FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You’ll Love This Borscht Recipe
• What Is Borscht?
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Beet Soup
• Borscht Recipe Variations
• Storage Instructions
• What To Serve With Borscht Soup
• My Favorite Dutch Oven For This Recipe
• Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup) Recipe card
• Recipe Reviews

Among my many soup recipes , this borscht recipe holds a special place in my heart. It’s inspired by what my grandma used to make for me growing up, even after we moved from Russia to the U.S. as refugees 30 years ago. Sadly, I didn’t get her original beet soup recipe and she no longer remembers the details, but I did my best to recreate her classic Russian borscht soup. The earthy flavor of beets really sets this one apart from other veggie soups !

Why You’ll Love This Borscht Recipe

• Rich, earthy taste with a hint of sweetness
• Hearty, tender veggies
• Fresh, easy-to-find ingredients
• Takes just 35 minutes
• Perfect on a cold winter’s day

What Is Borscht?

Borscht, pronounced “borsch” in Russian, is a hearty Eastern European beet soup made with beets, potatoes, cabbage, garlic, seasonings, sometimes meat, and a garnish of sour cream and dill. It’s popular in Russia and Ukraine. Borscht soup can be served hot or cold, and is known for its vibrant red color and earthy flavor.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best borscht ingredients, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Olive Oil – I prefer olive oil or avocado oil for sauteing the veggies, but you can use any cooking oil you prefer.
• Fresh Beets – Of course you’ll need these for a beet soup recipe! My mom and grandma always used coarsely grated (shredded) beets, so that’s what I did, but you can opt for finely diced beets or ones cut into larger cubes, depending on what texture you like.
• Other Vegetables – Carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and a diced onion. Some recipes for borscht also add celery, so feel free to throw that in.
• Garlic – Use four cloves of garlic for the best flavor. For a shortcut, substitute 2 teaspoons of jarred minced garlic instead.
• Beef Broth – In my experience, authentic Russian borscht is made with beef bone broth , which gives it a rich flavor. I use canned beef broth most often for convenience, but make bone broth when I have time. Though it’s not typical, you could use chicken broth if you want to, or even vegetable stock for a vegetarian beet soup.
• Tomato Paste – While it’s not totally required, this adds a flavor boost to your beet soup.
• Lemon Juice – Helps balance the flavors and brighten the taste. White vinegar is a common alternative in borscht soup.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper
• Optional Garnishes – Traditional garnishes are sour cream, fresh dill, and sometimes hard boiled eggs . I use dill for garnish on top, but you can also stir it into the soup towards the end of cooking. If you’re not a fan of dill, fresh parsley works as a substitute.

How To Make Beet Soup

This section shows how to make borscht, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Saute the onions, carrots, and garlic. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onions and carrots, and saute until the onions are translucent and starting to brown. Then, add garlic and saute until fragrant.
2. Add the beets, potatoes, cabbage, broth, and tomato paste. Stir to combine.
3. Simmer. Bring the beet soup to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender.

1. Finish. Stir in the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle the borscht into bowls, and garnish with a dollop of sour cream and fresh dill, if desired.

Borscht Recipe Variations

• Add meat – Many borscht recipes include beef or pork. Russians usually use beef and Ukrainians use pork, though there are always exceptions. I skipped the meat to serve as a starter and make the recipe easier and faster. If you want to add a protein, the best cuts to use are ones that have a lot of collagen and flavor, like beef stew meat or pork ribs. Dice 1 pound of the meat you choose, simmer in 6-8 cups of water for 1 hour, then strain the stock. Use the stock instead of beef broth in the recipe and add the meat to the pot at the same step as the beets and potatoes.
• Add root vegetables – Peel and cut rutabagas , parsnips , celeriac, or turnips into 1/2-inch chunks and add them at the same time as the potatoes. You can add them as additions (you’ll need more broth), or as a full potato substitute if you want a less starchy beet soup.
• Double the potatoes – My version of borscht is relatively light on potatoes, as I like to let the beets shine. If you want to make it more hearty, use 1 1/2 pounds (24 ounces) of potatoes instead of 12 ounces, and add an extra cup or two of broth.
• Deeper flavors – Add a bay leaf or a touch of horseradish to enhance the richness of the dish.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I recommend storing in glass, since beets can stain plastics.
• Meal prep: Cut and shred the veggies. Store in the fridge until you’re ready to make the beet soup. The beet soup itself also stores very well, so feel free to make the whole thing ahead!
• Reheat: Warm up in a pot over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired temperature. The microwave also works fine, but make sure to use a cover to avoid splatters.
• Freeze: Allow borscht to cool, pour into an airtight container or freezer bag, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

