Potato and Cheese Pierogi
Tender dumplings filled with potato and farmer's cheese, boiled and then fried in butter with onions. A weekend project that freezes brilliantly, which is why Polish families make hundreds at a time.
Photograph credit: Pierogi Poutine by Alan Levine · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Method
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Boil the potatoes in salted water for 18 minutes until tender, then drain and mash smooth.
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Fry the diced onions in the 60 g of butter for 10 minutes until soft and golden, then mix into the potato with the cheese, salt and white pepper. Cool completely.
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For the dough, mix the flour and salt, then add the egg, soured cream, oil and warm water. Knead for 8 minutes until smooth and elastic.
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Rest the dough, covered, for 30 minutes. It should feel soft and slightly tacky.
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Roll out to 2 mm on a floured surface and cut 8 cm circles. Keep both the dough and the cut circles covered as you work.
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Place a heaped teaspoon of filling on each circle, fold in half, and press the edges firmly, pushing out all the air. Crimp with your fingers or a fork.
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Boil in batches in well-salted water: they will sink, then float. Cook for 2 minutes after they float.
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Meanwhile fry the sliced onions in the 80 g of butter over medium heat for 12 minutes until deep golden.
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Lift the boiled pierogi straight into the onion butter and fry for 2 minutes a side until crisp and browned in patches.
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Serve with soured cream and chives.
Chef’s Tips
- Press every trace of air out before sealing, or the pierogi will burst in the water.
- Keep everything under a damp cloth. Dough that dries out will not seal.
- Freeze uncooked on a tray, then bag. Boil from frozen, adding 2 minutes.
Pairing Suggestions
- Chilled vodka or a Polish lager
- Serve with a beetroot salad or barszcz
- Finish with stewed plums
Storage & Reheating
Uncooked pierogi freeze 3 months. Cooked ones keep 3 days; always refry rather than reboiling.
Common questions
How long does Potato and Cheese Pierogi take to make?
About 1 hour 5 minutes in total — 45 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 6.
What are the key tips for making Potato and Cheese Pierogi?
Press every trace of air out before sealing, or the pierogi will burst in the water. Keep everything under a damp cloth. Dough that dries out will not seal. Freeze uncooked on a tray, then bag. Boil from frozen, adding 2 minutes.
What should I serve with Potato and Cheese Pierogi?
Chilled vodka or a Polish lager; Serve with a beetroot salad or barszcz; Finish with stewed plums.
Can Potato and Cheese Pierogi be made ahead or frozen?
Uncooked pierogi freeze 3 months. Cooked ones keep 3 days; always refry rather than reboiling.
Is Potato and Cheese Pierogi suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian and no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Potato and Cheese Pierogi?
About 586 kcal per serving, with 18 g protein, 78 g carbohydrate and 22 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.