Polish Bigos Stew
Hearty meat, cabbage, and sauerkraut stew with paprika and garlic.
Servings: 12 people
Cost: 20
Ingredients
- 1 lb pork shoulder cut into chunks
- ½ lb smoked kielbasa Polish sausage, sliced
- ½ lb beef stew meat cut into chunks
- ½ lb bacon diced
- 1 large onion chopped
- 3-5 cloves garlic minced
- 14.4 oz sauerkraut can, drained and rinsed
- 1 fresh cabbage shredded
- 1 cup mushrooms sliced
- 1 cup red wine optional, but adds depth
- 12 oz beef or chicken broth
- 14 oz diced tomatoes canned, or 3 fresh tomatoes, chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil or lard
- 1 tsp caraway seeds optional
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika I prefer high-quality Hungarian paprika paste
- ½ tsp allspice
- ½ tsp marjoram
- Salt to taste
- 1 handful prunes chopped (optional, traditional addition)
- 1 apple peeled and diced (optional)
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat the oil or lard over medium heat.
- Cook the diced bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Brown the pork and beef in the same pot, then remove and set aside.
- Add the kielbasa and sear for a few minutes, then remove.
- In the same pot, add the onion and garlic, cooking until soft and fragrant.
- Add the mushrooms and cook until they release their liquid.
- Return all the meats to the pot.
- Stir in the sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, tomatoes, and tomato paste.
- Pour in the broth and wine.
- Add the bay leaves, caraway seeds, paprika, allspice, marjoram, and black pepper.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for at least 2 hours (preferably 4 hours or more).
- Stir occasionally, adding more broth if needed.
- In the last 30 minutes, stir in the prunes and apple if using.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and additional black pepper.
- Let the bigos rest for a few hours or overnight (it tastes even better the next day).
- Serve with rye bread or boiled potatoes.
Nutrition
Calories: 281kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 689mg | Potassium: 605mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 269IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 3mg
QR code
Scan this QR code with your phone's camera to view this recipe on your mobile device.
