Name: Beet Borscht
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup beet liquid, drained of 1; -can of beets; 3/4 cup tomato juice; 1/4 tsp onion powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1 tsp fresh lemon juice; 1/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt

Why it works: Tomato and onion are a kitchen classic. They rank in the top 8% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 20,633 recipes. Both carry 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine, which smells earthy, pea. The science ↓

Beet Borscht

Time2-3 hours chilling

Ingredients

Directions

Mix all ingredients except yogurt.
Chill 2-3 hours in a covered jar.
Serve in cocktail glasses or small glass bowls, topping each with 1 tablespoon yogurt.

Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)

213Calories

21 gProtein

1 gFat

33 gCarbs

What these numbers assume: 6 portions

Ingredient	Portion assumed	kcal
Yogurt	170g plain Greek	100
Onion	1 medium (110g)	44
Beet	1/2 cup (85g)	35
Tomato	1 medium (123g)	22
Lemon	juice of 1 lemon (48ml)	12
Salt	1 tsp (6g)	0

One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.

Recipe from the Recipes Wiki (Fandom).

Steps grouped into stages for easier reading; the method is the source's own.

Explore the science

The flavor team

The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.

Tomato + oniontop 8% of all pairs

Smell alikemoderate

Cooked together20,633 recipes

Shared aroma: 2-isopropyl-3-methoxypyrazine (earthy, pea).
Tomato + lemontop 11% of all pairs

Smell alikemoderate

Cooked together4,592 recipes

Shared aroma: 3-hexenal (apple, fruity).
Tomato + yogurttop 13% of all pairs

Smell alikemoderate

Cooked together1,760 recipes

Shared aroma: 2,4-decadienal (seaweed).
Onion + yogurttop 17% of all pairs

Smell alikemoderate

Cooked together4,022 recipes

Shared aroma: 2,4-decadienal (seaweed).
Onion + lemontop 19% of all pairs

Smell alikemoderate

Cooked together15,646 recipes

Shared aroma: decanal (soap, orange peel).

Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs

What each ingredient does

Beets: Provides the deep red colour and earthy, lightly sweet flavour that defines the soup.
Tomato juice: Adds liquid and a savoury tang that gives the soup its body and acidity.
Lemon juice: Adds bright acidity that lifts the earthy beet flavour and balances sweetness.
Plain low-fat yogurt: Adds cool creaminess and tang as a topping that contrasts with the chilled soup.