Ukrainian Borscht aka “Barbie Soup” — Thick, Colorful, and Full of Flavor
Known as Ukrainian borscht, I affectionately call it “Barbie Soup” because of its thick, rich texture and vibrant red color from the beets. When you add sour cream, it turns into a luscious “Barbie pink” that’s as appetizing as it is beautiful.
🍲 Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Pork meat (shoulder) | 500 g |
| Pig’s trotter (split to marrow) or pork ribs | 1 trotter or several ribs |
| Large carrot | 1 (about 150 g) |
| Onions | 2 (about 200 g) |
| Red beetroot | 1 (about 300 g) |
| Ripe tomatoes | 2 (about 500 g) or canned tomatoes |
| Cabbage | 250 g |
| Potatoes | 3 |
| Lovage (or dill) | 3 stalks |
| Parsley | 1/4 bunch |
| Lemon (or borscht for souring) | 1/2 lemon or 300–400 ml boiled borscht |
| Vegetable oil | 3 tablespoons |
| Salt | 3 teaspoons |
🔪 Preparation Steps
- Cook the meat broth:
Cut pork into cubes. Clean and wash the pig’s trotter if using. Place meat and trotter/ribs in 3.5 liters of water and bring to boil. Simmer on medium-low heat for 1 hour. Skim foam during the first 15 minutes. - Prepare sautéed veggies:
Grate carrot and beetroot on a large grater. Finely chop onions. Sauté all in heated oil for 5 minutes. Add grated tomatoes and cook another 5 minutes. - Add cabbage and potatoes:
When meat is cooked, remove trotter from pot. Add shredded cabbage and 2 teaspoons salt. Cook for 10 minutes.
Add cubed potatoes and cook for another 10 minutes. - Combine everything:
Add sautéed vegetable mixture to the soup. Continue cooking for 10 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Adjust salt to taste. - Add sourness and herbs:
Turn off heat. Add lemon juice or boiled borscht to sour the soup (2–3 tablespoons lemon juice or 300–400 ml borscht). Sprinkle chopped lovage and parsley. Let sit for 10 minutes to develop flavor. - Serve:
Serve hot, topped generously with sour cream.
💡 Tips & Serving Ideas
- Skimming the foam ensures a clear, pure broth.
- Use ripe, flavorful tomatoes for best taste.
- Adding lovage gives a traditional aromatic touch; dill is a good substitute.
- Letting the soup rest before serving enhances the flavor meld.
- Sour cream balances the earthy beet flavor beautifully.
🧾 Final Thoughts
This “Barbie Soup” is a hearty, colorful borscht that blends deep meaty flavors with vibrant vegetables and just the right tang. It’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for warming meals and special family gatherings.