Do you love pierogies as much as I do? They certainly are a delicious, filling comfort food!
In this article, I’ll show you how to cook fresh and frozen pierogies so they turn out fantastic every time. Keep reading for the step-by-step instructions for the six different cooking methods.
One of the most popular ways to cook pierogies is to boil them. Simply a large pot of salted water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and add the pierogies. Cook for 3-4 minutes for fresh, thawed pierogies or 5-7 minutes if boiling from frozen. The pierogies will float when they are ready. Drain the pierogies with a slotted spoon, then season and serve.
How To Cook Pierogies
There are two types of pierogies – fresh and frozen.
Fresh Pierogies that are sold in stores typically come in a tray. You’ll find them in the refrigerated or deli section. Homemade pierogies are also considered fresh. Fresh pierogi are quick and easy to prepare.
Frozen Pierogies will be found in the freezer aisle at the grocery store. They typically come in a box, bag or freezer-safe tray. Mrs. T’s is a popular frozen pierogi brand. Frozen pierogi take a bit longer to prepare since they need time to thaw.
While they’re both types of pierogies are delicious, there is a big difference in how they’re cooked. The good news is that they are easy to make in a variety of different ways.
Below is a complete guide on how to cook both types perfectly every time.
How To Cook FROZEN Pierogies
There are many ways to cook frozen pierogies. These methods include boiling, pan frying, baking, grilling, air frying and deep frying.
The packaging will usually have basic cooking instructions to follow. But you may wish to use one of the methods shown below instead.
Please note the instructions here are for full size, not mini pierogies.
How To Boil Frozen Pierogies
One of the most popular ways to cook frozen perogies is by boiling them. You can eat the boiled pierogi as-is.
Or after boiling, you can saute, bake, grill, air fry, or deep fry using the instructions in the “How To Cook Fresh Pierogies” section below.
Bring a large pot of water (around 4 quarts of water) to a roiling boil. Salt the boiling water if desired. Reduce the heat to medium and add the frozen pierogies. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until they float. Drain and serve.
Note: You can microwave frozen pierogies, but it is not recommended. For best results, select one of the other methods.
How To Saute Frozen Pierogies
Over medium heat, add butter or olive oil to a large frying pan or skillet. Add frozen pierogies to the heated pan. If desired, you can also add sliced onion, diced bacon and/or kielbasa.
Pan-fry pierogi for 7-9 minutes per side. They will be lightly brown in color.
How To Bake Frozen Pierogies
Heat oven to 400°. Prepare frozen perogies by brushing melted butter or oil on both sides. Season with salt and pepper.
Put pierogi on a baking sheet (line with tinfoil if desired). Bake pierogies for about 18-20 minutes. Only flip once during baking.
Pro Tip: To help prevent pierogies from drying out during baking, you can cover with aluminum foil.
How To Air Fry Frozen Pierogies
Heat your air fryer to 400° degrees. Coat pierogi with melted butter or oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook in the air fryer basket for about 12 minutes, turning or shaking once about halfway through. Add extra time if you want them crispier.
How To Deep Fry Frozen Pierogies
Heat oil to 350°. Add frozen pierogies. Fry for about 4 minutes or until lightly browned and floating. Season with salt, pepper, garlic salt or parmesan cheese.
How To Grill Frozen Pierogies
Preheat the grill to medium heat. Prepare pierogi by brushing melted butter or oil on both sides. Season with salt and pepper.
Place pierogies in a spot with indirect heat on the grill. Turn one time during the grilling process. Both sides should be nicely browned.
How To Make Frozen Pierogies In A Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
Turn crockpot to low heat. Toss pierogi with butter or oil and season with salt and pepper. Add pierogi to the bottom of the crockpot. If desired, toss in some fried onions, kielbasa or bacon.
On low heat, about 3 hours or until heated thoroughly.
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Looking for some really great pierogies?
Iron Chef Michael Symon is now selling his famous pierogies on Goldbelly. Flavors include potato & cheese, pork & sauerkraut and beef cheek pierogies. You can also add on kielbasa, horseradish sour cream, Old Brooklyn mustard and Cleveland kraut. Learn more here.
How To Cook FRESH Pierogies
Fresh pierogies can be cooked in all the same ways that frozen ones can. The main difference is that the cooking time will be reduced by about 50%.
Below you’ll find details on how to cook fresh pierogies using a variety of different cooking methods.
How To Boil Fresh Pierogies
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt the water if desired. Reduce the heat to medium and add the fresh pierogies.
Cook for 3-4 minutes or until they float. Drain in a strainer or remove from water with a slotted spoon.
