Do you know how sometimes your eyes get bigger than your stomach? Well, it’s pretty much guaranteed to happen with this list of Polish Recipes.
Polish food is all about rich, hearty meals that fill you up and keep you going, which means it’s the perfect kind of food for adventurers like yourself.
Whether you’re hiking through a mountain range or trying to make it through a long day at work, they will give you the energy you need to get through anything.
Aside from being delicious, Polish dishes are quite easy to prepare as well.
But they can be a little tricky if you have a zero idea where to start.
That’s why we have this list!
As you can see, we’re all about sharing our favorite Polish recipes with you, so you can experience the finest Polish cuisine has to offer without the hassle of learning about all the different ingredients and techniques.
We have Polish Pork Stew if you want something simple and flavorful.
And if you’d like to head over to the sweet side of things, try a slice of Polish Apple Cake or Polish Carpathian Mountain Cream Cake.
But, if you want to push your taste buds to the limit, check out #19.
It will certainly blow you away!
Alright, let’s get going.
1. Pierogi
What will happen when you take the flaky, buttery dough of a crescent roll and fill it with a warm, cheesy potato filling?
You get Pierogi!
They’re easy to make and great for a beginner, and a fun project for the whole family to work on together.
It goes well with sour cream too.
So, if you want to mix things up and try something different this year at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, then give this recipe a shot!
Most people are used to seeing borscht as a bright red dish, but White Borscht is a traditional Polish soup often served during the Easter season.
It’s a lovely and delicious meal, but it’s also rich in symbolism that you can appreciate as you eat it.
The sausage marks the chains of death, and it’s very tasty.
The eggs then symbolize life, and the potatoes represent the earth itself.
So, when you eat this soup, you’re really taking in all the good things that nature provides.
Here’s the thing about Polish Potato Pancakes: they’re beloved by people around the globe because they taste like home.
They are super simple to make, but they’ve very savory, and you can serve them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—or any other meal.
And if you’re looking for an easy side dish to accompany your entrée?
This potato pancake is it!
A quick tip: Serve it hot with applesauce or sour cream for dipping for a fun and different twist on flavor.
Whenever a country’s traditional dish is described as “the chili of X place,” it’s usually just a way of saying it’s spicy and hearty.
When it comes to bigos, though, the comparison is actually pretty accurate.
Bigos is a rich stew that’s sometimes translated into “hunter’s stew.”
It’s made with various types of chopped meats, sauerkraut, and shredded fresh cabbage.
Plus, the recipe generally changes from house to house, and some people throw in all sorts of other ingredients like mushrooms, bacon, and onions.
The smell alone of these Polish Meatballs would knock you off your feet.
It’s rich and hearty, deep and earthy, and it’s different from anything you’ve ever smelled before!
But that smell is just a preparation for the taste!
The way they melt in your mouth and how they just sit there in your belly, letting all their deliciousness sink into every cell of your body.
It’s simply extraordinary.
Everyone knows that donuts are the king of breakfast-snack foods, but there’s a challenger to the throne!
And if you’re a fan of donuts, you have to try paczki—Polish Jelly Donuts.
These sweet treats are soft, traditional Polish donuts filled with jelly, custard, or other delicious fillings!
They’re also very easy to make, so you can whip up a batch with ingredients from a nearby grocery store in your own kitchen.
Once you’ve tried them, you’ll say they’re better than the ones you can get at your favorite local bakery.
We might get a little biased, but we think stuffed cabbage is one of the best things on earth.
That’s because they’re so versatile.
You can make them in a casserole dish, on the stovetop, or in a slow cooker, and you can keep them in the freezer and reheat them when you’re ready to eat.
And even though they may seem complicated at first, they’re actually effortless to make!
So, what about the flavor?
Well, they have a sweet and acidic taste that will have you coming back for more!
You can cook the classic Polish breaded pork chops in various ways.
Still, they all will have one thing in common: uniquely amazing flavors!
These boneless pork chops are also quick enough for a weeknight meal and special for Sunday dinner.
The pork chops are pounded thin, then dredged in flour and egg, then rolled in bread crumbs before being pan-fried to crisp perfection.
As a bonus, you can make this Polish breaded pork chop recipe for a delicious dinner easy to make on a busy night.
Presenting: Polish Roast Duck With Apples And Potatoes!
We all love a good duck, but sometimes it seems like the fancier the dish that features the bird, the more overwhelming it is to try to make.
It’s good that Polish roast duck with apples and potatoes is a beautiful meal that is surprisingly easy to make.
Plus, it looks so elegant, and its unique flavors will have your guests asking for seconds (and thirds).
As the name suggests, Zupa Truskawkowa is a traditional Polish soup made from fresh strawberries and served chilled.
And although it sounds quite exotic, it’s actually something you can quickly whip up at home if you have fresh strawberries on hand!
It’s concocted by simmering the strawberries in water and sugar until they are soft enough to blend into a purée.
After being cooked down, you’ll add cream or milk until everything is smooth and then chill it overnight for best results.
Polish Hamburgers are a cross between a meatball and an actual hamburger.
And they are what happens when your best meatball recipe gets too big for its britches and decides to take on the world as something new and different.
Plus, these may be the only burgers you’ve ever had that are even better the next day!
So, get this recipe now, make it for dinner tonight, and then enjoy the leftovers tomorrow.
You’ll love how they taste when they have time to soak up all of that mushroom gravy flavor!
Sometimes you’re just craving a big bowl of stew.
Something thick and flavorful, with tender chunks of pork and a rich gravy that’s so delicious you keep dipping your spoon in for just another taste.
You know what?
We got you!
