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Mom's Beet Soup

Soups

4 Servings
Prep 15 min
Cook 40 min
Total 55 min

Ingredients:

  • 7.5 ml (1/2 tbsp) avocado oil
  • 75 g (1/2) onion, chopped
  • 10 g (3-4 cloves) garlic, finely chopped
  • 10 g (1/2-1 inch) ginger, grated
  • 3 g (1 tsp) turmeric powder
  • 300 g (2 medium) beets, chopped into small cubes
  • 180 g (1 cup) cannellini beans, cooked
  • 100 g (1/2 cup) lentils
  • 65 g (1/3 cup) pearl barley
  • 80 g (2 cups) beet greens, chopped
  • 60 g (1 cup) chopped parsley
  • 960 ml (4 cups) water
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Equipments:

  • Medium pot or Dutch oven
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Grater (for the ginger)
  • Ladle
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Nutrition:

Servings 4  Calories 280  Carbohydrates 48 g  Fat 3 g  Fiber 12 g  Protein 14 g
Monounsaturated 1.5 g  Polyunsaturated 0.3 g  Saturated 0.3 g  Trans 0 g
Vitamin A 180 mcg  Vitamin C 25 mg  Vitamin D 0 mcg
Calcium 90 mg  Iron 4.5 mg  Potassium 950 mg
Cholesterol 0 mg  Sodium 320 mg  Sugar 6 g

Make Now
Prep

Grate the ginger rather than mincing it — it distributes more evenly through the broth and is easier to work into the aromatics.

Common mistakes

  • Skipping the sauté step — rushing past softening the onion, garlic, and ginger leaves the broth tasting flat; give them the full 4-5 minutes.
  • Not seasoning at the end — the lentils and barley absorb a lot of salt as they cook; taste and adjust just before serving, not only at the start.

Instructions:

  1. Sauté the aromatics: In a medium pot, heat the 7.5 ml (1/2 tbsp) avocado oil over medium heat. Add the 75 g (1/2) onion, chopped and sauté for 4-5 minutes, until translucent. Add the 10 g (3-4 cloves) garlic, finely chopped and 10 g (1/2-1 inch) ginger, grated, and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
  2. Add the turmeric and beets: Stir in the 3 g (1 tsp) turmeric powder and cook for 1 minute. Add the 300 g (2 medium) beets, chopped into small cubes, and cook for 2-3 minutes to let the flavors fuse.
  3. Add the rest: Stir in the 180 g (1 cup) cannellini beans, cooked, 100 g (1/2 cup) lentils, 65 g (1/3 cup) pearl barley, 80 g (2 cups) beet greens, chopped, and 60 g (1 cup) chopped parsley. Pour in the 960 ml (4 cups) water and stir to combine.
  4. Simmer: Bring the soup to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook for about 30-40 minutes, until the beets, lentils, and barley are tender.
  5. Season and serve: Adjust the salt and pepper to taste, ladle the soup into bowls, and serve hot. Garnish with plant-based yogurt and extra parsley.
Common Mistakes, Notes, Storage, Swaps & Tips

Notes

  • This soup thickens as it sits since the lentils and barley keep absorbing liquid — thin with extra water or broth when reheating.

Tips

  • If beet greens aren't available, chard or the beet's own well-washed greens work well.

Storage

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.

Swaps

  • Any cooked white bean can replace the cannellini beans.
  • Swiss chard or kale can replace the beet greens.
Why these Ingredients

Beets — give the soup its deep color and a subtly sweet, earthy flavor.

Lentils and pearl barley — add heartiness, making this a filling, complete meal on its own.

Turmeric and ginger — build a warm, aromatic base that balances the sweetness of the beets.

Beet greens and parsley — add freshness and make sure nothing from the beets goes to waste.

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