Borsch
Borsch from Ukraine. Times were inferred from the source steps.
Imported from TheMealDB. Times and card copy were filled in for this listing, not kitchen-tested.
0 people cooked this in the public kitchen yet. Kitchen-tested by I Want Some Food. Not a purchased rating.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 5 hr 2 min
- Total
- 5 hr 12 min
- Difficulty
- A bit of work
- Spice
- No chilli
- Cost
- Weeknight budget$8–16 USD · indicative, not a store price
About
Borsch is listed as beef from Ukraine. The steps below are the imported TheMealDB method, not an editorial rewrite. Times shown were read from those steps.
Ingredients
- Beef1 kg
- Onion1
- Bay leaf1
- Potato2½ kg
- Sunflower Oil30 ml
- Onion1
- Carrot1
- Cooked Beetroot200 g
- Red Pepper1
- Tomato200 g
- Prunes6
- White Cabbage½
- Kidney Beans400 g
- Creme Fraiche100 ml
- Milkto taste
- Crusty Breadto taste
Scaling multiplies the written quantities. Baking still prefers a scale.
Steps
Step 1
To make the stock, put the meat, whole onion, bay leaf and 2 litres of lightly salted cold water in a large saucepan. Cook over a very low heat for 1 hr 30 mins or until the beef shin is soft and falls apart easily – this can take up to 3 hrs. Skim off the scum with a spoon from time to time. Break up any larger pieces of beef into the broth, remove the whole onion and discard.
270 minStep 2
Add the potatoes to the borscht, season well with salt and pepper and cook for 10-15 mins until tender. Meanwhile, heat the sunflower oil in a large, deep frying pan. Add the diced onion and carrot, and cook over a medium heat, stirring, until the carrot is soft and is about to start caramelising.
15 minStep 3
Add the beetroot and cook for around 5 mins, stirring occasionally. Add the red pepper, if using, and cook for another 2 mins, then add the tomatoes and prunes, stir, then increase the heat and boil to reduce slightly, before adding everything to the borscht.
7 minStep 4
Add the shredded cabbage and the kidney beans, and cook for 7-10 mins or until tender. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or crème fraîche, lots of chopped dill and some crusty bread.
10 min
Adapt this recipe
The canonical recipe stays intact. Personal versions are labelled. Serving changes are maths, not AI.
Adaptations · 0 / 15 used. Resets 24 August.
Substitutions
beef → tofu
Marinated tofu or mushrooms can take the savoury role. Label the plate as a vegetarian adaptation.
onion → shallot
Shallots are sweeter. Use the same volume, or a little extra onion if that is what you have.
potato (sweet potato or another starchy side) → sweet potato or another starchy side
Cook time changes. Sweet potato browns faster.
tomato (passata or canned chopped tomatoes) → passata or canned chopped tomatoes
Canned tomatoes are often better than pale fresh ones out of season.
Tips
- Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
History & culture
Editorial cultural notes have not been written for this imported dish.
Editorial history has not been written for this imported dish.
Inspired by
Provenance: Imported. Initial recipe data sourced from TheMealDB and adapted/reviewed by I Want Some Food. Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Questions about this recipe
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips — not a chatbot.
How long does Borsch take?
5 hr 12 min all in — 10 min prep, 5 hr 2 min cook. That is the time on this recipe, not a guess.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
A bit of work.
How spicy is it?
No chilli.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Milk, Wheat. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Nut-free.
What does it cost to cook?
Weeknight budget — about $8–16 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Frying pan, Saucepan.
How much salt do I put in?
This recipe does not list a salt amount. We will not invent one.
What can I use instead?
beef → tofu. Marinated tofu or mushrooms can take the savoury role. Label the plate as a vegetarian adaptation. onion → shallot. Shallots are sweeter. Use the same volume, or a little extra onion if that is what you have. potato (sweet potato or another starchy side) → sweet potato or another starchy side. Cook time changes. Sweet potato browns faster. tomato (passata or canned chopped tomatoes) → passata or canned chopped tomatoes. Canned tomatoes are often better than pale fresh ones out of season.
Any tips from this recipe?
Times on this listing were inferred from the imported method, not kitchen-tested.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.