{"id":"bigos_aab2c8802c","slug":"classic-bigos-polish-hunter-s-stew","title":"Classic Bigos (Polish Hunter's Stew)","description":"A deeply flavorful, traditional Eastern European stew featuring a rich medley of sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, smoked meats, and dried mushrooms, slow-cooked to perfection.","serves":8,"time":{"prepMinutes":30,"cookMinutes":210,"totalMinutes":240,"activeMinutes":45},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"1 kg Sauerkraut, rinsed and drained","name":"Sauerkraut","quantity":1,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":2.2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"rinsed and drained","notes":"","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1 kg Fresh white cabbage, shredded","name":"White Cabbage","quantity":1,"unit":"kg","usQuantity":2.2,"usUnit":"lb","form":"shredded","notes":"fresh white cabbage","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"500g Pork shoulder, cubed","name":"Pork Shoulder","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"cubed","notes":"shoulder meat","group":"Meat","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"400g Smoked Kielbasa, sliced","name":"Kielbasa","quantity":400,"unit":"g","usQuantity":14.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"sliced","notes":"smoked Polish sausage","group":"Meat","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"200g Smoked bacon, diced","name":"Bacon","quantity":200,"unit":"g","usQuantity":7.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"diced","notes":"smoked","group":"Meat","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"300g Beef chuck, cubed","name":"Beef Chuck","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":10.6,"usUnit":"oz","form":"cubed","notes":"chuck or stewing beef","group":"Meat","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"50g Dried Porcini mushrooms","name":"Mushrooms","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"dried","notes":"preferably porcini or wild forest mushrooms","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 Large onions, diced","name":"Onion","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"diced","notes":"large","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"4 Garlic cloves, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":4,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":4,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"10 Dried prunes, pitted and chopped","name":"Prunes","quantity":10,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":10,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"pitted","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"250ml Dry red wine","name":"Red Wine","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"1","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"dry","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"500ml Beef stock","name":"Beef Stock","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"2 tbsp Tomato paste","name":"Tomato Paste","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"paste","notes":"","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-14","original":"Spices: 3 bay leaves, 5 allspice berries, 5 juniper berries, 1 tsp marjoram","name":"Bay Leaves","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole and dried","notes":"3 bay leaves, 5 allspice berries, 5 juniper berries, 1 tsp marjoram","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-15","original":"2 tbsp Vegetable oil or lard","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":30,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"liquid","notes":"or lard","group":"Pantry","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Place the dried mushrooms in a bowl, cover with boiling water, and soak for at least 30 minutes. Once soft, remove the mushrooms and chop them, reserving the soaking liquid.","group":"Preparation","title":"Place the dried mushrooms","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil or lard over medium-high heat. Add the diced bacon and fry until the fat is rendered and it starts to crisp.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat the oil or lard","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the cubed pork shoulder and beef chuck to the pot. Sear until browned on all sides. Add the sliced kielbasa and continue to fry for another 5 minutes.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the cubed pork shoulder and beef chuck","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Stir in the diced onions and minced garlic. Sauté until the onions are translucent and fragrant.","group":"Cooking","title":"Stir in the diced onions and minced garlic","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Add the shredded fresh cabbage and beef stock. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes until the cabbage begins to collapse.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the shredded fresh cabbage and beef stock","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Add the sauerkraut, chopped soaked mushrooms, reserved mushroom liquid (strained), red wine, chopped prunes, tomato paste, bay leaves, allspice, juniper berries, and marjoram. Stir well to combine.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the sauerkraut, chopped soaked mushrooms, reserved mushroom liquid","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-7","text":"Reduce the heat to low. Partially cover the pot and simmer for at least 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. If the stew looks too dry, add a splash more stock or water. The bigos is ready when it is thick, dark, and the flavors have fully melded.","group":"Cooking","title":"Reduce the heat to low","timerMinutes":180,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"}],"notes":"Bigos is famous for improving with age. It is traditionally made over three days, cooling and reheating it daily to allow the flavors to mature. Serve with thick slices of rye bread or boiled potatoes.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Polish"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["slowCook","simmer","sear"],"equipment":["Dutch oven or large heavy pot","Mixing bowl","Knife","Cutting board"],"diet":["high_protein","dairy_free","gluten_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":8,"unit":"servings","note":"approx. 400g per serving"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Bigos is even better when made 1-2 days in advance. Cool completely and store in the fridge, then reheat slowly on the stovetop."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat slowly in a pot over low heat, adding a little water or stock if needed to prevent sticking."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fbigos_aab2c8802c%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=5e693914-e45d-4de3-b08a-148f8645d52a","imageAlt":"Classic Bigos (Polish Hunter's Stew) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["stew","sauerkraut","meat","traditional","hearty","kielbasa"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Classic Bigos (Polish Hunter's Stew)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:06:24.278Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:06:24.278Z","related":[{"id":"recipe_943b7108be","slug":"buckwheat-porridge-hrechana-kasha","title":"Buckwheat Porridge (Hrechana Kasha)","description":"A nutritious, nutty, and comforting Eastern European staple. This fluffy buckwheat porridge is a healthy, gluten-free dish that is perfect for breakfast or as a hearty side.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":5,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":25,"activeMinutes":10},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["main","side"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_943b7108be%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7dd38cb8-7bb4-48fd-b6e8-db1d1eed0a49","imageAlt":"Buckwheat Porridge (Hrechana Kasha) — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","gluten-free","grains","comfort food","ukrainian"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_2de0ebda17","slug":"classic-fried-eggs-yayechnya","title":"Classic Fried Eggs (Yayechnya)","description":"A simple and hearty Eastern European breakfast staple, perfectly fried in butter until the whites are set and the yolks remain golden and runny.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":1,"cookMinutes":4,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Ukrainian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian","gluten_free","keto","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_2de0ebda17%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=0988b3e6-a90f-4431-b861-ac88053e5f08","imageAlt":"Classic Fried Eggs (Yayechnya) — recipe cover","tags":["eggs","breakfast","quick","protein","ukrainian","low carb"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":4,"stepCount":5},{"id":"ovsena_kasa_da34fa4a4b","slug":"creamy-oatmeal-ovsena-kasa","title":"Creamy Oatmeal (Ovsená Kaša)","description":"A comforting and nourishing Eastern European breakfast staple made with rolled oats simmered in milk and water, traditionally served with a knob of butter and honey.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":8,"totalMinutes":10,"activeMinutes":8},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Slovak"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fovsena_kasa_da34fa4a4b%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=f129ec12-1f3d-4b53-b747-f42d48dcf3a2","imageAlt":"Creamy Oatmeal (Ovsená Kaša) — recipe cover","tags":["oatmeal","porridge","healthy","warm breakfast","easy breakfast","slovak"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5}]}