Shchi (The BEST Russian Cabbage Soup) - Lavender & Macarons (2024)

There are so many reasons to love Shchi - traditional Russian Cabbage Soup. It's hearty and filling thanks to the tender chunks of beef and the combo of sauerkraut and fresh cabbage (see my substitution tips below). Cozy recipe for cold autumn and winter nights.
If you like soups with cabbage and potatoes, give this yummy Russian Shchi a try and it's bound to become a family's favorite.
More classic cozy soups you should try - Solyanka, Borscht.

Shchi

Are you looking for a hearty and comforting recipe to feed your family? Well, I've got one for you.

Shchi is a delicious soup recipe originated in Russia somewhere in the 9th century when cabbage was first imported from the Byzantine Empire.

Distinctive feature of this soup is the prevalence of one main vegetable (in our case it's cabbage) and some level of acidity. You can regulate the latter by playing with sauerkraut and fresh cabbage ratio. (See my tips below).

What are the main ingredients of this Russian cabbage soup with beef?

• cabbage (sauerkraut or fresh cabbage). There is also Shchi without cabbage. In this case, sorrel or nettle is used and soup resembles Ukrainian Green Borscht;
• meat - most often beef is used, however pork or chicken are acceptable as well;
• vegetables, like onion, carrot, celery, garlic;
• acidic component like sour cabbage (sauerkraut) juice and/or sour cream.

How to prepare Russian Shchi?

1. Make a broth

In a large stock pot add 8 cups of water along with 1 lb of Beef chuck shoulder (also called Beef clod). Bring the water to a boil.

With a slotted spoon remove a foam on the surface, add 1 teaspoon of black pepper corns, 1 quartered onion, 1 halved carrot and 1 halved celery stalk. Cook on a medium-low heat for 1 ½ - 2 hours.

Discard the vegetables and transfer the meat to a plate. Sift the broth through a fine mash sieve and put it back on a stove.

2. Cook potatoes and carrot

Add diced potatoes to a pot with a broth and cook for 10 minutes. Add carrot and celery root and cook for another 10 minutes.

3.Sauté cabbage

Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet and on a medium heat. Add onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent. Add sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, 3-4 tablespoon of tomato sauce, cover with a lid and sauté stirring occasionally for 20 minutes.

4. Add vegetables to a soup

Add sautéed vegetables to a pot with potatoes and carrot, add cubed meat, bay leaf, salt, pepper to taste and continue cooking on a medium heat for 5 minutes.

Note: Sauerkraut is already salty enough, so always tastethe soup before adding salt.

Note: You can regulate the acidity of the soup. If you feel like you it needs more acid, just add 2-3 tablespoons of sauerkraut juice.

Turn off the heat, add garlic pushed through a garlic press and let the soup rest for at least 20-30 minutes.

5. Serve

Serve with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of parsley.

Can I make Shchi without sauerkraut?

Yes, if you want, you can use only fresh cabbage. But you'll also need to add an acidic component, which can be 4-5 tablespoon (or more depending on your taste) of sauerkraut juice, more tomato sauce (5-7 tablespoons) or a generous dollop of sour cream in the end.

Can I make this traditional cabbage soup faster?

Yes, you can. Nowadays, there are many variations of Shchi and some of them are created specifically to speed up the process which is perfect for busy weeknights.

Homemade beef broth→ replace with store-bough beef broth and cook your soup startingfrom step 2.

Beef→ replace with ham and add it in step 4.

That way, you'll cut down on cooking time without compromising the flavor.

How do you storeRussian sauerkraut soup?

Oncethesoupfeelscoolto the touch, ladle it into smaller containers (I like these glass containers) and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

If you made Shchi with only sauerkraut and didn't add fresh cabbage, you can also freeze it. Divide the leftovers of soup into quart size freezer bags (I like these BPA-free ones) and freeze for up to 4 months.

You might also like these comforting soups for the whole family:

• Ukrainian Mushroom Soup
• Easy German Solyanka
• Cook-Off Winning Chili
• 46 Best Cabbage Recipes

If you make this recipe, please leave me a comment below and rate it. I always appreciate the feedback. Also, you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

Recipe