Perogies, those delightful Polish dumplings, are incredibly versatile and comforting. Filled with everything from creamy potatoes and cheese to tangy sauerkraut or savory mushrooms, they are a blank canvas ready for a variety of delicious accompaniments. If you’re wondering What Do You Serve With Perogies to create a complete and satisfying meal, you’ve come to the right place. This guide offers a curated list of ideas, ranging from classic condiments to hearty main courses and wholesome vegetable side dishes, ensuring your perogi feast is a resounding success.
Classic Condiments to Elevate Your Perogies
Sometimes, the simplest pairings are the best. These classic condiments are perfect for enhancing the flavors of your perogies without overpowering them.
Caramelized Onions
Deeply sweet and umami-rich, caramelized onions are an absolute must-have when serving perogies. While they require a bit of patience, the flavor payoff is well worth the effort. Slowly sautéing thinly sliced onions in olive oil over medium heat with a pinch of salt for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally and adding a touch more oil if they begin to stick, unlocks their natural sugars and creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture that complements the soft perogies beautifully.
Sour Cream
Sour cream is arguably the most traditional and beloved accompaniment to perogies. Its cool tanginess and creamy texture provide a wonderful contrast to the warm, savory dumplings. For those seeking plant-based options, numerous vegan sour cream alternatives are readily available in most grocery stores. You can also easily make your own cashew sour cream by blending soaked cashews with water and a splash of lemon juice until ultra-smooth for a homemade, dairy-free delight.
Chopped Fresh Herbs
Freshly chopped herbs add a burst of brightness and aroma to perogies. Dill is perhaps the most classically associated herb, offering a delicate, slightly anise-like flavor that complements the dumplings perfectly. Parsley, chives, basil, and tarragon are also excellent choices, each bringing their unique nuances. It’s best to avoid robust, woody herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage as their intense flavors can easily overpower the subtle taste of the perogies when used raw.
Hearty Main Dishes to Serve Alongside Perogies
Looking to create a more substantial meal around your perogies? These hearty main dishes pair wonderfully, turning your perogi serving into a complete and satisfying culinary experience.
Beet Hummus
While it might seem unexpected, beet hummus offers a delightful and colorful pairing with perogies. Beets are a common ingredient in Polish cuisine, often seen in dishes like Buraczki, a traditional shredded beet salad. Serving a dollop of vibrant beet hummus alongside your perogies introduces an earthy sweetness and a beautiful visual contrast, creating a memorable and slightly unconventional combination.
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Vegan Corn Chowder with Potatoes
Embrace cozy comfort food by pairing your perogies with a bowl of smoky vegan corn chowder with potatoes and sausage. This creamy and comforting soup is quick to prepare, ready in just 30 minutes from pot to table. The richness of the chowder and its savory flavors create a harmonious pairing with the mildness of the perogies, especially on a chilly day.
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Bigos (Polish Hunter’s Stew)
For a truly authentic Polish feast, consider serving Bigos, also known as Polish Hunter’s Stew, with your perogies. Traditionally made with meat, sauerkraut, onions, mushrooms, and a blend of aromatic spices, Bigos is a rich and flavorful stew that embodies Polish culinary heritage. To create a plant-based version, simply substitute tofu or other vegan meat alternatives for the meat, maintaining the stew’s deep, satisfying flavors that complement perogies beautifully.
Vegan Italian Wedding Soup
Another comforting soup option is Vegan Italian Wedding Soup. This soup features a flavorful vegetable broth base, savory white wine notes, herby vegan meatballs, delicate pastina pasta, and nutritious greens. The light yet flavorful broth and the small pasta shapes provide a pleasant textural contrast to the perogies, making for a balanced and enjoyable meal.
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Parsnip and Apple Soup
For a touch of elegance and seasonal flavors, parsnip and apple soup makes a sophisticated accompaniment to perogies. This soup is incredibly creamy and satisfying, with a delicate balance of sweet and savory notes from the parsnips and apples. A garnish of pomegranate seeds and fresh herbs elevates the presentation and adds a final layer of flavor complexity.
Sausage, Kale and White Bean Soup
This rustic Italian-inspired soup is both simple to prepare and incredibly comforting, especially as the weather cools down. Sausage, kale, and white bean soup comes together with just a few key ingredients, creating a hearty and flavorful dish. The robust flavors of the sausage and kale stand up well to the perogies, making it a satisfying and warming combination.
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Wholesome Vegetable Sides to Balance Your Perogi Meal
To create a well-rounded and nutritious meal with perogies, incorporating vegetable side dishes is essential. These options offer a range of flavors, textures, and nutrients to complement the dumplings.
Vegan Farro Salad
Inspired by the renowned Charlie Bird restaurant, this vegan farro salad is a vibrant and flavorful side dish that brings a refreshing element to your perogi meal. Packed with fresh herbs, crunchy pistachios, leafy greens, chewy farro grains, crisp vegetables, salty vegan parmesan, and a tangy vinaigrette, this salad offers a delightful medley of textures and tastes that perfectly balance the richness of perogies.
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Arugula and Butternut Squash Salad
This beautiful arugula and roasted butternut squash salad is a celebration of autumnal flavors and textures. Topped with crunchy pecans and juicy pomegranate seeds, and dressed with a bright orange vinaigrette, this salad offers a wonderful contrast to the soft perogies. The peppery arugula, sweet butternut squash, and tangy dressing create a harmonious and seasonally appropriate side dish.
Vegan Caprese Salad
During the warm summer months, when tomatoes are at their peak ripeness and basil is abundant, a vegan Caprese salad is an incredibly refreshing and simple side dish. This dairy-free rendition of the Italian classic features juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and creamy vegan mozzarella, drizzled with olive oil and balsamic glaze. The bright, fresh flavors of the Caprese salad provide a light and vibrant counterpoint to the richness of perogies.
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Vegan Chicken Caesar Salad
For a heartier salad option, vegan chicken Caesar salad is a quick and easy choice, ready in under 30 minutes. This salad is satisfying and filling, thanks to chunks of vegan chicken and a savory, tangy homemade Caesar dressing. The creamy dressing and crisp lettuce provide a contrasting texture and flavor profile that complements perogies, making it a substantial and flavorful side.
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Tequilaberry Salad (Vegan Version)
Tequilaberry salad, typically made with iceberg lettuce, bacon, mayo, parmesan, and cauliflower, gets a plant-based makeover in this vegan version. This salad offers a unique combination of creamy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. The crisp iceberg lettuce and creamy dressing provide a textural contrast, making it an interesting and flavorful side to serve with perogies.
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Cabbage Rolls
For another authentic Polish pairing, consider serving cabbage rolls alongside your perogies. Authentic Polish cabbage rolls, known as Golabki, are traditionally filled with meat and rice, but vegetarian variations filled with rice and vegetables are also delicious. The savory cabbage rolls and the soft perogies create a comforting and culturally inspired meal.
Impossible Meatloaf
For a surprisingly delicious pairing, consider serving Impossible meatloaf with your perogies. This plant-based meatloaf offers a hearty and nostalgic dinnertime option that appeals even to meat-lovers. The savory and rich flavors of the meatloaf provide a substantial and satisfying complement to the milder perogies, creating a comforting and balanced meal.
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Vegan Sausage and Peppers
This sheet pan dinner of vegan sausage and peppers is a versatile and flavorful side that pairs wonderfully with perogies. Served over pasta, polenta, mashed potatoes, or even alongside perogies themselves, this rustic dish is both hearty and delicious. The smoky and savory flavors of the sausage and peppers complement the perogies, creating a satisfying and flavorful combination.
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Honey Mustard Tofu
For a fun and flavorful appetizer or side dish, try honey mustard tofu. This crispy baked vegan “honey” mustard tofu is packed with sweet and tangy flavors. The crispy texture and bold flavor of the tofu provide a delightful contrast to the soft perogies, making it a unique and enjoyable pairing.
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Air Fryer Cabbage Wedges
Air fryer cabbage wedges are a quick, easy, and wholesome side dish that’s ready in just 15 minutes. Crispy on the edges and tender in the middle, these cabbage wedges are a simple yet satisfying vegetable accompaniment to perogies. The slight sweetness of the roasted cabbage complements the savory perogies, creating a balanced and healthy meal.
Roasted Root Vegetables
On cozy autumn nights, roasted root vegetables are a perfect comforting side dish to serve with perogies. A medley of carrots, squash, and beets, roasted until tender and slightly caramelized, brings warmth and sweetness to the meal. The earthy flavors of the root vegetables complement the perogies beautifully, creating a seasonally appropriate and satisfying combination.
Grilled Asparagus In Foil
If you’re looking for a green vegetable side, grilled asparagus in foil is an excellent choice. Asparagus spears, grilled in foil with lemon and olive oil, are tender, flavorful, and easy to prepare. The slightly charred and lemony asparagus provides a fresh and vibrant contrast to the perogies, adding a healthy and flavorful element to the meal.
Garlicky Sautéed Kale
Any leafy greens you enjoy can make a fantastic and simple side dish for perogies. Sautéed kale, spinach, chard, or even mustard greens with olive oil and garlic are quick to prepare and packed with nutrients. The slightly bitter greens and savory garlic provide a wonderful counterpoint to the richness of the perogies, creating a balanced and healthy meal.
Air Fried Brussels Sprouts
Air fryer Brussels sprouts are a fast and easy way to enjoy this often-underappreciated vegetable. Whether using fresh or frozen Brussels sprouts, air frying them creates crispy and flavorful sprouts in no time. This healthy and convenient vegan side dish offers a slightly nutty and caramelized flavor that pairs well with the savory perogies.
