Top 100 European Vegetable Soups

Borscht is a popular beet soup found in many Central and Eastern European countries. Although the most common Polish version is a thick borscht prepared with beetroot and various root vegetables, the unique Polish version comes in the form of a clear strained broth. This dish is known as barszcz czysty czerwony and its base is usually fermented beet juice, also known as kvass, or stock that includes beetroot juice together with lemon juice or vinegar. The broth is strained and it can be served cold or warm, as well as in bowls or mugs. A typical combination is to serve the soup together with small filled dumplings called uszka. This combination stems from Jewish tradition since the dish was traditionally served on Sukkot, a Jewish holiday celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh month, Tishrei.Expand

In Czech folklore, the best cure for a cold or a hangover is a bowl of česnečka, a traditional garlic soup. Although garlic is the key ingredient, the soup also incorporates potatoes, meat broth, onions, and traditional spices such as caraway and marjoram. This healthy dish is usually topped with grated cheese and crunchy croutons, and it is commonly served and enjoyed as an appetizer.Expand

Kürbis suppe or pumpkin soup is a simple dish typical of the traditional Burgenland cuisine. The soup is usually made with diced or grated pumpkin flesh that is lightly sautéed with vegetables before it is simmered in water, chicken stock, or beef broth until all the ingredients are tender. Typical vegetables used in the soup include onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots, leeks, and celery, while the selection of spices and seasonings usually includes salt, pepper, paprika, nutmeg, cumin, dill, and vinegar. The soup is commonly thickened with flour or cornstarch, and once cooked, it is usually combined with cream and puréed until it gets a smooth or porridge-like consistency. A bowl of this creamy pumpkin soup is typically enjoyed while it's still hot as an appetizer. Traditionally, the soup is served with crispy croutons and a dollop of sour cream drizzled with pumpkin seed oil on top.Expand

This popular sauerkraut soup is one of the traditional Polish dishes originating from the country's mountainous region, and it is often associated with the town Żywiec. Since it is prepared with fermented sauerkraut juice and smoked meat, it has a rich, smoky flavor, and is usually quite sour. Unlike kapuśniak, a similar sauerkraut soup, kwaśnica does not include any root vegetables. The soup is traditionally served as a nutritious main course, and it is recommended to pair it with bread or potatoes on the side.Expand

This traditional Czech soup is prepared with fresh peas, green split peas, or yellow split peas. It often incorporates flavorful broths, various root vegetables, smoked meat, and spices such as cumin or marjoram. Although it can vary in color and consistency, it is usually complemented with a dollop of cream or crispy croutons, and then enjoyed as a nutritious appetizer.Expand

Pasta e ceci is a thick Italian soup featuring pasta and chickpeas as the main ingredients. Any kind of pasta can be used in the soup, from maltagliati to cannolicchi. The dish is usually prepared with a soffrito of onions and celery that is simmered in a chickpea broth, while the pasta is added later. This classic, comforting dish is traditionally served on Friday throughout Italy.Expand

The iconic borsch is probably the most famous Ukrainian dish, also considered the country's national dish. It is a comforting soup made with beetroot, meat or bone stock, and sautéed vegetables. There are many variations - the broth can be made with beef, pork, chicken, or as a vegetarian version. The soup often includes fermented beetroot juice (kvas), and it is common to add meat, while typical vegetables include root vegetables and cabbage. The essential ingredient in every borsch is beetroot. It gives the dish its distinctive red color and a characteristic earthy flavor. The exact origin of this classic is difficult to trace – although it is predominately associated with Ukraine, as the country boasts the largest number of borsch varieties. Regardless of its origins, it is one of the favorite dishes across Central and Eastern Europe. For example, in Poland, there are several varieties, but the most popular version is barczsz with dumplings, which is served as a traditional Christmas Eve dish. Due to migration, the tradition of preparing borsch has long ago surpassed European borders, and is commonly found in Ukrainian restaurants across the world. In Ukraine, the dish is often served with savory yeasted buns called pampushki.Expand

This thick French soup is made with puréed leeks, onions, potatoes, cream, and chicken stock. There is an ongoing debate about its origin – some claim it has French roots, while others insist that the soup is an American invention. One group of food historians say that the soup was invented by French chef Jules Gouffe in 1859, while others believe the original creator to be Louis Diat, a French chef who worked at the New York Ritz-Carlton. Inspired by the potato and leek soup of his childhood, he named the soup crème Vichyssoise glacée after his hometown of Vichy. Today, the soup is traditionally served cold and is often garnished with fresh chopped chives.Expand

This refreshing, cold beetroot soup is a part of traditional Lithuanian cuisine. It consists of a creamy blend of pickled or boiled beetroots and tangy kefir or buttermilk, poured over grated cucumbers and hard-boiled eggs. The whole soup is generously seasoned with dill, and usually left to set until all the flavors are thoroughly combined. It is usually prepared in the summertime, and is best served chilled, preferably with potatoes on the side. It can be enjoyed as an appetizer or a light main course.Expand

Bob chorba is a soup prepared with Bulgarian varieties of white and kidney beans, onions, peppers, tomatoes, carrots, and mint. Additional ingredients include bell peppers, paprika, potatoes, and meat, but the soup can be made with almost any available ingredient. Particularly popular is the bob chorba po manastirski, a monastery-style version of this soup that was prepared in many of Bulgarian monasteries and is completely vegetarian. This simple soup is one of Bulgaria's national dishes and its meatless version is traditionally served on Christmas Eve. Bob chorba is traditionally served hot in earthenware bowls, and it is recommended to garnish it with chopped parsley or grated cheese.Expand