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Perfect Pairings: 8 BEST Side Dishes for Borscht

Have you ever heard of borscht? It’s a delicious Eastern European soup which is usually made up of beets and different vegetables.

Beets give it a deep, rich red color, while carrots provide sweetness and balance out the earthy taste of the beets.

You can eat borscht warm or cold, but it probably tastes best when served with a dollop of sour cream.

Borscht is popular around Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, and even in the Jewish culture.

Many people make it at home, but you can also find it served in restaurants, cafes, or pubs.

It’s probably best for a cold winter day when you want to curl up on the sofa with a warm bowl of soup.

When serving borscht, you can serve it with rye bread or even chopped chives.

It’s also possible to serve borscht in small oven-proof bowls along with a dollop of sour cream on top.

If you want your borscht to have a tangy flavor, you can include fresh lemon juice.

Borscht can be served with many different side dishes, including these eight listed below.

This list includes recipes for all skill levels involving potatoes, noodles, and more.

Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Borscht?

why consider serving side dishes for borscht

Borscht is a soup prepared with beetroot as its main ingredient.

It is popular in Eastern Europe and Russia, where it is considered the national dish of both countries.

The interesting thing about borscht is that it can be served as a stand-alone meal, but it is often paired with side dishes and some bread.

Here are some reasons why you should consider serving side dishes along with borscht.

First of all, most people eating borscht would want to have something to munch on with the soup.

This is because it tends to be very thick and filling since so many vegetables are used to prepare it.

While eating such a thick soup would be fine for some, most people would want something crunchy to snack on, like bread or crackers.

Secondly, serving side dishes along with borscht gives you the chance to experiment and try different combinations of foods.

For example, you can serve mashed potatoes along with borscht and garlic bread.

If you prefer something a bit lighter, then serve rye bread with borscht and cucumber salad.

Finally, serving side dishes along with borscht gives your guests more variety to choose from.

Serving side dishes along with borscht give you a chance to experiment and play around with different combinations for your guests.

This can also allow you to use an ingredient that is more difficult to find or something you prefer.

It is up to each person what they would like with their borscht, and nobody can tell them otherwise.

What to Serve with Borshcht? 8 BEST Side Dishes

what to serve with borscht best side dishes

There are many different types of side dishes that can go along with borscht.

Here are eight of the most popular.

1 – Saffron Rice

saffron rice

Saffron rice is one of the easiest side dishes to make.

You can serve saffron rice alongside your borscht for a simple yet delicious meal that will leave you satisfied.

To make saffron rice, bring water to a boil in a saucepan before adding basmati rice and salt.

Then, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes before adding saffron.

You can also include garlic and diced onions in the rice to give it more flavor.

Make sure to stir the mixture occasionally while cooking.

2 – Fresh Garden Salads

fresh garden salads

Another side dish that is popular to serve alongside borscht is a fresh garden salad.

Garden salads can be made with lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes, and you can also add cucumbers or other vegetables if you choose to.

The great thing about serving garden salads along with your borscht is that it gives your meal light and refreshing touch.

You can mix up the ingredients for your garden salad to make sure that you are getting a balanced meal.

Salad dressings can be added to give the salad more flavor.

3 – Rye Bread

rye bread

One of the most popular side dishes for borscht is rye bread.

You can choose what type of bread you would like, but it is recommended that you serve sourdough or wheat bread with borscht for a nice contrast in flavor.

Many people usually choose to serve rye bread because it is very easy to make.

You can bake the bread in the oven or toast it over a grill.

Rye bread has a nice crust on the outside and is light and fluffy on the inside.

It is also best served warm to enhance its flavor.

4 – Garlic Bread

garlic bread

Garlic bread is one of the most popular side dishes served alongside borscht because it goes well with the soup.

To make garlic bread, cut French or Italian bread into slices before baking or toasting.

Once cooked, you can rub garlic over the top of the bread for added flavor.

Before adding garlic, you can also add a light cheese, such as mozzarella or provolone, to the bread.

The creamy and flavorful taste of borscht mixed with garlic bread’s fresh and warm taste makes for a perfect meal.

This is a great choice if you are looking for something to munch on while waiting for your next course.

5 – Mashed Potatoes

mashed potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a great side dish for borscht because they go so well with the flavors of the soup.

To make mashed potatoes, boil peeled and cut potatoes in water until tender before draining.

Then, add milk and butter to the pan while stirring until a creamy texture is achieved.

Add more milk if the mashed potatoes are too thick.

You can also include different cheeses, such as cheddar or Parmesan, to compliment the soup’s flavor even more.

Mashed potatoes have a creamy and smooth texture that is perfect for scooping up with your spoon.

6 – Cucumber Salad

cucumber salad

If you are looking for a light side dish, cucumber salad is a great option to consider.

To make cucumber salad, you will need sliced cucumbers, chopped tomatoes, onion or scallions, and salt.

Cucumber salad is fresh and healthy since it includes so many vegetables.

Since it has such mild flavors, it can go along with almost any dish, including borscht.

The crunchiness of the cucumbers combined with its soft texture is great for scooping up the soup since it adds some nice variety to your meal.

7 – Fruit Salad

fruit salad

If you try to incorporate some fruit into your meal, fruit salad makes a great side dish for borscht.

To make fruit salad, combine sliced bananas, oranges, or other fruits in a bowl before adding juice and sugar.

Fruit adds sweetness to the soup without overdoing it.

It is also perfect for those who are trying to get some vegetables in their diet.

The freshness of the fruit salad is great for cutting through the richness of borscht, which makes it a perfect choice for serving alongside this soup.

8 – Roasted Vegetables

roasted vegetables

Roasted vegetables go well with borscht because they add a nice contrast to the flavors of the soup.

To make roasted vegetables, place potatoes, carrots, and other veggies on a baking sheet before pouring olive oil over them.

Then season the vegetables with salt and pepper as desired.

Then bake or grill until tender and golden brown before serving.

Roasted vegetables are so soft and warm, which makes them perfect for scooping up the soup.

If you are looking for a hearty side dish, this is an option to consider.

Conclusion

In conclusion, borscht has many flavors that are perfect for complimenting with side dishes.

If you’re looking to serve something light and fresh, cucumber salad or fruit salad can be a great choice.

You can also go for the popular garlic bread if you’re looking to munch on something while waiting for your main course.

Mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables both provide a strong and flavorful experience that pairs well with the soup.

Hopefully, these side suggestions can be helpful for those looking to make a complete borscht meal.

what to serve with borscht

What to Serve with Borshcht? 8 BEST Side Dishes

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Side Dishes
Servings 1 Serving

Ingredients
  

  • Saffron Rice
  • Fresh Garden Salads
  • Rye Bread
  • Garlic Bread
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Cucumber Salad
  • Fruit Salad
  • Roasted Vegetables

Instructions
 

  • Choose your favorite recipe from the list of options.
  • Organize all required ingredients and prepare a delicious meal in 30 minutes or less!
Did you make this recipe?Mention @EatDelights or tag #eatdelights!

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