Shchi (Russian Cabbage Soup)
A clear, comforting cabbage and beef soup with a gentle sour edge from sauerkraut, finished with plenty of dill.
- Time1 hr 45
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.25 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Estimated nutrition per serving
- 337kcal
- 21.4gcarbs
- 6.7gof which sugars
- 17.7gfat
- 6.9gsaturates
- 22.7gprotein
- 5.5gfibre
- 2.2gsalt
A rough estimate worked out from the ingredients, for the serving size above. It is a guide only and not medical advice. If you count carbs or manage diabetes, check with your own tools and your care team.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Put the brisket, water, bay leaves, peppercorns and 1 tsp of the salt in a large pot. Bring to the boil, skim off the scum, then simmer gently with the lid half on for 1 hour, until the beef is very tender.
60 min - 2
Lift the beef out and shred it, discarding any thick fat. Strain the broth into a clean pot and bring it back to a simmer.
- 3
Heat the oil in a frying pan. Cook the onion and carrots for 8 minutes until soft and golden. Stir in the tomato purée and cook for 1 minute.
8 min - 4
Add the potatoes to the broth and simmer for 8 minutes. Add the fresh cabbage and sauerkraut and simmer for 10 minutes more, until the cabbage is soft but not mushy.
18 min - 5
Stir in the fried vegetables, shredded beef, garlic and the rest of the salt. Simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and add a pinch more salt or a little sauerkraut juice if you want it sharper.
5 min - 6
Stir through the dill and leave the soup to sit for 10 minutes before serving in warm bowls.
10 min
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.
