Close-up of pierogies being cooked on a skillet.
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Pierogies are small pockets of dough filled vegetables, cheese or fruit. There are a number of healthy ways to cook pierogies -- it depends on the texture you prefer. Frozen pierogies do not need thawing prior to cooking. Sour cream is a popular topping for pierogies, but to keep this dish low in fat and calories, top them with non-fat cottage cheese, yogurt or applesauce.
Soft and Tender
Boiling pierogies gives them a soft and tender texture without adding any extra calories, as does heating pierogies in the microwave. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil, then place about 12 pierogies in the boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes. Once they float, they're done. Cook pierogies in the microwave by covering them with water in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl loosely with a plastic cling wrap and microwave on high for about five minutes. Drain and serve immediately after either cooking method.
Brown and Crisp
Sautéing and grilling pierogies results in a crisp, browned outer shell. These cooking methods are also healthy as long as you use non-stick cooking spray instead of oil or butter. Sautee pierogies by first coating the pan with the cooking spray, and then heat the pan over a medium heat. Place the pierogies in the heated pan. Cook and turn until they brown on both sides; this usually takes about eight minutes. Cook pierogies on a countertop grill by lightly spraying both sides of the pierogies with non-stick spray then placing on the preheated grill for about five minutes.
Crisp and Puffy
Baking pierogies makes them crisp on the outside and puffy on the inside. Bake pierogies by preheating the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and placing pierogies on a baking sheet. Spray the sheet and both sides of the pierogies with a thin coat of non-stick cooking spray. Bake for at least 18 minutes or until they are browned and puffy, turning halfway through the baking time.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information of pierogies varies depending on the size of the pierogi, the filling it contains and the exact ingredients in the dough. A single 114 gram serving of potato and cheddar cheese pierogies, which consists of three pierogies, contains 170 calories, with 25 of those calories from fat. The total fat content is 2.5 gram, with 1 gram of saturated fat. Each serving contains 5 gram of protein, 33 gram of carbohydrates, 510 milligrams of sodium and 5 milligrams of cholesterol.
FAQs
A tried and true method for cooking pierogies is frying. The texture is crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside. And, they make great side dishes, appetizers, or perfect finger-food for snacking!
How should perogies be cooked? ›
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add pierogies. Cook 4-5 minutes or until they float the top, drain. In a large NON-STICK fry pan, melt the butter with the olive oil. Add onion and drained pierogies and season to taste with salt and pepper or House Seasoning.
Is it better to cook perogies frozen or thawed? ›
Frozen: Defrost pierogi overnight and use the above instructions to sear them. If you're boiling or steaming them you don't have to defrost them but boil them for 5 minutes and steam them for 8 minutes. Alternatively you can cook them from frozen but don't start them too hot.
Do you cook pierogies in butter or oil? ›
To pan fry pierogies, heat a frying pan to medium heat with some olive oil. Once the pan is hot, place the pierogies in the oil. Fry on both sides for a couple minutes each. Season and serve!
Are pierogies traditionally boiled or fried? ›
Boiling Pierogi is the most popular method of cooking Pierogi because it adds no additional calories to your meal. It also offers a soft, delicate texture which is the more traditional way of eating Polish pierogi.
How to make frozen pierogies taste better? ›
Using freshly frozen homemade pierogies is perfect too. Or you can even let frozen ones thaw just a little bit. You want to make sure they are fully tossed or brushed with olive oil, covered in some salt, pepper and garlic. Then top them with the onions and roast!
Do you fry or bake perogies? ›
Place frozen perogies into frying pan and fry for approximately 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Then, turn perogies over and brown on other side for 3-4 minutes. Remove and serve with your choice of favourite toppings like sour cream, onions or bacon bits.
Can you fry frozen pierogies without boiling them? ›
Preheat frying pan with butter or oil over medium heat. Cook frozen pierogies 7-9 minutes per side until they are Golden Brown.
What pairs with perogies? ›
Here are some of the best side dishes to serve with pierogi:
- Smoked sausages.
- Crispy bacon crumbles.
- Sautéed onions and mushrooms.
- Crunchy vegetable salads.
- Sour cream.
- Mustard and horseradish blend.
- Fruit compote.
- Cinnamon sprinkles.
Pierogi are simply served with a traditional Polish topping of a dollop of sour cream, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese, melted butter, fried onions or pork rinds. You can change up the flavor profile with a sauce made with fresh herbs such as thyme, basil, parsley or chives and green onions.
Traditionally pierogi are served with simple toppings: fried onions, lardons, melted butter, sour cream or pork rinds. These toppings may also be upgraded or replaced with more complicated sauces, as well as fresh herbs like parsley, chives, dill, mint, thyme, rosemary, tarragon or basil.
How should I cook frozen perogies? ›
Boiling frozen pierogies in the microwaves takes about 5 minutes while boiling them on the stovetop takes 5-7. Sauteeing frozen pierogies takes 8-10 minutes, baking takes 18-20 minutes, and deep-frying takes 4 minutes. Boil fresh-frozen pierogies in a pot for around 5 minutes (until they float).
Are perogies better baked or boiled? ›
Boiling pierogies gives them a soft and tender texture without adding any extra calories, as does heating pierogies in the microwave. Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil, then place about 12 pierogies in the boiling water for 5 to 7 minutes. Once they float, they're done.
How to pan fry pierogies? ›
To serve: Cover the bottom of a saute pan with olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, saute the pierogis; they should sizzle once they hit the oil. After a minute or so, flip them, looking for a golden brown color. Plate with the sauteed onions and a side of sour cream for dipping.
What is the best way to fry pierogies? ›
Cover bottom of frying pan with cooking oil, margarine or butter and heat to 190 °C (375 °F) or medium heat. Place frozen perogies into frying pan and fry for approximately 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Then, turn perogies over and brown on other side for 3-4 minutes.
Do Polish people boil perogies? ›
Pierogi are Eastern European stuffed dumplings that are usually boiled. As with many traditional foods, there are regional varieties with fillings ranging from sweet to savoury, meat to meatless. This potato and cheese-filled Pierogi recipe I'm sharing today is a meatless kind popular in Poland.
How to make pierogies better? ›
Heat butter (or oil) and diced onions in frying pan. Cook over a low heat until onions are caramelized. Place the now-boiled pierogi into pan, flipping often until light golden brown on the outside. Serve with melted butter, finely chopped caramelized onions, fried bacon pieces, or sour cream.
Do you boil pierogies before deep frying? ›
Before deep frying perogies, it's best to first boil them until they are cooked through. Once boiled, allow them to cool and pat them dry to remove excess moisture. This step helps ensure a crispy exterior when deep frying.