Seared Mushrooms With Thyme
Mushrooms and thyme are a classic flavor combination that works beautifully as a side dish for perogies. Seared mushrooms with thyme offer an earthy and umami-rich flavor profile that complements the dumplings perfectly. The meaty texture of the mushrooms and the aromatic thyme create a sophisticated and satisfying side dish.
Sautéed Zucchini and Yellow Squash
If you’re making perogies during the summer months, sautéed zucchini and yellow squash are a delicious and seasonal side dish option. Fresh zucchini and squash from your garden or local farmers market, simply sautéed until tender-crisp, offer a light and refreshing counterpoint to the perogies. Their mild sweetness and delicate texture make them a perfect summer pairing.
Lemony Green Beans
Green beans, a classic American side dish, are a reliable and versatile option to serve with perogies. Lemony green beans, with their bright and tangy flavor, offer a simple yet satisfying vegetable accompaniment. The slight acidity of the lemon cuts through the richness of the perogies, creating a balanced and flavorful meal.
Oven-Baked Sweet Potato Fries
For a fun and slightly unexpected side, oven-baked sweet potato fries are a crowd-pleasing choice. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these fries offer a touch of sweetness and a satisfying texture. The slight sweetness of the sweet potato fries provides a playful contrast to the savory perogies, making it a kid-friendly and enjoyable pairing.
Ogórki Kiszone (Polish Pickles)
Embrace the Polish culinary tradition by serving Ogórki Kiszone, Polish dill pickles, alongside your perogies. These pickles, loaded with fresh dill and fermented for a tangy and sour flavor, are a classic accompaniment to many Polish dishes, including perogies. The sourness and crunch of the pickles provide a refreshing and palate-cleansing contrast to the richness of the dumplings.
Fermented Red Cabbage
Another traditional Polish vegetable side dish is fermented red cabbage, a vibrant and flavorful homemade version of sauerkraut. The tangy and slightly sweet fermented red cabbage offers a wonderful textural and flavor contrast to the perogies. Its vibrant color also adds visual appeal to your meal, making it a classic and authentic pairing.
Fire Roasted Tomatoes
If you have an abundance of summer tomatoes from your garden, fire-roasted tomatoes are a delicious and easy side dish option. Roasting tomatoes intensifies their sweetness and adds a smoky depth of flavor. The bright tanginess of the tomatoes helps to offset the richness of the perogies, creating a balanced and flavorful summer meal.
Boiled Baby Potatoes
For potato lovers, serving boiled baby potatoes with perogies is a delightful double dose of potato goodness. Simple boiled baby potatoes, perhaps tossed with butter and herbs, offer a comforting and familiar side dish. Their mild flavor and soft texture complement the perogies without overpowering them, making it a simple yet satisfying pairing.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Creamy cucumber salad offers a refreshing and cooling counterpoint to the richness of perogies. Fresh sliced cucumbers tossed with vegan mayo, fresh herbs, and a hint of vinegar and sugar create a light and tangy salad. This creamy version of Polish pickles, or “ogórki,” provides a delightful textural and flavor contrast, making it a perfect side dish, especially in warmer weather.
Perogi FAQs: Addressing Common Questions
Now that you have a wealth of ideas for what to serve with perogies, let’s address some frequently asked questions about these delicious dumplings.
Do perogies need to be boiled and fried?
Perogies always require boiling first to cook the dough and filling thoroughly. Pan-frying in butter or oil is an optional step that adds flavor and texture. Both boiled and pan-fried perogies are traditional and acceptable ways to prepare them.
Should you fry perogies in butter or oil?
You can fry perogies in either butter or oil, or a combination of both. Butter is more traditional and imparts a rich, nutty flavor. If using oil, choose a neutral oil with a high smoke point like avocado or grapeseed oil. Many cooks opt for a combination of oil and butter; the oil prevents the butter from burning while still benefiting from its flavor. Brown butter, achieved by swirling plant-based butter in a pan over medium heat until it becomes frothy and slightly browned, elevates perogies with a delicious nutty depth. However, be careful not to burn the butter, as it will become bitter.
Is hot sauce a traditional perogi topping?
Hot sauce is not a traditional accompaniment for perogies. However, culinary traditions are constantly evolving, and personal preferences vary widely. If you enjoy a spicy kick with your dumplings, feel free to add hot sauce. The mild flavor of potato and cheese perogies provides a blank canvas for adding heat if desired.
Where do perogies come from?
Historical records indicate that perogies originated in eastern pre-war Poland, a region that is now part of Ukraine. Due to their shared border and intertwined history, Poland and Ukraine share many culinary traditions. Today, both nations proudly claim perogies as an integral part of their respective cuisines.
Can you freeze uncooked perogies?
Yes, uncooked perogies freeze exceptionally well. Store them in a sealed, airtight container in the freezer for up to six months. There is no need to thaw them before cooking; simply add them directly to boiling water.
Do you have more ideas for what to serve with perogies?
Let us know your favorite perogi pairings in the comments below! We are always eager to hear new and creative ideas for enjoying these versatile and delicious dumplings.
