NO CHOPPING REQUIRED! This Ukrainian Borscht is a Shortcut Beet Borscht soup with beef recipe that is a quick (done in 30 minutes), homemade healthy and easy dinner recipe that is low-fat and delicious.
You can realistically get home from work and make it that evening. If you are not a red meat eater, then substitute ground chicken or turkey. I have done this and you really can't tell the difference. Or for a vegetarian meal, simply leave out the meat and use vegetable soup broth. Even with the extra lean ground beef, this Shortcut Ukrainian borscht is very Weight Watchers friendly at only 2 Weight Watchers smart points per serving!
I love being Ukrainian for a multitude of reasons.
We have awesome food and dancing, among other things. Really, the only part I am not a fan of is the long, complicated last names, of which I was plagued with for the majority of my life (then happily ditched when I got married). And then there's also the stereotype of being cheap (like borscht). That is not a fun part of being Ukrainian either. Because, well, I'm not cheap.
Although I do love borscht! I grew up on it. But Baba's traditional borscht takes a long time to make and I don't have the time that she had in the kitchen. I'm guessing you don't either. That is exactly why I created this quick and easy Ukrainian beet borscht recipe. And it is THE BEST! Baba would definitely have approved.
When I had kids and became a working Mom, I had even less time, so shortcut cooking became even more necessary. You don't have to chop anything for this borscht and it calls for canned beets. And you don't have to be Ukrainian to love it either, especially when it's this quick and delicious!
🥘Ingredients
Along with lean ground beef, I have also added non-fat evaporated milk as an option in this recipe. I love using it, as it gives the soup a rich, creaminess. I got the idea from a friend who once made me borscht with whipping cream and it was absolutely magical! But since I don't want all the fat and calories from whipping cream, I used non-fat evaporated milk and trust me, it's just as divine.
NOTE: It will lighten the borscht a little. Here is how it looks with the evaporated milk added in:
📖 Variations
You can make this dish vegetarian, without meat, using vegetable broth or you can lighten it up even more, using ground turkey.
So, if you are looking for an easy beef borscht recipe, this is your soup! Enjoy....
💭TERRI'S TIME SAVING TIPS:
1) I cook up ground beef ahead of time and keep it portioned in zip lock bags in the freezer until needed. Then I just drop it into the soup and it defrosts while cooking.
2) I cook up the whole bag of broccoli slaw, then freeze the remainder for next time
3) I also use minced or pureed garlic in a jar- this saves a lot of time mincing garlic
If you love Ukrainian food, then give my other Ukrainian recipes a try!
For more great Ukrainian recipes, follow my Ukrainian Food Board on Pinterest!~
My Amazon Recommendations (affiliate links)
📋 Ukrainian Shortcut Beet Borscht Soup with beef Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 500 g pkg extra lean ground beef approximately, or substitute ground chicken or turkey or no meat for vegetarian
- ½ pkg (340g/12 oz) fresh washed broccoli slaw about 1.5 cooked cups - see NOTES for recipe for remaining ½ bag of broccoli slaw
- 4 cups water
- 6 cups beef broth use vegetable broth for vegetarian
- 2 14 oz cans sliced beets drained
- 1 28 oz can diced tomatoes and juices
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 3 tbsp onion flakes
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp celery seed
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- ½ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 ½ tbsp dill fresh is best, but freeze-dried or dry is fine
- ½ 12 oz can fat-free evaporated milk OPTIONAL
Garnish:
- Dollop of light sour cream or non fat greek yogurt (optional)
Instructions
- Add 4 cups of water to broccoli slaw and cook in microwave safe bowl with lid for 10 minutes in microwave, removing and stirring during cooking time (at halfway point – 5 minutes). Drain when done.
- While broccoli slaw is cooking, brown ground beef.
- Add all the remaining ingredients (except evaporated milk and Greek yogurt/sour cream) to large pot and bring to a boil on high on stove top.
- Reduce to medium and add drained ground beef and drained broccoli slaw. Continue to simmer on medium for about 15 minutes until broccoli slaw pieces are tender.
- Remove from heat and stir in evaporated milk (if desired). Remove bay leaf and serve with dollop (about 1-2 tsp) of greek yogurt or light sour cream, if desired.
Notes
** If you use the evaporated milk, do not cook it any longer after you add it, or it will curdle.
Nutrition
🍲More Ukrainian Recipes!
Ukrainian Daughter's Crock pot Casserole
Cottage Cheese and Potato Perogies
Pampushky (Ukrainian Doughnuts)
12 Amazingly Delicious Modern Twists on Traditional Ukrainian Food
This Recipe is Part of The Country Cook's Weekend Potluck!
This really does look easy Terri! Love that you add in the notes for us veggie lovers. I do buy the pre minced garlic. Great tips on making larger portions and then freezing them.
Thank you, Sue. Yes, not everyone likes the red meat in it (I was thinking mostly of you when I wrote it)! 🙂
This is so great! I love borscht but it does take a while so I usually don't bother, but this version sounds perfect for me. I'm not Ukrainian but my half-sisters are, and we celebrate Ukrainian Christmas with them every year. Borscht is one of my favourite parts.
Thanks Megan! I hope you enjoy it and have a wonderful Ukrainian Christmas!
Thanks for sharing this, I too grew up on the traditional stuff (which I loooove but have no patience to make) this will make it to our table a lot more often now! Looking forward to giving it a try (maybe I can even turn my hubby into a Borscht lover!)
Thanks-I hope you like it! Good luck converting hubby... 🙂
I'm about to harvest all the beets from my garden and this is a great way to use them up! Soup is one of the most difficult dishes to photograph. I think you did a great job!
Thanks! Fresh beets are even better! 🙂