A white bowl of fish and shrimp soup, ukha, with a spoon, and bread bun besides it

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I’ve been working on creating the perfect fish and shrimp soup and this one really hit the spot. The fish is perfectly tender and flaky.

Light, but full of flavor; a major comfort soup. Ukha is a traditional Russian soup and you can absolutely use a freshly caught fish just like our ancestors would have except I was too lazy to pick the bones out of a fish. And I was too lazy to go fishing and catch a fish. That being said, my fish came from the freezer aisle of Fred Meyer. Don’t judge me.

Ingredients for Fish and Shrimp soup:

10 cups water
2 cups reduced sodium vegetable broth
1 Tbsp salt
3 medium potatoes
2 medium carrot, thinly sliced
12 oz tilapia fish fillets, cut into 1″ pieces
1/2 lb shrimp, shelled and deveined
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 medium onion, finely diced
2 celery sticks, thinly sliced
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp Mrs. Dash
1/8 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp fresh parsley or 1 Tbsp dried parsley

fish-and-shrimp-soup

1. In a large soup pot over high heat, add 10 cups water, 2 cups vegetable broth and 1 Tbsp salt. Dice your potatoes and add them to the pot. Bring to a boil and continue to cook the potatoes 10 minutes after boiling.

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2. Add sliced carrots into the pot and cook another 10 min while prepping your mirpoix/zazharka (step 3).

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3. In a large skillet, add 3 Tbsp olive oil over med/high heat. Add finely diced onion and thinly sliced celery and saute until soft and golden (7 min). Toss this mixture into the pot.

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4. Add shelled shrimp and chopped fish to the pot. Also, toss in your 2 bay leaves, 1 Tbsp Mrs. Dash, 1/8 tsp pepper, 2 Tbsp fresh parsley. Return to a boil and cook another 5 minutes or until fish and shrimp are fully cooked. Salt more to taste if desired and remove from heat. Serve with a sprig of fresh parsley or dill.

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Yum. Yum.
Credits: Big thank you to my sis, Alla who gave me fierce fish soup cravings after I tried a bowl at her house. Also, a great big thank you to Valentina N. who shared her fish and shrimp soup recipe with me and taught me that tilapia and shrimp mingle really well together.

Shrimp and Fish Soup (Ukha)

5 from 34 votes
Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com
A white bowl of fish and shrimp soup, ukha, with a spoon, and bread bun besides it
I've been working on creating the perfect fish soup and this one hit the spot. The fish is perfectly tender and flaky. Light, but full of flavor; a major comfort soup. You can absolutely use a freshly caught fish just like our ancestors would have except I was too lazy to pick the bones out of a fish. And I was too lazy to go fishing and catch a fish. That being said, my fish came from the freezer aisle of Fred Meyer. Don't judge me.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 -10
  • 10 cups water
  • 2 cups reduced sodium vegetable broth
  • 1 Tbsp sea salt
  • 3 medium potatoes
  • 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
  • 12 oz tilapia fish fillets, cut into 1" pieces
  • 1/2 lb shrimp
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 celery sticks, thinly sliced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 Tbsp Mrs. Dash
  • 1/8 tsp pepper
  • 2 Tbsp fresh parsley or 1 Tbsp dried parsley

Instructions

  • In a large soup pot over high heat, add 10 cups water, 2 cups broth and 1 Tbsp salt. Dice your potatoes and add them to the pot. Bring to a boil and continue to cook the potatoes 10 minutes after boiling.
  • Add sliced carrots into the pot and cook another 10 min while prepping your mirpoix/zazharka (step 3).
  • In a large skillet, add 3 Tbsp olive oil over med/high heat. Add finely diced onion and thinly sliced celery and saute until soft and golden (7 min). Toss this mixture into the pot.
  • Add shelled shrimp and chopped fish to the pot. Also, toss in your 2 bay leaves, 1 Tbsp Dash, 1/8 tsp pepper, 2 Tbsp fresh parsley. Return to a boil and cook another 5 minutes or until fish and shrimp are fully cooked. Salt more to taste if desired and remove from heat. Serve with a sprig of fresh parsley or dill for garnish.
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Russian, Ukrainian
Keyword: Shrimp and Fish Soup, Ukha
Skill Level: Medium/ Easy
Cost to Make: $$
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Final Final Picmonkey Hashtag bannerAnd because a gazillion of you have asked for the nutrition info:nutrition for shrimp and fish soupI call this shot “Chilling in the hot tub”…

fish-and-shrimp-soup-5

5 from 34 votes (14 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • jaclyn e j
    March 29, 2020

    turned out amazing! i used red snapper instead of talipa & added garlic to the mix.
    5 star

