You can bring incredible warmth and cheer to your holiday table with these traditional Polish Christmas foods. Polish culture is famous for an elaborate Christmas spread. The cuisine focuses heavily on Christmas Eve specifically.
People in Poland celebrate Wigilia on December 24th every single year. This term Wigilia comes from the Latin word for vigil.
You serve 12 traditional meatless dishes once the first star appears in the night sky. The specific number 12 represents the 12 apostles. It is a very tasty representation indeed.
I have gathered 18 fabulous Polish recipes ranging from savory dinners to cookies for your next holiday season.
1. Polish Gingerbread Cookies (Pierniczki Tradycyjne)
These treats are quite different from the cute little gingerbread men you see in America. This version uses gingerbread spice along with honey and powdered sugar.
My favorite part is the simple topping made from a powdered sugar glaze. The flavor and the appearance make these traditional Polish treats a fine addition to your Christmas cookie platter.
2. Polish Christmas Fruit Cake
I used to find Christmas fruit cake a little off putting. Then I tried this Polish version and completely fell in love. It is soft and subtly sweet with a filling made from nuts and dried fruits.
You can serve this cake all by itself. Another option is to follow Polish tradition and offer it alongside numerous other dessert options.
3. Homemade Kluski Egg Noodles
Egg noodles are not found only in Asian cuisine. You can find them in Poland as well. This noodle dish requires only five ingredients and takes just 30 minutes to prepare.
Top them with extra ingredients if you like. They also taste grand with just a coating of butter and a sprinkle of salt.
4. Polish Poppy Seed Noodles (Kluski z Makiem)
Try this sensational Polish recipe if you like your noodles with a bit more flair. Egg noodles get a festive twist with a handful of poppy seeds plus raisins and nuts and honey.
It may sound like an odd combination. You just have to try it.
5. Polish Poppy Seed Roll (Makowiec)
Christmas desserts should look stunning and also taste good. That is why I love this Polish roll.
Sweet buttery dough is smothered in a poppy seed spread that gets texturized with eggs. A powdered citrus sugar glaze provides the final touch.
6. Polish Layered Herring Salad (Śledź pod Pierzynką)
Fish is the one exception to the rule against red meat during the religious observation of Christmas. This herring dish fits perfectly as a salad for that reason.
Herring salad is a simple and economical meal you can whip up easily as an appetizer or side. It features several layers including carrots and boiled potatoes and herring.
You might want to skip adding extra salt because the herring itself can be very salty.
7. Dried Fruit Kompot (Kompot z Suszonych Owoców)
I find this particular Polish Christmas recipe quite interesting. It is a type of fruit broth seasoned with a dash of spice and a hint of honey.
You can drink it as a warm beverage. You can also leave the fruit in and eat it like a soup.
8. Sernik (Polish Cheesecake)
You know it is a holiday in my house when I take time to craft a decadent cheesecake. This year is all about the Polish version.
A sugary cocoa powdered crust makes this one unique. It also has a lush creamy filling that calls for vanilla pudding.
9. Barszcz (Polish Borscht)
Borscht is common in many cultures. You will want to use the Polish rendition of this soup if you are sticking with the theme. You need to add some onions and carrots and celery for this.
Add some fresh garlic too. I love the sweet and sour flavor just as much as the bright vibrant color. Jazz it up even more with a dollop of sour cream.
10. Traditional Polish Shredded Beets Salad (Buraczki)
Buraczki is a holiday must whether you serve it warm or cold. This beet salad requires minimal ingredients and is very simple to whip up.
You need to spruce up the beets with an acidic base like red wine vinegar or balsamic to give them more flavor. Lemon juice works as well.
Skip the vinegar and serve this with thickened hot butter if you are serving it warm.
11. Polish Kolaczki Cookies
Polish people might have great savory dishes but their sweets are definitely something to write home about. Take these kolaczki cookies as an example.
These creamy buttery cookies are an extra special Christmas treat. They have cream cheese in the dough and canned fruit for a filling. I think jams and jellies work well too.
Polish them off with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
12. Christmas Fried Carp
I think fried carp should be high on your wishlist whether you are making 12 Christmas dishes or just want a few solid recipes.
These carp have a light coating with a nice crunchy texture. Keep the seasoning simple with a squeeze of lemon and salt and pepper.
13. Ryba Po Grecku (Polish “Greek-style” Fish)
I think every Polish Christmas should include this dish. It is an elegant meal that features firm white fish and root veggies with a tomato paste coating.
You will want to use a firm fish like cod or haddock. Pollock is popular in Poland but it is more delicate and soft. Be careful not to over cook it if you go that route.
14. Polish Kutia (Wheat Berry Pudding)
Kutia is a popular Christmas pudding you can bet will be on a Polish table come Christmas Eve. It is a sweet and savory combination of wheat berries and dried fruits and nuts.
Poppy seeds help to thicken the pudding when mixed with half n half. I love that this makes it creamy but you can substitute non dairy milk too.
15. Grandma’s Golumpki (Stuffed Polish Cabbage)
Cabbage is a common ingredient you find in all the best Polish recipes. I think this one is perfect for a holiday feast even though I have several favorites.
This homey recipe comes straight from a grandmother’s kitchen so you know it will be amazing. It involves taking boiled cabbage leaves and stuffing them with a savory mixture of ground beef and pork and rice.
Red meat is not typically eaten on a Polish Christmas Eve but this is too good to ignore. Bust it out the next day.
16. Polish Christmas Eve Mushroom Soup
Cozy up inside next to the fire with this Polish staple if the weather outside is frightful. You will not find any meat or dairy here. You will find a soup that is spectacular enough for Christmas.
This soup is an earthy blend of dried mushrooms and herbs and Lazanki noodles. Lazanki is a type of Polish pasta that adds a luscious layer. You can use a wide egg noodle instead if you cannot find lazanki.
17. Sauerkraut and Mushroom Pierogi
I love pierogies. This recipe in particular is meat free which makes it ideal for a Polish Christmas feast.
It has a tangy earthy filling of sauerkraut and mushrooms. You can toss in some prunes if you want to give it even more depth.
18. Polish Potato Salad (Sałatka Kartofli)
You did not think I would have a list of Polish foods without a potato dish. Potatoes are a Polish staple and so is this potato salad.
You use mayo to bind together a savory mix of potatoes and celery and onions and dill pickle. This recipe calls for sugar but I usually leave it out.
