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Recipes

5 Creative Pierogi Recipes That Will Unleash the Polish Grandma Inside You

This article is written by a student writer from the Spoon University at Duke chapter.

Every time I visit my grandma, there’s a fresh plate of pierogis on the table, 10 more frying on the stove, and about 50 hidden away in the freezer. It only takes 3 or 4 to fill me up, but of course, my grandma convinces me to eat an extra 9 or 10. It’s my favorite dish, and she won’t let me forget it.

I’m shocked to say that after 19 years, I still love every bite. Whether I’m craving something savory or sweet, my grandma has a pierogi for me. Or rather, 5 plates of ’em.

So switch out of your skinny jeans and grab your sweatpants, we’re headed to Grandma’s house people.

The Dough

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 50 minutesCook time: 10 minutesTotal time:1 hour Servings:60 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Dry Ingredients

    Mix flour and salt in a large bowl.

  2. Wet Ingredients

    In a separate bowl, whisk together butter, sour cream, eggs, egg yolk and oil.

  3. Step 3

    Combine wet and dry ingredients until well blended. Cover the bowl with a towel and let stand for 15-20 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Boil water over medium heat in a pot.

  5. Step 5

    Roll dough very thin, about 1/2 inch, on a lightly floured surface.

    #SpoonTip: You may need to separate the dough into 2 or 3 pieces. Seriously, there’s a lot of it.

  6. Step 6

    Cut dough into circles using a cookie cutter or glass.

    #SpoonTip: Brush a little water over the circles to make folding easier.

  7. Step 7

    Spoon in filling of your choice (see recipes below).

  8. Step 8

    Fold the dough into half-circles and press the edges to seal.

    #SpoonTip: Press the edges lightly with a fork to give your pierogis that cool, shell-like pattern.

  9. Step 9

    Boil the pierogis in water. They will float to the top when they’re done (about 5 minutes).

  10. Step 10

    Optional (but highly recommended): Sauté pierogis in oil for a crisp, delicious finish.

Mashed Potato & Cheese Filling

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 5 minutesCook time: 2 minutesTotal time: 7 minutesServings:60 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Microwave packaged potatoes.

    #SpoonTip: Homemade mashed potatoes are great, too. Packaged ones are just faster.

     

     

  2. Potatoes Cheese

    Mix potatoes and cheese.

  3. Step 7

    Fill, seal and cook those pierogis.

Taco Night Filling

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 10 minutesCook time: 2 minutesTotal time: 12 minutesServings:60 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Taco Meat

    Cook beef over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked (5-7 minutes).

     

  2. Add water and

    Stir in water and taco seasoning. Cook an additional 3 minutes.

  3. Fill, seal and cook pierogis.

    #SpoonTip: Serve with salsa and margaritas. It’s taco night after all.

Black Bean, Cilantro & Cheese Filling

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 3 minutesCook time: 2 minutesTotal time: 5 minutesServings:60 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Black Bean Cheese Cilantro

    Mix ingredients together in a bowl.

  2. Fill, seal and cook pierogis.

Caramelized Onions & Mushroom Filling

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 5 minutesCook time: 2 minutesTotal time: 7 minutesServings:60 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Carmelized Onion Mushroom

    Sauté onions and mushrooms in vegetable oil.

  2. Onions

    Remove from heat. Stir. Fill, seal and cook pierogis. Eat.

Apple Pie Filling

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 1 minuteCook time: 2 minutesTotal time: 3 minutesServings:60 servings

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Crush up Apple Pie

    Crush up pie with a spoon.

    #SpoonTip: Resist the urge to down the entire pie.

  2. Fill, seal and cook pierogis.

    #SpoonTip: Serve with Nutella for an out-of-this-world experience.