How to Microwave Pierogies to Perfection

Pierogies are a beloved comfort food for many, with their pillowy dough and savory fillings. While traditionally boiled, pan-fried or baked, pierogies can also be conveniently and quickly cooked in the microwave.

Microwaving is an easy way to enjoy pierogies any night of the week, without the hassle of boiling a large pot of water or heating up oil in a skillet. With just a few simple steps, you can have hot, delicious pierogies on the table in minutes using your microwave.

Let’s get started with the basics of this delightful comfort food.

What Are Pierogies?

Pierogies are filled dumplings made from unleavened dough that originated from Central and Eastern Europe. The classic version consists of dough wrapped around mashed potato and cheese filling, but pierogies can contain a variety of fillings such as meat, vegetables, fruits and more.

The dough is made from flour, eggs, oil or butter and sometimes sour cream. It is then rolled out thinly, cut into rounds, filled with the desired filling, and the edges are pinched together to seal in the filling before cooking.

Some key things to know about pierogies:

• The name comes from the Polish word “pierogi”, which is the plural of “pieróg”. Other names include perogies, pyrohy, pirohi and more.
• They are traditionally served as a main course or side dish topped with onions, sour cream or bacon bits.
• You can find fresh or frozen pierogies at many grocery stores, especially in the frozen food aisle. Or you can make them from scratch.
• Raw, uncooked pierogies need to be boiled, pan fried or baked before eating. Fully cooked frozen pierogies just need to be reheated.

Now let’s look at how to quickly and easily cook frozen or thawed pierogies using your microwave.

Microwaving Frozen Pierogies

Frozen pierogies bought from the store make an effortless weeknight meal. Here are simple step-by-step instructions for microwaving frozen pierogies:

What You’ll Need:

• Frozen pierogies
• Microwave-safe bowl or dish
• Water
• Plastic wrap or paper towel

Instructions:

1. Place desired number of frozen pierogies in a microwave-safe bowl. Do not overcrowd.
2. Add enough water to completely cover the pierogies.
3. Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or a paper towel.
4. Microwave on high power for 3 minutes. The time may vary based on amount of pierogies and microwave wattage.
5. Carefully remove the bowl, unwrap and check if pierogies are hot throughout. If not, continue microwaving at 1 minute intervals, checking frequently.
6. Once piping hot, drain in a colander and serve immediately with desired toppings.

Microwaving Tips:

• Don’t microwave too many pierogies at once or they may not cook evenly. Work in batches if needed.
• Let the pierogies sit 1-2 minutes before eating to allow insides to finish cooking.
• Add an extra splash of water if the bowl looks dry partway through cooking.

Microwaving is a fast, convenient way to cook frozen pierogies without any oil or added calories. It takes just a few minutes to have hot dumplings ready to enjoy.

Microwaving Thawed Pierogies

You can also microwave pierogies after thawing them first. Here is a simple microwave method for thawed pierogies:

What You’ll Need:

• Thawed pierogies
• Microwave-safe plate or dish
• Plastic wrap or paper towel

Instructions:

1. Arrange thawed pierogies in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Do not overcrowd.
2. Cover the plate with plastic wrap or paper towel.
3. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes until hot, checking frequently. Time will vary based on amount.
4. Carefully remove the hot pierogies and serve immediately with desired toppings.

Microwaving Tips:

• Let sit 1 minute before eating to allow insides to fully cook.
• Add 30-60 seconds more cooking time if pierogies are not hot enough.
• To thaw pierogies, place frozen dumplings in refrigerator overnight or hold under cool running water for 5 minutes.

Thawing pierogies before microwaving reduces the cooking time. Just a couple minutes in the microwave is all it takes for thawed pierogies to become piping hot and ready to dig into.

