10+ Best Polish Recipes You Need To Try Once

Polish cuisine is a hidden gem in the world of comfort food. It’s hearty, flavorful, and packed with history.

From dumplings that melt in your mouth to soups that warm your soul, Polish recipes are the ultimate comfort food fix.

Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just looking to spice up your weekly menu, these dishes are guaranteed to hit the spot.

Ready to dive into a culinary adventure? We’ve rounded up the best Polish recipes you absolutely need to try at least once in your life.

These dishes are not only delicious but also easy to make at home. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your apron, and let’s get cooking!

1. Pierogi The Ultimate Polish Dumplings

Pierogi are the crown jewel of Polish cuisine.

These soft, pillowy dumplings can be stuffed with anything from mashed potatoes to cheese, mushrooms, or even fruit.

They’re versatile, delicious, and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Filling of your choice (e.g., mashed potatoes, cheese, or sautéed mushrooms)
• Butter for frying
• Optional: sour cream for serving

How to Make It:

1. Mix flour, water, egg, and salt to form a dough. Knead until smooth.
2. Roll out the dough and cut circles using a glass or cookie cutter.
3. Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each circle, fold, and seal the edges.
4. Boil the pierogi in salted water until they float to the top.
5. Pan-fry in butter until golden brown. Serve with sour cream.

Why We Chose It: Pierogi are a staple in Polish households and for good reason. They’re comforting, customizable, and downright delicious.

Once you try them, you’ll understand why they’re a must-have on this list.

2. Bigos The Hearty Hunter’s Stew

Bigos, also known as Hunter’s Stew, is a rich and savory dish that’s perfect for cold nights.

It’s a mix of meat, cabbage, and spices that simmer together to create a flavor explosion.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef, diced
• 1 lb chicken, diced
• 1 head of cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup sauerkraut
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Brown the beef and chicken in a large pot.
2. Add onions and garlic, cooking until softened.
3. Stir in cabbage, sauerkraut, tomato paste, and bay leaf.
4. Simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
5. Season with salt and pepper before serving.

Why This Made It to Our List: Bigos is the ultimate comfort food. It’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Plus, it tastes even better the next day!

3. Placki Ziemniaczane Crispy Potato Pancakes

These golden, crispy potato pancakes are a Polish favorite. They’re simple to make and incredibly satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 4 large potatoes, peeled and grated
• 1 onion, grated
• 2 eggs
• 2 tbsp flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Oil for frying

How to Make It:

1. Squeeze excess moisture from the grated potatoes and onion.
2. Mix with eggs, flour, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat oil in a pan and drop spoonfuls of the mixture, flattening into pancakes.
4. Fry until golden brown on both sides. Serve with sour cream or applesauce.

Why We Selected It: Placki Ziemniaczane are crispy, savory, and oh-so-addictive. They’re a must-try for anyone who loves potatoes.

4. Żurek The Sour Rye Soup

Żurek is a tangy, creamy soup made with fermented rye flour. It’s unique, flavorful, and totally unforgettable.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup fermented rye flour (available at specialty stores)
• 2 potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp marjoram
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: boiled eggs for garnish

How to Make It:

1. Mix fermented rye flour with a cup of broth and let it sit overnight.
2. In a pot, sauté onions and garlic until softened.
3. Add broth, potatoes, bay leaves, and marjoram. Simmer until potatoes are tender.
4. Stir in the fermented rye mixture and cook for another 10 minutes.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with boiled eggs if desired.

Why We Chose It: Żurek is a unique Polish recipe that’s tangy, hearty, and full of flavor. It’s a soup you won’t forget.

5. Golabki Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Golabki, or stuffed cabbage rolls, are a labor of love. They’re filled with a savory mixture of rice and meat, then simmered in tomato sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 head of cabbage
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Blanch cabbage leaves in boiling water until soft.
2. Mix ground beef, rice, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper.
3. Place a spoonful of the mixture on each cabbage leaf and roll tightly.
4. Arrange rolls in a pot, cover with tomato sauce, and simmer for 1.5 hours.

