Description
Love hearty comfort food? Authentic Polish Bigos Stew delivers with 7 savory secrets. From prep to plate, savor every bite—learn the recipe now!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) pork shoulder, cut into chunks
- 1 lb (450g) beef stew meat, cubed
- 1/2 lb (225g) smoked Polish sausage (kielbasa), sliced
- 1 lb (450g) sauerkraut, drained and rinsed
- 3 cups (700ml) beef broth
- 1 cup (250ml) red wine (optional, for depth)
- 1/2 small head of cabbage, shredded
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup (150g) dried prunes, chopped
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp caraway seeds
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 tsp allspice
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Sear the Meats
- Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large pot. Brown the pork and beef in batches, ensuring a deep caramelized crust.
- Remove the meat and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
- In the same pot, add another 1 tbsp oil and sauté the onions and garlic until golden.
- Stir in the caraway seeds, allspice, and smoked paprika for 1 minute to release their aromas.
Step 3: Deglaze & Simmer
- Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom.
- Add tomato paste, stirring to incorporate flavors.
Step 4: Build the Stew
- Return the browned meats to the pot.
- Stir in sauerkraut, shredded cabbage, diced tomatoes, prunes, and kielbasa.
- Pour in beef broth and add bay leaves.
Step 5: Slow Cook to Perfection
- Cover and simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours.
- Stir occasionally, adjusting seasoning if needed.
Step 6: Enhance Flavors Overnight
- For maximum flavor, refrigerate overnight and reheat before serving.
- Prep Time: PT30M
- Cook Time: PT2H50M
Nutrition
- Calories: 380
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 28g
Keywords: Authentic Polish Bigos Stew