Solianka or Russian Beef Soup

35 Ratings
  • 5 Rating Star 30
  • 4 Rating Star 3
  • 2 Rating Star 1
  • 3 Rating Star 1
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This is a traditional Russian soup that is served as a meal by itself. Vodka is usually served with it. Garnish with fresh lemon slices and sour cream.

By Karena
prep:
25 mins
cook:
40 mins
total:
1 hr 10 mins
additional:
5 mins
Servings:
6
Max Servings:
6
Nutrition Info
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Ingredients

Directions

  • Soak mushrooms in 3/4 cup water until tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Set aside.

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  • Melt half the butter and saute the onions, meats, and rehydrated mushrooms. Add the stock and liquid from the mushrooms and bring to a boil. Make a bouquet garni by tying the bay leaves and peppercorns tightly in cheesecloth. Lower the heat and add the bouquet garni, pickles, capers, and marinated mushrooms. Simmer 10-15 minutes.

  • Melt remaining butter in a skillet and cook the tomatoes and tomato paste for a few minutes, then add the flour and saute for another few minutes. Add a cup of the soup to the skillet and stir in well, then return pan ingredients to the soup pot.

  • Add the olives, dill, marjoram, garlic, pickle juice, and paprika. Adjust soup's seasoning with salt and pepper; simmer another 10-15 minutes.

  • Remove pot from heat and remove bouquet garni. Adjust seasonings and serve with sour cream and lemon.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:
477.62 calories; 25.42 g protein; 26.9 g carbohydrates; 30.37 g fat; 100.41 mg cholesterol; 1373.92 mg sodium.Full Nutrition

Reviews (31)

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Most helpful positive review

Anonymous
12/14/2003
This recipe was very authentic and very close to what we were used to eating when we lived in Russia. My kids who were born in Russia and grew up eating Russian foods love this but it might not go over so well with American kids. We love this and I make it with all kinds of cooked meat in the traditional Russian fashion in Russia Solianka is the "clean out your fridge" soup.
Helpful
(34)

Most helpful critical review

Anonymous
05/07/2013
Not tasty enough for me for all the unhealthy ingredients.
Helpful
(2)
35 Ratings
  • 5 Rating Star 30
  • 4 Rating Star 3
  • 2 Rating Star 1
  • 3 Rating Star 1
Reviews:
Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest
Anonymous
12/14/2003
This recipe was very authentic and very close to what we were used to eating when we lived in Russia. My kids who were born in Russia and grew up eating Russian foods love this but it might not go over so well with American kids. We love this and I make it with all kinds of cooked meat in the traditional Russian fashion in Russia Solianka is the "clean out your fridge" soup.
Helpful
(34)
Alexander Russian Magic Cook
12/28/2009
I didn't even read the directions I just checked out the ingredients. They are too many!=)) But I don't think they'd bother. Why you called Solianka "Beef Soup"?=) It's not! I would call it "Smoked Meat Sour Soup"! That would be the rightest name!=)) Anyway sounds good! This is one of my favorite soups in my country (Russia). The original way is: stock based on a pickles brine there are ham sausages bacon kelbasa some beef lemons olives (black and green) tomato pure onions celery.....what else?.........parsley cilantro......oooohhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! pickles diced..capers??? you can add but the original recipe comes with pickles so...thanks! I rated this recipe with "five stars"!!!!
Helpful
(22)
SUE-S.
12/14/2003
This soup was really good! I served it at a dinner party with a Russian theme and it was a big hit. It makes a very hearty main course. The only recommendation I have is to rehydrate the mushrooms and let the sand settle. Also you may want to double the recipe and freeze some for future meals!!!
Helpful
(21)
lhacking13
02/03/2011
I was a little aprehensive about the ingredients but as it cooked it smelled amazing. I did have to substitute alternate items for the veal (thin sliced beef) and marinated mushrooms (regular raw mushrooms) and used dried dill weed instead of fresh because I couldn't find it. This was for a dinner party and everyone loved it. I got multiple comments on how tasty it was. I served it with Russian black bread and a basic side salad and it was perfect. Everyone should try this. It does indicate that it feeds 6 but I could easily have fed 12 people with the soup salad and bread. Everyone should try this because the flavor is not what you would expect given the ingredients.
Helpful
(11)
Anonymous
12/15/2003
This recipe is an excellent one. Sour salty and savoury.
Helpful
(11)
www.sexybfz.website
01/27/2010
I signed up just so I could review this recipe. I made the soup yesterday and my husband said it's the best I've ever made! I used half the amount of butter and tomatoes (personal preference). I will be making this soup quite often thank you for sharing!
Helpful
(11)
Nika
11/01/2010
i love this receipe its my husbands favorite. im originally from Russia and finding this realy inspired me to cook more russian food.
Helpful
(10)
Denise Wacker
03/22/2006
I was intrigued by this list of ingredients and made the recipe exactly as written. It was sublime! I dream about this soup! Thanks Karena!
Helpful
(10)
food critic
06/30/2009
excellent recipe tasted just like when i was in Ukraine very close
Helpful
(9)
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