Soups
Beetroot Vegetable Soup
Traditionally used to nourish the blood and support a healthy complexion
Why people make this soup
Beetroot has long been treasured as a blood-nourishing food for women. Its deep natural red pigment is traditionally said to support the liver, and its fibre helps keep the digestion moving and the body feeling clean. Bro Niu likes that this is an honest, all-vegetable pot — beetroot, carrot, tomato and celery — that tastes earthy-sweet and is gentle enough to drink often.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- Good for those wanting to nourish the blood and complexion, and often enjoyed by people watching blood pressure, blood fats and cholesterol.
- This soup is associated with lowering blood pressure, so people with low blood pressure should avoid it. Children may drink it without problem.
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Beetroot (hong cai tou): traditionally regarded as a women’s blood-nourishing food and is rich in fibre that supports digestion.
- Carrot (hong luo bo): adds natural sweetness and is a classic soup base food.
- Tomato (fan qie): brightens the flavour and adds antioxidants.
- Celery (xi qin): light and cooling, often paired with beetroot for those minding blood pressure.
- Ginger (sheng jiang): one warming slice to balance the cool, earthy vegetables.
Ingredients (4 bowls)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beetroot | 1–2 | Peeled, cut into chunks |
| Carrot | 1 | Peeled, cut into chunks |
| Tomato | 3 | Washed, cut into chunks |
| Celery | 1 stalk | Washed, cut |
| Fresh ginger | 1 slice | — |
Method
- Peel the beetroot and carrot and cut into chunks.
- Wash the tomato and celery and cut into chunks.
- Put everything into a pot with 8 bowls of water.
- Simmer about 1.5 hours until reduced to roughly 4 bowls. Eat the soup together with the vegetables.
Bro Niu’s tips
Beetroot leaves taste a little bitter, but they actually hold even more trace minerals and vitamins than the root, so add a few to the pot if you like. The long leaf stalks can be cut up and eaten raw in a salad.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (wongbe): Can I add sea-whelk (luo tou) to cook with this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, you can add sea-whelk to cook together.
- Q (Hoi): Can older people with low blood pressure who have had a stent procedure drink this? Bro Niu: This soup lowers blood pressure, so it is not suitable for those with low blood pressure. They are better off using warming, qi-moving foods such as ginger, cinnamon, Chinese yam, poria and dang shen.
- Q (anonymous reader): Can children drink this soup? Bro Niu: Yes, children can drink this soup, no problem.
Published July 10, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
