A bowl of red borsch garnished with sour cream with a spoon beside it

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This borsch is packed with veggies and beats and is much faster to make than the classic borscht from 2010 and the even the simplified borsch that we posted last year. It’s also just as tasty (although the Mr. likes this version best).

My sister Tanya was excited to share this with me and I’m so glad she did. It’s brilliant and takes about 30 minutes to make (no that’s not a typo! 30 minutes!!).

There are 5 superfoods in this borsch: quinoa, beets, kale, onion (did you know onion was a superfood?), and beet greens (the greens from the stock of the beets). If you can’t find the beets with stems on; no worries, just use a little more kale. What makes these superfoods, you ask?

1. Quinoa: coined the “supergrain.” Quinoa has more protein than any other grain. This is our favorite lately. We cook it in our rice maker just like we would rice. We buy the organic quinoa at Costco; $10 for a large bag.

2. Kale, like other greens, has awesome nutritional benefits.

3. Beets: buy them with the greens intact which keep the beets fresh longer.

4. Beet Greens: One of the top 10 potassium foods! P.S. Organic beets tend to have the greens attached. Fred Meyer has good prices on organic beets. Mom’s garden has the best prices on organic beets. 😀

5. Onion: It might make you cry, but it helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure. It can also prevent cancer.

I’m totally watching a food documentary as I type this post. It makes me so glad that I made this borsch today and poured myself a bowl of superfood. I hope you love it like we do. My husband and son both approved!

Ingredients for Superfood Red Borsch:

12 cups reduced sodium chicken broth ( beef or veggie broth is ok)
1 medium or 1/2 large onion, peeled and cut in half (ends removed)
3 medium potatoes, sliced
1/4 cup quinoa
3 medium beets, peeled and grated
2 good handfuls of chopped kale leaves
2 bay leaves
3/4 cup sliced carrots
1 Tbsp Mrs. Dash
3 Tbsp ketchup
1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
S&P to taste

Red Borsch_

How to Make Superfood Red Borsch:

1. Fill a large soup pot with 12 cups broth and place over medium/high heat (or use 12 cups water and 4 Tbsp Reduced Sodium Better than Bouillon paste; that’s what I use). Toss in the halved onion.

Red Borsch_-2

2. Bring to a simmer, then add the chopped potatoes, quinoa and carrots. Let cook 5 minutes.

Four photos of ingredients being cut for red borsch

3. Add grated beets (a food processor with a grater attachment makes this step a breeze and keeps fingers from turning purple), toss in a couple bay leaves, 2 large handfuls of chopped kale and the beet greens if you are using them. Stir to combine. Bring to a light boil and continue to cook uncovered 20 minutes. Your veggies should be soft when done. Discard the cooked onion halves if desired (you get all the onion flavor and people who don’t like onion won’t be bothered by it!)

Six photos, two of beets being cut up and added to a pot and four of kale

4. Add 1/2 Tbsp Lemon juice, 1 Tbsp Mrs Dash (or your favorite seasoning) and 3 Tbsp ketchup. Bring back to a boil and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste (I used 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper and 1 tsp sea salt. Serve with Sour cream or mayo 🙂

Two photos of a tablespoon of ketchup and one of Mrs. Dash

A close up of a bowl of superfood red borsch

Easy Superfood Borsch Recipe

4.98 from 38 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
There are 5 superfoods in this borsch: quinoa, beets, kale, onion (did you know onion was a superfood?), and beet greens (the greens from the stock of the beets). If you can't find the beets with stems on; no worries, just use a little more kale.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 10 people
  • 12 cups reduced sodium chicken broth, beef or veggie broth is ok
  • 1 medium or 1/2 large onion, peeled and cut in half (ends removed)
  • 3 medium potatoes, sliced
  • 1/4 cup quinoa
  • 3 medium beets, peeled and grated
  • 2 good handfuls of chopped kale leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3/4 cup sliced carrots
  • 1 Tbsp Mrs. Dash
  • 3 Tbsp ketchup
  • 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
  • S&P to taste

Instructions

  • Fill a large soup pot with 12 cups broth and place over medium/high heat (or use 12 cups water and 4 Tbsp Reduced Sodium Better than Bouillon paste; that's what I use). Toss in the halved onion.
  • Bring to a simmer, then add the chopped potatoes, quinoa and carrots. Let cook 5 minutes.
  • Add grated beets, toss in a couple bay leaves, 2 large handfuls of chopped kale and the beet greens if you are using them. Stir to combine. Bring to a light boil and continue to cook uncovered 20 minutes. Your veggies should be soft when done. Discard the cooked onion halves if desired.
  • Add 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 Tbsp Mrs Dash (or your favorite seasoning) and 3 Tbsp ketchup. Bring back to a boil and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste (I used 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper and 1 tsp sea salt. Serve with Sour cream or mayo 🙂

