Pierogi are a beloved Eastern European dish that has gained popularity worldwide for their comforting, hearty flavors. These dumplings are made from simple dough and filled with a variety of savory or sweet fillings. Often served with a dollop of sour cream or crispy onions, pierogi offer a delightful combination of textures – soft, pillowy dough and flavorful fillings that are sure to satisfy.
To make pierogi, the first step is to prepare the dough. The dough is made with flour, eggs, salt, and water, and is kneaded until smooth and elastic. After resting for a short time, the dough is rolled out and cut into rounds, ready to be filled.
For savory pierogi, the fillings are endless. One of the most classic options is a combination of mashed potatoes and cheese, seasoned with salt, pepper, and sometimes garlic or onions. Another popular filling is sautéed mushrooms and onions, which add an earthy flavor and a bit of richness. Ground meat, such as beef or pork, mixed with sautéed onions, is also a popular choice. For a lighter option, a combination of spinach and ricotta can be used, offering a fresh, creamy filling.
For sweet pierogi, fillings like sweetened fruit (such as blueberries, cherries, or apples) or sweetened cheese (often mixed with sugar and vanilla) are common. These sweet pierogi are usually enjoyed as a dessert or a special treat, often served with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey.
Once the pierogi are filled, they are folded into half-moons and sealed by pinching the edges together. The filled dumplings are then boiled until they float to the surface of the water, signaling that they are ready to be served. While they are traditionally served immediately, pierogi can also be fried in butter after boiling to add a crispy texture, or they can be stored in the refrigerator and fried later for an extra crunch.
Pierogi are incredibly versatile and can be customized with different fillings to suit any taste. They can be enjoyed on their own or served with toppings like sour cream, crispy bacon, or caramelized onions. Whether you’re making them for a family dinner, a special celebration, or simply because you’re craving something homemade, pierogi are a delicious and satisfying dish that bring people together around the table.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour plus extra for dusting
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup water warm
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 large egg beaten
- 2 cups potato mashed, for filling
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded, for filling
- 1 tablespoon butter for sautéing
- 1 small onion diced, for filling
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Create a well in the center and add the beaten egg, warm water, and melted butter. Mix to form a dough.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic. Cover it and let it rest for about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the filling by sautéing the diced onion in butter until translucent, and then mix it with the mashed potatoes and shredded cheese.
- Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Cut out circles using a 3-inch cookie cutter or glass.
- Place a tablespoon of filling in the center of each circle, fold over, and seal edges by pinching. You may use a fork to crimp edges.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop pierogi in batches and cook until they float to the surface, about 3-5 minutes.
- Optional: Fry boiled pierogi in a pan with butter until golden brown on both sides.
Nutrition
These were delicious! Just like my grandma used to make. I added some bacon bits in the filling for extra flavor. 5 stars!
I dunno… The dough was too thick for my liking and the filling lacked flavor. Might give it another shot but not the best experience. 2 stars.
Sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy it! If the dough was too thick, maybe it needs more water or kneading? And for the filling, more spices might help! Just a thought.
I think your expectations were too high. Pierogi can be simple and sometimes they lack punch. Did you try adding herbs or something? Also, make sure to roll the dough thinner next time!
Made this for dinner with my kids, and they loved helping out! Super fun. 😊
These are the best pierogi I’ve ever made! They turned out fluffy and delicious. Will definitely make again.
I’m glad to hear that! Pierogi are amazing, especially when they’re fluffy. Do you have any tips on making the dough extra smooth?
Fluffy? Mine always turn out thick and doughy. What did you do differently?
I don’t know, man. They were kinda bland. Maybe I did something wrong? 🤔
Don’t worry! They can be a bit bland if you skip the seasoning or don’t fry them afterward. Try adding more salt and pepper or some herbs next time! 😊
These pierogi are amazing! Just like my grandma used to make. My family devoured them!
Pierogi are traditionally stuffed with many different things, but this recipe seems too simple. Where’s the meat?
Pierogi all the way! I added some sour cream on top. Yumm!
Yum! Sour cream is the perfect addition to pierogi! I love how it adds that extra creamy touch. Definitely going to try this next time!
What’s the point of sour cream? Just eat the pierogi like they are. You don’t need all that extra stuff.
So good!!! My kids loved them, they ate all of them in one sitting!
That’s awesome! Pierogi are the best! Happy to hear your kids loved them!
I gotta try this! But wait, are pierogi the same as dumplings? I always get confused.
I didn’t have cheddar so used nacho cheese instead. Still taste great!
Aren’t pierogies Ukrainian? I feel like this recipe is missing some spices.
Too much work for just dumplings. I bought some frozen ones instead.
That’s just how it is with recipes, way too many steps for some simple food. I’m going with the frozen ones too.
I get it, frozen dumplings are easy and quick! But making them fresh is so much better! 😊
I tried making these but the dough was too sticky. Not sure what I did wrong!
Honestly, I don’t get the hype. They were just okay for me. I’ve had better at restaurants.
This was way too complicated for me. I got confused with the dough part. Not sure if I did it right.
I can understand the dough part can be tricky! Maybe next time you could try watching a video on it? That helped me a lot!
Too complicated? I think it’s not that hard if you follow the steps. Just take your time!
I don’t know… my dough didn’t come out right. It was too sticky.
These were sooo good! I can’t wait to make them again. 😍
I’m glad you enjoyed them! Pierogi are the best when they’re freshly made. 😋
These look good, but they take so long to make! Aren’t there any shortcuts? 😕
Not very good. Taste like cardboard. Disappointing.
Cardboard? Really? I thought they were supposed to be cheesy and yummy. Did you follow all the steps?
I’m not sure what went wrong for you, but I’ve made these pierogi several times and they always turn out great! Maybe try adding more seasoning to the filling?
This recipe is a must-try! The flavor is incredible! So comforting!
Totally scrumptious! I added some spices and they turned out even better! Cooking pierogi feels like magic!
These turned out pretty good, but I think I added too much butter. Next time I’ll be more careful.
These pierogi are amazing! They remind me of my grandma’s recipe. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad you liked them! There’s nothing like a recipe that brings back memories of family. 😊
I tried these and found them a bit bland. Should I add more seasoning next time? 🤔
This recipe takes too long! I thought pierogi were supposed to be quicker to make.
Took me forever to make these! Probably won’t do it again.
Just okay. I think I need to try a different filling next time.
Have you tried adding sauerkraut or mushrooms? They can really kick up the flavor! 🌟
Pierogis are overrated. Who needs all that work when you can just buy them frozen?
I don’t like onions, so I skipped them totally. But they are still good. Nice and cheesy!
Love this recipe! My grandma made them like this, and they taste just like her’s. Brings back memories! 🙂
Pierogi? Can’t live without them! Wife and kids loved them! 👍
Yum!!! Perhaps could use some sour cream on the side? Just a thought!
So much work for just a snack! I prefer just buying them from the store. Way easier.
Could this recipe be made with gluten-free flour? I need it for a friend.
Pierogis? Never heard of em till today. But now I wanna try! Sounds fancy!
Oh, you’ll love pierogis! They are like little dumplings filled with yummy stuff. Give it a try, it’s super easy!
Fancy? I dunno, they just seem like dough balls to me. But hey, if you like it, go for it!
I found this recipe a bit tricky. The dough was sticky and hard to roll out. Not sure if I did it right.
I had the same issue with the dough! It can be super sticky if you don’t flour your surface well enough. Don’t give up, though, pierogi is worth a little struggle!