Name: Russian Cabbage Soup
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 105 min
Total time: 135 min
Yield: Serves 6-8
Ingredients: 1 lb (450g) beef chuck or brisket, cut into 1-inch cubes; 8 cups beef broth or water; 1 large head of cabbage (about 2 lbs), thinly sliced; 2 medium carrots, grated; 2 medium onions, finely chopped; 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 3 bay leaves; 5 whole black peppercorns; 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped, plus more for garnish; 2 cloves garlic, minced; Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste; Sour cream for serving; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

Prepare the meat

In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, brown the beef chunks in vegetable oil over medium-high heat until all sides are well-seared, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Create the broth base

Add beef broth or water to the pot with the browned meat. Add bay leaves and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for about 1 hour or until the meat is tender.
Prepare the vegetables

While the meat is cooking, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet. Add onions and carrots, sautéing until soft and lightly golden, about 7-8 minutes. Add tomato paste and stir for another 2 minutes until well combined. If using flour to thicken, sprinkle it over the vegetables now and stir for 1 minute.
Add vegetables to soup

Once the meat is tender, add the sautéed vegetables, sliced cabbage, and cubed potatoes to the pot. Bring back to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the cabbage and potatoes are tender.
Final seasoning

Add minced garlic and chopped dill. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for another 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Serve the soup

Remove bay leaves and peppercorns. Ladle the hot soup into bowls, garnish with fresh dill, and serve with a dollop of sour cream on top. Traditional Russian black bread makes an excellent accompaniment.

Russian Cabbage Soup

Ingredients

Instructions

Nutritional Information