10+ Polish Recipes: Delicious Dishes to Savor and Share

Polish cuisine reflects the country’s history and culture. Exploring Polish recipes can introduce you to hearty dishes that are perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners at home. From pierogi to borscht, these meals not only taste great but also bring a sense of comfort and nostalgia.

In this article, you will find a variety of Polish recipes that you can try in your own kitchen. Each dish has its own unique story, offering a delightful taste of Poland’s culinary heritage. Get ready to enjoy cooking and sharing these delicious meals with family and friends!

1) Pierogi with Potato and Cheese

Pierogi with potato and cheese is a beloved Polish dish. These dumplings are comforting and full of flavor. You can easily make them at home for a delicious meal.

The filling is usually made from mashed potatoes and cheese, often farmer’s cheese. Some recipes add a bit of blue cheese for extra flavor. This combination gives pierogi a creamy texture that you’ll love.

To cook them, you can boil the pierogi and then pan-fry them for a crispy finish. Serve them with a dollop of sour cream or sautéed onions for added taste.

Ingredients

• 5 medium yellow potatoes or 3 large russet potatoes
• 8 oz farmer cheese
• 1 tablespoon blue cheese (optional)
• Salt to taste
• 1 tablespoon butter for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the potatoes in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
2. Mash the potatoes and mix in farmer cheese, blue cheese, and salt.
3. Roll out dough and cut into circles.
4. Place filling on each circle and fold over, sealing the edges.
5. Boil the pierogi in salted water until they float, about 3-4 minutes.
6. Pan-fry in butter until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.

2) Kielbasa and Sauerkraut

Kielbasa and sauerkraut is a classic Polish dish. It combines delicious smoked sausage with tangy fermented cabbage. The flavors blend together for a hearty meal.

To make this dish, you will start with fully-cooked kielbasa sausage. You will brown it in a pan with a bit of butter for extra flavor. Then, you will add sauerkraut, bringing a nice contrast to the richness of the sausage.

A bit of brown sugar will help balance the tanginess of the sauerkraut. You can also toss in some onions for added sweetness. This dish is simple to prepare and perfect for a comforting dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound smoked kielbasa
• 2 cups sauerkraut
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Slice the kielbasa into pieces.
2. Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Brown the kielbasa in the skillet.
4. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft.
5. Stir in the sauerkraut and brown sugar.
6. Cook until everything is heated through.

3) Traditional Cabbage Rolls

Traditional cabbage rolls, known as golumpki, are a comforting dish in Polish cuisine. These rolls are made by stuffing cabbage leaves with a mixture of meat and rice.

You can use ground beef, pork, or a mix of both for the filling. Adding spices and seasoning gives these rolls great flavor.

Once filled, the rolls are typically baked in a rich tomato sauce. This helps to keep them moist and delicious as they cook.

Many families enjoy them on special occasions or as a hearty meal. You can serve them with sour cream for added taste.

Ingredients

• 1 large head of cabbage
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cups tomato sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Boil the cabbage until leaves are tender.
3. Mix meat, rice, onion, salt, and pepper together.
4. Fill each cabbage leaf with the mixture and roll tightly.
5. Place rolls in a baking dish and cover with tomato sauce.
6. Bake for 45 minutes. Enjoy!

4) Polish Borscht Soup

Polish borscht soup, known as barszcz, is a beloved dish that combines rich flavors with vibrant colors. This soup is usually made with beets, giving it a deep red hue.

To make a delicious borscht, you can start with simple ingredients. Commonly, it includes beets, carrots, and sometimes potatoes for extra heartiness. You might also use broth as a base for added depth.

It’s a comforting dish, perfect for cold days or special occasions. Polish borscht can be served hot, often with a dollop of sour cream and fresh dill on top.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds red beets
• 1 medium carrot
• 4 cups broth
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and chop the beets and carrot.
2. In a pot, add the chopped beets and carrot with broth.
3. Bring to a boil over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
4. Simmer for 30 minutes until vegetables are tender.
5. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.

5) Homemade Pączki (Polish Doughnuts)

Creating homemade pączki is a fun and delicious way to enjoy Polish cuisine. These doughnuts are soft and fluffy, often filled with jam or custard. They are perfect for special occasions or just a sweet treat.

To start, you will need a rich brioche dough. This gives the pączki their light texture. Once the dough rises, you can shape it and fill it with your favorite fruit preserves.

Fry the pączki in hot oil until golden brown. Make sure to set a temperature of 375°F (190°C) for frying. After they cool, roll them in sugar for a sweet finish.