Nutrition Per Serving

123kcal Calories20g Carbs9g Protein2g Fat1g Saturated Fat159mg Sodium683mg Potassium3g Fiber4g Sugar1855IU Vitamin A13mg Vitamin C45mg Calcium3mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Easy Superfood Borsch Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
123
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
2
g
3
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Sodium
 
159
mg
7
%
Potassium
 
683
mg
20
%
Carbohydrates
 
20
g
7
%
Fiber
 
3
g
13
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
9
g
18
%
Vitamin A
 
1855
IU
37
%
Vitamin C
 
13
mg
16
%
Calcium
 
45
mg
5
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian
Keyword: Borscht, Superfood Borsch
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 123
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook
4.98 from 38 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Oksana
    July 2, 2013

    Hi Natasha,
    I’ll be making this soup tonight or tomorrow. My cousin has been raving about it, ever since she did it for her family, several times now.
    A question kind of off topic here, but I’m shopping for a better knife now, what kind(there are two knifes pictured that you are using) would you recommend. I have J.A Henckles knife block set, which I really like, but I need to upgrade my chef’s knife. I was thinking of getting the J.A Henckles 8″ International classic bc its not made in China like my other knifes. Or is there another brand that works for you? I really love a good sharp knife in my kitchen

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      July 2, 2013

      I love my 8″ four star JA Henckles chef knife. I have 2 of them 🙂 Make sure to sharpen your knife between each use. That’s the key to keeping them razor sharp (as with any knife I guess ;))

      Reply

  • Elena G
    June 4, 2013

    Natasha, This is sooo good!! I was very doubtful at first but I’m so glad that I tried it! Thanks so much : )

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 5, 2013

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I don’t like to say it, but I told ya so. 🙂

      Reply

  • Tamara
    June 1, 2013

    So this is more like beet soup,…? Because real born is different. Right?
    Thank you.
    Tamara

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 2, 2013

      Check out the links I have in this post for my more traditional borsch recipes. I have two other borsch recipes posted on my blog.

      Reply

      • Tamara
        June 3, 2013

        Ok, i will

        Reply

  • Elena
    May 29, 2013

    Wow, that’s a really cool version, will definitely try it soon!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 29, 2013

      Thanks Elena! I hope you love it!! 🙂

      Reply

  • elena
    May 26, 2013

    Hi Natasha!

    I just made this soup and its soo good! i love beets, i cook them all the time! My husband is actually peruvian and quinoa originally comes from Peru, so for him this recipie was exciting to to see how do 2 russian/peruvian items will taste together! Its wonderfull! cant wait to eat 2nd plate of it!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 26, 2013

      That’s great Elena, thank you for the great report :).

      Reply

  • Maria
    May 24, 2013

    This recipe is so easy and super healthy! My husband isn’t a big fan of beets borsch but I think he would love this version since it has so many different yummy ingredients! 🙂
    One question though, if you cut the onion in half that means you throw it away when the borsch is cooked? So the borsch still gets all the healthy nutrients just by having onion boil in it right?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 24, 2013

      That’s exactly right! 🙂

      Reply

  • Надежда
    May 23, 2013

    Здравствуй Наташа ! я никогда не готовила и не знаю , что такое
    quinoa – это крупа (по фото ) я поняла ? Как по русски ? Или где её
    купить ? В борще крупа ??? ))) Не пробовала никогда .. )))

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 23, 2013

      Quinoa translates to “лебеда” по русски. If you can’t find it in the stores, than just omit it. I hope this helps :).

      Reply

  • Galina
    May 21, 2013

    Natasha this borsh is amazing! Thanks for the recipe. I didnt have quinoa at home so I used beans instead turned out perfect!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 21, 2013

      Yes beans are a good choice and I use them in both of the other borsch recipes that I’ve posted. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe!

