Zhur (Belarusian Sour Rye Soup)

  • Prep Time - 20 minutes
  • Cooking Time - 40 minutes
  • Servings: 6
  • Country: Belarus
A thick creamy Zhur soup with pieces of sausage, potatoes, and garnished with dill and sour cream.

Zhur is a soup with a deep history, traditionally associated with the fasting period in the past. Its sour base comes from rye sourdough starter (Zakvaska), which can be easily prepared at home, although it is often available in stores today (look for Kvass for Zhur or Kvass for Borscht).

The soup should be thick and hearty. The characteristic smoky note is provided by the smoked meat cooked in the base.

Ingredients

I. Main Ingredients

  • 500 ml Rye Sourdough Starter (Zakvaska), ready-made or from rye flour
  • 150 g Smoked Meat (pork or bacon), diced
  • 100 g White Sausage, sliced (optional)
  • 4 pcs Potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 1 pcs Onion, finely chopped
  • 1 l Broth (meat or vegetable)

II. Seasoning

  • 150 ml Sour Cream (min. 18%)
  • 1 tbsp All-purpose Flour (for thickening the cream)
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Marjoram, dried
  • 1 to taste Salt and Black Pepper

III. For Serving

  • 2 pcs Hard-boiled Eggs

Instructions

Step 1: Cooking the Base

Bring the broth to a boil in a pot. Add the diced smoked meat, sausage, and potatoes. Cook until the potatoes are tender (about 20 minutes).

Step 2: Preparing and Adding the Sourdough Starter

Sauté the onion in a little oil (or fat from the smoked meat) until translucent and set aside.

Stir the sourdough starter before use. Pour it slowly into the boiling soup while stirring constantly.

Add the sautéed onion. Bring the soup back to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes over low heat.

Step 3: Thickening and Seasoning

In a small bowl, mix the sour cream with 1 tbsp of flour until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons of hot soup to temper the sour cream, and pour it back into the pot.

Add the minced garlic, marjoram, salt, and pepper. Simmer the soup for 5 minutes to slightly thicken, but do not let it come to a rapid boil.

Step 4: Serving

Serve Zhur soup very hot. Garnish each serving with half a hard-boiled egg and a spoonful of sour cream. You can decorate with fresh dill or chives.