Top 11 Polish Side Dishes

Whether it is prepared with red or green sauerkraut, this creamy and flavorful delicacy is one of the most common side dishes in traditional Polish cuisine. Finely chopped sauerkraut is slowly stewed alongside various spices such as bay leaves and peppercorns until it thoroughly softens. Often seasoned with sugar or honey and elevated with fried onions and crispy bacon, kapusta is usually served as an accompaniment to various meat courses.Expand

Krokiet is a unique Polish dish consisting of a thin crêpe filled with various ingredients. It is then neatly folded in a roll, breaded, and shortly fried until golden and crispy. The fillings are usually based on sautéed meat or vegetables, or a combination of both. Two or more krokiets are traditionally served as the main course, but they can often be enjoyed as a side dish served alongside hearty and thick Polish soups.Expand

Refreshing and easy to make, mizeria is one of the most famous Polish salads. It consists of thinly sliced cucumbers that are seasoned with salt and pepper, then mixed with creamy sour cream or yogurt. The essential part of mizeria is a handful of freshly chopped dill, one of the favorite herbs used in Polish cuisine. Optional ingredients might include a squeeze of lemon juice, onions, parsley, mint, and some even suggest a sprinkle of sugar. It is usually consumed during summer, but it can occasionally be prepared even when the cucumbers are not in season. Mizeria is a perfect accompaniment to hearty and nourishing dishes such as meat cutlets, or any rice or potato-based dishes. The name of the dish translates to misery, and although the origins of the name are not familiar, it is believed that the name was given as a joke, and somehow it stuck with this crunchy and creamy Polish salad.Expand

Translated as lazy pierogi, these simple dumplings do not share many similarities with the traditional pierogi. They are made with fresh cottage cheese, eggs, and flour, shaped into a soft dough that is either cut into uniform shapes or casually torn and cooked in water. With their neutral taste, leniwe pierogi can be enjoyed as a side dish, a sweet dessert, or a savory main course. They are traditionally served with buttered breadcrumbs, various meat toppings or drippings, or simply sprinkled with cinnamon-spiced sugar.Expand

Kartofle gotowane, or boiled potatoes, is a versatile Polish staple dish consisting of salted boiled potatoes, tossed with chopped dill and parsley, then served whole or cut into larger pieces. The potatoes are first boiled in salted water until tender, drained well, and then cooked in a hot, dry pot to eliminate any water absorbed in them. Commonly served as a side dish to meat or fish dishes, kartofle gotowane can also be eaten on their own, accompanied by fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, radishes, and cucumbers. The dish can also be served with gravy or topped with caramelized onions.Expand

Even though the star of Polish sałatka ziemniaczana are cooked potatoes, this traditional salad is incredibly versatile and can incorporate various fresh or pickled vegetables, boiled eggs, and smoked meat. All of the ingredients are usually blended with mayonnaise or sour cream, then generously seasoned with freshly chopped dill. Created as a Polish variety of the German kartoffelsalat, today it is consumed throughout the country and usually enjoyed as a flavorful and nutritious side dish.Expand

Śledzie is a Polish specialty consisting of herrings pickled in various ingredients such as vinegar, oil, sour cream, and onions. Due to the large amount of marinades and flavors, there is also a special variety of sweet herrings. Śledzie is traditionally served on Christmas Eve, as a cold appetizer or a side dish. It is recommended to pair this popular dish with dry white and red wines.Expand

A variety of finely chopped vegetables is combined with creamy mayonnaise in order to create this popular Polish salad that is usually enjoyed during Christmastime. Even though it is incredibly versatile and easily adjusted to any taste, sałatka warzywna typically consists of diced and cooked potatoes, carrots, celery root, pickles, and peas, often with the addition of hard-boiled eggs. It is recommended to serve it well chilled alongside smoked meat, sausages, or roasted meat dishes.Expand

A combination of grated beetroot and horseradish is an irreplaceable part of every festive meal in Poland. This popular side dish is occasionally enriched with the addition of apples, caraway seeds, wine, and various seasonings. It is recommended to pair it with hearty roasts or traditional Polish sausages. Apart from Poland, a similar dish can be found in Ukraine, where it is better known under the name tsvikli.Expand

A simple combination of green beans with almonds, fasolka z migdałami is a variation of the classic Polish green beans with breadcrumbs. It consists of steamed or boiled green beans and chopped almonds that are roasted or fried in butter. With an excellent combination of flavors, the dish makes a great vegetarian main course. It can also be served as an appetizer or a side to meat and fish dishes.Expand