Name: Easy Borscht Soup Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Eastern European
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 carrots, chopped; 1 large potato, cubed; 1 cup thinly sliced cabbage; 1 clove garlic, minced; 2 (15 ounce) cans whole beets, drained and chopped; 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth; ½ teaspoon salt, more to taste; ½ teaspoon pepper, more to taste; Sour cream, for garnish; Fresh chopped dill, for garnish

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 99 reviews

If you’ve been looking for a vibrant, comforting soup that’s surprisingly simple to make, you’re going to love this Easy Borscht Soup Recipe. This classic Eastern European dish has all the cozy, earthy flavors you crave, with beets as its star—offering that stunning ruby color and a subtle sweetness that just warms you up from the inside out. I promise, once you try this, you’ll keep coming back to it time and again.

🧡

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: You won’t need anything fancy to make this fantastic, just fresh veggies and pantry staples.
Quick Comfort Food: Ready in about 40 minutes, it’s perfect for those days when you want something homemade but don’t have hours.
Beautiful Presentation: That deep pink color just brightens up your table and your mood.
Customizable Flavors: Easy to tweak with things like fresh dill or a dollop of sour cream for extra richness.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Easy Borscht Soup Recipe is all about simple, wholesome ingredients that come together beautifully. Using canned beets makes life easier without sacrificing flavor, and a good quality broth sets the soup’s base perfectly.

Olive oil: Helps soften the veggies and adds a subtle richness.
Carrots: Add a natural sweetness and vibrant color.
Potatoes: Give the soup body and a lovely creamy texture when cooked through.
Cabbage: Brings a bit of crunch and an earthy balance.
Garlic: For that comforting hint of warmth and complexity.
Chicken or vegetable broth: The flavorful liquid that ties everything together; vegetable broth keeps it vegetarian.
Canned beets: Pre-cooked beets save time and provide that iconic borscht color and taste.
Salt and pepper: To season and enhance all the flavors.
Sour cream: For garnish and that creamy tang that contrasts beautifully with the earthiness.
Fresh chopped dill: A fresh herbal note to finish off your soup.

📝

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love how flexible this Easy Borscht Soup Recipe is—you can easily tailor it to suit your mood, mood swings in the fridge, or dietary preferences. Feel free to play around with it!

Vegetarian or Vegan: I usually swap chicken broth for vegetable broth and skip the sour cream, or use a vegan alternative, and it still tastes amazing.
Beef Borscht: For a heartier take, I sometimes add shredded cooked beef or sausage—makes it feel even more like a meal-in-a-bowl.
Fresh Beets: If you’re up for a bit more prep, roasting fresh beets before adding them gives incredible depth and sweetness.
Spicy Kick: Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce can quickly warm the soup up if you like a little heat.

How to Make Easy Borscht Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Veggies

Start by heating your olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Toss in the chopped carrots, cubed potatoes, and cabbage. You’ll want to cook these just until they start to get tender and the potatoes begin turning a bit translucent—that usually takes about 7-8 minutes. This step builds the soup’s foundational flavor, so don’t rush it! Once the veggies reach that perfect softness, add the minced garlic and sauté for another 2-3 minutes to bring out its aroma.

Step 2: Add Broth, Beets & Seasonings

Pour in your chicken or vegetable broth, then add the chopped beets, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine. Bring the soup to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn the heat down to low and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 20 minutes. This simmer softens all the veggies perfectly and allows those beet flavors to infuse every spoonful.

Step 3: Serve it Up

Once all your veggies are tender and the flavors melded nicely, it’s time to dish it out. I absolutely love topping my borscht with a generous dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chopped dill—it’s the perfect balance of creamy and herbal notes that elevates the soup. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as you like, then serve it up hot!

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Easy Borscht Soup Recipe

Use Canned Beets for Convenience: I learned that canned beets keep prep time short and still deliver that classic borscht flavor without the hassle of roasting or boiling fresh beets.
Don’t Skip the Garlic Sauté: Adding garlic right after softening your veggies amps up the aroma and depth of the soup — it makes a big difference!
Simmer Gently: Keeping the broth at a low simmer helps the flavors meld without breaking down your veggies into mush.
Adjust Salt at the End: I avoid over-salting early on—broth concentrates as it simmers, so always check seasoning just before serving.

How to Serve Easy Borscht Soup Recipe

Garnishes

I can’t get enough of that classic combo: a spoonful of sour cream swirling into the hot borscht and a sprinkle of freshly chopped dill. It adds this lovely creaminess and fresh herbaceousness that wakes up the whole bowl. Sometimes, I toss in a little cracked black pepper or even a few chopped green onions for an extra pop.

Side Dishes

My go-to pairing is a nice slice of crusty rye or sourdough bread—perfect for dipping and soaking up every drop. If I’m feeling indulgent, a side of buttery garlic potatoes or a simple cucumber salad complements the soup beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving borscht in pretty glass bowls to show off its vibrant ruby hue. You could also ladle it into mini cups or shot glasses as a fun appetizer at parties. Garnishing each serving with colorful herbs or even a small dollop of horseradish cream jazzes it up for guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, I store leftover borscht in airtight containers in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for about 3 to 4 days. I always find the flavors actually deepen overnight, so leftovers often taste even better than fresh!

Freezing

This soup freezes wonderfully. I freeze it in freezer-safe containers or bags, leaving some space for expansion. When I thaw it, the texture holds up well, and I just give it a gentle stir after reheating.

Reheating

I usually reheat borscht on the stove over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally so it heats evenly and doesn’t scorch. If it seems too thick after cooling, a splash of broth or water restores that perfect, spoonable consistency.

FAQs

Can I use fresh beets instead of canned in this Easy Borscht Soup Recipe?

Absolutely! Using fresh beets will deepen the soup’s flavor and add a more rustic texture. Just be sure to roast or boil the beets beforehand until tender, then peel and chop them before adding to the soup. Keep in mind this adds some extra prep time, but the taste is deliciously worth it.
Is this borscht recipe vegetarian or vegan?

You can easily make this recipe vegetarian or vegan by using vegetable broth and replacing sour cream with a plant-based alternative or leaving it out entirely. The flavors still shine brightly, and it’s just as comforting.
How long does this Easy Borscht Soup Recipe last in the fridge?

Stored properly in an airtight container, this soup will last about 3 to 4 days in your fridge. Since the flavors deepen over time, it’s a great candidate for meal prepping!
Can I add meat to this soup?

Definitely! Many traditional borscht recipes include beef or pork. You can brown some cooked shredded beef or diced sausage and add it in when you add the broth, turning this into a heartier meal.

Final Thoughts

This Easy Borscht Soup Recipe has become one of those tried-and-true favorites in my kitchen because it’s both comforting and colorful, without being complicated. I love sharing it with family and friends, especially when I want to impress without the fuss. So next time you crave something nourishing, don’t hesitate to give this recipe a try—you’ll end up with a bowl full of warmth and lots of happy smiles.