Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/is-borscht-vegetarian/
Language: en

# Is Borscht Vegetarian? (Beet Soup, Explained)

Borscht is a beet soup with a bright red color and a question mark in the stock. It can be
meat-based or fully vegetable, and the sour cream on top adds one more layer. Here is how to tell.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - Borscht varies: it can be made with beef or meat stock, or be fully vegetarian.
> - The beets, cabbage and root vegetables are plant-based; the stock decides the rest.
> - It is often served with sour cream, so a vegan version means skipping the cream.
> - Ask if it is made with vegetable stock, and request no sour cream.

**TL;DR: Borscht varies.** It can be made with beef or meat stock (not vegetarian) or be fully
vegetarian. It's often served with a dollop of **sour cream**, so vegan borscht means skipping
the cream too.

## What's in borscht

- **Beets, cabbage, carrot, potato, onion**: the vegetable base.
- **Stock**: sometimes beef or meat stock, sometimes vegetable stock.
- **Sour cream**: the classic topping (dairy).

The bright red beet base is vegetarian; the stock and the sour cream are what decide it.

## How to order vegetarian or vegan

- **Vegetarian:** ask for a version made with **vegetable stock**.
- **Vegan:** vegetable stock **and no sour cream** (or a plant-based cream).

## The bottom line

- **Vegetarian?** Only if made with vegetable stock.
- **Vegan?** Vegetable stock + no sour cream.

See our [Borscht dish guide](/food/russia/borscht/) for the full breakdown.

**Check before you eat.** The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a
photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more).
[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verifyveg-vegan-scanner/id6758276834) - 
Android is coming soon.

*Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food
against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.*

*Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Recipes and
preparations vary by restaurant, region and cook, so always confirm with the restaurant, brand or vendor.*