Soup · Main Course · Eastern European · Dinner ·

Rich Ukrainian Borscht with Sour Cream

Name: Rich Ukrainian Borscht with Sour Cream
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 160 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Soup
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs beef shank or short ribs; 8 cups water; 1 bay leaf; Salt and pepper to taste; 3 medium beets — peeled and grated; 2 medium potatoes — cubed; 1 medium carrot — peeled and grated; 1 large onion — chopped; 1/4 head cabbage — shredded; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 2 tbsp vinegar; 1 tbsp sugar; 2 cloves garlic — minced; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; Fresh dill — chopped; 1 cup sour cream

This traditional Ukrainian borscht is a vibrant and rich soup, packed with tender beets, cabbage, and a flavorful broth, topped with a dollop of creamy sour cream.

4.8(482 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 30, 2025

Rich Ukrainian Borscht with Sour Cream — Soup served and photographed from above

Prep

40 min

Cook

2 h

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Broth

For the Borscht Vegetables

For Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 416 kcal
Protein: 18.17 g
Carbs: 25.33 g
Fat: 27.17 g
Fiber: 3.5 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2495 kcal
Protein: 109 g
Carbs: 152 g
Fat: 163 g
Fiber: 21 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1.5 lbs beef shank or short ribs	1200	90	0	90	0
8 cups water	0	0	0	0	0
1 bay leaf	0	0	0	0	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
3 medium beets — peeled and grated	130	4	30	0	7
2 medium potatoes — cubed	260	6	60	0	4
1 medium carrot — peeled and grated	25	1	6	0	2
1 large onion — chopped	50	1	11	0	2
1/4 head cabbage — shredded	50	2	12	0	5
2 tbsp tomato paste	30	1	7	0	1
2 tbsp vinegar	0	0	0	0	0
1 tbsp sugar	50	0	13	0	0
2 cloves garlic — minced	10	0	2	0	0
2 tbsp vegetable oil	240	0	0	28	0
Fresh dill — chopped	5	0	1	0	0
1 cup sour cream	445	4	10	45	0

These estimates are approximate and not intended as dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Making the Broth

1
Add meat and water
In a large pot, add beef shank and water.
2
Boil and skim foam
Bring to a boil, skimming off any foam that rises.
3
Simmer with bay leaf
Add a bay leaf, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours.

Preparing the Borscht Vegetables

1
Sauté onions and carrots
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and carrots, sauté until softened.
2
Add tomato paste
Stir in tomato paste and cook for an additional minute.
Tip: Do not overcook the vegetables; they should remain slightly firm for added texture. Always taste and adjust salt at multiple stages of cooking.

How to Make Rich Ukrainian Borscht with Sour Cream

Total time: 2 h 40 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Broth Preparation
Simmer the meat until tender and well-flavored.
2
Vegetable Addition
Add beets, potatoes, and cabbage to the broth, cooking until tender.
3
Flavor Balance
Adjust seasonings with vinegar and sugar for a balanced savory-sweet flavor.