Borscht: calories and macros
Table compiled September 2026 · an estimate, not a measurement
A typical portion is 1 bowl (350 g). It has about 172 kcal, 9.1 g protein, 8.4 g fat and 15.1 g carbohydrate. Per 100 g that is 49 kcal: 2.6 g protein, 2.4 g fat, 4.3 g carbohydrate.
| Nutrition | per 100 g | 1 bowl (350 g) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 49 kcal | 172 kcal |
| Protein | 2.6 g | 9.1 g |
| Fat | 2.4 g | 8.4 g |
| Carbohydrate | 4.3 g | 15.1 g |
Likely range for this portion: 145-200 kcal.
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Calories from a photoThese are general estimates generated from published formulas, not a medical prescription. Not reviewed by a doctor or registered dietitian.
Read the full disclaimer
Every number on this page (calorie targets, macro splits and any suggested meal plan) is produced by formulas (Mifflin-St Jeor for basal metabolic rate, standard activity multipliers) or, for AI-generated meal plans, by a language model applying those same formulas. On meal-plan pages the carbohydrate figure for each meal is calculated by difference: total calories minus protein and fat calories, divided by 4. It is not measured or estimated on its own, so read it as an arithmetic balance and not as an independent nutritional analysis of the dish. None of it is individualized medical or nutritional advice, and none of it has been reviewed by a registered dietitian, physician or other licensed healthcare professional.
Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian what is right for you before starting a new diet, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a diagnosed medical condition, take prescription medication, or have a history of disordered eating. If you have kidney disease or another medical condition, ask your clinician before raising protein.
Mealyno never recommends a calorie target below your calculated Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), the minimum energy your body needs at complete rest. Even the most aggressive weight-loss setting is clamped at that floor.
Calorie and BMR estimates use the Mifflin-St Jeor equation (Mifflin MD, St Jeor ST, et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 1990).
Generated: September 2026
Borscht is Ukraine's best-known soup: a thick beetroot, cabbage and potato soup cooked on meat broth. Every family's recipe differs a little, and so does the calorie count of a bowl.
About this dish: Borscht
In most Ukrainian families borscht is a dish for several days: it is cooked in a big pot, and many people say it tastes better on the second day. Every kitchen has its own recipe: some cooks add beans, some prunes, and a little vinegar or lemon juice keeps the colour bright. Thickness and sourness are a matter of taste too. In 2022 UNESCO added the culture of Ukrainian borscht cooking to its list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.
Three things usually decide the calories of a bowl: the meat in the broth, the oil in the fried base, and what goes on top. Borscht on pork ribs with a generous fried base is clearly heavier than one on chicken broth. By our table a 350 g bowl without sour cream is about 170 kcal. A 20 g spoon of 15% sour cream adds roughly 30 kcal, and three spoons about 90 kcal, which is about half as much again as the bowl itself. Potato and beet carry the carbohydrate, so without bread and garlic rolls borscht stays a fairly light hot dish.
To make it lighter, chill the broth and lift off the set fat, and cook the base in a teaspoon of oil or soften the vegetables in a little broth. To add protein, make the broth with lean beef or turkey instead of pork, add beans, and swap part of the sour cream for thick yogurt. A ladle is a handy measure, but ladles differ in size, so weigh your usual bowl once.
Where the numbers come from
This dish has no single entry in the reference databases, so the values are calculated for a typical home recipe: ingredient shares multiplied by their composition in USDA and Ukrainian tables, including the fat that goes into the pan.
Borscht on beef broth with beet, cabbage, carrot, potato and a fried base, without sour cream. Calories are derived from protein, fat and carbohydrate at 4, 9 and 4 kcal per gram, so the numbers on the page never contradict each other.
Your kitchen will differ: real calories for a dish like this are usually within ±15%, which for this portion means 145 to 200 kcal. See the Method page for sources and calculations. These are general guides, not medical advice.
What changes the calories
The calories come mostly from the broth's fat, the frying oil and the sour cream on top. A leaner broth, less oil and one spoon of sour cream instead of three take 60-100 kcal off a bowl.
Extras that change the portion
Ingredients
beetroot, cabbage, potato, carrot, onion, tomato paste, beef, oil
How it fits in a day
A 172 kcal portion is about 9% of a nominal 2,000 kcal day. Your own daily need depends on weight, height, age and activity, so use a calorie calculator for a real target.
By energy source the dish splits into 21% from protein, 35% from carbohydrate and 44% from fat.
Count your own portion
Portions differ for everyone. To avoid guessing, photograph your own plate: the free Calories from a photo tool estimates the dish, the portion weight, calories and macros in a few seconds, with no signup. One scan a day.
Without a photo: multiply 49 kcal by the weight of the cooked dish in grams and divide by 100. For example, 250 g is about 123 kcal.
Calorie questions
How many calories are in 100 g of Borscht?
About 49 kcal per 100 g: 2.6 g protein, 2.4 g fat and 4.3 g carbohydrate. It is a calculation for a typical recipe; your kitchen may differ by ±15%.
How many calories are in one portion of Borscht?
A typical portion (1 bowl, 350 g) has about 172 kcal, or 145 to 200 kcal once recipe differences are allowed for.
How much protein does it have?
About 9.1 g of protein per portion, which is 21% of the dish's calories. Per 100 g it is 2.6 g.
Can I eat it while counting calories?
Yes, any dish can fit a plan if you count the portion. This portion is about 9% of a 2,000 kcal day; a calorie calculator gives your own target. If you have a medical condition, ask a doctor or dietitian.
What adds the most calories?
The calories come mostly from the broth's fat, the frying oil and the sour cream on top.
How do I count calories if my portion is different?
Multiply 49 kcal by the cooked weight in grams and divide by 100. For example 250 g gives about 123 kcal. If you cannot weigh it, photograph the plate in the Calories from a photo tool.