Crock Pot Borscht Soup
This hearty and flavorful Crock Pot Borscht Soup is the perfect dish for a cozy family meal. It’s packed with wholesome vegetables and tender steak, simmered to perfection in a savory broth that infuses the ingredients with rich, comforting flavors. Ideal for chilly evenings, this soup is sure to warm you from the inside out. Whether served as a main dish or as a side, it’s a great choice for sharing with loved ones.
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours 40 minutes
- Servings: 12 servings
- Category: Vegetable Soup
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Carrots | 1 1/2 – 2 cups, diced |
| Beets | 1 cup, peeled and grated |
| Onion | 1 medium, diced |
| Cabbage | 2 cups, shredded |
| Potatoes | 2 medium, diced |
| Celery | 1 cup, chopped |
| Water | 3 cups |
| Salt | 1 teaspoon |
| Sugar | 1 teaspoon |
| Vinegar | 1 tablespoon |
| Black Pepper | 1 teaspoon |
| Half-and-Half Cream | 1/2 cup |
| Sour Cream | 1/4 cup |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 209.9 kcal |
| Fat | 8 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.7 g |
| Cholesterol | 44 mg |
| Sodium | 827.6 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 19.2 g |
| Fiber | 2.8 g |
| Sugar | 7.9 g |
| Protein | 16 g |
Instructions
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Brown the Steak: In a large skillet, heat a small amount of oil over medium-high heat. Add the steak and brown it on all sides until it’s nicely seared. Once browned, drain any excess fat and set the steak aside.
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Prepare the Vegetables: Place the carrots, beets, onion, cabbage, potatoes, and celery into the crockpot. These vegetables will form the hearty base of your borscht.
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Add the Steak: Lay the browned steak on top of the vegetables in the crockpot. The steak will infuse its rich flavor into the soup as it cooks.
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Prepare the Broth: In a separate bowl, mix together the water, salt, sugar, vinegar, and black pepper. Pour this mixture over the steak and vegetables in the crockpot. This broth will provide the soup with a tangy, savory depth.
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Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook. If you’re cooking on low, let the soup simmer for 10 to 12 hours. For a quicker cook, set it to high for 5 to 6 hours. During this time, the steak will become tender, and the flavors will meld together beautifully.
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Finishing Touches: About 45 minutes before serving, skim off any excess fat from the surface of the soup. This will help give the borscht a cleaner, lighter texture. Stir in the half-and-half cream and sour cream to add richness and a velvety smooth texture to the broth. Let the soup cook for the remaining time to allow the flavors to fully combine.
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Serve and Enjoy: Once the soup is ready, ladle it into bowls and serve hot. This borscht is perfect on its own, but it also pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or a dollop of additional sour cream.
Additional Tips for Perfect Borscht:
- Beet Prep: If you’re not fond of the earthy taste of beets, you can roast them before grating them into the soup. Roasting them will mellow out the flavor and bring out their natural sweetness.
- Meat Variations: If you don’t have steak, you can substitute with ground beef or pork. Just brown the meat before adding it to the crockpot.
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to add other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips to enrich the flavor of the soup.
- Make It Vegan: For a vegetarian version, simply omit the steak and replace the half-and-half with a plant-based cream or coconut milk.
- Sour Cream Topping: For extra flavor, serve the soup with a generous dollop of sour cream or even a sprinkle of fresh dill, which complements the beets beautifully.
Why You’ll Love This Crock Pot Borscht Soup:
- Simple Preparation: Once you’ve added the ingredients to the crockpot, you can let it do the hard work for you. There’s no need to stir constantly or monitor the stove.
- Hearty and Filling: This borscht is a one-pot meal that’s packed with vegetables and protein. It’s filling enough to be served on its own for a comforting dinner.
- Nutrient-Rich: Loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals from the vegetables, this soup is a healthy option that’s perfect for cold weather.
- Flavorful: The combination of the tender beef, earthy beets, and tangy vinegar creates a balance of flavors that will warm you up from the inside out.
Whether you’re looking for a traditional soup to enjoy on a cold evening or simply craving a filling and nutritious meal, this Crock Pot Borscht Soup is a great choice. It’s easy to make, comforting to eat, and sure to be loved by your family and friends.
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