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27 Best Polish Appetizers To Transport You Straight to Poland

27 Best Polish Appetizers To Transport You Straight to Poland

From Pierogi to bite-sized Kielbasa, these 27 best Polish appetizers are sure to add a touch of sophistication to any special gathering. 

Polish cuisine is about the richness of the meat, mushrooms, and a wide array of herbs and spices. 

Polish appetizers are some of the most flavor-rich and filling appetizers that your taste buds will experience. 

These simple and hearty recipes are enough to get you ready to take in bigger meals. 

If you’re just getting into Polish appetizers, the Pierogi is a good recipe to start with. 

The Smalec and the Polish Pickled Herring are well-known Polish appetizers, but on this list, you will also be met by unique tastes from Ogorki Kiszone and Sledzie, among others.

You will want to try #16 because of how easy it is to make!

1. Smalec

If there’s one Polish appetizer that is the most popular, both among the Polish people and foreigners, it’s Smalec.

This recipe has become a staple and a symbol of Polish hospitality.

Smalec works best on bread, topped with pickles or onions. 

Much like other Polish food, this recipe involves many herbs and spices to enrich the flavor.

2. Polish Potato Pancakes

Polish Potato Pancakes, or Placki Ziemniaczane, is one of the easiest Polish appetizers to make.

If you want something easy that will work for many types of people, go for this one.

This recipe is great because the ingredients are probably already in your pantry.

3. Surowka

Surowka is basically a Polish salad consisting of carrots, apples, and sauerkraut.

Since this is a salad, it’s very easy to do.

You just have to mix all the ingredients together and it’s done!

If you want to change up the recipe, you can add fish to it, but be sure to add along some lemon juice to even out the taste of the fish.

4. Polish Pickled Herring

This recipe is a classic Christmas delicacy in Poland, but it doesn’t have to be Christmas for you to try this out.

You will be surprised at how mouthwatering this is compared to store-bought canned fish.

All you have to do is be ready with a wide array of herbs and spices to make the flavor pop.

5. Polish Sauerkraut Soup

This recipe, also known as Kapusniak, is a great combination of the hot and sour flavors that can be seen in many Polish recipes.

For this recipe, it’s best to go with krauts that keep their crunch. 

Pro tip: Wash your krauts before you use them for the recipe, to wash off some of the salty flavors.

6. Kielbasa Sliders

If mini sandwiches are more your vibe, these Kielbasa Sliders are the perfect recipe.

Not many ingredients go into making this recipe, so it’s a great option when you want something quick and easy.

These Kielbasa Sliders are the perfect blend of heat and sweet.

7. Polish Sausage Tacos

These Polish Sausage Tacos are definitely a unique recipe that you should try.

Tacos aren’t completely Polish, but you will be blown away by how perfectly this recipe comes together.

Quick, easy, and flavorful is what this recipe is. 

This recipe works well with Swiss cheese, but you’re free to choose what kind of cheese you want.

8. Zapiekanka

Zapiekanka has been well and alive in Poland ever since the 1970s. 

It’s the food that defines Poland, although it has already evolved to be more artisan through the years.

What’s great about the Zapiekanka is that you can make your own version without much fuss. 

More than an easy-to-follow recipe, the ingredients for this one are easy to find.

You can put in as many toppings as you desire.

9. Polish Mistakes

This appetizer is one of the meatiest and crunchiest you can find on this list.

The ingredients you need for Polish Mistakes are easy to find, making this recipe even better.

Pro tip: Make a lot of these delicious appetizers and freeze them for later.

10. Krokiety

Krokiety is basically a Polish pancake stuffed with sauerkraut or meat. 

A Krokiety has many different versions, so you can just create one that fits your taste.

A great tip when making Krokiety is that you can make the dough fluffier by adding sparkling water to the dough.

11. Polish Hush Puppies

This hush puppies recipe is practically Polish because of all the sauerkraut, kielbasa sausage, and shredded cheese.

If you’re looking for something juicy and garlicky, you have to look no further because this is it.

This recipe is really an explosion of flavor that even someone unfamiliar with Polish cuisine will love.

12. Buraczki Zasmazane

This easy recipe needs only five, easy-to-find ingredients.

Beetroots are common in Poland, and this recipe boasts just how delicious it can be.

Combined with bacon, it’s a unique kind of taste that anyone can enjoy.

So serve it to your friends and family, or you can simply enjoy it by yourself.

13. Polish Meat-Filled Potato Dumplings

Dumplings are very common in Poland.

There are many kinds of dumplings in Poland, and this Meat-Filled Potato Dumplings recipe will give you a glimpse of how wonderful Polish dumplings are.

This recipe calls for many ingredients, but they all contribute to the superb flavor of this appetizer.

It’s best to do this when you have a lot of time to prepare.

14. Classic Pierogi

Polish Pierogies are a definite must-try if you’re diving into the world of Polish appetizers.

They are a classic and well-loved worldwide, not only in Poland.

Making this recipe can seem intimidating because of how many steps there are to it, but in reality, it’s an easy recipe to do.

It’s also a good idea to make a big batch of pierogies and freeze them for later.

15. Mushroom & Sauerkraut Pierogi

If you love mushrooms and sauerkraut, this recipe may just be the one you’re looking for.

Pierogies are commonly stuffed with sauerkraut and potatoes, but this recipe focuses on mushrooms.

