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Ukrainian Borscht Prairie

Ukrainian borscht recipe: a ruby-red soup of beets, cabbage, and dill in a savory broth, topped with sour cream — a beloved prairie Canadian family favorite.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 Prairie KitchenCategory
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Ukrainian settlers brought borscht to the prairies, and it became the soul food of the region. Beets grew faithfully in every prairie garden, and borscht — with its deep ruby color and warming broth — became the soup that defined family kitchens from Winnipeg to Edmonton. Every prairie Ukrainian family has its own recipe, guarded and passed down with love.

This borscht is sweet and earthy, tangy and savory all at once: tender beets, soft cabbage, and potato in a rich broth, finished with fresh dill and a cool spoonful of sour cream. Serve it steaming hot with a side of perogies or thick slices of homemade bread, and you have a meal that feels like a hug.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. In a large pot, sauté the onion and carrots in a little oil for 5 minutes until softened.
  2. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring.
  3. Pour in the broth, add the beets, potatoes, bay leaf, and sugar, and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, until the potatoes are nearly tender.
  5. Add the shredded cabbage and simmer for 10 more minutes, until everything is soft.
  6. Stir in the vinegar and dill, season with salt and pepper, and remove the bay leaf.
  7. Serve hot with a generous spoonful of sour cream on top.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Add the vinegar only at the end — it keeps the borscht a beautiful ruby red and brightens the flavor. Borscht is famously even better the next day and freezes well for 3 months. Serve with a side of perogies for the full prairie Ukrainian experience.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryPrairie Kitchen
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →