Pierogi: The Polish Dumplings that I never heard about 🇵🇱✨
Before last summer, I thought dumplings were strictly an Asian thing. You know, like dim sum, gyoza, or the frozen ones I eat at 2 AM when I forget to cook dinner. But then I met Zofia from Poland at the Bocconi Summer School in Milan, and she completely blew my mind with one word: Pierogi.
“Wait, Poland has dumplings?” I asked, very confused.
Zofia gasped. “Excuse me?! Pierogi are like the national treasure of Poland. Everyone eats them. My grandma basically judges people on how well they make them.”
Clearly, I had a lot to learn.
My first encounter with Pierogi (and the Pierogi Panic Attack)
Fast forward two weeks, and I was standing in Zofia’s tiny Milan apartment covered in flour, with dough stuck to my hands, questioning my life choices. Making pierogi was harder than I thought.
“Relax,” Zofia laughed as I attempted (and failed) to fold the dumplings into a perfect half-moon shape. “Your first ones always look ugly. It’s a tradition.”
At this point, my pierogi resembled mutant ravioli. But I was determined to get it right because when I finally tasted a real pieróg (yes, that’s the singular—who knew?), I had an out-of-body experience.
The dough was soft yet slightly chewy, the filling was warm and comforting, and when dipped in sour cream… perfection.
Pierogi 101: What makes them so special?
Pierogi are Poland’s ultimate comfort food. Think of them as pillowy, stuffed dumplings, usually boiled or pan-fried to crispy golden perfection. And the best part? You can fill them with literally anything.
🥟 Popular Pierogi fillings:
✔️ Pierogi Ruskie (The Classic) – Potatoes, cheese, and onions
✔️ Meat Lover’s Pierogi – Ground beef or pork, seasoned to perfection
✔️ Cabbage & Mushroom – A Christmas favorite
✔️ Sweet Pierogi – Strawberries, blueberries, or even chocolate!
If you ever go to Poland, DO NOT LEAVE without trying them. It’s basically illegal.
How to make Zofia’s Grandma’s legendary Pierogi
Okay, so I won’t lie—making pierogi is a labor of love. But if you have a free afternoon, a love for carbs, and a desire to feel like a Polish grandma, then it’s absolutely worth it.
✨ What you’ll need for the dough:
✔️ 2 ½ cups flour
✔️ 1 egg
✔️ ½ cup warm water
✔️ ½ teaspoon salt
✔️ 1 tablespoon melted butter
🥔 What you’ll need for the Pierogi Ruskie filling:
✔️ 3 large potatoes, boiled and mashed
✔️ 1 cup farmer’s cheese (or ricotta if you can’t find it)
✔️ 1 small onion, finely chopped and sautéed
✔️ Salt & pepper to taste
🥄 How to make them (prepare for a mess)
1️⃣ Make the Dough:
• Mix the flour, egg, salt, and melted butter in a bowl.
• Slowly add warm water and knead until it forms a soft, smooth dough.
• Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes (this is the perfect snack break).
2️⃣ Prepare the Filling:
• Mash the potatoes and mix them with cheese, sautéed onions, salt, and pepper.
• Try not to eat all of it before stuffing the dumplings. (I failed this step).
3️⃣ Shape the Pierogi:
• Roll out the dough and cut circles using a glass or cookie cutter.
• Place a small spoonful of filling in the center, fold in half, and seal the edges with your fingers. (Good luck making them look pretty. I’m still working on it.)
4️⃣ Cook the Pierogi:
• Boil in salted water until they float (about 3 minutes).
• Optional: Pan-fry in butter for crispy, golden deliciousness. (HIGHLY recommended).
5️⃣ Serve with sour cream & enjoy the best dumplings of your life!
Why you NEED to try this
Pierogi are the ultimate comfort food—soft, warm, cheesy, and just SO satisfying. They magically work for any mood: sad? Eat pierogi. Happy? Celebrate with pierogi. Cold winter day? Pierogi. Late-night craving? Pierogi.
Also, making them is an experience. You will laugh, you will get covered in flour, and you will 100% make at least one deformed pieróg that looks like an alien. But that’s part of the fun.
Pierogi Certified ✅
I sent Zofia a picture of my final batch, and her response?
“Not bad. Your first ones look a little ugly, but that’s normal.”
So there you have it. I’m officially pierogi-certified (kind of). If you’ve never had them, PLEASE TRY THIS RECIPE. And if you mess up? Just remember—even the ugliest pierogi still taste amazing. 😎🥟
Smacznego! (That’s Bon Appétit in Polish!) 🇵🇱✨
