Polish Cold Beet Soup Chlodnik-A Refreshing Summer Soup Recipe
There’s something so comforting about a bowl of chłodnik on a warm summer day. Growing up in Poland, this beautiful pink soup was one of those recipes that always meant summer had officially arrived.
Made with tender beets, crisp cucumbers, fresh dill, and creamy kefir or sour cream, chłodnik is cool, refreshing, and surprisingly filling. Every family makes it a little differently, but the heart of the recipe always stays the same — simple ingredients turned into something beautiful and comforting.
If you’ve never tried Polish cold beet soup before, don’t let the bright color fool you. It’s fresh, creamy, tangy, and absolutely delicious straight from the refrigerator on a hot day.
Today I like to share with you another recipe.. This time it is our family favorite Summer cold soup… yup you read that right it is a cold soup. I like to share with you how my Mom made cold beet soup called Chlodnik . It is my all time favorite anytime dish in a summer. My Mom used to make that a lot since AC was not the thing in Eastern Europe and most of all who wants to stay home and cook in the summer. It is super quick recipe that lasts too and is ready to be served right away. Don’t you just like that?
‘Chłodnik ’ (pron.: ‘hwoah-dnick ’) – the traditional and refreshing Polish cold soup – is a delicious memory of the warm days of late spring and summer. It’s a promise of relief from the summertime heat, and a promise that’s delivered every time.
Chlodnik – cold beet soup can be stored up to 5 days in the refrigerator … and it actually tastes better on the second day when all
Chlodnik is also gluten-free (as long as you won’t garnish it with croutons). It’s also low-carb and keto friendly.
Are you excited to learn how to make our summer beet soup ?
Let’s gather some ingridients
- beets 2 medium size boiled
- cucumber – 2 small
- 2-3 cloves of garlic
- dill to garnish
- buttermilk
- plain greek yogurt
- salt and pepper
Back in Poland my Mom used to make this soup with Soured MIlk that I cant make in US so I am going to replace it by buttermilk that is super easy to find in American supermarkets. My Mom used to keep simply fresh raw milk that was kept in a warm place for a day that means not in a refrigerator just on the counter.
Loved to observe that reaction …. Milk acidifies naturally with time, thanks to the bacteria that are already there. These cultures would slowly “eat” the lactose away. With time, they multiply throughout – acidifying the milk by releasing lactic acid. Eventually, the milk sets and forms a curd.
Soured Milk is a light tart beverage – a little bit like yoghurt, but better! Buttermilk is super close to taste of it but curd is pureed…lol if you may call that way.
What Is Chłodnik?
Chłodnik is a traditional Polish cold soup made with beets, cucumbers, fresh dill, and a creamy base like kefir, buttermilk, or sour cream. It’s especially popular during the summer months because it’s served chilled and feels incredibly refreshing on hot days.
This soup is often compared to cold borscht and is common throughout Poland and other Eastern European countries. Many versions are topped with hard-boiled eggs and extra fresh herbs before serving.
Usually we were using fresh young beets from the garden to make it but i often use 2 big roots to make mine if I have a craving for this soup.
Let’s begin to explore details in my Mom’s Beet summer soup recipe
Love me to use my little hand grater.! Super helpful little tool. It is not worthy to take my big robot out to get things done .
As you are at it … raw cucumber is another veggie that you would like to grate too to add to a cold summer beet soup
Add 2 or 3 garlic cloves some salt and pepper to taste and you are all done.
Time to mix all together.
I like to take a pitcher like my Mom did and mix all in there
- add quart of buttermilk
- 3 or 4 big spoons of plain greek yogurt
I like my cold beet soup thick but you can adjust amount of yogurt to your likings. Isn’t easy to make a chlodnik? Perfect summer soup recipe to make in less then 20 min.
Tips for the Best Polish Cold Beet Soup
- Chill the soup for at least a few hours before serving for the best flavor.
- Fresh dill makes a huge difference in this recipe.
- Kefir gives the soup a traditional tangy flavor, but buttermilk also works beautifully.
- Serve with boiled potatoes or crusty bread for a more filling meal.
- The color becomes even brighter after the soup rests in the refrigerator.
WHAT SHOULD YOU SERVE WITH CHŁODNIK SOUP?
This Cold Beet Soup is usually served on its own, as a complete dish: for a light, summer-time lunch.
It’s often paired with:
- boiled young potatoes on the side, lightly topped with melted butter
- mashed potatoes, topped with chopped fried bacon or pork belly
- toasts, either plain or topped with garlic or cheese
You can also serve with slice of bread. Read about my Mom recipe HERE
Beets are by far my favorite vegetable and super nutritious too. Check on my Blog other Beets recipe HERE
I so love to serve beets in my house. All details on how I make Borscht check HERE
Frequently Asked Questions About Polish Cold Beet Soup
What does Polish cold beet soup taste like?
Polish cold beet soup, also known as chłodnik, tastes fresh, creamy, slightly tangy, and refreshing. The beets add a subtle earthy sweetness while cucumbers and dill give the soup a bright summer flavor.
Is chłodnik served hot or cold?
Chłodnik is always served cold. It’s traditionally enjoyed during the warmer summer months straight from the refrigerator.
Can I make chłodnik ahead of time?
Yes! In fact, chłodnik tastes even better after chilling for several hours because the flavors have more time to blend together.
What is the difference between chłodnik and borscht?
Traditional borscht is usually served warm, while chłodnik is a chilled Polish beet soup made with creamy ingredients like kefir, buttermilk, or sour cream. Chłodnik also commonly includes cucumbers, dill, and hard-boiled eggs.
Can I use canned beets for chłodnik?
Yes, you can use canned beets if you’re short on time. Fresh cooked beets will give the soup a fresher flavor, but canned beets work well too.
What do you serve with Polish cold beet soup?
Chłodnik is often served with boiled potatoes, crusty bread, or hard-boiled eggs. Some families also enjoy it with fresh rye bread on the side.
How long does chłodnik last in the refrigerator?
Polish cold beet soup usually stays fresh for about 3 to 4 days when stored covered in the refrigerator.
Is Polish cold beet soup healthy?
Yes! Chłodnik is packed with vegetables, fresh herbs, and probiotics if made with kefir or buttermilk. It’s light, refreshing, and full of summer flavor.
No knead bread is another recipe I was able to adopt here with local ingredients
