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A bowl of red borscht topped with a dollop of sour cream and fresh dill.
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Polish Beet Soup Made the Traditional Way

This traditional Polish beet soup, known as barszcz, is made with fresh beets and a rich, flavorful broth. It is a comforting classic that can be served on its own or with uszka for a hearty Polish meal.
Course Soup, Soups and Stews
Cuisine American, European, International
Keyword allspice, barszcz, bay leaf, beet, beet soup, beetroot, borscht, borscht recipe, broth, clove, fresh beets, grate, lemon juice, parsley, peel, peppercorns, pierogi, poland, polish, polish beet, polish beet soup, polish borscht, polish recipes, salt and pepper, soup, soups, traditional polish, traditional polish beet, vegetable broth
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 233kcal
Author Zuzana Paar

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 Cups Beef Broth
  • 2 Medium Beets grated
  • 3 Medium Potatoes diced
  • 2 Medium Carrots grated
  • ½ Cup Onion finely diced
  • 2 Cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
  • ½ Small Cabbage thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon Vinegar
  • 1 Pinch Salt
  • 1 Pinch Black Pepper
  • Sour Cream for topping
  • Dill for topping
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Peel, grate, dice, and slice the vegetables, then measure the broth, tomato paste, vinegar, and seasonings.
  • Slice the cabbage into thin, even strips and set aside.
  • Simmer the broth with beets, tomato paste, bay leaf, and salt.
  • Cook the carrots and onion for 8–10 minutes, then add the garlic briefly.
  • Add the vegetables and cabbage to the broth, simmer 15–20 minutes, then finish with vinegar, seasoning, sour cream, and dill.

Notes

  • Grate the beets finely for a smoother texture. This helps the beet soup cook evenly and releases more natural sweetness, giving the barszcz a rich color and flavor.
  • Simmer gently with spices in the broth. Low heat allows bay leaf, peppercorns, clove, and allspice to infuse the soup without overpowering the delicate beet flavor.
  • Use a mix of fresh beets and broth for depth. Combining vegetable broth and, optionally, a splash of beef broth enhances the savory notes and creates a fuller, traditional Polish flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Cup | Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 1495mg | Potassium: 1470mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 5277IU | Vitamin C: 73mg | Calcium: 109mg | Iron: 3mg