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      March 29, 2020

      Thanks for sharing that with us, Jaclyn. That’s very useful information!

      Reply

  • Natasha fan
    June 13, 2019

    Hi Natasha,

    Can you substitute Chicken Broth or is Vegetable Broth preferred?

    Thanks

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 13, 2019

      Hi George! I havenโ€™t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe

      Reply

      • Jaclyn Johnston
        March 29, 2020

        i used half chicken broth, half seafood broth instead of veg broth and it tasted amazing

        Reply

        • Natasha's Kitchen
          March 29, 2020

          Nice to know that the end result was great! Thanks for sharing that with us.

          Reply

  • Becky
    November 5, 2018

    Delicious and so easy! I added green beans and spinach from my garden.

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      November 5, 2018

      Iโ€™m so glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for the wonderful review!

      Reply

  • Karen
    September 2, 2018

    Outstanding soup

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      September 3, 2018

      Thank you for the wonderful review, Karen!

      Reply

  • Darius
    August 3, 2018

    Hello Natasha. My Belarussian friend said traditional uha should be with vodka. Is it true? Best regards

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      August 3, 2018

      Hi Daris, I honestly couldn’t say. That is interesting, I wonder if anyone else has heard of this?

      Reply

      • Lee Thayer
        August 3, 2018

        Hello Darius and Natasha, I like a good challenge so I did some research and many Russian sites do state the use of vodka, about 1/2 cup. All the sites were in agreement that the vodka does flash off the alcohol, imparting little taste. On another note, I have been to Russia, and I will say Russians and Vodka is like Peanut Butter and Jelly ๐Ÿ˜‰

        Reply

        • Natashas Kitchen
          August 3, 2018

          How interesting! Thank you for sharing that with us Lee!

          Reply

  • Ahmagrammy
    January 13, 2018

    I cook for about 100 unhoused and people in need every Saturday. I was wondering if you could add a serving size button to your site? It helps me calculate the recipe ingredients to that larger amount.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      January 13, 2018

      The serving size is listed with each recipe. Iโ€™ll keep your suggestion in mind to add the feature to adjust it manually!

      Reply

    • Lee Thayer
      January 13, 2018

      I have shared Natasha’s recipe on my site (we have an agreement with this) and my site can do the serving size for. By no means am I trying to take away from Natasha’s recipe or her site.

      Reply

      • Natasha
        natashaskitchen
        January 14, 2018

        Yes this is true! Thanks Lee ๐Ÿ™‚

        Reply

  • Anna
    November 29, 2017

    Thanks Natasha for your recipes. Everything I tried was great! This soup is delisious easy to cook and low calories. I will definitely recommend your blog to my friends.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      November 29, 2017

      Anna, thank you for such a nice review ๐Ÿ˜ฌ and you are very welcome!

      Reply

  • Julia
    October 2, 2017

    Haven’t had uha in 15 years, was looking up recipes and found yours. Prego craving! Thank you so much for posting an adapted recipe, I had no idea where to look for okun’ fish. Haha. I’m sure it’s delicious!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 2, 2017

      I hope you LOVE it (and hope it satisfies your cravings!) Congratulations and God bless you in your pregnancy ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

      • Bella
        February 9, 2023

        I will make the soup tomorrow .Will see! Thank you for recipe.

