Main Course · Dinner · Eastern European ·

Polish Bigos with Sauerkraut and Sausage

Name: Polish Bigos with Sauerkraut and Sausage
Prep time: 70 min
Cook time: 210 min
Total time: 280 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Pork shoulder, 1 lb, cubed; Beef chuck, 1/2 lb, cubed; Kielbasa sausage, 1/2 lb, sliced; Sauerkraut, 1 lb, rinsed and drained; Cabbage, 2 cups, shredded; Onion, 1, chopped; Garlic, 3 cloves, minced; Red wine, 1 cup; Bay leaves, 2; Caraway seeds, 1 tsp; Salt and pepper, to taste; Dried prunes, 1/2 cup, chopped; Mushrooms, 1 cup, sliced; Tomato paste, 1 tbsp; Fresh parsley, chopped; Rye bread, for serving

A hearty and satisfying stew with a rich medley of meats, sauerkraut, and spices, perfect for warming the soul.

4.6(292 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 27, 2025

Polish Bigos with Sauerkraut and Sausage — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h 10 min

Cook

3 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Stew Base

For the Flavoring

For the Enhancements

For the Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 487 kcal
Protein: 29 g
Carbs: 25.8 g
Fat: 27.5 g
Fiber: 5.3 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2919 kcal
Protein: 174 g
Carbs: 155 g
Fat: 165 g
Fiber: 32 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Pork shoulder 1 lb, cubed	750	80	0	50	0
Beef chuck 1/2 lb, cubed	560	45	0	40	0
Kielbasa sausage 1/2 lb, sliced	800	30	10	70	0
Sauerkraut 1 lb, rinsed and drained	120	5	22	3	14
Cabbage 2 cups, shredded	44	2	10	0	4
Onion 1, chopped	44	1	10	0	2
Garlic 3 cloves, minced	13	1	3	0	0
Red wine 1 cup	170	0	5	0	0
Bay leaves 2	0	0	0	0	0
Caraway seeds 1 tsp	7	0	1	0	0
Salt and pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Dried prunes 1/2 cup, chopped	209	2	56	0	6
Mushrooms 1 cup, sliced	15	2	2	0	1
Tomato paste 1 tbsp	13	1	3	0	0
Fresh parsley chopped	0	0	0	0	0
Rye bread for serving	174	5	33	2	5

These values are estimates and not intended as dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Meat

1
Combine and season meats
In a large bowl, combine pork and beef with salt, pepper, and garlic.
2
Marinate the meat
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight for enhanced flavor.

Preparing the Vegetables

1
Prepare sauerkraut and vegetables
Rinse and drain the sauerkraut; chop the cabbage and onions.
Tip: Ensure the sauerkraut is thoroughly rinsed to prevent excessive tartness. Pro Tip: Use a mixture of fresh and aged sauerkraut for a complex flavor profile.
2
Soak and chop prunes
Soak prunes in warm water for 10 minutes, then chop.

How to Make Polish Bigos with Sauerkraut and Sausage

Total time: 4 h 40 min · Yields 6 servings

1
Brown the meat
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown the marinated meat and sausage slices, then set aside.
2
Sauté the vegetables
In the same pot, add onions and cook until golden brown. Add mushrooms and cabbage, cooking until softened.
3
Combine and simmer
Return meats to the pot, add sauerkraut, prunes, tomato paste, red wine, bay leaves, and caraway seeds. Stir to combine.