What To Serve With Borscht Soup

I love serving this borscht soup recipe as a starter to a variety of meals. Here are some of my go-to dinner recipes to serve after it:

• Chicken – While simmering your beet soup, make a simple sheet pan chicken and veggies meal or some juicy pan-fried chicken thighs . To feed a crowd, make spatchcock chicken .
• One Pan Meals – For a classic Eastern European dinner, serve this soup before kielbasa and sauerkraut or cabbage and sausage stir fry .
• Lamb – For special occasions or an elegant meal at home, I make boneless leg of lamb , but lamb chops work great, too.
• Salad – If you need a side to go with your main dish, you can’t go wrong with a cucumber tomato and avocado salad , or just a creamy cucumber salad (another fave at our table growing up!). If you make your borscht with beef or pork (see variations above), adding a salad makes it a perfect lunch without a separate main dish.

My Favorite Dutch Oven For This Recipe

This Dutch oven helps the flavors meld together during the simmering process, and it looks beautiful to bring to the dinner table. But if you’ve got a regular pot, that works too!

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1 medium Onion (diced) ▢
• 2 medium Carrots (coarsely grated, or finely diced) ▢
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 1 lb Beets (peeled and coarsely grated, or cut into 1/2-inch chunks) ▢
• 12 oz Yukon gold potatoes (peeled and cut in 1/2-inch chunks) ▢
• 1 1/2 cups Cabbage (sliced into thin shreds) ▢
• 7 cups Beef broth (or chicken or vegetable broth) ▢
• 1 tbsp Tomato paste (optional) ▢
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice (or white vinegar) ▢
• 1 tsp Sea salt (to taste) ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper (to taste) ▢
• Sour cream (optional, for garnish) ▢
• Fresh dill (optional, for garnish) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onions and carrots. Saute for 5-8 minutes , until the onions are translucent and starting to brown.
2. Add the garlic. Saute for about 1 minute , until fragrant.
3. Add the beets, potatoes, cabbage, broth, and tomato paste (if using). Stir to combine.
4. Bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes , until the potatoes are tender.
5. Stir in the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with sour cream and fresh dill, if desired.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition info does not include optional ingredients.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Winter Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Borscht Recipe

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

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2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
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The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

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Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Borscht Recipe (Beet Soup)

This borscht recipe, a popular Eastern European dish, is a hearty beet soup bursting with earthy root vegetables. Easy to make in 35 minutes!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/borscht-recipe/

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 medium Onion (diced)
• 2 medium Carrots (coarsely grated, or finely diced)
• 4 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 lb Beets (peeled and coarsely grated, or cut into 1/2-inch chunks)
• 12 oz Yukon gold potatoes (peeled and cut in 1/2-inch chunks)
• 1 1/2 cups Cabbage (sliced into thin shreds)
• 7 cups Beef broth (or chicken or vegetable broth)
• 1 tbsp Tomato paste (optional)
• 1 tbsp Lemon juice (or white vinegar)
• 1 tsp Sea salt (to taste)
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper (to taste)
• Sour cream (optional, for garnish)
• Fresh dill (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or pot over medium heat. Add the onions and carrots. Saute for 5-8 minutes , until the onions are translucent and starting to brown.
2. Add the garlic. Saute for about 1 minute , until fragrant.
3. Add the beets, potatoes, cabbage, broth, and tomato paste (if using). Stir to combine.
4. Bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes , until the potatoes are tender.
5. Stir in the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with sour cream and fresh dill, if desired.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

Nutrition info does not include optional ingredients.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Winter Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)