Bigos (Hunter's Stew)

Bigos (Hunter's Stew)
  • PREP TIME
    45 mins
  • COOK TIME
    3 hrs
  • TOTAL TIME
    3 hrs 45 mins
  • SERVING
    10 People
  • VIEWS
    160

Venture into the heart of Polish culinary tradition with Bigos, a hearty Hunter's Stew that's a symphony of flavors. This robust dish features tender pork, smoky kielbasa, and tangy sauerkraut, simmered to perfection. Ideal for warming up chilly evenings, Bigos is a culinary adventure worth embarking on.

Ingridients

Adjust Servings

Nutrition

  • Carbohydrate
    15 g
  • Cholesterol
    62 mg
  • Fiber
    4 g
  • Protein
    20 g
  • Saturated Fat
    8 g
  • Sodium
    978 mg
  • Sugar
    7 g
  • Fat
    24 g
  • Unsaturated Fat
    0 g

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). (5 minutes)

02

Step

Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add kielbasa and bacon; cook and stir until bacon has rendered its fat and sausage is lightly browned. Use a slotted spoon to remove the meat and transfer to a large casserole or Dutch oven. (10 minutes)

03

Step

Coat cubes of pork lightly with flour and fry them in the bacon drippings over medium-high heat until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer pork to the casserole. Add cabbage, carrots, onion, fresh mushrooms, and garlic. Add in sauerkraut. Reduce heat to medium; cook and stir until carrots are soft, about 10 minutes. Do not let the vegetables brown. (25 minutes)

04

Step

Deglaze the pan by pouring in red wine and stirring to loosen all of the bits of food and flour that are stuck to the bottom. Season with bay leaf, paprika, basil, marjoram, salt, pepper, caraway seed, and cayenne; cook for 1 minute. (3 minutes)

05

Step

Mix in beef stock, tomatoes, dried mushrooms, tomato paste, hot pepper sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Heat through just until boiling. Pour vegetables and all of the liquid into the casserole dish with meat. Cover with a lid. (10 minutes)

06

Step

Bake in the preheated oven until meat is very tender, 2½ to 3 hours. (150-180 minutes)

For a richer flavor, consider using smoked paprika instead of sweet paprika.
Bigos tastes even better the next day, as the flavors meld together beautifully. It's perfect for making ahead of time.
Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your preference. A little goes a long way!
If you don't have beef stock, chicken stock can be substituted.
Adding a chopped apple can provide a touch of sweetness and complexity to the stew.

Bart Kiehn

Written by

Our recipe authors are passionate food lovers who share thousands of diverse dishes from around the world. They bring daily cooking inspiration with delicious, easy-to-make recipes for every occasion.

RECIPE REVIEWS

Avarage Rating: 4.7/ 5 ( 53 Ratings)
Total Reviews: (6)
  • Lew Lesch

    The depth of flavor in this Bigos is incredible. The combination of meats, sauerkraut, and spices is just perfect.

  • Juwan Mcdermott

    This recipe is fantastic! My family loved it, and it's become a new winter tradition.

  • Eloise Bradtke

    I've made this recipe several times, and it's always a hit. I sometimes add a bit of smoked paprika for an even smokier flavor.

  • Roselyn Williamson

    I was a bit intimidated by the long cooking time, but it was well worth the effort. The meat was so tender, and the flavors were amazing.

  • Lora Berge

    A truly authentic recipe!

  • Selmer Nader

    I added a splash of apple cider vinegar at the end for a bit of extra tanginess. It was a great addition!

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