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 packet active dry yeast
• Jam or custard for filling
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Warm the milk and dissolve the yeast in it.
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and eggs.
3. Add the milk mixture and melted butter.
4. Knead the dough until smooth.
5. Let it rise for 1-2 hours.
6. Shape dough into balls and fill with jam.
7. Heat oil to 375°F (190°C) and fry until golden.
8. Drain and roll in sugar before serving.

6) Stuffed Cabbage (Gołąbki)

Stuffed cabbage, known as Gołąbki in Polish, is a comforting dish loved by many. These rolls are made with cabbage leaves filled with a tasty mix of meat, rice, and spices. They are often cooked in a delicious tomato sauce, adding great flavor.

To make Gołąbki, you start by boiling the cabbage leaves until they are tender. Then, prepare the filling with ground beef or pork, cooked rice, and seasonings. Next, wrap the filling in the cabbage leaves.

Place the stuffed cabbage in a pot and cover them with tomato sauce before cooking. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about an hour, or simmer on the stove until heated through.

Ingredients

• 1 large head of cabbage
• 1 pound ground beef or pork
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can tomato sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the cabbage for 5-10 minutes.
2. Mix meat, rice, onion, salt, and pepper.
3. Spoon filling onto cabbage leaves and roll tightly.
4. Place in a pot and cover with tomato sauce.
5. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 1 hour.

7) Polish Apple Cake (Szarlotka)

Polish apple cake, or Szarlotka, is a beloved dessert that showcases the sweetness of apples. It has a tender crust and a crumbly topping. This cake is perfect for any occasion.

You will use fresh apples, combined with a bit of cinnamon for added warmth. The buttery dough provides a rich base that balances the tartness of the apples.

Making Szarlotka is simple and can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature. Pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful treat.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour (250 g)
• 1 cup sugar (200 g)
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 9 tablespoons butter (125 g)
• 1 egg
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 1/4 cups apples, sliced
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and baking powder.
3. Cut in butter until crumbly.
4. Add egg and yolks, mixing until a dough forms.
5. Press half the dough into a greased baking dish.
6. Layer sliced apples and sprinkle with cinnamon.
7. Crumble remaining dough over the apples.
8. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden.

8) Hunter’s Stew (Bigos)

Hunter’s Stew, or Bigos, is a beloved dish from Poland. It combines various meats, sauerkraut, and fresh cabbage for a hearty meal. This stew is perfect for cold days and is great for using up leftover meats.

You can personalize Bigos by adding different types of meat, like pork, beef, or sausage. Mushrooms and spices add unique flavors. The mix of textures makes each bite delicious.

Bigos is best served with bread or potatoes. It’s easy to prepare and even better the next day, as the flavors meld together.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) pork shoulder
• 1 lb (450 g) kielbasa sausage
• 2 cups (300 g) sauerkraut
• 1 cup (150 g) fresh cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup (150 g) mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a large pot, brown chopped onion and minced garlic.
2. Add the pork shoulder, cooking until browned.
3. Stir in the kielbasa, sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, and mushrooms.
4. Add the bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
5. Cover and simmer for about 1.5 hours at 300°F (150°C).
6. Serve warm and enjoy!

9) Polish Chrusciki (Angel Wings)

Polish Chrusciki, also known as angel wings, are delightful crispy pastries perfect for special occasions. These treats are made from a simple dough that includes egg yolks, flour, and a bit of sugar. Once rolled thin, they are cut into shapes and fried until golden.

These flaky goodies can be dusted with powdered sugar for a sweet touch. They are often enjoyed during holidays and celebrations in Poland. Making them can be a fun activity for your family, bringing everyone together in the kitchen.

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3–5 tablespoons heavy cream or sour cream
• Powdered sugar for dusting
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt.
2. Add egg yolks and cream.
3. Knead the dough until smooth.
4. Roll it out very thin and cut into shapes.
5. Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C).
6. Fry until golden, about 1-2 minutes per side.
7. Drain on paper towels and dust with powdered sugar.

10) Sourdough Rye Bread

Sourdough rye bread is a delicious and hearty choice. It has a rich flavor that comes from the natural fermentation of the rye flour. The addition of caraway seeds can enhance its taste.

To make this bread, you’ll need a sourdough starter, which gives it that unique tang. Mixing rye flour with bread flour helps create a good texture.

Baking this bread takes some time but is very rewarding.

Ingredients

• 200 grams active rye sourdough starter
• 380 ml lukewarm water
• 600 grams bread flour (type 680 or all-purpose)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon salt
• Optional: caraway seeds

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the sourdough starter and lukewarm water in a large bowl.
2. Then, add the bread flour and mix until combined.
3. After that, stir in honey and salt.
4. Let it rise for 4-6 hours until it doubles in size.
5. Shape the dough and place it in a proofing basket.
6. Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C).
7. Lastly, bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown.