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Poland · Food

Barszcz Czerwony

45 min
50 kcal
4 servings

By eatmundo · August 4, 2026

Barszcz Czerwony🇵🇱AI-generated image

Same ingredients, elsewhere in the world

6 matches

Dishes from other countries' kitchens, made from the same core ingredients as Barszcz Czerwony. The percentage is the share of ingredients the two recipes have in common.

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This classic clear beetroot soup is vibrant, earthy, and refreshing. A staple of Polish Christmas Eve, it is often served with small dumplings known as uszka.

According to eatmundo's ingredient comparison, the closest dish to Barszcz Czerwony from another cuisine is Buckwheat Porridge with Vegetables (Russia): the two share 57% of their ingredients.

Ingredients

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4 servings

How to Make It

  • 1

    Peel 500g of beetroots, coarsely grate them, and peel 1 carrot, 1 parsley root, and 1 onion for the soup base.

  • 2

    In a large pot, bring 1.5L of vegetable broth to a simmer and add the grated beetroots, carrot, parsley root, and chopped onion.

  • 3

    Cook over low heat for 30 minutes until the vegetables are soft and have infused the broth with a deep red color.

  • 4

    Crush 2 garlic cloves and stir them into the soup along with 1 tsp of salt to season properly.

  • 5

    Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing on the solids to extract all the flavorful essence into the broth.

  • 6

    Discard the solids and return the clear red liquid to the pot on low heat.

  • 7

    Stir in 1 tbsp of lemon juice to provide a bright, acidic contrast to the sweetness of the beets.

  • 8

    Serve hot immediately in bowls, ensuring the color is a brilliant, clear crimson red.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barszcz Czerwony?

Barszcz Czerwony is a Polish clear beetroot soup made with vegetable broth, carrots, parsley root, onion, and garlic. It is typically served hot as a starter, most notably during Christmas Eve dinner.

How do I keep the color bright?

The lemon juice is crucial; the acid prevents the beetroot from losing its vibrant color during the cooking and storage process.

Can I add meat to this?

Traditionally, Barszcz Czerwony is a vegetarian clear broth. For a heartier version, you can serve it with small mushroom dumplings.

What is the best way to serve it?

It is traditionally served as a clear soup with small ravioli-like dumplings (uszka) or simply in a mug to drink during winter.

Why is the soup cloudy?

If your soup is cloudy, it means it boiled too vigorously or the beets were mashed too much; keep the simmer gentle and don't overwork the solids.

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