Why This Made It to Our List: Golabki are comforting, flavorful, and perfect for a cozy dinner. They’re worth the effort!

6. Kopytka Polish Potato Dumplings

Kopytka are soft, pillowy potato dumplings that are similar to Italian gnocchi but with a Polish twist.

They’re simple to make and incredibly versatile—serve them with butter, sautéed onions, or even a dollop of sour cream.

Ingredients:

• 2 large potatoes, peeled and boiled
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Butter or olive oil for frying
• Optional toppings: sautéed onions, breadcrumbs, or sour cream

How to Make It:

1. Mash the boiled potatoes until smooth and let them cool.
2. Mix the mashed potatoes with flour, egg, and salt to form a dough.
3. Roll the dough into long ropes and cut into small, diagonal pieces (like little hooves—hence the name “kopytka,” which means “little hooves” in Polish).
4. Boil the dumplings in salted water until they float to the top.
5. For extra flavor, pan-fry them in butter or olive oil until lightly golden. Serve with your favorite toppings.

Why We Chose It: Kopytka are a comforting, budget-friendly dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or as a side dish.

They’re soft, chewy, and pair well with almost anything.

Plus, they’re a great way to use up leftover mashed potatoes! Kotlet Schabowy is a classic Polish dish that’s crispy, juicy, and perfect for any meal.

7. Makowiec Poppy Seed Roll

This sweet roll is a Polish dessert favorite. It’s soft, nutty, and perfect with a cup of coffee.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp yeast
• 1 cup ground poppy seeds
• 1/2 cup honey

How to Make It:

1. Mix flour, sugar, milk, butter, egg, and yeast to form a dough. Let it rise.
2. Combine poppy seeds and honey for the filling.
3. Roll out the dough, spread the filling, and roll it up.
4. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

Why We Chose It: Makowiec is a sweet, nutty treat that’s perfect for dessert or breakfast.

8. Barszcz Classic Beet Soup

Barszcz is a vibrant, tangy beet soup that’s as beautiful as it is delicious.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 3 beets, peeled and grated
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

1. Sauté onions and garlic until softened.
2. Add beets and broth, simmering until beets are tender.
3. Stir in vinegar, salt, and pepper. Serve hot or cold.

Why This Made It to Our List: Barszcz is a vibrant, tangy soup that’s perfect for any season.

9. Sernik Polish Cheesecake

This creamy, dense cheesecake is a Polish dessert staple.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cream cheese
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups crushed cookies

How to Make It:

1. Mix crushed cookies and butter for the crust. Press into a pan.
2. Beat cream cheese, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth.
3. Pour over the crust and bake at 325°F for 45 minutes.

Why We Selected It: Sernik is a rich, creamy dessert that’s impossible to resist.

10. Paczki Polish Donuts

These fluffy, filled donuts are a Polish treat you’ll love.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp yeast
• Oil for frying
• Jam or custard for filling

How to Make It:

1. Mix flour, sugar, milk, egg, and yeast to form a dough. Let it rise.
2. Shape into balls and fry until golden brown.
3. Fill with jam or custard.

Why We Chose It: Paczki are fluffy, sweet, and utterly delicious.

11. Kielbasa with Sauerkraut

This simple dish is packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb kielbasa, sliced
• 2 cups sauerkraut
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp mustard

How to Make It:

1. Sauté onions until softened.
2. Add kielbasa and sauerkraut, cooking until heated through.
3. Stir in mustard before serving.

Why This Made It to Our List: It’s quick, easy, and full of flavor.

Conclusion

Polish cuisine is a treasure trove of hearty, flavorful dishes that are perfect for any occasion.

Whether you’re craving something savory or sweet, these recipes have got you covered.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick a recipe, get cooking, and let us know which one’s your favorite!