Beet Greens Soup

I love to buy beets at the farmers market, because we can eat the roots and the greens. This is a recipe I made to introduce my kids to eating the greens, and they loved it! This soup is wonderful topped with sour cream or plain yogurt, and served with warm bread.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 23 mins
• Total Time: 48 mins
• Calories: 212 Calories

Ingredients

• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• ½ cup diced onion
• 1 potato, diced
• 2 tablespoons bacon grease
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 4 cups chicken stock, divided
• 1 bunch beet tops with stems
• ½ cup shredded carrots (Optional)
• 1 ½ cups shredded cooked pork

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place potato in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with salted water. Cook in the microwave until tender, about 5 minutes.

Step 2

Place beet tops and stems on a flat work surface. Cut greens into thin strips and dice stems. Stack greens and stems in separate piles.

Step 3

Heat bacon grease in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add beet stems, onion, and carrots. Cook and stir until tender, about 5 minutes. Season with salt. Add beet greens; saute until wilted, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Reserve 1/2 cup of the greens mixture in the skillet. Transfer the rest of the mixture into a blender; add boiled potato and 2 cups stock. Blend until smooth, adding salty potato water to thin mixture as needed.

Step 5

Pour the blended mixture into a large pot. Stir in the reserved greens mixture, the remaining 2 cups stock, shredded pork, and peas. Cook until soup is heated through, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.