Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      7 Things to Do in the Morning to Be Healthier and More Productive

      Kick-start your day by making habits out of these mood-boosting tips. Read More
    • Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      Should You Refrigerate Bananas?

      It's one of your favorite fruits, but does it belong on the counter or in the refrigerator? Read More
    • This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      This 3-Ingredient Homemade Weed Killer Uses Vinegar to Safely Remove Pesky Growths from Your Garden

      A few easy-to-find ingredients are all you need to create a powerful formula that squashes weeds. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    Our 20 Most Popular Recipes for Summer

    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    The Most Patriotic Flowers for the Fourth of July, According to Symbolism

    Show your love of country by displaying these varieties on America's birthday.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    How to Start Entertaining Friends and Family More Regularly

    Make gathering with loved ones a priority.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We're Putting Up Walls Again—Is the Open Floor Plan on Its Way Out?

    We asked the experts to weigh in on this popular home design concept.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    A Month-by-Month Hydrangea Care Guide

    Confused about when to do what to your favorite flowering shrubs? We have you covered.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Wash Pillows

    How to Wash Pillows

    They're an essential element of a comfortable bed, so keep yours fresh and in their best shape ever with these expert-approved tips.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Who Pays for What for the Wedding?

    Get the traditional rules for who pays for the wedding details.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    How to Melt and Reuse the Leftover Wax from Candles

    Our easy melt-and-pour method saves the last bit of this home essential.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    Can Rice Water Really Encourage Hair Growth?

    This buzzy ingredient is a star player in many new-age hair care products.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Food & Cooking
  3. Basic Pierogi How-To (Just Like Martha Makes)

Basic Pierogi How-To (Just Like Martha Makes)

August 28, 2012
Skip gallery slides
Pin
sealing pierogis
Credit: Simon Brown
Martha learned her technique from her mother, and now you can learn it too! Master her basic pierogi recipe, then experiment with all kinds of sweet and savory fillings.
Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Basic Pierogi

sealing pierogis
Credit: Simon Brown
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

It takes nimble fingers to knead, roll, and shape the dough for the delectable Polish dumplings known as pierogi.

Here's why pierogi are Martha's favorite food.

1 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

1. Stir ingredients together

pierogis dough mixing
Credit: Simon Brown

Make the dough: Whisk together egg and sour cream. Whisk in milk and water. Stir in flour, 1 cup at a time.

For the Dough

  • 1 large egg, lightly whisked
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup water
  • 5 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface and dusting
  • Yellow cornmeal, for dusting

For the Filling

  • Potato, Cabbage, Blueberry, or Italian Plum
  • Coarse salt

For Serving 

  • Brown Butter, Clarified Butter, or Spiced Sour Cream
  • Coarse salt

2 of 13

3 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

2. Knead dough

md105418_0410_ht_0031.jpg

Turn out dough onto a floured surface. Using a bench scraper, turn and fold dough to knead, dusting with flour as needed, until elastic and no longer sticky, 8 to 10 minutes. (Dough will be loose and sticky. It will come together as you knead it. Be careful not to add too much flour, which will toughen dough.) Cover with an inverted bowl; let rest for 1 hour.

3 of 13

Advertisement

4 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

3. Divide dough

cutting pierogi dough
Credit: Simon Brown

Divide dough into 4 equal pieces. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a clean linen towel, and dust generously with cornmeal to prevent sticking.

4 of 13

5 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

4. Roll out dough

rolling out pierogi dough
Credit: Simon Brown

Roll out 1 piece of dough on a lightly floured surface into a 1/8-inch-thick round (keep other pieces covered).

5 of 13

6 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

5. Cut out dough circles

pierogis cutting out
Credit: Simon Brown

Cut out circles very close together, using a 3-inch round cookie cutter or glass (5 inches for the plum version). Cover with plastic wrap to prevent dough from drying. Repeat with remaining dough.

6 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

6. Fill pierogi

pierogis filling
Credit: Simon Brown

Place filling in center of each dough circle. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

7 of 13

8 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

7. Pinch pierogi edges to seal

pierogis sealing edges
Credit: Simon Brown

Holding 1 circle in your hand, fold dough over filling; pinch edges, forming a well-sealed crescent.

8 of 13

9 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

8. Boil

pierogis on pan
Credit: Simon Brown
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Transfer to cornmeal-dusted towel; loosely cover with plastic. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Working in batches, transfer pierogi to pot of boiling water. Pierogi will sink to the bottom and then rise. Once they rise, cook through, about 2 minutes more (or up to 4 minutes for plum pierogi, depending on ripeness of fruit).

For savory pierogi, coat a platter with half the butter. Transfer pierogi to platter using a slotted spoon. Drizzle pierogi with remaining butter, and season with salt. For sweet pierogi, transfer to a platter using a slotted spoon, and dot with sour cream.

9 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pierogi with Potato Filling and Brown Butter

pierogis with sauce
Credit: Simon Brown
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Ready to try your hand at making pierogi? Start with a classic potato filling -- Martha's secret ingredient is cream cheese, which adds richness and a subtle tang. Serve finished dumplings with nutty brown butter.

10 of 13

11 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pierogi with Cabbage Filling and Clarified Butter

pierogis
Credit: Simon Brown
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Cabbage is steamed, put through a meat grinder, and amped up with butter and cream cheese until it strikes the perfect balance between tender and crunchy. Clarified butter lets the flavor of the filling shine.

11 of 13

12 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pierogi with Blueberry Filling and Spiced Sour Cream

blueberry pierogis
Credit: Simon Brown
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Everyone will love the burst of sweet-tart blueberries that accompanies every bite of these tender dumplings. A dollop of nutmeg-flecked sour cream takes them over the top.

12 of 13

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 13

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pierogi with Italian Plum Filling and Spiced Sour Cream

fruit pirogis
Credit: Simon Brown
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Italian plums keep these dessert dumplings nice and light. The seasonal fruits are available from mid-August to September, so turning them into pierogi is the perfect way to say goodbye to summer.

13 of 13

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 13 Basic Pierogi
    2 of 13 1. Stir ingredients together
    3 of 13 2. Knead dough
    4 of 13 3. Divide dough
    5 of 13 4. Roll out dough
    6 of 13 5. Cut out dough circles
    7 of 13 6. Fill pierogi
    8 of 13 7. Pinch pierogi edges to seal
    9 of 13 8. Boil
    10 of 13 Pierogi with Potato Filling and Brown Butter
    11 of 13 Pierogi with Cabbage Filling and Clarified Butter
    12 of 13 Pierogi with Blueberry Filling and Spiced Sour Cream
    13 of 13 Pierogi with Italian Plum Filling and Spiced Sour Cream

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    Basic Pierogi How-To (Just Like Martha Makes)
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.