How to Boil Pierogi

Learn the easiest way to cook pierogi, whether frozen or fresh, savory or sweet. The methods I am going to share will be helpful for those who decided to make pierogi from scratch at home and those who bought already packaged pierogi from the store. It is a highly versatile dish, as pierogi come with an endless variety of fillings that can satisfy anyone. So, let’s see what the best way to cook pierogi is.

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How long does it take to cook pierogi?

How long to boil pierogi

Pierogi (plural, from Polish), also called varenyky/vareniki, are a type of dumplings made from yeast-free dough with a huge variety of savory or sweet fillings. With this variety comes the difference in boiling time for different types of pierogi. You can have them with a filling that has already been precooked like mashed potatoes, minced meat or sautéed sauerkraut with mushrooms, or raw cherries (my favorite blueberry). You can also cook frozen store-bought or homemade ones with thicker dough that will take you a long time to cook.

The first thing is you should always check the packaging for instructions. You will find the most accurate information on how long you should boil the pierogi you bought, as different producers use different ingredients and ways to make the dumplings.

So, let’s see how long you should boil different types of pierogi:

How long do you boil frozen pierogi (savory)?

Cook frozen pierogi in boiling water for 6 to 8 minutes (depending on how tender you like the dough to be). For a detailed description of the cooking process, see the recipe below.

How long do you boil blueberry pierogi, pierogi with cherries and other berries?

As a rule, you need around 10 minutes to cook sweet pierogi with berries in boiling water.

How long do you boil sweet cheese pierogi?

Bring the water with pierogi to a gentle boil and cook them for about 10 minutes on the stove. Make sure to add pierogi with farmer cheese in already boiling water.

How long do you boil fresh pierogi?

Add fresh pierogi to boiling water, wait until all of them float to the surface, lower the heat that the water will be gently simmering, and cook for 3-4 minutes.

How long do you cook lazy pierogi in boiling water?

You should cook lazy pierogi for 2 to 3 minutes in boiling water after they all float to the surface.

Check out my recipe for Lazy Sweet Cheese Pierogi – a perfect dish to have for breakfast, delicious to kids, and best served with sour cream. 

How to boil pierogi on the stove?

How to cook varenyky in boiling water

Well, if you ask me what the best way to cook pierogi is, I would definitely choose to boil. You see, even the Ukrainian name for this type of dumpling, varenyky, comes from the root word “var” – boiling. However, there are several other optional ways to make a great pierogi dish: sautéing, steaming and frying, and even barbecuing.

Before going into a detailed recipe, let’s see some distinct features you should remember while cooking pierogi in boiling water. In the future, you may not recall the recipe to the letter, but by simply understanding the process of boiling dumplings, you can get a delicious result:

  • If you have store-bought pierogi, always check the packaging for the instructions.
  • It is better to use stock or soup pots of larger sizes with a large quantity of water.
  • Use half of a teaspoon of salt for each liter of water.
  • Always add pierogi to boiling water, whether frozen or fresh.
  • To prevent cooked pierogi from sticking to each other, use any type of grease (any vegetable oil, butter, fried bacon, etc.).

How to Boil Pierogi

Learn how to cook frozen or fresh pierogi on the stove in boiling water!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Slav
Keyword authentic way to cook pierogi, how long do you boil pierogi, how to boil pierogi, how to boil vareniki, how to boil varenyky, how to cook frozen pierogi, how to cook pierogi, the best way to cook pierogi
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 servings
Calories 148kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 pack pierogi of your choice
  • water
  • salt
  • butter and sour cream optional

Instructions

  • Choose a pot of a suitable size. It is better to opt for a wider pan if there are a lot of dumplings. Or you can cook them in several batches in a smaller pot.
  • Pour cold water into the pan (2/3 of the pan), add salt (half a teaspoon per 1-1.5 liters) and bring the water in a pot to a rolling boil over high heat.
  • Drop pierogi into boiling water and give them a gentle stir so that they do not stick together and to the bottom of the pan.
  • Wait until the dumplings float to the top and the water in the pan starts boiling again.
  • Lower the heat to make the water simmer slightly. When the dumplings float, cook them for 3-5 minutes.
  • Stir occasionally.
  • Do not cover the pot with a lid.
  • When the pierogi are ready and you have the texture of the dough you like, drain the water using a colander if you have no holes in the lid of the pot or use a slotted spoon.

Notes

*calories per 100 g

What should I serve pierogi with?

Serve boiled dumplings on the table with butter, as it goes well with all types of dumplings. You can add sugar to sour cream when serving sweet dumplings with berries and fruit or use whipped cream with fresh berries instead, and for dumplings with a savory filling, go with sour cream with chopped fresh herbs or sautéed onion with small pieces of bacon.

If you liked Boiled Pierogi Recipe, I would appreciate it so much if you would share it on Pinterest or you could give the recipe a star review!

How to cook pierogi on the stove

How to cook pierogi in the microwave?

If you have been asking: Can I cook pierogi in the microwave, then I have the answer for you. Yes, you can. Microwaving pierogi is a great time-saving alternative to boiling. Here is the most basic recipe to follow if you want to cook frozen pierogi in the microwave:

  • Lay out frozen dumplings in one layer in a microwave-safe bowl and pour boiling water so that the water covers the dumplings in half. You can add salt here.
  • Cover the bowl with a lid, another plate, or plastic wrap.
  • Microwave varenyky for 5 to 7 minutes on High, depending on the size.
  • Carefully drain the hot water, add butter, and your pierogi are ready to be served.

I hope that the information in the article was helpful and you have learned how to cook pierogi in boiling water on the stove and in the microwave. Do not forget to leave your comments and useful tips on how to cook dumplings with potatoes, cherries, cottage cheese, and other fillings in the section below.

Share and enjoy!

Julia Miller is the founder of FreeFoodTips. Julia loves to travel and test new recipes. Here you will find recipes that are simple, delicious and perfect for everyday meals. FreeFoodTips is also packed with cooking tips and tricks.

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