Plant-Based Borscht | Oil-Free Recipes (2024)

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5 from 1 vote

by Eric O'Grey

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Published: May 15, 2018 Last Updated: February 23, 2021

Get ready for plant-based borscht served with vegan sour cream!

Plant-Based Borscht | Oil-Free Recipes (2)

There’s a really good reason that Borscht has become popular in the United States over the past few years. It’s not a new soup – itoriginated in Eastern Europe in the late 19th century – but its popularity has grown as people have become more focused on healthy eating. And, what better way to celebrate nutrient-dense foods than with a plant-based borscht recipe?

You see, this soup is originally super beefy, often made with short ribs or brisket. Even versions that don’t have chunks of beef usually use beef broth as the base. You may know that I’m an avid follower of plant-based diet – did you know that’s how I lost 150 pounds in less than one year and reversed my Type 2 diabetes? So, you can completely understand why I wanted to take this healthful soup and transform it into a plant-based borscht recipe.

All About Borscht

Plant-Based Borscht | Oil-Free Recipes (3)

You’ll recognize borscht – traditional or not – by its distinctive red color. The red color comes from the addition of a ton of beets (along with carrots and other root vegetables). This stunning color is a great signal of all the nutrition you’re about ingest! In addition to being rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants, beets are chock full of vitamins and minerals. You can even use beets as a detox food because they’re rich inbetalains.

In addition to its iconic color, you may also recognize the slightly sour flavor of borscht. That’s derived from the lactic acid buildup of fermented sautéed vegetables. Those fermented vegetables also deliver probiotics, which promote gut health. The dish isn’t too sour tasting, though, because it’s well balanced by garnishes. You’ll likely find borscht served with a dollop of sour cream and a slice of hearty, sour bread.

Plant-Based Borscht is Less than 100 Calories.

We didn’t want to get rid of any of that traditional flavor, but we wanted to boost the nutrition by converting this recipe into a plant-based borscht version. It was also important to us to reduce the time commitment for making this healthful soup. Because traditional versions require a multi-day wild fermentation process to build that iconic sour flavor, it usually takes a long time to prepare. So, we took a few shortcuts that don’t sacrifice flavor!

This modernized plant-based borscht is very quick to prepare because we use lemon juice instead of fermenting vegetables. We also boosted up the vegetable content – adding celery root, zucchini, bell pepper, and cabbage to the traditional recipe. Finally, we provided a recipe for a delicious, low-calorie vegan sour cream to use as garnish. Because borscht just isn’t the same without sour cream!

This plant-based borscht is good any day of the week. It’s well-suited for lunch and dinner, but I’ve also eaten it for breakfast because it’s that good! You can eat it cold or hot, but it’s especially good when served warm with a sour bread (such as a sourdough or rye).

If you’ve had traditional borscht, we’d love to know what you think of this plant-based version. Let us know in the comments if it lives up to your expectations!

5 from 1 vote

Plant-Based Borscht | Oil-Free Recipes

This bright colored soup is a healthy and delicious recipe you will not forget!

Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Yield 6 people

Serving Size 1 cup

Course Dinner, Soup

Cuisine European

Author Eric O'Grey

Plant-Based Borscht | Oil-Free Recipes (4)

Review Recipe PIN RECIPE Print Recipe

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

Borscht

  • 1 carrot large
  • 1/2 pound celery root
  • 1 red onion medium
  • 1 zucchini medium
  • 1 tomato medium
  • 1/2 red bell pepper large
  • 6 ounces red cabbage small
  • 1/2 pound beets medium
  • 3 cups vegetable broth plus additional broth for liquid saute
  • 1 lemon
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup parsley fresh, chopped (optional)

Tofu Sour Cream (optional)

  • 12 ounces silken tofu extra-firm, drained
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • salt to taste

Instructions

Borscht

  • Peel and wash the vegetables.

  • Grate the carrots, celery root, zucchini, red cabbage, and beets using a food processor or medium grate.

  • Chop the onion, tomato, and bell pepper into 1/2 inch cubes or smaller.

  • Liquid sauté the grated and chopped vegetables in pan for 3 to 5 minutes: Heat several tablespoons of vegetable broth in a pan over medium-high heat until bubbling, then add veggies and liquid sauté until just al dente, just as you would with oil, frequently deglazing pan with wooden spatula and additional broth if it evaporates.

  • Heat 3 cups vegetable broth in large pot until boiling, then reduce heat to simmer.

  • Add sautéed veggies to broth and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, adding salt and pepper to taste, and simmer until veggies are tender.

  • Squeeze in the juice of 1 lemon to taste for traditional sour flavor.

Tofu Sour Cream (optional)

  • Combine all ingredients in high-speed blender then puree until smooth and creamy.

  • Chill before serving.

  • Store in refrigerator in a sealed container and use within 2 weeks.

  • Optional: serve as a garnish, finely chopped parsley and a dollop of freshly made tofu sour cream

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 79mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g |

SmartPoints (Freestyle): 1

Keywords dairy-free, Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, Plant-Based, Vegetarian

Have you made this recipe?
Tag @skinnyms on Instagram or hashtag it #skinnyms

Eric O’Grey is an inspirational speaker with a Bachelor of Science from San Jose State University and a Doctor of Law degree from Emory University. Eric enjoys long-distance running with his dog, Jake; gourmet plant-based cooking; and spending time with his wife, Jaye.

