Poland is known for its beautiful cities, museums, and castles, but did you also know that its cuisine is also something of note.
Polish food is famous for how heartfelt it is. The wholesome dishes are always served in super generous portions, and they involve a lot of meat and eggs. In Polish cuisine, you can expect savory sauces, delicious spices, and plenty of rice and bread. We love Polish soups and main dishes.
Polish cuisine is steeped in history, and its hearty, flavorful dishes have comforted generations. Rich stews, hearty rye breads, and tender pierogi have all found their way into the hearts and homes of people across the globe. As you explore the world of Polish recipes, you’ll not only learn how to recreate these classic dishes but also discover the stories, traditions, and cultural influences that have shaped them.
Traditional Polish recipes bring to life the country’s rich culinary heritage and the diverse range of flavors it has to offer. From rustic countryside staples to elegant city fare, these dishes showcase the authentic tastes and techniques at the core of Poland’s culinary identity. As you work your way through classic recipes, you’ll come to appreciate the key ingredients and the iconic dishes that have earned a special place in Polish cuisine.
Key Takeaways
- Polish recipes offer a comforting and flavorful culinary experience
- Exploring traditional dishes reveals the rich history and cultural influences of Polish cuisine
- Key ingredients and techniques define the authenticity and diversity of Poland’s culinary identity
In this article, I will cover 21 Polish recipes that are easy to make. So, when you’re feeling like you’d like to try something new and experiment with new flavors, you’re covered.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
Source: thehowtohome.com
Stuffed cabbage rolls are the centerpiece of Polish cuisine. They’re hearty and tasty.
This recipe has become a family favorite. It’s definitely authentic and great for those cool Fall nights.
Source: everydayhealthyrecipes
Gingerbread is a hearty, warming treat to have around the holiday season, and this recipe is perfect to pair with a hot cup of tea or coffee!
This recipe is packed full of spices that are sure to get you in the festive spirit! In Poland the traditional recipe for gingerbread tends to use butter, which gets melted along with the honey and sugar. This recipe instead uses oil!
Source: polonist
Blueberry Pierogi are classic Polish dumplings that are filled with deliciously sweet blueberries.
In Poland, bilberries, also known as European blueberries are often used and are smaller and darker, but standard blueberries from the grocery store work just as well in this recipe.
These pierogies can be enjoyed as they are or with a sprinkle of confectioner’s sugar and a drizzle of cream!
Source: thespruceeats
Polish potato soup is super satisfying and filling and is the perfect lunch or dinner during the cold winter months.
There are lots of variations of this particular soup, but this recipe uses a chicken or vegetable stock base with bacon and veggies such as carrots, onions, potatoes, fresh parsley, and bay leaves.
This soup can is great to enjoy with crusty bread slathered in butter. Delicious!
Source: kingarthurbaking
Polish babka is one of the most traditional and popular recipes in Polish culture.
There are several variations of this rich bread, but this recipe features a delicious punch from the rum syrup and is drizzled with an icing made out of confectioner’s sugar.
Babka is often served at Easter in Polish households, but can be enjoyed all year round as an afternoon snack or a yummy dessert!
Source: thespruceeats
Crepes are delicious anywhere you go, so it’s no surprise that Polish crepes are truly mouth watering.
These Polish crepes can be served either sweet or savory. They are absolutely delicious with sweet fillings such as Nutella, fruit compote, or syrup.
If you don’t have a sweet tooth, alternatively you could opt to fill your crepes with cream cheese, cheese and ham or onions.
Source: thespruceeats
Polish potato pancakes are a traditional recipe that comes from the Mazovia region of poland.
Potato cakes are a nutrient-dense food that are an excellent source of protein and are great on their own or as a side dish.
They’re super easy to make and celebrate super simple ingredients such as potato, garlic, onion, parsnips, zucchini, and carrots.
Polish hunter’s stew is a soup packed full of protein and nutrient-rich vegetables, as well as smoky sausage and bacon.
This stew features the rich, woodland flavors of dried wild mushrooms, game meat, and fragrant juniper berries, hence the name hunter’s stew. Taking all the flavors from the wild and turning them into a dish has never tasted so good!
Polish hunter’s stew should be served hot and enjoyed with warm, fresh bread.
Source: everydayhealthyrecipes
Polish rogaliki are extremely popular crescent cookies that are often filled with jam and other sweet fillings.
The tops of these rogaliki are dipped in egg whites and then sugar for a crispy finish.
In terms of flavor, these cookies aren’t overly sweet, and regardless of how full you think you are after dinner, you’ll be sure to make room for these delicious treats.
