This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy. Schavel (Sorrel) re-grows year after year. In Russia and Ukraine, sorrel is called shchavel’ (щавель). Shchaveloviy borscht or Green borsch is a classic Ukrainian sorrel soup – we serve it hot with a dollop of sour cream or mayo. You can make this sorrel soup with pork or vegetarian using a good broth. It also freezes well so you can enjoy this soup in winter. My mom grows Shchavel in her yard and it’s currently flourishing – time to make soup! If you have a yummy recipe with sorrel, I’d love to hear from you!
Ingredients for Sorrel Soup:
14 cups water (if not using pork, you will need 8 cups water plus 6 cups chicken broth) 2 large Pork Loin Chops or 1 pound chicken breasts, sliced or diced 1 Tbsp salt 4-5 medium potatoes (any kind will work), diced 1 medium onion, finely diced 2 Tbsp olive oil 2 large eggs, lightly beaten with a fork 2 Bay Leaves 3 Tbsp Dill (fresh or frozen) 4 cups fresh Schavel, packed, rinsed and chopped (or use 3 cups chopped, frozen Shchavel) Sour cream or mayo to serve
How to Make Sorrel Borscht:
Fill a large pot with 14 cups water (or water plus chicken broth if not using pork) and bring it to a boil. Next, add the meat, 1 Tbsp of salt and simmer pork partially covered for 30 minutes (or chopped chicken for 10 minutes – I used chicken this time). Use a spoon to skim off any impurities that rise to the top.
After meat is done cooking, add diced potatoes, 2 bay leaves and lightly boil 15 minutes or until potatoes can be pierced with a fork.
While potatoes are cooking, saute 1 diced onion in 2 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat until golden brown and add to the pot with the soup.
Next, lightly beat 2 eggs together and stir them in to the pot.
When potatoes are cooked through, stir in Shchavel (Sorrel) and Dill. Return pot to a boil and simmer additional 3-5 minutes or until sorrel is soft. Adding more sorrel (щавель) will make your soup/borscht more sour.
Serve hot with an optional dollop of sour cream or mayo.
