use the yellow beets instead of the potato? I’m looking for a good substitute for it
Maybe try an apple? Or some cassava flour.
That was so easy and so delicious, thank you!
That was so easy and so delicious, thank you!
I’m so happy you liked it, thank you for the review!
I made this. It was so delicious and everyone loved it. Perfect recipe
We enjoyed this recipe so much that I made it twice in two weeks. I omitted the salt and pepper and reduced the onion to 1/2 instead of whole. I think the dill gives it a nice touch.
I’m so happy you enjoyed it, thank you for sharing!
Hello, great recipe! I added a jalapeno (seeded) and a pinch of cayenne pepper to give it a little kick. I also added one can of coconut milk instead of some broth, making the soup silky and delicious.
Love that, thanks for sharing, Brent!
This soup was SO easy to make and it tastes SO good!! That’s a great little recipe. I also added one medium carrot, and since I’m a vegan, I used vegetable broth (not chicken broth). Thank you 🙂
Thank you for sharing, Katherine! I’m happy you liked it. 🙂
Recipe is quick and delicious, I add 1T caraway seeds.
Thanks for sharing, Sharon!
Where do I put the initial 1 top salt and 1/2 teas pepper before or after I cook and blend it?
Sorry for any confusion! You can add it in step 2 with the potatoes and beets. 🙂