Compared to the regular Pierogi, this one has a more earthy flavor.

It’s best as an appetizer for large groups during holidays.

16. Bacon-Wrapped Kielbasa

This recipe is the ideal blend of sweet, spicy, and garlicky.

The greatest thing about this is that it’s a straightforward recipe to follow, but it still manages to be a party in your mouth.

It looks delicious and smells delicious.

This is the kind of recipe that no one can resist.

17. Ogorki Kiszone

The Ogorki Kiszone is a great appetizer because it’s versatile.

You can eat Ogorki Kiszone on its own, in a salad, in a soup, and in many other dishes.

The key to succeeding in making this recipe is making sure that your cucumber is fresh.

18. Polish Cucumber Salad

This recipe is a must-try if a refreshing appetizer is more up your alley.

The ingredients are simple and easy to find, and the steps to make this recipe are basic, so anyone can do this. 

This is best enjoyed during the summer, but who says you can’t enjoy a Polish Cucumber Salad during the other seasons?

19. Polish Lazy Dumplings

Pierogies are famous, but they can be a lot of work.

This recipe is a simpler one. 

If you’re not up to so many preparations but still want the flavor of a pierogi, then some Polish lazy dumplings will be your best bet.

This recipe has fewer ingredients and is easy to follow.

Pro tip: Sprinkle bacon on top of the dumplings to make the flavor even richer.

20. Polish Pickled Mushrooms

Polish appetizers are filled with pickled food.

You might be familiar with pickled vegetables, but these Polish Pickled Mushrooms are worth the time to make.

Polish mushrooms have a unique taste.

Paired with the versatility of this appetizer, it’s a definite must-try recipe.

21. Prunes Wrapped In Bacon

This traditional appetizer features prunes and savory bacon; it can be served both as an appetizer and a side dish.

This is a simple recipe; you don’t even have to go through the trouble to look for the ingredients because they’re all easily accessible.

22. Polish Dill Pickle Soup

If you haven’t tried them before, dill pickles make an excellent soup.

This recipe can be done quickly, so if you’re looking for something you can put together immediately, go for this.

The soup is juicy and savory and will leave you wanting more. 

To make the soup more liquid, you can add a few tablespoons of vegetable broth.

23. Sledzie

Sledzie is a common Christmas dish in Poland, but it works any time of the year. 

The key to making an amazing Sledzie is soaking.

You have to soak the herring fillets for at least an hour to make sure you get rid of the smell and saltiness.

When you do this recipe successfully, it will be one of the best dishes you’ve ever tasted.

24. Reuben Sandwich With Polish Kielbasa

This recipe is a unique Polish twist on the usual Reuben sandwich.

The best thing about this recipe is that it’s very simple. 

It’s basically a sandwich with a Polish touch, so you can do it when you’re in a hurry.

25. Polish Stuffed Bell Peppers

These Polish Stuffed Bell Peppers are great because you can change the stuffing depending on your tastes.

With simple ingredients, you can follow this recipe and taste the party of flavor yourself.

The great thing about this is that it won’t take you more than an hour to do the whole thing, and you can share it with others.

26. Polish Steak Tartare Appetizer

This recipe lets you follow your heart’s desire because this works when you adjust the taste of each ingredient based on what kind of taste you’re looking for.

The ingredients are easy to find, so you won’t have any trouble with this.

It’s also amazing that this can fill you up but make you want more.

27. Nalesniki

If you haven’t noticed, pancakes are very common in Polish appetizers

This one is more of a crepe-like appetizer than a pancake, though.

If you’re after a sweet taste, this dish is for you.

Depending on your desired taste, you can change up the filling, but the sweetness is the core of this recipe.

The bottom line

Polish appetizers are the underrated appetizers that deserve all your love.

A hearty appetizer is all it takes to get you in the mood, and these appetizers hailing from Poland do the trick.

These recipes are best enjoyed with family, friends, and larger groups, but that should not stop you from enjoying them by yourself.

Look through these appetizers until you find one that satisfies what your taste buds are looking for.

27 Best Polish Appetizers

27 Best Polish Appetizers

From Pierogi to bite-sized Kielbasa, these Polish appetizers are sure to add a touch of sophistication to any special gathering.

Ingredients

  • Smalec
  • Polish Potato Pancakes
  • Surowka
  • Polish Pickled Herring
  • Polish Sauerkraut Soup
  • Kielbasa Sliders
  • Polish Sausage Tacos
  • Zapiekanka
  • Polish Mistakes
  • Krokiety
  • Polish Hush Puppies
  • Buraczki Zasmazane
  • Polish Meat-Filled Potato Dumplings
  • Classic Pierogi
  • Mushroom & Sauerkraut Pierogi
  • Bacon-Wrapped Kielbasa
  • Ogorki Kiszone
  • Polish Cucumber Salad
  • Polish Lazy Dumplings
  • Polish Pickled Mushrooms
  • Prunes Wrapped In Bacon
  • Polish Dill Pickle Soup
  • Sledzie
  • Reuben Sandwich With Polish Kielbasa
  • Polish Stuffed Bell Peppers
  • Polish Steak Tartare Appetizer
  • Nalesniki

Instructions

  1. Skim through our Polish Appetizers list.
  2. Select the recipe you’re looking for.
  3. Prep the ingredients as instructed.
  4. Spill your thoughts on our Facebook page!

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