        Reply

    • Andrii Gritsina
      October 26, 2020

      Okun’ fish is bass here. Smallmouth or largemouth bass are the most common. What we used to catch in Ukraine I would classify as ‘peacock’ bass. Hope this helps

      Reply

  • Tatyana S.
    September 25, 2017

    Natasha this is a wonderful soup, super delicious and light๐Ÿ‘Œ๐Ÿป I been making it for a while now but didn’t know that I never left a comment about it.
    I got my mom and sister into making it as well๐Ÿ˜œ
    Simple ingredients and easy to make! Definitely a must try to whoever haven’t yet๐Ÿ˜‹

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      September 25, 2017

      I’m glad you enjoy the recipe just as much as I do! Thanks for spreading the love and sharing your excellent review Tatyana!

      Reply

  • Lee Thayer
    August 12, 2017

    I made this today with Shark Catfish, which is a whitefish and not a catfish taste, followed the recipe (had to make some Mrs. Dash Seasoning) and for a Thai flair, added Straw Mushrooms. Perfect! Thank you Natasha, 5th recipe tested, 5th recipe 100% spot on. The Thai family, and there is a lot here, are loving it!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      August 12, 2017

      My pleasure Lee! I’m so glad your loving the recipes! Thanks for sharing your fantastic review! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

  • Natalia
    June 28, 2017

    I am not a fan of tilapia and was wondering if you tried to substitute it for salon or cod?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      June 29, 2017

      Hi Natalia, I think you could make this work well with a variety of fish. There is definitely room to experiment ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

    • Lee Thayer
      August 12, 2017

      I would shy away from salmon, stick with a common whitefish in your area. Salmon is good in a sauce type of dish, probably over powering in this dish. Sea Bass, Ocean Perch, Barramundi, Shark Catfish would be good choices.

      Reply

  • Retavia Kimble
    April 7, 2016

    I tried this and I absolutely love it and will be making it time and time again it’s definitely delicious.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 7, 2016

      I’m so happy you love it! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

  • Anna
    March 29, 2016

    Great recipe. My family and I loved it! I made a slight change by adding some barley and fresh lemon juice. Delicious!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      March 29, 2016

      Those changes sound nice! Thank you so much for sharing that with us ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

  • Kate
    December 18, 2015

    Dear Natasha! Thank you for this wonderful soup! I have only one question – what is the Mr. Dish? I guess it is spice but I’d like to be more sure. Thank you in advance!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 18, 2015

      Kate, Mrs. Dash is all purpose, salt-free seasoning, used in a variety of dishes. I always have it on hand.

      Reply

  • Luda
    December 8, 2015

    What an interesting take on traditional uha! So delicious! And simple
    Enjoying every sip of it right now, after finally putting up our Christmas tree (with lots of “help” from my little ones lol)

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 8, 2015

      What a sweet scene. ๐Ÿ™‚ I’m so happy you are enjoying the soup and isn’t it the “best” and most unique looking tree when kids help out? lol

      Reply

  • Scarlet Gem
    December 7, 2015

    This soup recipe is simply awesome.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      December 7, 2015

      Thanks for the great review! I’m so glad you liked it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

  • Tallya
    October 11, 2015

    Thanks for the recipe! We don’t eat shellfish so I added more fish, it was delicious.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      October 12, 2015

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

  • Tracey
    April 21, 2015

    This fish soup was so incredible! I will be making it again and again. I’ll probably add some fresh crab or lobster the next time. Thank you for a wonderful recipe.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      April 21, 2015

      Yum! Crab or lobster sound phenomenal! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

  • Laura
    February 25, 2015

    I’ve been looking for a good fish soup recipe and this was perfect! I substituted turnip for the potatoes, used cod instead of tilapia and added some baby spinach. Perfection! Great recipe!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      February 25, 2015

      Thanks for the great review Laura and great job on improvising :).

      Reply

  • Valentina
    January 20, 2015

    Just made a pot of this goodness. Can’t wait to have a few bowls ๐Ÿ˜‰ I like to let it sit for an hour our so.. you can taste the flavors a lot more. Oh and for those that like their ukha spicy, try adding a *little* cayenne pepper in the end. Yum!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      natashaskitchen
      January 20, 2015

      I’m so happy you liked it! I love your idea of adding cayenne pepper at the end. Mmm… ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

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