Description
Bigos Stew, or Polish Hunter’s Stew, is a traditional hearty and comforting dish perfect for cold winter months. This rich stew combines smoked kielbasa sausage, tender beef cubes, tangy sauerkraut, sautéed onions, shredded cabbage, dried porcini mushrooms, and sweet prunes, all simmered slowly in Polish beer. The slow cooking melds the flavors beautifully, resulting in a warming, savory meal ideal for family gatherings. Serve it hot with crusty rye bread or creamy mashed potatoes for a satisfying experience.
Ingredients
Scale
Meats
- 1 lb kielbasa sausage, sliced
- 1 lb beef, cubed
- Turkey bacon, quantity not specified, enough for cooking until crispy
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 2 medium onions, diced
- 1 small white cabbage, shredded
- 6 cups sauerkraut
Other Ingredients
- 10 prunes
- ⅓ cup dried porcini mushrooms
- 2 cups Polish beer
Instructions
- Soak mushrooms: Place dried porcini mushrooms in boiling water to rehydrate them while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Cook turkey bacon and sausage: In a large pan over medium heat, cook turkey bacon until crispy. Add diced kielbasa sausage and cook for about 10 minutes, allowing them to brown and release flavor.
- Brown beef: Using the same pan, add the cubed beef and brown all sides thoroughly to develop a rich flavor base.
- Sauté onions and cabbage: Add diced onions and shredded white cabbage to the pan. Cook until they become soft and translucent, enhancing their sweetness and tenderness.
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker: Transfer the crispy bacon, browned sausage, beef, sautéed onions and cabbage, soaked porcini mushrooms (with some soaking liquid strained and reserved), sauerkraut, prunes, and Polish beer into the slow cooker. Mix all ingredients thoroughly to blend the flavors.
- Slow cook: Cook the mixture on low heat in the slow cooker for 8 to 10 hours. This slow simmer will tenderize the meats and allow the flavors to meld into a savory, hearty stew.
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the Bigos hot accompanied by crusty rye bread or creamy mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Notes
- The turkey bacon quantity can be adjusted based on preference; aim for enough to add smoky flavor and some fat.
- Soaking porcini mushrooms in boiling water helps release their earthy flavor into the stew; reserve some soaking water to add more depth to the broth.
- Bigos taste improves when reheated, making it a great dish to prepare ahead of time.
- You can customize the meats by adding other game meats or different sausages to suit your taste.
- Adjust the sauerkraut quantity to your sourness preference; rinsing it slightly can reduce acidity if desired.
