Making Borscht More Heart-Healthy | Adventist Health (2024)

This borscht recipe provides the flavor without much saturated fat by using beef bone broth or vegetable broth (for a plant-based version). Bone broth also has about 9 grams of protein per serving. The bright flavor of the beets and tomatoes adds complexity and richness to the broth.

Borscht is typically made with red meat. For a heart-healthy version, choose ground turkey, double the beans or use tofu. Tomatoes, parsnips and potatoes add potassium, which can help lower blood pressure. Less sodium is also better for blood pressure, and this recipe keeps it under 500 milligrams per serving.

Recipe: Lower-Sodium Borscht

Ingredients

  • 1–2 pounds ground turkey (optional, for meat-based protein)
  • 32 ounces tofu (optional, for plant-based protein)
  • 1 small head (about 3/4–1 pound) green or purple cabbage, shredded (about 4 cups)
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 (15 ounces) “no added salt” diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper (or the amount you prefer for taste)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 8 cups beef bone broth or vegetable broth
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick rounds
  • 2 parsnips, peeled and sliced 1/2-inch thick rounds
  • 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 3 medium-size beets, peeled and grated
  • One can white beans or kidney beans
  • 3 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 bunch fresh dill for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons (per serving) reduced fat sour cream
  • Rye bread or whole wheat bread (optional)

Instructions

  1. If using meat, add meat and olive oil to skillet over medium-high heat until cooked through. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. In a large pot, sauté the onions and cabbage with the olive oil until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste and garlic. Stir together.
  4. Add cumin, pepper, bay leaf and all of the broth. Stir together.
  5. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce to low heat and let simmer.
  6. Add the beets, carrots, parsnips, potato and beans to the broth.
  7. If you are adding a protein, return meat or add tofu to broth.
  8. Allow soup to simmer on medium until potatoes and other vegetables are soft, about 30 minutes. Remove soup from heat.
  9. Taste broth and season with salt as needed, about 1/2 teaspoon.
  10. Garnish with fresh dill and a dollop of reduced-fat sour cream.
Making Borscht More Heart-Healthy | Adventist Health (2024)

FAQs

Making Borscht More Heart-Healthy | Adventist Health? ›

Borscht is typically made with red meat. For a heart-healthy version, choose ground turkey, double the beans or use tofu. Tomatoes, parsnips and potatoes add potassium, which can help lower blood pressure.

Why is borscht so healthy? ›

Borscht contains three good sources of vitamin C: beets, cabbage and potatoes. Eating foods high in vitamin C along with nitrate-rich foods increases the production of nitric oxide. Borscht also contains garlic. Interestingly, garlic increases the amount of nitric oxide absorbed by the body.

Is borscht good for blood pressure? ›

There are several health benefits you can enjoy when eating borscht as a result of the nutrients in the ingredients including reduction of blood pressure, stomach, liver and heart protection, and blood cleansing support!

Is borscht Russian or Ukrainian? ›

In its currently most popular, beet-based version, borscht most probably originated in what is now Ukraine. Borscht's role as a staple of everyday Ukrainian diet is reflected in the Ukrainian saying, "borscht and porridge are our food" (compare the equivalent Russian saying, where borscht is replaced with shchi).

What is the nutritional value of borscht? ›

Borscht contains 93 calories per 245 g serving. This serving contains 4.4 g of fat, 2.9 g of protein and 11 g of carbohydrate. The latter is 7.1 g sugar and 2.5 g of dietary fiber, the rest is complex carbohydrate. Borscht contains 2.3 g of saturated fat and 12 mg of cholesterol per serving.

Can I eat borscht every day? ›

Borscht is healthy but should be eaten in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Is borscht good for the liver? ›

This gorgeous looking soup is packed with flavour and nutrition. Beets are great to support the liver, bone broth is healing and nourishing for the gut, and turmeric brings in its anti-inflammatory goodness.

What is the healthiest way to eat beets? ›

Retain the good-for-you nutrients in beets by roasting them or sautéing them instead. Or lightly steam them for just a few minutes, suggests Doyle.

Is it okay to eat beets every day? ›

Can you eat beets everyday? It's always best to follow a varied diet. Eating a small amount of beetroot every day is unlikely to do any harm, but a high intake could lead to low blood pressure, red or black urine and feces, and digestive problems for anyone with a sensitivity to the nutrients.

How many beets should I eat a day to lower my blood pressure? ›

Drinking a cup of beetroot juice each day could significantly lower the blood pressure of people with high blood pressure, according to research we funded at Queen Mary University of London.

Do Jews eat borscht? ›

Borscht is one of many examples of a dish that took on Jewish significance because of immigration. The tart and tangy, ruby-hued, beet-based soup is considered the national dish of Ukraine, and has been enjoyed by non-Jewish and Jewish Ukrainians alike for generations.

Which country has the best borscht? ›

It is the Ukrainian traditional dish - being an unblended soup (soup puree is a new thing in my country, and older generations are not familiar with it at all) that involves beets and many other ingredients, depending on region, season, occasion, and taste.

Why do Ukrainians eat borscht? ›

In addition to the pervasiveness of the dish throughout Ukraine, the inscription notes that borsch “is lauded in tales, folk songs and proverbs and viewed as a lifestyle and identity marker (for Ukrainians).”

How good is borscht for you? ›

How healthy is borscht? This healthy borscht soup is packed with nutrients from the potatoes and beets. Potatoes are a good source of fiber, protein, and vitamin C, while beets are low in calories and high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals, like folate and potassium.

Is borscht good for high blood pressure? ›

Borscht is typically made with red meat. For a heart-healthy version, choose ground turkey, double the beans or use tofu. Tomatoes, parsnips and potatoes add potassium, which can help lower blood pressure.

Can diabetics eat borscht? ›

dLife - It's YOUR Diabetes Life! Borscht is a traditional beet soup recipe from Russia. Beets have a variety of health benefits that are especially important for people with diabetes. Not only do these hearty vegetables contain anti-inflammatory compounds, but they're rich in antioxidants, too.

Is borscht good for digestion? ›

Get ready to have your mind (and taste buds) blown by these seriously nutrient-dense and delightfully delicious classic comfort food of eastern European origin.

What does beetroot do to your body? ›

Beetroot and its juice help your heart and lungs work better during exercise. Nitric oxide from beets increases blood flow to your muscles. Some athletes eat beetroot or drink beet juice when exercising to improve their performance.

What are the 10 benefits of beets? ›

What are the top 10 health benefits of beetroot?
  • Rich in protective antioxidants. ...
  • May have anti-cancer properties. ...
  • May have anti-inflammatory properties. ...
  • May lower blood pressure. ...
  • May improve exercise performance and support energy levels. ...
  • May improve digestive health. ...
  • May protect the gut.
Oct 23, 2023

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