Tips for Microwaving Pierogies

Follow these handy tips and tricks to microwave pierogies perfectly every time:

• Don’t overcrowd the dish. Leave space between each pierogi so they heat evenly. Cook in batches to avoid crowding.
• Use a microwave-safe container. Choose a bowl or dish specifically meant for microwave use. Avoid any metal.
• Add a splash of water. A tablespoon or two of water in the dish steams the pierogies from the inside for tender results.
• Cover with plastic wrap or paper towel. This traps in steam and speeds up cooking.
• Stir or flip pierogies midway. Rearrange and turn over pierogies while microwaving so all sides cook evenly.
• Let sit before eating. Letting pierogies rest 1-2 minutes after microwaving allows the inside to finish cooking.
• Check for doneness. Pierogies should be piping hot throughout when cooked. Check by cutting one open.
• Add filling toppings. Dress up your microwaved pierogies with sautéed onions, bacon bits, sour cream or favorite garnishes.

Following these handy tips will help you microwave pierogies perfectly each time for quick yet delicious results.

Related: Quick and Simple Guide to Sauteing Onions in the Microwave

The Advantages of Microwaving Pierogies

Microwaving is an easy, fast and convenient cooking method for enjoying pierogies any night of the week. Here are some of the benefits of microwaving pierogies:

• Speed – Frozen pierogies can be ready in just 5 minutes while thawed ones take 2-3 minutes. Much faster than other cooking methods.
• Minimal prep – No need to boil a big pot of water or heat up oil. Just grab pierogies from the freezer and microwave.
• Easy cleanup – Microwaving pierogies creates no stovetop mess or dirty pans to scrub. Quick and easy cleanup.
• Retains flavor – Microwaving helps locked in savory fillings and uses no cooking oil that can absorb flavors.
• Healthy – No added fat or calories from frying or oil. A nutritious way to enjoy pierogies.
• Family-friendly – Simple enough for kids to safely microwave their own pierogi snack or meal.

Thanks to these advantages, microwaving makes enjoying pierogies a breeze any night of the week.

Potential Drawbacks of Microwaving Pierogies

While microwaving pierogies is quick and convenient, there are a couple potential drawbacks to note:

• Soggy texture – Microwaving can sometimes make the dough soggy rather than crispy. Especially if overcooked.
• Not for from-scratch – You can only microwave pierogies that are already fully cooked or frozen. Not for fresh, homemade ones.
• Uneven cooking – Filling edges may cook faster than insides if not rotated. Check doneness carefully.
• Limited batch size – Microwaves can only cook small batches at a time compared to other methods.

To prevent sogginess, be very careful not to overcook pierogies in the microwave. Microwave in small batches and flip or stir for even cooking. Testing doneness carefully helps avoid uneven cooking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about cooking pierogies in the microwave:

Can you microwave raw pierogies?

No, only cooked or frozen pierogies should be microwaved. Raw pierogi dough will not cook properly in the microwave.

How long do you microwave frozen pierogies?

Cook 6-12 frozen pierogies for around 3 minutes on high power, checking frequently. Time varies based on microwave wattage and amount of pierogies.

How do you keep pierogies from getting soggy in the microwave?

Avoid overcooking, microwave in small batches, stir/flip during cooking, and let rest 1-2 minutes before eating. Adding a splash of water can also help.

Can you microwave leftover pierogies?

Yes, leftover cooked pierogies can be reheated in the microwave. Cook in 30 second intervals until hot, being careful not to overcook.

Can you microwave meat or fruit filled pierogies?

Yes, any pierogies with fully cooked fillings can be microwaved. Double check they are piping hot throughout before eating.

How do you thaw frozen pierogies before microwaving?

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or hold under cool running water 5 minutes. Pat dry before microwaving.

Conclusion

Microwaving makes cooking up hot, delicious pierogies speedy and hassle-free any night of the week. With just a few easy steps, frozen or thawed pierogies can be ready in minutes with no mess.

Be sure to cook pierogies in small batches, stir during cooking and check doneness carefully to ensure evenly heated results. Enjoy microwaved pierogies on their own or topped with sautéed onions, bacon, sour cream and other favorite garnishes for a quick yet comforting meal.

So next time you are craving pierogies, save time and effort while avoiding a messy kitchen by using your microwave. In just minutes you can be enjoying tender, mouthwatering pierogies without any fuss using this handy cooking method. Give it a try for an easy dinner solution anytime!