Cold Lithuanian Šaltibarščiai
Šaltibarščiai is a vibrant, refreshing cold beet soup from Lithuania, traditionally made with cooked beets, buttermilk or kefir, cucumbers, dill, and sometimes hard-boiled eggs. It's a staple of Lithuanian summer cuisine, prized for its striking pink color and tangy flavor.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This soup is low in calories, typically around 150-200 per serving, and is a good source of probiotics from the fermented dairy base, along with fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants from the beets. It's relatively low in fat and protein, with its carbs coming primarily from the vegetables.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 120 kcal |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbs | 14 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
| Vitamin A | 120 µg RAE |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Vitamin K | 90 µg |
| Folate | 80 µg DFE |
| Potassium | 450 mg |
| Magnesium | 30 mg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
| Calcium | 80 mg |
Per 1 bowl (300 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The soup's iconic pink hue comes from the betalain pigments in beets reacting with the acidic dairy, and it's often served chilled as a perfect, hydrating meal on hot days, embodying the Baltic tradition of using fermented foods for both flavor and gut health.
AI estimate may be inaccurate · Terms