Source: thespruceeats
Polish plum cake, or placek ze śliwkami, is a cake filled with cooked plums.
This recipe is perfect for using up fresh plums that you have in your fruit bowl, and you can use virtually any variety of plum to get some truly delicious results.
Since this recipe is super light, it’s a great way to end a hearty meal.
Source: food
Polish cabbage casserole is a super affordable and filling meal while still being incredibly nutritionally balanced.
Cabbage can be quite a bland ingredient, however, this Polish cabbage casserole turns the simple ingredient into the ultimate comfort food that is packed full of flavor.
This recipe is super easy to make. Just throw in all the ingredients in a Dutch oven, stir from time to time, and voila!
Source: polishhousewife
Polis apple pie, also known as szarlotka, is a staple in every cafe and bakery in Poland and is the epitome of indulgence.
This apple pie is similar to the apple pie you’d find in America, but the crust and filling aren’t quite as sweet as you’d expect.
Some Polish apple pies are made with raisins and almonds, while some have meringue or a crumble topping.
Source: polishhousewife
This Polish carrot salad recipe is light and refreshing and is the perfect side dish for a variety of different mains!
This delicious carrot salad features grated carrots, crushed pineapple, apples, and raisins and is the perfect accompaniment during the summertime.
This recipe can even be made vegan-friendly by switching out the mayonnaise for Veganaise!
Source: allrecipes
Polish breaded pork chop, also known as kotlet schabowy, is a classic Polish recipe regularly served for Sunday dinner in Poland.
Before cooking your breaded pork chop, you will want to pound the meat as thinly as possible for the best results.
This breaded pork chop recipe is perfect to serve with mashed potatoes or chips, and a fresh garden salad accompanied by your favorite veggies!
Source: polonist
When first reading the words strawberry soup you might be thinking, am I reading this right? Yes you are, and Polish strawberry soup, also known as zupa truskawkowa, is absolutely delicious.
This soup is a thick soup with a sweet strawberry flavor. You can eat it hot as it is or over a bed of egg noodles. Alternatively, you can also eat Polish strawberry soup cold on its own.
Source: fusioncraftiness
While we’re on the topic of soup, why not opt for Polish beetroot soup?
If you’re looking for a colorful appetizer, it doesn’t get much more vibrant than beetroot soup. This soup is sweet, and has an earthy flavor that makes for a unique eating experience.
This recipe only contains a few simple ingredients that don’t overpower and allow you to celebrate the delicious flavor of beets.
Source: jocooks
Polish donuts, also known as paczki, have a sweeter and richer dough than your typical doughnuts.
These Polish donuts are soft, and pillowy balls of goodness that are often filled with custard, jam or lemon curd.
These donuts are typically served before lent as a splurge before the lent restrictions begin, which is all you need to know about how indulgent they are!
Source: anaffairfromtheheart
Smoked sausage with sauerkraut is a traditional dish served in Polish households.
This dish uses three simple ingredients, including water, Polish sausage and sauerkraut. It couldn’t be simpler, but the result is truly delightful.
The smoky flavor from the sausage perfectly complements the tart, and somewhat sour flavors from the sauerkraut, making for a yummy dish.
Source: polishhousewife
Polish leek salad is a super simple dish that works beautifully for a light meal.
This recipe combines sweet and savory flavors together for a refreshing result. The subtle warmth from the leek and sweet crisp apple work perfectly together, while the lemon juice adds a refreshing zing to the recipe that alleviates it to the next level.
For a creamier salad, you could try adding a spoon of mayo, sour cream, or plain yogurt!
Source: littlesunnykitchen
If you’ve got a sweeth tooth, then you’re going to love these Polish apple pancakes.
These Polish apple pancakes are made out of a batter with chopped apples that is then fried and topped with powdered sugar or a sweet syrup such as maple!
Whether you make them for breakfast or fancy a sweet snack, these apple pancakes are a total winner every time!
Source: 4sonrus
If you’re on the hunt for a dish that is proper comfort food, then Polish haluski is the recipe for you.
This recipe features caramelized cabbage and onion that is cooked in a rich and buttery sauce before it is tossed with rich egg noodles to soak up all of those delicious flavors.
Sometimes off a long day you just need a big bowl of noodles, and it doesn’t get much more indulgent than this!
Source: polonist
This wouldn’t be an article about Polish cuisine without mentioning Polish goulash!
Goulash as a general term is a stew of meat and a variety of different vegetables, but there are a tonne of variations of it.
This recipe features tender pork shoulder and a rich sauce that is packed full of flavor and made with carrots, smoky bacon and mushrooms. Tasty!