Follow these steps for perfect results
dried navy beans
dried
beef chuck top blade steak
cubed
beef broth
fat-free, lower-sodium
smoked ham hock
smoked
bay leaf
whole
onions
chopped
carrots
diced
celery stalk
diced
canola oil
refined
diced seeded peeled tomato
diced
tomato paste
canned
beets
peeled and grated
baking potato
peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
parsnip
cut into 1/2-inch pieces
green cabbage
shredded
fresh dill
chopped
garlic cloves
minced
red wine vinegar
aged
salt
table
freshly ground black pepper
coarsely ground
light sour cream
chilled
Sort and wash beans; place in a large bowl.
Cover with water to 2 inches above beans; cover and let stand 8 hours.
Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add beef to pan; cook 5 to 6 minutes, browning on all sides.
Add 1 cup broth, scraping pan to loosen browned bits.
Add remaining 5 cups broth, ham hock, and bay leaf.
Cut 1 onion, 1 carrot, and celery stalk in half; add to soup.
Bring to boil over medium-high heat.
Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 1 hour.
Drain beans; add to soup.
Cover and simmer 40 to 50 minutes or until beef and ham hock are tender.
Remove ham hock to a cutting board to cool.
Remove and discard bay leaf, onion, carrot, and celery.
Strain soup through a sieve into a large bowl, reserving stock.
Set beef and beans aside.
Remove meat from ham hock, and chop; discard skin, fat, and bone.
Place a large zip-top plastic bag inside a 2-quart glass measure.
Pour stock into bag; let stand 10 minutes (fat will rise to the top).
Seal bag; carefully snip off 1 bottom corner of bag.
Drain stock into bowl, stopping before fat layer reaches opening; discard fat.
Finely chop remaining onion and carrot.
Heat Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add oil to pan; swirl to coat.
Add onion and carrot; saute 5 minutes or until tender.
Add tomato and tomato paste; cook 5 minutes or until tomato breaks down.
Mash tomato with a wooden spoon.
Add stock, beets, potato, and parsnip; bring to boil over high heat.
Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 30 minutes until potato and parsnip are tender.
Return beef, beans, and ham hock meat to soup.
Add cabbage, 6 tablespoons dill, and garlic; cook 15 to 20 minutes or until cabbage is tender.
Remove from heat; stir in vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Serve soup with remaining 2 tablespoons dill and sour cream.
Expert advice for the best results
Adjust the amount of sour cream to your preference.
For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and ham hock and use vegetable broth.
Borshch tastes even better the next day.
Everything you need to know before you start
20 minutes
Can be made 1-2 days in advance.
Ladle into bowls and garnish with fresh dill and a dollop of sour cream.
Serve with a side of rye bread or pampushky (Ukrainian garlic bread).
Top with a swirl of sour cream or yogurt.
The acidity cuts through the richness of the soup.
Clean and crisp, complements the savory flavors.
Discover the story behind this recipe
A staple dish in Ukrainian cuisine, often associated with family gatherings and celebrations.
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