This beautifully delicious green borsch recipe will become a new favorite in your crockpot cooking repertoire.

This recipe features tender chicken legs, earthy nettle leaves, and tangy sorrel.

Top with a dollop of sour cream for added creaminess and serve with crusty bread for a comforting meal that’s sure to satisfy.

Directions

0/0 steps made
  1. First things first, let’s get our chicken and potatoes bubbling away in that crockpot. We want to make sure that we’re giving those ingredients the love and attention they deserve. So we’ll be boiling them in 5 cups of water for a good 1.5 hours.
  2. Now, while our chicken is doing its thing, let’s get to work on those eggs. We want them nice and hard-boiled, so we’re talking about a good 10-12 minutes of cooking time.
  3. Next up, let’s get our veggies ready to go. We’re talking about finely chopped onion and carrot that will add some lovely sweetness and crunch to our borsch. And let’s not forget about those greens!
  4. Once our chicken has been simmering away for a good 90 minutes, we’ll add in our veggies and greens. We’ll let those simmer for a good 5 minutes, and then it’s time to season things up. We’re talking about a pinch of salt and some aromatic seasoning based on Utsho-Suneli.

  5. Now, let’s not forget about those hard-boiled eggs we cooked up earlier. We’ll slice those bad boys up and add them to our borsch for a little bit of extra protein and texture.
  6. And then, we’ll let everything cook together for another 10 minutes or so until our borsch is looking and smelling divine.
  7. Finally, we’ll turn off the crockpot and let our borsch sit on the warming setting for a good 10 minutes. This will allow all of those flavors to meld together and create a beautiful, cohesive soup.

Health benefits of Green Borsch

When you cook chicken bones slowly, they release gelatin, collagen, and other good stuff that make the broth nourishing and healing. This broth adds a rich depth to the recipe.

Using fresh, whole ingredients means you get the best nutrients from every part of the dish, making it wholesome and balanced. Chicken packs protein and essential vitamins like niacin, selenium, and B6 to keep you strong.

Potatoes bring vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, which can help manage blood sugar. Hard-boiled eggs add more protein and vital nutrients like vitamins D, B12, and selenium.

Onions and green onions load the dish with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits, helping heart health and blood sugar. Carrots, sorrel, and nettle leaves deliver vitamins, minerals, and fiber that support your eyes, digestion, bones, and immune system.

Nettle Benefits - The Plant that Heals Almost Everything! - My Top 5 Benefits of Stinging Nettle

Video by GutFeelings

Health Risks of Green Borsch

Additionally, some individuals may be allergic to certain ingredients used in this recipe, such as eggs or sorrel. So, it’s vital to be aware of any food allergies or intolerances before preparing or consuming this meal. The use of a crockpot can be a convenient and healthy cooking method.

Another potential risk of green borsch to consider is the high sodium content in this recipe. Adding too much salt to the borsch can contribute to high blood pressure, which can lead to a range of health problems, such as heart disease and stroke.

While sour cream is a traditional topping for borsch, it’s high in saturated fat and calories, so it’s essential to use it in moderation. You can opt for a low-fat or non-fat sour cream alternative, or skip the sour cream altogether and top your borsch with fresh herbs.

Finally, if you have any concerns about the safety or nutritional value of this recipe, it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian.

Cooking Time

This green borsch recipe can take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours to prepare, including the time needed to cook the chicken legs in the crockpot for 1.5 hours. And the additional time needed to add the remaining ingredients, simmer the soup, and allow it to rest before serving.

However, the actual cooking time can vary depending on the size of the chicken legs, the desired consistency of the soup, and the specific crockpot or cooking equipment used.

It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the soup and adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure that the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are tender.

Serving Variation

Classic style. Serve the borsch hot, topped with a dollop of sour cream and a slice of crusty bread.

Low-carb option. Skip the bread and sour cream and instead top the soup with fresh herbs, such as chopped dill or parsley, and a squeeze of lemon juice for added flavor.

Vegan variation. Replace the chicken legs with vegetable broth and add some diced potatoes or mushrooms for extra heartiness. Top with vegan sour cream or a spoonful of cashew cream for a creamy texture.

Gluten-free option. Serve the soup with gluten-free bread or crackers, and make sure that any seasonings or broths used are certified gluten-free.

Cold soup. Chill the borsch in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight, and serve it as a refreshing cold soup, perfect for a hot summer day.

Where You Can Buy Nettle Leaves and Sorrel

Nettle leaves and sorrel are commonly used in cooking, and you can find them in some grocery stores, farmers’ markets, or online retailers.

Nettle leaves and sorrel for the Green Borsch can be found in various stores and markets across the USA, the UK, Australia, and Canada. Availability may depend on the season and location, but there are plenty of options to explore.

Whole Foods Market in the USA sometimes stocks fresh nettle leaves and sorrel. Local farmers’ markets are also a great place to check during the growing season. Online retailers like Amazon, Etsy, or specialty food stores such as Penzeys Spices may have dried or fresh options available.

Tesco in the UK occasionally carries fresh nettle leaves and sorrel. Farmers’ markets often have them when they are in season. For online shopping, Amazon UK and specialty stores like Steenbergs Organic might be good places to look.

Major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths in Australia sometimes stock fresh nettle leaves and sorrel. Farmers’ markets are worth checking during the growing season. Online options include Amazon Australia and specialty stores such as The Essential Ingredient.