National Dish Poland: Ukrainian Borscht (Recipe)
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Warm up with Ukrainian Borscht, one of the best-loved soups in the Polish kitchen and a true heart of the country’s culinary tradition. This vividly coloured beetroot soup brings together fresh vegetables and fragrant herbs for a bowl that is as nourishing as it is delicious. With its jewel-bright hue and deep, earthy flavour, it is the perfect antidote to a cold day — and a spoonful of soured cream rounds it off beautifully.
About Ukrainian Borscht
Ukrainian Borscht is one of the most recognisable soups in Polish cooking and a genuine cornerstone of tradition. This colourful beetroot soup combines an array of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs, which makes it not only a nourishing dish but a truly delicious one too. Its luminous colour and intense flavour turn the soup into a real feast, especially in the colder months when you are after a little warmth and comfort. It is often served with a dollop of soured cream, which finishes the flavour perfectly.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 2 medium beetroots
- 1 large carrot
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 500 ml vegetable stock
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dill (fresh or dried)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Soured cream, to serve
Shopping for the ingredients
To prepare Ukrainian Borscht you want fresh, good-quality ingredients, ideally picked up at a farmers’ market or, better still, an organic shop. The beetroot should be firm and a vivid red, which is a sign of freshness and good flavour. When choosing your vegetables it is worth going for seasonal produce, as it tends to be more aromatic and full-flavoured. Buy your herbs as fresh as you can too, so they bring the soup to life.
Preparing the dish
Once everything is to hand, it is time to prepare the vegetables. The beetroot should first be washed thoroughly, then boiled or roasted in the oven until tender. While the beetroot cooks, you can peel and finely chop the carrot and onion. The garlic should be prepared as well, chopped finely. All the vegetables come together at the end to create this delicious soup.
Step-by-step instructions
- Boil the beetroot in a pan of water until soft, then leave to cool, peel and dice.
- In a separate pan, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion and carrot until softened.
- Add the chopped garlic and cook briefly until fragrant.
- Stir in the diced beetroot, pour over the vegetable stock and bring everything to the boil.
- Add the dill and season with salt and pepper, then let the soup simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Just before serving, garnish the soup with soured cream.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
Making Ukrainian Borscht gluten-free and lactose-free is straightforward and does nothing to spoil the flavour or texture. When buying vegetable stock, choose a gluten-free version with no hidden gluten. For the tangy finish you can use plant-based cream or yoghurt to create the lactose-free version of the soup. That way, people with particular dietary needs can enjoy this delicious dish too.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
For anyone following a plant-based diet, Ukrainian Borscht is a wonderful choice, as it usually contains only vegetables. Simply make sure the stock is vegetable-based — most of the ingredients are naturally vegan already. For extra richness, a vegan alternative such as coconut cream in place of soured cream lends the soup an interesting note. Experiment with different herbs to suit your own taste, and adjust the heat with chilli or pepper.
More tips and tricks
A few small tips and tricks can make preparing Ukrainian Borscht much easier. The beetroot, for example, can be cooked in larger batches and then frozen in portions to cut down on cooking time in the weeks ahead. The stock can also be made in advance and kept for a few days in the fridge, or frozen. A bouquet garni of fresh herbs helps to intensify the flavour as it cooks and is easy to lift out before the soup is served.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
The lovely thing about Ukrainian Borscht is that you can adapt the ingredients entirely to your own preferences. Add extra vegetables such as potatoes or celeriac for a heartier, creamier texture. Spices such as caraway or a bay leaf can be added as well to bring an interesting new dimension. The possibilities are endless — and it is also a brilliant way to use up whatever happens to be sitting in your fridge, much as you might in a hearty Bigos.
Ingredient substitutions
If certain ingredients are not available or not to your taste, there are interesting alternatives to try in Ukrainian Borscht. Instead of vegetable stock you could use meat stock or even coconut water to give the soup a unique note. The beetroot can also be swapped for other root vegetables such as cooked sweet potato, though this does change the soup’s characteristic flavour. Experiment with different variations to create your own personal version — perhaps served alongside Pierogi.
Drink pairing ideas
A classic Polish meal deserves an equally fitting accompaniment. A lightly sparkling lemonade or a fresh, red-fruited beer pairs beautifully with this robust soup. For wine lovers, a light white or a rosé complements the flavours of Ukrainian Borscht wonderfully. An unsweetened herbal tea or a glass of mineral water also make refreshing options that cleanse the palate between mouthfuls.
Serving and presentation ideas
Presentation is key to lifting the whole Ukrainian Borscht experience. Serve the soup in elegant bowls and garnish with a dollop of soured cream and fresh herbs such as dill or parsley. A squeeze of lemon juice can add an appealing colour contrast and a fresh note too. Rather than serving from one large pot, opt for attractive individual portions to make the meal all the more inviting.
A bit of history
Ukrainian Borscht has a long and rich history in Polish cooking. The dish grew out of the tradition of preparing various vegetable broths, with beetroot widely grown across the region of present-day Poland. This soup symbolises not only Polish cuisine but also the versatility of modern Polish gastronomy. Today it is served in both traditional and contemporary restaurants and is a fixture at celebrations and festivities — a proud staple of Polish cuisine.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Ukrainian Borscht
Ukrainian Borscht is more than a fairy tale of the Polish kitchen; it is a warm-hearted love of soup that holds a piece of history and tradition in every bowl. Using simple yet flavourful ingredients, this soup transforms into a nourishing dish suited to any occasion. Whether vegan, gluten-free or given a personal twist, it remains a much-loved classic. Enjoy the comfort of Ukrainian Borscht in company or all to yourself — every spoonful connects you to the soul of Poland.
