Comforting, Indulgent & Delicious
Traditional Polish food is indulgent, hearty, and comforting. Typically served in large portions, Polish recipes call for plenty of delicious ingredients, including sour cream, butter, and roux. Meats (such as sausage and pork) and dairy (such as cream, cheese, and butter) feature prominently. Mushrooms, groats, cabbage, kohlrabi, potatoes, and beetroots are also commonly used. Pickled ingredients are also common in Polish recipes – sauerkraut is a well-known example. In terms of cooking methods, Polish food is often fried or stewed for maximum flavor. Many Polish recipes also reflect Poland’s long cultural history. Notable influences include Jewish, Hungarian, Austrian, German, Czech, Slovak, and Silesian cuisines. French, Italian and Turkish culinary traditions have also made an impact on today’s comforting and indulgent Polish cuisine. So, are you ready to travel to Poland without leaving your kitchen? We’ve rounded up a list of the five best Polish recipes to try at home. Let us guide you on your culinary journey to Poland!
#1 Pierogi
It wouldn’t be a list of the best Polish recipes without pierogi. Buttery, crispy pastry is stuffed with a mixture made from potatoes, cheese, and sauerkraut. Sound delicious? That’s because it is! These indulgent little pockets are first boiled, then fried to crispy perfection in butter. Making them from scratch is a little time consuming, but the tasty results are well worth the work! We recommend enlisting a few friends to help – after all, a pierogi making party is a great way to spend time together! Ready to make this classic Polish recipe?
#2 Bigos (Hunter’s Stew)
Bigos, or Polish Hunter’s Stew, is easy to make and highly flavorful. Sauerkraut, white cabbage, meat, and sausage are stewed together along with a handful of spices. The result? A warm, hearty, stick-to-your-ribs meal that’s perfect for sharing. There are many different Polish recipes for bigos, but one thing that they all have in common is the use of meat and sauerkraut. After all, bigos is Polish comfort food at its finest. Feel like making your own version of this comforting dish at home?
#3 Gołąbki
Gołąbki, sometimes called golumpki, are Polish stuffed cabbage rolls. Succulent cooked cabbage leaves are filled with a stuffing mixture made of meat, rice, onions, and spices. Each one is then rolled up and topped with a zesty tomato sauce (or tomato soup) and baked. Traditionally, gołąbki is made for special occasions like weddings and during holidays like Christmas. However, feel free to make this Polish recipe whenever you need little a taste of Poland! Ready to try your hand at gołąbki?
#4 Placki Ziemniaczne
It wouldn’t be a list of the best Polish recipes without this comforting classic! Placki ziemniaczne, or Polish potato pancakes, are crispy on the outside (especially around the edges!) and soft on the inside. They can be eaten plain or served with the topping(s) of your choice. Common toppings include sour cream, yogurt, sugar (we highly recommend trying this one!), meat stew, vegetable stew, or mushroom sauce. No matter what you top them with, placki ziemniaczne are tasty, filling, and very versatile. Ready to make this Polish recipe at home?
#5 Sernik
Poland has a wide variety of decadent desserts, so we couldn’t conclude this list of the best Polish recipes without including at least one! Sernik, or Polish cheesecake, is decadent, delicious, and beloved throughout the country. In fact, it is so loved that there are many regional varieties, but we recommend starting with a simple, classic sernik. This Polish recipe features a shortcrust base and uses Polish farmer’s cheese called twaróg or ser biały. You bake it right in the oven and end up with the creamy, indulgent cheesecake of your dreams! Ready to bring a taste of Poland into your kitchen with this decadent Polish recipe?