Ultimate Guide: Pierogi in a Slow Cooker
Busy on weekdays and want to easily make delicious pierogi? The slow cooker can help! No need to keep an eye on it all the time. Just throw in the ingredients and wait for the soft and delicious pierogi to be cooked. It's extremely convenient.
How to cook frozen pierogi in a slow cooker?
Preheat the slow cooker: Place the slow cooker on a flat surface, plug it in, and set it to low heat to preheat for a while. This helps the ingredients heat more evenly when cooking.
Sauté the onions: Add some oil to a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until they become translucent and fragrant. Then, transfer them to the preheated slow cooker.
Add the pierogi: If using frozen pierogi, there's no need to thaw them—just arrange them evenly in the slow cooker. If using homemade raw pierogi, briefly boil them in hot water until they float to the surface, then drain and add them to the slow cooker.
Add the stock: Pour stock into the slow cooker until the pierogi are partially submerged. Then, season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
Slow cook: Keep the slow cooker on low heat and cook for 2-3 hours until the pierogi are tender and the broth has thickened.
Add sour cream: Finally, stir in a spoonful of sour cream to add a creamy, rich flavor and improve the texture.
What is the best way to cook frozen perogies?
The simplest method is to directly put frozen pierogi into boiling water and cook for 6 to 8 minutes. After they all float up, cook for another 2 minutes and then take them out. It is best to add some oil and salt to the pot. In this way, the cooked pierogi will not stick together and the taste will be better.
Medium heat is enough when cooking. After the water boils, turn to low heat and cook slowly. The dumpling skin will be more resilient. If you cook too much at one time and they are easy to stick together, it is recommended to cook them in two batches. The cooked pierogi can be served with fried onions and sour cream for a richer taste.
Finally, a reminder. When the pierogi are cooked, take them out immediately. If they are soaked in water for too long, they will become very soft and affect the taste. If you want the pierogi to be more chewy, you can put them in a frying pan and fry them slightly after cooking.
Should you defrost pierogies before cooking?
There is no need to defrost in advance. Just put frozen pierogi directly into boiling water and cook. Cooking directly from the frozen state can actually maintain the shape and taste of the pierogi, and it is more convenient and quick.
If defrosted in advance, the dumpling skin will become wet and soft. It is not only easy to break, but also affects the final taste. During the defrosting process, moisture may be generated between the dumpling skin and the filling, which can cause the dumpling to break easily when cooking.
Can you eat cooked perogies cold?
It is possible to eat them cold, but the taste will be slightly worse. Pierogi are best eaten while hot. When eaten hot, the taste and flavor are in the best condition.
If you want to eat them cold, it is recommended to rinse them with cold water after cooking, drain the water, and then add some oil and mix well to prevent sticking together. This way, they can be stored in the refrigerator for several hours without a problem. When eating, you can serve them with sour cream or other sauces.
Is it better to boil or pan fry perogies?
Boiling pierogi is the most traditional and recommended method. Boiling can keep the dumpling skin moderately flexible. The juice and fragrance of the filling can also be completely retained, making it taste more tender and juicy.
Although pan-fried dumplings have a crispy skin, they can easily cause the loss of moisture in the filling and affect the original flavor. Moreover, the dough of traditional pierogi is not originally suitable for pan-frying and is very easy to be burnt or torn. If you really want to try different textures, it is recommended to boil the dumplings first, drain the water, and then pan-fry them slightly.
Can I reheat cooked perogies?
Yes. Steaming is the best way. Put the dumplings in a steamer and steam them over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes to restore the taste just like when they were freshly cooked. The dumpling skin is still flexible and elastic, and the filling also retains its original juice.
Heating in a microwave oven is also a good choice, especially when in a hurry. Remember to sprinkle some water on the surface of the dumplings, cover them with plastic wrap, and heat them over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Flip them once in the middle. This can prevent the dumplings from becoming dry and hard.
Frying and baking are not suitable methods as they can easily make the dumplings dry and hard. When heating, control the heat and time well. Heating for more than 5 minutes will affect the taste. It is recommended to only heat the amount that you are going to eat immediately each time.