How To Saute Fresh Pierogies
Add butter or oil to a large skillet or saute pan on medium heat. Add the fresh pierogies to the heated pan. At this time, you can also add onion, diced bacon and/or kielbasa. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook the frozen pierogies 3-5 minutes per side. They will be golden brown in color.
How To Bake Fresh Pierogies
Preheat oven to 400°. Brush both sides of fresh pierogi with oil or melted butter. Season with salt and pepper.
Place pierogi on a baking tray in a single layer. Bake for about 10 minutes. Flip pierogi once during baking.
How To Air Fry Fresh Pierogies
Heat your air fryer to 400° degrees. Coat pierogi with melted butter or oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook in the air fryer for about 8-12 minutes. Flip or shake the fryer basket only once about halfway through. Add extra time for crispier pierogies.
How To Deep Fry Fresh Pierogies
Heat fryer oil to 350°. Add in the fresh pierogies. Fry for about 2-4 minutes. Pierogi will start to float and be light brown. Season with salt, pepper or other seasonings.
How To Grill Fresh Pierogies
Prepare pierogi by tossing in melted butter or oil. Place them on the preheated grill in indirect heat. Grill until browned on both sides, turning once.
How To Cook Fresh Pierogies In A Crock Pot or Slow Cooker
Toss pierogi with butter or oil. Add pierogi to the bottom of the crockpot. Add caramelized onions, kielbasa or fried bacon bits if desired. Cook on low for 2-3 hours or until cooked through.
FAQs About Cooking Pierogies
Q. What is the best way to cook frozen pierogies?
A. There truly is no best way to cook pierogies. It really depends on your preferences. You can boil, bake, air fry, deep fry or saute pierogies. All of these pierogi recipes taste delicious.
Q. Do you have to boil frozen pierogies before frying?
A. You can boil frozen pierogies before frying, but it is not required. Boiling will simply reduce the time it takes to heat pierogies when frying.
Q. Do you thaw pierogies before cooking?
A. Frozen pierogies can be thawed before cooking, but it is not required. Thawed pierogies will require less time to cook.
Q. How do I make frozen pierogies?
A. There are many ways to cook pierogies that are frozen. These methods include boiling, sauteing, steaming, baking, grilling, air frying and deep-frying.
Q. Can I saute frozen pierogies?
A. To saute frozen pierogies, add a pat of butter or a little oil to a large non-stick fry pan. Pan-fry pierogi for 7-9 minutes per side and browned evenly.
Q. How long do you bake frozen pierogies in the oven?
A. Bake frozen pierogies in the oven for about 18-20 minutes at 400 degrees F.
Q. Is it better to boil or fry pierogies?
A. Both are quick and easy cooking methods.
Fried pierogies will have a wonderful carmelized color and can be cooked with bacon, kielbasa and onions.
Boiled pierogies will be pale in color. You can parmesan cheese, parsley or a dollop of sour cream to the tops of the pierogies.
Q. How do you boil pierogies?
In a large pot of salted water, boil pierogies for 4-8 minutes or until they float.
Q. How do you cook pierogies without boiling?
A. There are a lot of options to cook pierogies without boiling. These methods include sauteing, steaming, baking, grilling, air frying and deep frying.
Q. Can pierogies go in the oven?
A. Fresh and frozen pierogies can both go in the oven. Toss pierogies in butter or oil, then bake on a sheet pan for 10-20 minutes. Turn once during the baking process.
Q. How long do you fry pierogies?
A. In a saute pan, add butter or oil. Fry pierogies for 3-5 minutes per side and browned on each side.
As you can see, there are many ways to cook pierogies. Each method is delicious in its own way.
We hope that with these tips and tricks you’ll be enjoying delicious pierogies at your own home in no time!
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Pan Fried Pierogies With Bacon and Onion
Pan fried pierogies with sauteed onion and bacon are easy to make and downright delicious!
Ingredients
- 16 frozen perogies, any flavor
- 3 slices thick cut bacon diced
- 1/2 small onion diced
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Add diced bacon, onion and butter to a large skillet and cook until slightly brown.
- Add thawed perogies in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper.
- Saute on medium heat for about 3 minutes per side or until both sides are golden brown.
- Remove from heat and top with fresh grated parmesan before serving.
Micky Reed, a two-decade veteran in the food and baking industry, leverages her influential Three Snackateers food blog and Instagram presence to collaborate with industry giants like Ben & Jerry's and Crumbl Cookies. Her work has been featured on Delish, PopSugar and more. Her expertise as a product curator for one of the world's largest international snack subscription box companies solidifies her status as a key player in the field.