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Simple Homemade Fish Soup with Veggies (Ukha)

Make a quick, easy, and delicious Fish Soup (ukha) recipe from scratch in 6 steps. See the step-by-step breakdown and you’ll be ready with a delicious soup in no time!

fish soup in a white bowl on a wooden board with a spoon in the soup and parsley in the background.

How often do you consume protein in the form of fish? There are so many fish recipes that can be made, but this easy soup is a change from the usual chowder that’s served at restaurants. Delicious ukha soup is light and can be made in 6 easy steps!

Soup is the ultimate form of comfort food. It’s easy on your digestive system and is one of the best ways to intake your nutrients. Ukha is a very versatile soup, since so many different Slavic cultures make it, and all have their own way of making it. Commonly, it’s made from fresh-caught fish.

Along with fish, you will need potatoes (for the fiber), carrots (beta-carotene), diced tomatoes (lycopene), and onions (antioxidants) for this soup. These ingredients are usually on hand at home, and otherwise are very beneficial to your body.

Fish bouillon is the base of this soup. It’s quite simple to make – boil fish pieces with key flavor ingredients: onion and salt. Feel free to use fish bones in the bouillon – you’ll be straining them out afterwards! Various fish fillets are a great addition for flavoring the bouillon. This fish stock is for anyone who loves fish so much, they’ll make it into a soup.

Key Ingredients

Ukha ingredients- potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, dill, parsley, salt, pepper, water, fish for bouillon, fish for soup, and a bay leaf.

For the fish bouillon:

  • water
  • onion
  • salt
  • Pieces of fish (any fish you like, and any part of fish, head, tail just chunks that you would throw away afterwards).

For the soup:

  • potatoes
  • carrots
  • salt
  • ground black pepper
  • fresh dill
  • fresh parsley
  • bay leaf
  • tomatoes
  • fresh fish

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

How to make Homemade Fish Soup

Step 1: Cook the fish bouillon

Make the fish bouillon by adding the ingredients in a pot and boil for 30 minutes.

fish chunks with large onion pieces cooking in a large pot with water in it.

Step 2: Strain

After your bouillon is ready, strain it into a clean pot (you will be using just the broth).

bullion broth in a large silver pot.

Step 3: Add veggies and cook

Add the potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots. Boil until the potatoes are fork-tender.

vegetables cooking in a large pot with water.

Step 4: Add fish and veggies

Keeping the heat on medium/low, add fresh fish pieces, bay leaf, and bell pepper and tomatoes. Cook for another 7-10 minutes.

a large pot filled with fish soup ingredients topped off with red bell pepper and carrots.

Step 5: Season

Add salt and pepper to taste and chopped fresh dill and parsley.

vegetables fish pieces and greens floating and cooking in a large silver pot.

Step 6: Finish & serve

Turn heat off. Ready to serve!

Top view of ukha soup with a spoon in it in a bowl on a wooden board with a round loaf of bread on the side and a striped grey towel.

Expert Tips:

  • White fish is the best to use in this fish soup. It has a mild flavor and plenty of benefits.
  • Incorporate fresh dill and parsley just before serving to preserve their vibrant color and flavor.
  • Make the fish broth up to 3 days in advance. Seafood broth can keep well for several days before being incorporated into soup.
  • Feel free to include other vegetables like leeks, celery, or yellow bell peppers to add variety and depth to the soup.
  • Add fresh herbs like cilantro, rosemary, or chives
  • Ukha is best enjoyed fresh, as the flavors are most pronounced, and the texture of the fish is the best.
  • Russian cuisine is filled with simple recipes that are great for weeknight meals or special occasions. Pair this soup with a simple Cucumber & Tomato Salad!

Recipe FAQs

What types of fish are best for Ukha?

Ukha is versatile and can be made with various types of fish. Common choices include cod, salmon, trout, or any white fish. Using a mix of fish parts, such as heads and bones, can enhance the flavor of the bouillon.

How can I make the soup spicier?

To add a kick to Ukha, consider incorporating spices like black pepper, paprika, or a dash of hot sauce. Adjust the seasoning to your preference.

What can I serve with Ukha?

Ukha pairs well with crusty bread, rye bread, or a side of boiled potatoes. A light salad can also complement the soup for a complete meal.

two bowls of fish soup on a wooden board with a spoon in one of the bowls and a grey striped towel on the side.

Looking for seafood recipes? Here are some of the tastiest dishes you can make right at home:

If you tried this Homemade Fish Soup or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!

a wooden board with a white bowl on it filled with a fish soup and a spoon with a slice of bread and parsley on the side.

Simple Homemade Fish Soup with Veggies (Ukha)

Light fish soup is perfect for that summer catch or as a winter comfort soup.
5 from 1 vote
Rate Print Save Pin
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
Cuisine: Fish, Russian, Seafood, Soup
Allergy: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Nut Free
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings5
Calories: 417kcal
Author: Marina Rizhkov

Equipment

Ingredients

Fish Soup:

  • 5 potatoes, chopped
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled & sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt, to taste
  • ground black pepper, to taste
  • lb fish pieces, boneless, skinless, & cubed
  • 1 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Fish Bouillion:

  • 1 lb fish
  • 8 cups water
  • 1 medium onion, chopped largely
  • ½ Tbsp salt

Instructions

Fish Bouillion

  • Make the fish bouillon by adding the ingredients in a pot and boil for 30 minutes.
    1 lb fish, 8 cups water, 1 medium onion,, ½ Tbsp salt
    fish chunks with large onion pieces cooking in a large pot with water in it.
  • After your bouillon is ready, strain it into a clean pot (you will be using just the broth).
    bullion broth in a large silver pot.

Fish Soup

  • Add the potatoes, tomatoes, and carrots. Boil until the potatoes are fork-tender.
    5 potatoes,, 2 carrots,, 2 medium tomatoes,
    vegetables cooking in a large pot with water.
  • Keeping the heat on medium/low, add fresh fish pieces, bay leaf, and bell pepper and tomatoes. Cook for another 7-10 minutes.
    1 bay leaf, 1½ lb fish pieces,, 1 red bell pepper,
    a large pot filled with fish soup ingredients topped off with red bell pepper and carrots.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste and chopped fresh dill and parsley.
    ground black pepper,, 1 Tbsp fresh dill,, 1 Tbsp fresh parsley,, salt,
    vegetables fish pieces and greens floating and cooking in a large silver pot.
  • Turn heat off. Ready to serve!

Notes

Make the fish bouillon ahead of time, up to 3 days. 

Nutrition

Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 51g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 869mg | Potassium: 1864mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 5311IU | Vitamin C: 83mg | Calcium: 81mg | Iron: 3mg
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5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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