Birthday Borscht Recipe

Name: Birthday Borscht
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: The night before..; 3-4 pounds Beef short ribs; 1 pound Beef stew meat, cubed (optional); 3 Celery ribs, chopped coarsely; 4 Carrots, chopped coarsely; 1 Onion, chopped coarsely; 3-4 Beets, unpeeled, tops removed and reserved for another use; water; The day of..; 8 ounces tomato sauce (alternatively tomato paste + water); 1/2 head of large green cabbage, chopped; 2-3 Thin-skinned medium potatoes (such as Yukon golds), chopped coarsely; 1 tablespoon Beef base (such as Better than Bouillon); Salt and Pepper to taste; Sour cream (for serving)

Servings: persons

The night before..
3-4 pounds Beef short ribs
1 pound Beef stew meat, cubed (optional)
3 Celery ribs, chopped coarsely
4 Carrots, chopped coarsely
1 Onion, chopped coarsely
3-4 Beets, unpeeled, tops removed and reserved for another use
water
The day of..
8 ounces tomato sauce (alternatively tomato paste + water)
1/2 head of large green cabbage, chopped
2-3 Thin-skinned medium potatoes (such as Yukon golds), chopped coarsely
1 tablespoon Beef base (such as Better than Bouillon)
Salt and Pepper to taste
Sour cream (for serving)

1
Combine the meat and vegetables into a large stockpot.
2
Add enough water to cover by an extra 2 inches.
3
Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 2-3 hours, covered.
4
Do not add any seasoning.
5
Take off the heat and put in the fridge to cool, preferably overnight.
6
Take the chilled soup out of the fridge and marvel at the layer of congealed fat that has collected on the top. Skim this fat (easily), you don't have to remove every last tiny piece.
7
Remove the meat, take it off the bone and chop it coarsely. Return the meat to the pot.
8
Fish out the beets and remove the peels (easily). Chop coarsely and return to the pot.
9
Bring soup to a boil, then lower the heat and add tomato sauce (or tomato paste/water mixture), cabbage, potatoes, beef base and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 1 hour, covered.
10
Serve with sour cream and enjoy.

592

kcal

Calories

Fat

Carbs

Protein

Fat Carbs Protein

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.

Tips for the best results

Read through all the steps once before you start and measure out your ingredients first — it makes everything go more smoothly.
Taste as you go and adjust the seasoning before serving.
Avoid overcrowding the pan — cook in batches if needed for the best texture.
Let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within a few days.

Variations & substitutions

Coconut cream is a reliable plant-based alternative to dairy cream.

No specific allergen information. Please check the ingredient list for possible allergens.

My Personal Notes

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How did you like this recipe?

This recipe makes 4 servings. You can adjust the portion size directly on this page.

You need 15 ingredients. The key ingredients include: The night before.., 3-4 pounds Beef short ribs, 1 pound Beef stew meat, cubed (optional), 3 Celery ribs, chopped coarsely, and more.

Yes, Birthday Borscht falls under the Meat & Poultry category and is a great choice for this type of meal.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat gently before serving.

That's it — enjoy your meal!

Birthday Borscht

Tips for the best results

Variations & substitutions

My Personal Notes

How did you like this recipe?

Frequently Asked Questions