Flu-Fighting Beet and Ginger Soup

I like being in the kitchen but only as long as I am pulling together something easy and delicious that I KNOW THE KIDS WILL EAT! But that’s not how this day started. 

That day I was wondering how to feed my kids something wholesome that would also ward off their scratchy colds (and mine!). And I may never say this again but that day beets – delicious beets – were the answer.

Health Benefits Of Beets

Beets are a health powerhouse. They have proven effective in increasing stamina, reducing inflammation, and appropriate for this holiday season, a great detoxification agent. With the addition of onion and ginger in this beet soup, we end up with a flu-fighting AND delicious remedy that will blow those winter blues away.

Flu-Fighting Beet Soup With Ginger and Red Onion 

If you follow my writing (thank you!) you know I like to make kitchen time easy. This beet and ginger soup is a snap to make. The vegetables can cook while you’re helping kids with the homework or checking your email. And even if you don’t give any credence to the liver-cleansing, immunity boosting properties of the ingredients of this soup, it doesn’t matter; this beet soup is just plain old delicious. 

Cook the beets, ginger and onion, blend and spoon, this soup is yummy at room temperature or steaming hot. I serve it with a side of sautéd beet greens. Yes, BEET greens! A big part of the vegetable, beet greens are usually discarded. But they are full of flavour and rich in nutrition that boosts immunity and bone strength. A quick sauté with garlic and spices, and beet greens make a perfect topping for the beet soup.

Real Life Kitchen Tips

• Use a smooth chopping surface to chop the beets otherwise you’ll be washing the pink off for a long time.
•  I use canola oil for the soup and greens. It has a very mild flavour of it’s own that lets the vegetables shine through. 
• Cut the tops off the beets and wash, and wash again. 
• Trim the beet greens and leave only the tender part of the stem. Chop. 
• In the past I’ve served beet soup with crispy brussels sprouts as well. Works very well!

Flu-Fighting Beet and Ginger Soup

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 40 mins

Total Time 45 mins

Servings 6

Author Maple and Marigold

Ingredients

• 3 medium sized Beets
• 1 small Onion
• 1 in piece of Ginger
• 1 cup of freshly pressed Apple Cider optional will amplify the flavour. If not available replace with low-sodium chicken broth and a teaspoon of brown sugar
• 3 cups of low-sodium vegetable or Chicken Broth
• 2 tbsp Cream optional

Instructions

• Peel beets and cut into chunks.
• Peel onion and cut into chunks
• Roughly chop ginger
• Take a tbsp of oil in a pan on medium heat.
• Add in the vegetables and stir them around to caramelize for 8-10 minutes
• Pour in the liquid. Boil once and then simmer for 20-30 minutes, till the beets are soft.
• Puree.
• Add salt.
• Serve with a splash of cream.

For the Sautéd Beet Greens

• Take 3 chopped garlic cloves in a tbsp oil along with a sprinkle of red chilli peppers. I go a little crazy with chilli peppers here since it is unlikely my kids will eat this.
• Sauté for a few minutes till the garlic turns a little brown.
• Add in the greens and sprinkle salt as needed
• Sauté briefly and serve.