Authentic Polish Borscht Recipe for Christmas Eve (2024)

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December 22, 2021April 21, 2022

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Polish borscht is a delicious soup that is traditionally served on Christmas Eve. Made from a root vegetable medley and aromatic seasonings, Polish borscht has a distinct sweet and sour taste that can not be compared. This authentic Polish Borscht Recipe (Christmas) is tasty, filling, and vegetarian-friendly!

There are many different types of borscht (green borscht, white borscht, pureed borscht, etc.), but in this post, I’m covering the red beet soup that is Polish borscht. Polish borscht soup is a beloved comfort meal best served on cold Christmas Eve nights, and it is a favorite for borscht lovers for its sweet yet sour taste and iconic red broth.

Many polish borscht recipes are kept secret and only shared with family. These recipes are passed down from generation to generation, as someone’s grandmother gives it to their granddaughter and so on. If you don’t have a Polish grandmother with a forty-year-old borscht recipe, this is the recipe for you!

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What is in Polish Borscht?

There was a time when we made borscht from twigs, leaves, and hogweeds. Luckily, times have changed, and we make Polish borscht with tasty vegetables.

This dish is made of many simple ingredients, but the star of the dish is the beetroot, which gives the broth its famous red shade. Other common ingredients include garlic, onions, carrots, apples, leeks, and spices.

It’s Easy to Make Polish Borscht this Christmas Eve!

Now that you know the typical ingredients, you might be thinking, “how is Polish borscht made?” The answer is: with love.

Christmas Eve Polish borscht is made by roasting, simmering, draining, slicing, and stirring the ingredients. That may sound like a lot, but thanks to my friend’s grandmother – this authentic Polish borscht soup recipe makes it simple and easy.

What You Need to Make Polish Borscht Recipe

For the Homemade Vegetable Broth

• 2 oz dried porcini mushrooms
• 2 medium carrots, peeled, washed, and cut into chunks
• 1/2 parsnip, peeled, washed, and cut into chunks
• ¼ celery root, peeled, washed, and cut into chunks
• 1 small leek, washed, and cut into chunks
• 1/2 onion, skin removed and cut into chunks
• 5-6 cups of water
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 2 whole allspice berries
• salt and pepper, to taste

For the Christmas Eve Polish Borscht

• 4 cups of the homemade vegetable broth (recipe included, or use storebought broth)
• 3 medium beets, roasted and sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, skin removed
• ½ apple, sliced
• 2 sprigs parsley
• 1 tbsp white vinegar
• 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon dried marjoram
• salt and pepper, to taste
• Polish mushroom pierogis, to serve (optional)

How to Make Polish Borscht Recipe for Christmas

Make the Homemade Vegetable Broth

1. In a large pot, add in 5-6 cups of water. Bring to a boil and add in the remaining ingredients for the homemade vegetable broth.
2. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 30-60 minutes.
3. Using a large fine sieve, pour 4-5 cups of the stock into another pot (use 4 cups if you want it more flavorful). Discard the vegetables (there won’t be much flavor left in them).

Make the Christmas Eve Polish Borscht

1. Add in the roasted beets, garlic, apple, parsley, white vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, dried marjoram, salt, and pepper into the pot. Stir.
2. Cook everything on low heat for another 15-20 minutes.
3. Use a large fine sieve to strain out the beets, garlic, apple, and parsley.
4. Enjoy your Christmas Polish Borscht warm on its own, or divide into 4bowls and serve with cooked Polish mushroom pierogi.

What to Pair with Christmas Eve Polish Borscht

Polish borscht is served as a broth and can be eaten alone (or drank from a cup), but it’s common to pair borscht with uszka (Polish “Little Ears” dumplings), croquettes, black bread, and pierogies. Many people prefer to put smetana (sour cream) on the soup to create a creamy texture.

What Does Polish Borscht Taste Like?

The star of this dish is the beetroot, which gives the broth its distinctive color and taste. The beets mix with the potatoes and cabbage to give the soup a sweet taste while the vinegar and tomatoes supply the sour. The tart yet umami flavoring mixes with dill and coriander to create a unique and tasty result.

When to Eat Polish Borscht

Polish borscht soup has a history that dates back hundreds of years, and it continues to be a staple of dinners today. Polish borscht is most commonly eaten on Christmas Eve to pay homage to old traditions.

This meal typically takes an hour to make, so it’s best to plan ahead so everyone can enjoy the yuletide meal together.

Polish borscht is a unique dish that is both healthy and comforting, which is why it is revered by food lovers all over the world.

The soup is great by itself, but add a dollop of sour cream and a side of perogies, and it’s out of this world. This Polish borscht recipe will keep you and your family happy with simple ingredients and exquisite taste.

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If you make thisPolish Borscht Recipe for Christmas, please drop a comment below! I’d LOVE to know what you think! Or take a picture and share it on Instagram by tagging@dwellbymichelleso I can repost it on my stories!

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