      Reply

  • Natalie
    May 20, 2013

    Natasha,
    When I saw kale in the ingredients, I knew I had to make this soup! Made it today and it is sooo good!!! Thank you for sharing your sister’s recipe. Keep those healthy recipes coming 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 20, 2013

      Awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’ll let her know you loved it 🙂

      Reply

      • Natalie
        May 21, 2013

        I shared your borscht recipe on facebook. The description is for the soup but the pic shows your strawberry spinach salad. Anyway can that be fixed so that the pics align with the actual recipe? thanks 🙂

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          May 21, 2013

          Did you share it from the button at the bottom of the blog post? I’ve been frustrated by that myself. I’ll see what I can do (I suspect it’s a facebook thing, but I’ll try). Thanks for sharing the recipe :). It works fine if you share the recipe from the post that is on facebook by clicking the save button under the facebook post. Thanks again!!

          Reply

          • Natalie
            May 21, 2013

            Yes, I liked it right from the blog post. First, I went on facebook to share it from there but the recipe wasn’t on there yet(I see you’ve added it now 🙂 ) The spinach salad is awesome but it was just funny when you’re sharing a soup recipe that looks like salad, lol.

  • Marina
    May 20, 2013

    Wow what a yummy, healthy, and easy to make borsch!!! I typically don’t like borsch but had beets so wanted to use them up 😉 So went to your website and I’m glad!!! Family loved it too.. definitely keeping the recipe in my cook book! Thanks!!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 20, 2013

      That’s fantastic. I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed the borsch 🙂

      Reply

  • Julia | JuliasAlbum.com
    May 20, 2013

    Love that you used quinoa here – I should definitely try this! This takes borsch to a new level! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 20, 2013

      Agreed!! I love all the goodness in here 🙂 I hope you love it!

      Reply

  • olviya@servingsisters.com
    May 19, 2013

    Um I already loved your Borscht I and II, but I forsee this as becoming my new favorite! YUM. love quinoa (Costco does have the best deal!), and kale….good stuff. I had no idea onions were a superfood. Us Russians use it in everything, so we must be super healthy. 😉

    What documentary did you watch? They are so eye opening! Keep these healthified recipes coming please! 😉

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 20, 2013

      Forks over knives an I can’t remember the name of the other one off the top. It was in netflix…

      Reply

      • Lyudmil Bulbuc
        October 17, 2013

        Thanks for the wonderful recipes,most my family is vegan and this one is great idea for soup iam going to make it right now !!! 🙂

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          October 17, 2013

          I sure hope you love it!! 🙂

          Reply

  • Lena
    May 18, 2013

    making it right now!

    Reply

  • Lana
    May 18, 2013

    Do you discard the onion?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 18, 2013

      Yes. Or you can leave it in the pot until its all gone then toss it. Either way 🙂

      Reply

  • Vera
    May 18, 2013

    Sounds interesting!! Will try it sometime. I’ve been cooking borsch without sauteing the onions and carrots for sometime now. Never noticed the difference and its a big time saver!! 🙂

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 18, 2013

      And it has less fat since you don’t need the oil. I love this method!

      Reply

  • Lana
    May 18, 2013

    Just in time.. I’ll be making this borsch right now!! Sounds tasty!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 18, 2013

      Let me know what you thought of it! Enjoy!!

      Reply

      • Lana
        May 18, 2013

        It tasted really good!! Definitely will be making again!! We are really into eating raw and clean foods. This is another great recipe. Thanks for sharing and taking your time to post this. It’s much appreciated!

        Reply

        • Natasha
          natashaskitchen
          May 19, 2013

          I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. That’s definitely something I’m working on for our family; healthier, cleaner eating 🙂 do you have an instagram profile by the way?

          Reply

  • Marina
    May 18, 2013

    Thank you for this great recipe! I don’t usually know what to do with all the greens out there. Keep these recipes coming that use ingredients most people don’t eat. God bless you!!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 18, 2013

      That they don’t eat but they should, right? 😉 thanks!

      Reply

  • Iryna
    May 18, 2013

    Interesting variation with kin-vaa! I will try, Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 18, 2013

      I hope you love it!

      Reply

  • Alina
    May 18, 2013

    Can’t wait to try this version out. I’m curious to see how it tastes with kale rather than cabbage. And I must say, using the food processor for the beets is brilliant! Grating raw beets by hand can be quite a workout.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 18, 2013

      Not to mention it will leave you with purple nails for a couple of days. I hope you love this version! 🙂

      Reply

  • Tallya
    May 18, 2013

    Great ideas! I already use low sodium veggie broth from TJ’s, love it for everything, love the ingredients, and def. can’t beat the price. I use cabbage in borsch but how great is the kale idea!? I will be making something like this soon. About quinoa though… I love it, but in borsch??? Very curious 😉

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      May 18, 2013

      Yes it’s great in Borsch and it adds protein! You can hardly notice it in there but it make the soup healthier 🙂

      Reply

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