14 Delicious Polish Recipes That Are Actually Super Simple To Make

    Never cooked Polish food before? Start with these simple recipes that are both delicious and easy to make.

    Jesse Szewczyk
    by Jesse Szewczyk

    BuzzFeed Staff

    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

    crunchycreamysweet.com

    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

    thesuburbansoapbox.com

    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

    natashaskitchen.com

    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

    seasonsandsuppers.ca

    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

    thesuburbansoapbox.com

    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

    7. Mizeria

    eatingeuropean.com

    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

    9. Bigos

    thedomesticman.com

    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

    homeinthefingerlakes.com

    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

    12. Placki Ziemniaczane

    damndelicious.net

    What it is: Simple Polish potato pancakes. What could be better?

    Get a recipe: Easy Potato Pancakes

    13. Kielbasa

    tammileetips.com

    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

    Looking for more simple recipe inspiration? Check out these posts:

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