Pierogi are often enjoyed all on their own or, occasionally, with a side of sour cream. But these sweet or savory dumplings are versatile and are made even more so with the addition of some delicious dipping sauce. Try out a few new ideas tonight!
Pierogi are classic comfort food. Polish dumplings filled with savory or sweet fillings are served warm and are delicious!
You may see this dish spelled many different ways including pierogies, pierogies, perogies, pierogi, or perogy. Pierogi is actually plural, and it’s a generic term for filled dumplings.
Just like the spelling, the pierogi filling varies greatly. Perhaps the most traditional and authentic filling for pierogi is a simple cheese and potato mixture. Potato perogies pair perfectly with sour cream and onions that are often served alongside it.
While sour cream is perfect for cheese and potatoes, it is not a perfect condiment for all the different fillings you may find inside different variations of pierogi. Sweet pierogies, filled with fruit and other sweet filling, are better with cream or honey.
Pierogi are the perfect dish for bringing the family together. Like most dumplings, putting them together takes some patience and care, but it is well worth it for the burst of flavor inside each pocket of dough.
If you are making a feast of these delicious Polish dumplings, you can add even more variety with the sides and toppings you add to the meal. Here are my recommendations for what to eat with pierogi instead of sour cream.
Pierogi Origins
Pierogi have been enjoyed by people all over Central and Eastern Europe for centuries, and to be honest, their history is difficult to track.
What we do know is that pierogi have been an important part of Polish cuisine since the 1700s. They are a staple at every holiday celebration–often filled with a unique filling just for that day.
Pierogi takes time and effort to make from scratch, but it is this process that brings families together to prepare large batches for special occasions.
Pierogi has become so popular over the years that they have spread as Polish immigrants have spread to Canada and the US. The most common flavors to find are potato, cheese, and sauerkraut but when made from scratch there is no limit to what can go inside.
FAQs
Some Polish families may serve melted butter or sour cream with their pierogi, but in most cases, pierogi are enjoyed all on their own as the main dish, an appetizer, or a snack, depending on what is inside. Most savory perogies include ground meat, potatoes, or cabbage.
While toppings, sauces, and sides with pierogi are not traditional, it is still delicious. The different fillings inside pierogi make it possible to pair it with just about anything you can imagine.
Some popular choices include bacon, green onions, sauteed onions, chives, sauerkraut, or mushroom sauce.
Some Polish families may serve melted butter or sour cream with their pierogi, but in most cases, pierogi are enjoyed all on their own as the main dish, an appetizer, or a snack, depending on what is inside. Most savory perogies include ground meat, potatoes, or cabbage.
While toppings, sauces, and sides with pierogi are not traditional, it is still delicious. The different fillings inside pierogi make it possible to pair it with just about anything you can imagine.
Some popular choices include bacon, green onions, sauteed onions, chives, sauerkraut, or mushroom sauce.
Planning how many pierogi people may eat can be tricky and it depends on how they are served. As a main dish, you may eat five or six as a serving. As an appetizer two or three may be enough. For dessert, people usually eat just two as a serving.
Authentic pierogi are boiled first, then pan-fried until golden brown and crispy. If you are making them from scratch, boiling and then frying gives each dumpling the perfect texture–crispy on the outside but chewy and delicious on the inside.
If you are preparing frozen pierogi, it’s a good idea to boil them first to ensure they are heated all the way through. Pre-cooked pierogi can be put right in the skillet to warm up.
The best dipping sauce for pierogi depends on the filling inside. For savory pierogi, you could try them with tomato sauce, pesto sauce, alfredo sauce, mushroom sauce, sour cream, or chili sauce. Sweet pierogi could be dipped in chocolate sauce, honey, fruit sauce, or whipped cream.
Yes, you can freeze pierogi and you may be able to purchase frozen pierogi from your local grocery store.
If you are making homemade pierogi, assemble them as usual and place them on a parchment-covered baking sheet in a single layer. Place them in the freezer for a half hour, then take them off the parchment paper and put the frozen pierogi in a ziplock bag to keep for several months in the freezer.
Leftover mashed potatoes are great for pierogi filling, but you do want to make sure your potatoes aren’t too creamy as it may make it difficult to keep inside the dough. Add some cheese to the cold potatoes before stuffing into the dough.
Leftover instant mashed potatoes will not work.
Pierogi are Polish. Ukrainians also have a similar dumpling dish but theirs is called Vareniki.
For the best texture for your pierogi, you should boil AND fry them. The boiling is what cooks the dough while the frying gives it a good crunch. This makes them chewy on the inside but crispy on the outside.
Favorite Recipes
- Homemade pierogies from Spend With Pennies
- This Pierogi recipe with a bit of bacon from Natasha’s Kitchen
- For a great dessert pierogi try these from My Gourmet Connection
Expert Tips
- If you are filling your pierogi with potatoes and cheese, make sure your potatoes are smooth with no chunks. Russet potatoes work best for just the right earthy flavor and texture.
- Shred your own cheese. Packaged shredded cheese usually has a coating to keep it from sticking together which prevents it from melting smoothly.
- Don’t overwork your dough as it will make it more difficult to work with
- In Poland, most pierogi are made with farmer’s cheese. Cottage cheese is a decent substitute.
- You can cook pierogi in the air fryer. After boiling, spray your air fryer with a bit of oil and add the pierogi. Air fry for about two minutes.
What to Eat With Pierogi
- Vegetables: Fried cabbage, green beans, Brussels sprouts
- Sauce: Butter, hot sauce, ketchup, barbecue sauce, marinara, ranch, cheese sauce (bechamel), mushroom sauce, butter sauce, dill sauce, garlic sauce, tomato sauce, pesto, fresh herbs
- Savory Toppings: Caramelized onions, fried breadcrumbs, bacon, fresh rosemary, fresh parsley, dill, fresh thyme, shredded cheese, sauerkraut, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, red onion, balsamic vinegar, fried onions
- Sweet Toppings: chocolate sauce, vanilla custard, whipped cream, honey, fruit sauce, jam, yogurt, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, brown sugar, heavy cream
- Side dishes: Fresh salad, kielbasa sausage, pork chops, cucumber salad, cabbage rolls, Polish sausage, cobb salad
Recipes to Serve with Pierogies
Pistachio Pesto
Easy Pesto Recipe
How To Make Jam
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Easy Tzatziki Sauce
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