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If you’re wondering what to serve with pierogi, here are a ton of ideas that go beyond just cabbage and sour cream! These delicious dumplings make a great side dish or main course, and can go sweet or savory.
These Eastern European dumplings are frequently paired with kielbasa (or other similar types of smoked sausage), sautéed cabbage, or sauerkraut. (Like this pierogies and kielbasa bowl, which is a full meal in one.) However, the options don’t end there; the sky is the limit!
Here you’ll find a variety of ideas for what to serve with pierogies. Bookmark this article for quick reference when you need inspiration!
What are Pierogi?
Pierogi are dumplings made with unleaded dough wrapped around a filling. Common pierogi fillings include potato, sauerkraut, mushrooms, fruit, and my personal favorite, farmers cheese!
The origin of this delicious dish is often debated. However, pierogi are popular in Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries.
Here in the U.S., it’s common to see the word “pierogis”, “perogies” or “pierogies” referring to multiple pierogi. However, the word pierogi itself is the plural form; pieróg is the singular.
What to Serve with Pierogi – Main Courses and Side Dishes
Pierogi can be served as a side dish or as a main course for dinner.
You can serve pierogi as a side dish for just about anything! These dumplings pair especially well with any Polish, Central European, or Eastern European meal, including soups. And I even enjoy them as a side along with a classic chicken dinner.
Another option is to treat pierogi as a main course and pair them with a few savory side dishes. If you start with a vegetarian filling, you can keep the whole meal vegetarian with side dishes like cabbage or mushrooms. Or simply add your favorite toppings, which we’ll get to below.
Here are a few main courses and side dishes that pair well with pierogi!
Pierogies and Kielbasa Bowls
Kielbasa and Pierogi Bowls are packed with the savory flavors of Polish comfort foods like Polska sausage, buttery sautéed cabbage, and cheese pierogis. You can easily customize them, and this crowd-pleasing family-friendly meal comes together in just 30 minutes!
Zupa Ogórkowa (aka Polish Dill Pickle Soup) features the tangy flavor of dill pickles paired with garlic, fresh dill, and a variety of vegetables in a creamy broth. It’s easy to make and perfect for cozying up with!
Dutch Oven Whole Roast Chicken Recipe with Vegetables
This whole roast chicken recipe puts your Dutch oven to good use! We cook the chicken covered part of the time to keep the meat tender and juicy, and then uncover it so the skin can get crispy and brown. And a quick and easy garlic herb butter rub adds a ton of flavor and helps keep the meat moist!
Lazy Pierogi Casserole Recipe with Egg Noodles (aka Lazy Pierogis)
Lazy Pierogi Casserole (aka Lazy Pierogies) features egg noodles, sauerkraut, and apple, and has all the flavor of a delicious perogy, but with a quick, easy, and healthier spin!
This classic chicken schnitzel makes crispy and flavorful breaded chicken cutlets. Make it into sandwiches or serve it as a main course along with a couple side dishes.
Kulajda is a thick and creamy Czech mushroom soup with potatoes and dill. It has a well-balanced sweet and sour flavor profile similar to Borscht. And it’s quick and easy to make in just 30 minutes!
This vegan Garlic Roasted Mushrooms recipe is seasoned simply with salt, pepper, olive oil, and fresh rosemary for an easy side dish that pairs well with just about anything.
The flavor of this classic Borscht recipe is bright and complex, beautifully sweet and sour. The natural sweetness from beets and carrots balance a splash of red wine vinegar added at the end. Beef makes it hearty and filling, and potato and hint of tomato paste add depth and thicken the broth slightly.
Sauerkraut is a classic pairing with pierogi, and it's surprisingly easy to make your own at home! This one has nutty caraway seeds that are delicious with sweet apples and tart pickled cabbage.
Pierogi are a blank slate on the outside, just waiting for you to dress them up however you like. Sour cream, butter, caramelized onion, and/or crispy bacon are all classic pierogi toppings. You can pick your favorite or mix and match!
I also like garlic butter, especially with potato or cheese pirogies. Toasted breadcrumbs are good for a little bit of crunch. Fresh herbs, such as chives, parsley, dill, etc., add a pop of verdant color and bright flavor.
Here are a few delicious savory homemade toppings that will transform your pierogi experience into something special.
How to Make Caramelized Onions (The Best Balsamic Caramelized Onions!)
Learn how to make caramelized onions with step-by-step photos! Luscious balsamic caramelized onions are easy to make and have a rich, sweet, and balanced subtly fruity, slightly tangy flavor. They’re perfect on burgers, pizza, grilled cheese, pasta, grilled meat, or added to a cheese board!
Warm Sour Cream Sauce With Bacon (Lithuanian Bacon Sauce)
If you love pierogis and other Eastern European dumplings, you must try them with this traditional Lithuanian sour cream sauce with bacon! This perfect rich, creamy sauce takes your dumplings from ordinary to extraordinary.
Caramelized onions are a traditional topping for pierogi, and if you want to try something just a little bit different, give this smoked version a try! The smokiness adds an extra layer of flavor.
This creamy sour cream sauce is packed with the flavor of fresh chives! It's easy to make ahead of time and perfect for drizzling over pierogi, potatoes, veggies, enchiladas, and more.
Cheese and fruit-filled pierogi are great with sweet toppings, and make a delicious breakfast or dessert.
Fruit sauce, jam, or pie filling, such as cherry, blueberry, or apple are all lovely. Or you can keep it quick and easy with butter and cinnamon sugar. I’m telling you, farmers cheese pierogi tossed with butter and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar is one of life’s simple moments of bliss.
Find some inspiration to satisfy your sweet tooth and try pierogi for dessert!
Apple Chutney Recipe
Delicious apple flavor shines through in this easy 15-minute apple chutney recipe! It's lightly spiced with a balanced sweet/tangy flavor, and it's sure to elevate any cheese platter, grilled cheese, or turkey sandwich.
Make humble cranberry sauce the star of the show with this homemade spiced cranberry sauce recipe! Warm spices like cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and cloves make this sauce perfect for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
Faith spent a significant amount of time living in Syria, Jordan, and Kuwait where she immersed herself in Middle Eastern culture and cuisine. Her first cookbook is a celebration of authentic Middle Eastern recipes made approachable for home cooks.
