Russian Shchi (Fresh Cabbage Soup with Beef)

Name: Russian Shchi (Fresh Cabbage Soup with Beef)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients: 800 g Fresh white cabbage; 400 g Potatoes; 200 g Carrots; 150 g Onion; 2 tbsp Tomato paste; 3 cloves Garlic; 1 bunch Fresh dill; 0.5 bunch Fresh parsley; 2 pcs Bay leaves; 6 whole Whole black peppercorns; 2 tbsp Vegetable oil; null Salt; null Freshly ground black pepper; null Sour cream (for serving); 2.5 l Water or beef broth

Difficulty

medium

Time

2h 30m

Price Category

average

Calories

Low

Shchi is a classic Russian cabbage soup with countless variations, but the version made with fresh cabbage and beef is one of the most beloved. This hearty and flavorful soup is a perfect choice for cold days or whenever you crave something truly warming. Thanks to the long, slow cooking, the meat becomes tender and the vegetables sweet, lending a rich flavor profile to the soup. It's traditionally served with a dollop of sour cream and fresh dill.

Steps

Prepare and Brown the Beef

Cut the beef into 2-3 cm cubes. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Brown the beef cubes on all sides until they have a nice crust, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the meat and set it aside.

Sauté the Vegetables

In the same pot, add a little more oil if needed. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the grated carrots and cook for another 5-7 minutes until softened. Stir in the tomato paste and minced garlic, and cook for 1-2 more minutes until fragrant.

Assemble and Simmer

Return the browned beef to the pot. Add the diced potatoes, thinly sliced cabbage, bay leaves, and whole black peppercorns. Pour in enough water or beef broth to cover the ingredients (about 2-2.5 liters). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1.5-2 hours, or until the beef is completely tender and the cabbage is cooked through.

Serve

Remove the bay leaves from the soup. Stir in the chopped fresh dill and parsley. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve hot, topped with a generous dollop of sour cream in each bowl.

	Per 100g	Per Serving 400g
Calories	54 kcal	216 kcal
Protein	6.7 g	26.8 g
Fat	3.6 g	14.4 g
Carbohydrate	6.3 g	25.2 g
Fiber	1.4 g	5.6 g
Sugar	1.8 g	7.2 g

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beef

stewed

everyday

main course

hearty

Russian

all seasons

Hot

Russian Shchi (Fresh Cabbage Soup with Beef)

Difficulty

Time

Price Category

Calories

ingredients

Steps

Prepare and Brown the Beef

Sauté the Vegetables

Assemble and Simmer

Serve

Extra Tips

► The soup tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together.

► If you like a tangier flavor, you can add a little lemon juice at the end.

► Serve with fresh, crusty bread to soak up every delicious drop of soup.

Nutrition