Simmered Beef Borscht with Fresh Dill
Hearty Russian soup with tender beef, earthy beets, and a vibrant dill finish, simmered to perfection for a comforting meal. This russian-inspired soups ready in about 90 minutes pairs diced beef chuck roast, peeled and diced beets, diced carrots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, diced beef chuck roast
- 2, peeled and diced beets
- 2, diced carrots
- 1, chopped onion
- 2 stalks, diced celery
- 4 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp, fresh, chopped dill
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef chuck and cook for 5 minutes until browned on all sides. Add the chopped onion and cook for 3 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Stir in the diced beets, carrots, and celery. Cook for 2 minutes. Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 1 minute until darkened.
- Step 3: Pour in 4 cups beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour until the beef is tender.
- Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp fresh dill and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Serve hot with a dollop of sour cream and additional dill.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Simmered Beef Borscht with Fresh Dill take to make?
Total time is about 90 minutes (20 min prep + 70 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Simmered Beef Borscht with Fresh Dill?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep diced beef chuck roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Simmered Beef Borscht with Fresh Dill?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Simmered Beef Borscht with Fresh Dill for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Simmered Beef Borscht with Fresh Dill?
Russian soups like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So simple and delicious. The beef was tender and the dill was fresh.
- ★★★★★
Cooked it for a dinner party and everyone raved about it.
- ★★★★★
Perfect balance of flavors. Made it for my Russian grandmother and she approved!
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