This version of Polish pork goulash is a hearty stew made with beer, mushrooms, and carrots that perfectly balance all the flavors.
It’s very easy to prepare, and it’ll keep you full for hours.
Polish Barley And Vegetable Soup is an excellent dish for a Meatless Monday meal.
With hearty root vegetables and barley in a super flavorful broth, it’s the perfect choice when you’re looking for something that will stick to your bones.
So, skip out on the chicken noodle soup from a can and make your own with vegetables instead.
Your body and taste buds will thank you!
This Beef Steak Tartare dish calls for those who have a strong stomach and adventurous palates!
As with any raw meat, there’s always a risk of danger, and steak tartare lovers are aware of that.
But if you feel a little daring and willing to take that risk, you’ll be rewarded with an explosive flavor.
This delicacy involves slicing beef very thin and serving it with a raw egg, capers, mustard, onions, and some sauces and seasonings.
It may sound strange, but it’s delicious.
Traditionally, it’s served on rye bread with a side of fries or salad, but you can enjoy it as it is if that’s what you want.
If you’re looking for a new favorite cake, this Tort Bezowy is here to serve, and it’s full of layer upon layer of delight.
This Polish dessert has decadent mascarpone filling and light meringue that will make you want to skip your next meal so you can eat more of it.
It just screams the ultimate combination of crunchy and creamy, sweet and savory!
Get your taste buds busting on a whirlwind tour of the flavor with this delightful dish of noodles, cabbage, and bacon!
It’s quick to make, fun to eat, and a fabulous way to use up that cabbage you got at the farmer’s market.
This recipe’s version is more on the savory side, but if you want to make it creamier, just add heavy cream at the end.
This is perhaps one of the best Polish recipes for a Polish Szarlotka, and we dare say that this might be the best apple cake you’ve ever tasted.
The crust is delicate and crispy like you spent hours making it from scratch.
Plus, the butter can even be replaced with lard for extra crispness, so you can feel like you’re making your grandma proud.
Then there’s the filling—oh boy, the filling is everything.
It’s packed with caramelized apples that are perfectly sweet and juicy.
Let us tell you: this stuff will go fast so make sure to indulge before anyone else gets a bite!
This recipe takes the traditional flavors and ingredients of Polish cuisine and combines them with the Greek-style cooking technique: roasting fish with root vegetables in a rich sauce.
We also think you’ll find that the addition of celery root to this dish is divine.
And it’s so dynamic that you can have it hot or cold.
Serve this dish alongside crunchy fresh greens for a quick and easy meal any night of the week!
The dish we’re about to describe is technically called “Polish Venison Pot Roast,” and we guess you could call it a pot roast, but that’s selling it way short.
It’s got all the flavor of a good beef stew without the beef (or stew).
Tender chunks of venison practically fall off the bone, and the vegetables are so delicious they’ll make you forget they’re vegetables!
If you want a quick, easy, and delicious dish to make tonight, you’ll be happy to hear this Polish Crepes With Mushrooms recipe comes together in 30 minutes or less.
Made with pantry staples, it’s an awesome dish for cleaning out your fridge.
And what will you get when you combine mushrooms, crepes, and bread?
An utterly delectable meal that’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
You could call it a Polish-style crepe—one that’s been breaded and then shallow fried, so it turns golden brown and perfectly crispy!
Some desserts are more than just a treat—they’re an experience.
And if you’re looking for an experience that’s a little off the beaten path (we mean, how many people have had Karpatka?), we’ve got the recipe for you!
Karpatka is a traditional Polish cake named after the Carpathian mountains because of its uneven, puffed-up shape.
Made with choux pastry and pastry cream, it’s got two layers of flaky goodness surrounding a creamy interior.
And best of all?
It’s just sweet enough to make your tastebuds happy without being too much!
The bottom line
Polish food is a great way to get your taste buds familiar with the European palate.
You’ll discover a wide range of flavors, textures, and ingredients in traditional Polish dishes that you will hardly find in other countries.
From hearty soups like Krupnik to the sweeter dessert options like Karpatka, Polish food recipes will leave you full and satisfied.
We hope you enjoyed our exploration of some of Poland’s most popular dishes.
And if you decide to make any of these recipes, be brave to create your own spin on it.
That’s where you’ll find the true beauty in cooking.
And who knows?
Maybe you’ll stumble across a recipe that’ll end up becoming your favorite thing in the world to make.
Best Polish Foods
Our list of 21 best Polish Recipes is all about rich, hearty meals that fill you up and keep you wanting to go back for more!
Ingredients
- Pierogi
- Polish White Borscht (Bialy Barszcz)
- Polish Potato Pancakes (Placki Ziemniaczane)
- Polish Hunter’s Stew (Bigos)
- Polish Meatballs (Pulpety)
- Jelly Donuts (Paczki)
- Traditional Polish Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (Golabki)
- Polish Breaded Porkchop Cutlet (Kotlet Schabowy)
- Polish Roast Duck With Apples And Potatoes
- Strawberry Soup (Zupa Truskawkowa)
- Polish Hamburgers
- Pork Stew (Gulasz)
- Polish Barley And Vegetable Soup (Krupnik)
- Steak Tartare (Befszytk Tatarski)
- Polish Cake With Meringue (Tort Bezowy)
- Noodles Cabbage And Bacon (Haluski)
- Polish Apple Cake (Szarlotka)
- Polish Greek-Style Fish
- Polish Venison Pot Roast
- Polish Crepes With Mushrooms
- Polish Carpathian Mountain Cream Cake (Karpatka)
Instructions
- Skim through our Polish Recipes list.
- Select the recipe you’re looking for.
- Prep the ingredients as instructed.
- Spill your thoughts on our Facebook page!