Borscht Soup Recipe Crock Pot

Hearty Borscht Soup Recipe Crock Pot Style – The Cozy Dinner You Need This Fall

There’s something magical about that first spoonful of hearty, earthy borscht on a crisp autumn evening. The deep red color of beets, the warmth of slow-cooked vegetables, and that tangy finish with a dollop of sour cream—it’s the definition of comfort food. When the leaves start to fall and the evenings get cooler, I find myself reaching for recipes that feel like a hug in a bowl. And let me tell you, this borscht soup recipe crock pot style is exactly that.

I grew up watching my grandmother prepare traditional soups, and while she often made them on the stovetop, I’ve fallen in love with adapting them to my slow cooker. The beauty of this recipe is that you can go traditional Russian or Ukrainian, or keep it vegetarian and vegan-friendly, all while letting your crock pot do the work. The result? A classic dish with layers of flavor, made with very little effort.

So grab your beets and let’s dive in—because this is the fall dinner you’ll want on repeat all season long.

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What is Borscht? A Classic Dish with Rich History

Borscht is a soup beloved across Eastern Europe, especially in Ukraine and Russia, where it’s considered one of the most classic dishes of the region. The star of the show is the beet, which gives the soup its signature ruby-red hue.

While traditional versions often include beef or pork, many families (including mine on meatless Fridays) make vegetarian or vegan borscht that’s just as hearty. The beauty of borscht lies in its versatility: it can be rich and meaty, or light and veggie-forward. Either way, it’s a timeless comfort food perfect for chilly fall dinners or cold winter nights.

Why Make Borscht in the Crock Pot?

I’ll be honest—when I first started cooking borscht, I did it the classic stovetop way. But once I tried making it in my slow cooker, I was hooked. Here’s why:

• Hands-off cooking: Just chop, drop, and let the crock pot do its thing.
• Deeper flavor: Slow cooking allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
• Convenience: Great for busy days—you can start it in the morning and come home to a cozy dinner.
• Easy clean-up: One pot, less mess.

For me, this method has made cooking borscht not just easier, but more enjoyable.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s exactly what you’ll need for my easy crock pot borscht soup recipe (serves 6–8):

• 4 medium beets, peeled and grated (about 3 cups)
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and grated (about 1 cup)
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (about 2 cups)
• ½ medium green cabbage, shredded (about 4 cups)
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (or 2 medium fresh tomatoes, chopped)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 8 cups vegetable broth (or beef broth for traditional)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice, for balance)
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• Optional protein: 1 cup cooked beans (vegetarian/vegan) or ½ lb beef stew meat/pork ribs (traditional)
• Garnish: sour cream (or vegan sour cream) and more fresh dill

How to Make Borscht Soup Recipe Crock Pot Style

This recipe is easy and mostly hands-off. Here’s how to make it step-by-step:

1. Prep your vegetables: Peel and grate the beets and carrots, dice the potatoes, shred the cabbage, and chop the onion and garlic.

2. Sauté for flavor (optional but recommended): In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion, garlic, carrots, and beets for 5 minutes. This enhances flavor before adding to the crock pot.

3. Load the slow cooker: Add the sautéed vegetables, potatoes, cabbage, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, bay leaves, broth, salt, and pepper. Stir well.

4. Add protein (optional): If using beans or beef, add them now.

5. Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.

6. Finish: Once done, stir in apple cider vinegar for brightness. Taste and adjust seasoning.

7. Serve: Ladle into bowls, garnish with fresh dill and a dollop of sour cream (or vegan substitute).

The aroma that fills your kitchen while this soup cooks is nothing short of incredible.

Variations of Borscht Soup

What I love about borscht is how adaptable it is:

• Traditional Russian/Ukrainian Borscht: Use beef broth and add stew meat.
• Vegetarian Borscht: Stick with veggie broth, add beans for protein.
• Vegan Borscht: Skip the dairy and use a vegan sour cream alternative.
• Quick Version: Make it on the stovetop in about 1 hour, though crock pot flavors are richer.

No matter which path you choose, the result is always delicious.

Why Borscht is a Healthy Comfort Food

Borscht isn’t just cozy—it’s also healthy:

• Beets are rich in antioxidants, vitamins A & C, and fiber.
• Cabbage supports digestion and is low-calorie.
• Carrots and potatoes add heartiness without heaviness.
• With broth as the base, it’s lighter than creamy soups but still filling.

For fall and winter, when colds are around, this soup supports immunity and keeps you warm.

My Favorite Kitchen Tools for Making Borscht

Cooking borscht at home is easier when you’ve got the right tools. Here are three items I personally recommend:

1. Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker

If you don’t already own a slow cooker, this one is a game-changer. It’s large enough to make a full pot of borscht (or chili, stews, roasts) and super easy to use. Just set it and forget it.

Get it on Amazon and make your weeknight dinners effortless!

2. Zulay Kitchen 6-Piece Wooden Spoon Set

Since borscht has that gorgeous beet color, I prefer using wooden spoons (no metallic taste, no staining my favorite silicone ones). This set is durable, affordable, and perfect for everyday cooking.

Grab your set here on Amazon and keep your kitchen stocked with the basics.

3. Cuisinart 12-Inch Stainless Steel Skillet

For the sauté step, a good skillet makes all the difference. I love my Cuisinart stainless steel skillet—it heats evenly and helps caramelize the veggies before they go into the slow cooker.

Find it on Amazon and level up your stovetop cooking.

Serving Suggestions

When it comes to serving, I like to keep it classic:

• A slice of hearty rye bread or garlic bread on the side.
• Garnished with sour cream (or vegan cream) and a sprinkle of dill.
• Sometimes, I even serve it with boiled potatoes on the side for extra comfort.

Borscht is wonderful as a main course but can also shine as part of a larger meal with other classic dishes like pelmeni (dumplings) or pierogi.

Tips & Tricks for the Best Borscht

Over the years, I’ve picked up a few secrets for making borscht truly shine:

• Balance is key: The sweetness of beets needs acidity—always add vinegar or lemon juice at the end.
• Let it rest: Like many soups, borscht tastes even better the next day as flavors deepen.
• Freeze-friendly: Store in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
• Don’t skip dill: Fresh dill adds that authentic, vibrant touch.

Conclusion

Borscht isn’t just a soup—it’s a story in a bowl. It carries the warmth of Ukraine and Russia, the nutrition of the beet, and the love of families passing down recipes for generations. Making it in the crock pot turns it into an easy, healthy, and cozy dinner you’ll crave all fall and winter long.

Whether you stick to the traditional version with beef or try a vegetarian or vegan twist, this dish is proof that simple ingredients can create something truly special.

So grab your crock pot, chop those veggies, and let the magic happen. Trust me—once you’ve made this, it’ll become one of your go-to comfort foods for life.