Beef and Beet Borscht

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 285 min
Servings: 8
Yield: 8 servings

Description

This beef borscht is Chef John's version of the Russian and Polish soup with beets and cabbage simmered in a homemade broth made from bone-in shank.

Ingredients

1 (1 inch thick) slice bone-in beef shank
3 quarts water
1 onion, chopped
1 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 bay leaf
3 cups diced peeled beets
2 cups chopped cabbage
1/4 cup white vinegar, or to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 cup sour cream, for garnish
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, for garnish

Directions

1 Cook beef shank in a large soup pot over high heat until browned, about 3 minutes per side. Add water, onion, carrots, celery, and bay leaf; bring to a simmer and cook until meat is tender and falling off the bone, about 4 hours. Strain broth and discard solids.
2 Combine beef broth, beets, and cabbage in the same pot; cook, stirring occasionally, until beets are tender, about 30 minutes. Reduce heat to low; add vinegar, salt, and black pepper.
3 Serve soup in bowls garnished with sour cream and dill.