Never cooked Polish food before? Start with these simple recipes that are both delicious and easy to make.
There's no denying that Polish food is delicious — from warming rosół, to comforting gołąbki, to pillowy kopytka.
And when it comes to cooking those Polish classics at home, it's not nearly as difficult as it may seem. Many Polish recipes are actually super simple to pull off at home and come together in no time. From fuss-free barszcz to simple bigos, we rounded up 14 of our favorite Polish recipes anyone can pull off.
A note on recipes: Not all of these recipes are true to their origins — many are simple interpretations of Polish classics, but delicious nonetheless.
1. Kopytka
What it is: Little dumplings similar to Italian gnocchi made with potatoes, eggs, and flour. They can be served boiled or pan-fried and garnished with various toppings such as bacon or onions.
Get a recipe: Polish Potato Dumplings
2. Gołąbki
What it is: Boiled cabbage leaves stuffed with ground meat and barley (or rice) cooked in tomato sauce or broth.
Get a recipe: Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
3. Barszcz
What it is: The Polish version of borscht: A slightly sour beet soup that can be served hot or cold. There are endless versions throughout Europe with slightly different names and varying ingredients. It can range from crystal clear to thick, and some versions don't include any beets at all!
Get a recipe: Classic Borscht
4. Pączki
What it is: Fried doughnuts stuffed with various jams and custards typically eaten the day before Ash Wednesday (aka Fat Tuesday or pączki day).
Get a recipe: Homemade Pączki
5. Pierogi
What it is: Boiled or pan-friend dumplings stuffed with various fillings — most commonly a savory mixture of cooked potato and cheese.
Get a recipe: Potato Pierogi
6. Rosół
What it is: A simple chicken noodle soup with clear broth.
Get a recipe: Polish Chicken Soup
7. Mizeria
What it is: A quick and easy salad made with sliced cucumbers and sour cream that is typically served as a side dish with grilled meats. It's commonly made with fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon, but can be kept super simple as well.
Get a recipe: Polish Cucumber Salad
8. Makowiec
What it is: A sweet bread with a rich poppy seed filling that sometimes gets finished with a simple glaze and candied lemon or orange zest.
Get a recipe: Polish Poppy Seed Roll
9. Bigos
What it is: A hearty stew made with sauerkraut and various meats (such as pork shoulder, bacon, and kielbasa) and veggies. Also called hunter's stew, this comfort food classic can be made with all kinds of ingredients from apples to carrots and is perfect for cold nights.
Get a recipe: Polish Hunter's Stew
10. Zapiekanka
What it is: An open-face sandwich topped with various ingredients (usually mushrooms) and melted cheese drizzled with ketchup. Similar to French bread pizza, these sandwiches are a popular street food in Poland.
Get a recipe: Polish Open-Face Sandwich
11. Naleśniki
What it is: Thin pancakes (similar to French crêpes) stuffed with various sweet and savory fillings, from cheese to fruit preserves.
Get a recipe: Polish Sweet or Savory Crepes
What it is: Simple Polish potato pancakes. What could be better?
Get a recipe: Easy Potato Pancakes
13. Kielbasa
What it is: A broad category of Polish sausages that range in flavor, size, and shape. The word kielbasa is more of a generic term for sausage rather than a specific type — however, it's a great ingredient to start cooking with if you're just getting into Polish food. Serve it with sauerkraut, cooked cabbage, or grilled onions.
Get a recipe: Crock-Pot Kielbasa With Red Cabbage and Apples
14. Sernik
What it is: Polish cheesecake made with twaróg (aka farmer's cheese).
Get a recipe: Polish Cheesecake
Looking for more simple recipe inspiration? Check out these posts:
• 83 Insanely Popular Dinners That Are Practical And Easy