He is passionate about animal kindness, plant-based nutrition, and helping others reverse obesity and achieve their optimal weight and happiness. Learn more about Eric and his initiatives atEricandPeety.comand in his new book,Walking with Peety.

Plant-Based Borscht | Oil-Free Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is borscht good for your gut? ›

This gorgeous looking soup is packed with flavour and nutrition. Beets are great to support the liver, bone broth is healing and nourishing for the gut, and turmeric brings in its anti-inflammatory goodness. With all the other vegetables and spices, this soup is a full meal in itself.

Does borscht lower blood pressure? ›

Borscht is typically made with red meat. For a heart-healthy version, choose ground turkey, double the beans or use tofu. Tomatoes, parsnips and potatoes add potassium, which can help lower blood pressure.

Is borscht Russian or Ukrainian? ›

Although borscht is important in Russian and Polish cuisines, Ukraine is frequently cited as its place of origin. Its name is thought to be derived from the Slavic word for the cow parsnip, or common hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium), or from a fermented beverage derived from that plant.

What's the difference between beet soup and borscht? ›

Barszcz is closer to a beet broth, while borscht is traditionally thicker, often containing extra ingredients like meat, root vegetables, or cabbage, served with a dollop of sour cream and fresh dill.

Can I eat borscht every day? ›

Borscht is healthy but should be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet. No strict consumption frequency exists.

Is it okay to eat beets every day? ›

Can you eat beets everyday? It's always best to follow a varied diet. Eating a small amount of beetroot every day is unlikely to do any harm, but a high intake could lead to low blood pressure, red or black urine and feces, and digestive problems for anyone with a sensitivity to the nutrients.

What is the healthiest way to eat beets? ›

Like many vegetables, the longer you cook beets—especially in water—the more the colorful phytonutrients leach out of the food and into the water. Retain the good-for-you nutrients in beets by roasting them or sautéing them instead.

Can borscht help you lose weight? ›

Although borscht is considered a high-calorie dish, the results were impressive: all participants lost weight. Approximately 50% of them managed to lose 5kg (11lb), and some even managed to get rid of 10kg (22lb).

Are beets good for the kidneys and liver? ›

Beets can keep your kidneys and liver healthy.

Keep in mind, however, that beets are also rich in compounds called oxalates, which can contribute to kidney stones. So eat beets in moderation if you're prone to kidney stones.

Do Jews eat borscht? ›

Borscht is associated with and claimed by several ethnic groups, especially Ukrainians, Russians, Poles, Lithuanians and Ashkenazi Jews, as their own national or ethnic dish and cultural icon.

What do Russians eat with borscht? ›

Russian borscht tends to be more broth-based and often includes meat, making it a hearty, filling dish. It's typically served with a dollop of sour cream and sometimes even garnished with hard-boiled eggs.

What to serve with borscht for dinner? ›

You can serve borscht with sides like Pumpernickel or rye bread, garlic toast, meat, salads, dairy, pickled foods, pierogi, grains, potato pancakes, mashed potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, deviled eggs seasoned with paprika or dill, gluten-free options, and accompany it with fermented Slavic beverages and Santa Carolina ...

Is borscht better hot or cold? ›

Borscht can be hot or cold, meaty or light, dairy-laden or broth-based, depending on your mood. According to Bonnie Frumkin Morales, chef and owner of Kachka in Portland, Oregon, the biggest benefit of making borscht at home is that “it's very malleable and riffable.

What is borscht in English? ›

In Russia, Poland, and other Eastern European countries, borscht simply means "sour soup," and the word comes from the Russian borshch, "cow parsnip."

Should borscht be sour? ›

Borscht is a beet soup that's warm, sweet, and sour all in one bowl. It has the umami and complexity of a well-developed chicken soup but the beets add a whole different flavor profile. Its sweetness comes from the beets, onions, and cabbage, and its tartness from tomatoes and vinegar.

Is borscht a probiotic? ›

The borscht is a probiotic complex, the result of mainly lactic fermentation of wheat bran. It can be included in the category of live nutritious drinks. Other such drinks are cabbage mill, pickle juice, socata (a juice made of elder flowers), kefir.

Are beets good for gut inflammation? ›

Reduced Inflammation

The stark red color of beets comes from compounds called betalains. Betalains have powerful antioxidant effects and can help reduce inflammation. Beets are also rich in nitrates, which reduce inflammation by removing harmful compounds from your bloodstream.

Do beets clean the gut? ›

How Beets Cleanse Your Colon. Beets are rich in antioxidants and high in fiber that can help pull toxins into the colon where they can be evacuated. Because fiber isn't digested by your body like other food components, such as fats, proteins or carbohydrates, it feeds friendly gut bacteria.

What are the benefits of beetroot for gut? ›

The high fibre content of beetroots aids digestion by proving our gut with good bacteria. This increase in dietary fibre can help with conditions linked to your digestive system too, like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and preventing constipation.

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