Not sure what to serve with perogies? We’ve got your back with these delicious sides to make this comfort food shine.
Perogies are a classic comfort food originating from Eastern Europe. These half-moon-shaped dumplings can be filled with a savory or sweet filling. And you can make this European staple dish either with standard flour or pastry dough.
The traditional dumpling contains cheese and mashed potatoes. But they’re also often filled with ground beef, cabbage, spinach, mushrooms, beans, and more. Perogies can also be served as dessert, with a filling of sweet fruits like berries or apricots.
What To Serve With Perogies?
Perogies, the national food of Poland, are typically made with unleavened dough. The dish tastes mild and rich if you cook the traditional potato and cheese-filled perogies. While you can serve these dumplings alone, serving them with a great side dish can enhance their overall flavor. Here are some excellent side dishes you can pair with your perogies.
1. Sour Cream, Onions, and Mushroom
Pairing your traditional perogies with sour cream and onions adds a tangy, sweet flavor to the meal. But you can level things up by including earthy chopped mushrooms when used as a dip or topping. These flavors will pair well with the rich, creamy taste of the perogies.
You can even sauté your mushrooms in butter and season them with herbs and spices. This would add a caramelized flavor to the meal.
2. Steamed Vegetables
You can also serve the perogies with a side dish of steamed and seasoned vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, or peas. These will add a fresh, crunchy texture to the otherwise fluffy, creaming perogies. Steamed vegetables also provide fiber and other nutrients to round off the meal.
3. Fried Bacon and Onions
Fried bacon is a traditional Polish accompaniment for perogies. The cheese and mashed potato perogies are usually served with crispy bacon and caramelized onions. The saltiness of the bacon brings balance to the rich flavor of the dumplings. And because they’re fried, they add a sweet, caramelized flavor to the dish.
4. Borscht Soup
Borscht is a sweet and sour soup and a typical side dish in Northern Asia and Eastern Europe. This bright red soup is made with beets, giving it an earthy flavor. The soup provides an initial burst of sweetness, soon met with a tart taste.
Traditionally topped with sour cream, the soup provides a creamy and luxurious texture, which pairs well with perogies.
5. Slow Roasted Tomatoes
You can also pair your traditionally made perogies with slow-roasted tomatoes. While raw tomatoes can be a bit acidic, roasting them will enhance their sweetness.
Adding a clove of garlic and sprinkling your tomatoes with vinegar and sugar before roasting will encourage a delicious flavor. These slow-roasted tomatoes are juicy and sweet and won’t overpower your creamy perogies.
6. Cabbage and Bacon
Cooking your bacon with fresh green cabbage is a flavorful side dish for your perogies. Cabbage may not be the tastiest vegetable. But adding bacon pieces gives it an irresistibly smoky and salty flavor.
This savory side delivers a moreish crunch to your soft potato perogies. You can also add some spice by seasoning your cabbage and bacon side with paprika and garlic powder.
7. Brussel Sprouts, Carrots, and Parsnips
These three vegetables pair beautifully and make a great side dish for your creamy perogies. The delightful flavors of sweet carrots, nutty Brussel sprouts, and earthy, crunchy parsnips are perfect for perogies. Drizzle these vegetables with olive oil and bake in an oven until golden and crisp.
8. Herb Salad with Shaved Parmesan
Adding a fresh herb salad as a side dish to your perogies will be a refreshing contrast to the rich and creamy dumplings.
Simply mix chopped fresh mint, chives, and parsley into a bowl of baby spinach and lettuce. Then squeeze some fresh lemon juice over it to bring in some acidity and enhance the flavors. Shave some parmesan cheese on top before serving.
9. Kielbasa
Kielbasa is a traditional Polish sausage that pairs well with this staple Polish dish. Smoking this sausage in salted butter enhances the flavor of the seasoning packed into the casing. This plump and juicy sausage is tender to eat and is the perfect side dish for your Polish moon-shaped dumplings.
Conclusion
Traditional perogies have a rich flavor and a creamy texture. But to bring your meal together, you can add a side dish that will complement the flavors of this Polish dumpling. With the above options, you should have all the information you need when determining what to serve with perogies.