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5.0 from 9 votes

Bigos Stew (Polish Hunter’s Stew)

Bigos is possibly the heartiest of all winter stews! This Polish dish combines smoked sausage, meat, sauerkraut, cabbage and prunes – a real “stick to your ribs” meal! My Slow Cooker Bigos recipe is big on flavour – a true crowd pleaser!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
8 hrs
Total Time
8 hrs 20 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 623 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Polish

Ingredients

  • 50 g ( 1 ¾ oz) dried porcini mushrooms
  • 250 ml (1 cup) boiling water
  • 6 strips thick cut streaky bacon , diced
  • 450 g (1 lb) Polish Kielbasa cubed
  • 4 Polish Kabanos sausage , cut into small pieces
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil or as needed
  • 450 g (1 lb) boneless pork loin or shoulder fat removed, cubed
  • 2 onions , diced
  • 1 small white cabbage , cored and shredded
  • 900 g (6 cups) raw organic sauerkraut , drained
  • 10 stoned prunes , halved (or a can of stoned prunes, drained)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp caraway seeds
  • ½ tsp allspice or 4 allspice berries
  • 3 juniper berries (optional - if you can find them)
  • 480 ml Polish beer or dry red wine / more stock
  • 240 ml beef stock (low sodium beef broth)
  • Salt and pepper to season

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Place the dried mushrooms in a measuring jug and add the boiling water. Set them aside while you prepare the meat.
  2. Pan fry the bacon in a large casserole or large saucepan, until it starts to crisp up a little.
  3. Add the diced sausages and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring often. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to your slow cooker.
  4. Brown the pork, in the same pan, adding a bit of oil so it doesn’t stick. You may need to do this in batches. Transfer to the crockpot.
  5. Add the onions to the pan (and a splash more oil if needed) and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes. Add the shredded cabbage and cook for a further 5 minutes. Add a splash of beer or stock if the pan gets too dry and then transfer to the slow cooker.
  6. Add the prunes, porcini mushrooms and their liquid, the sauerkraut, tomato paste, bay leaves, seasonings, beer and beef stock. Give everything in the slow cooker a quick stir. Cover and cook on the LOW setting for 8-10 hours (or even overnight).
  7. Discard the bay leaves and check the seasoning. Serve hot with rye bread or over mashed potatoes.

Notes

  • STORING AND FREEZING
  • This stew can be kept in the fridge for 6-7 days. Reheat thoroughly in a saucepan before serving.
  • You can also freeze the stew, in portions, for up to three months. Make sure to always leave some space in your container for the liquid in the stew to expand as it freezes. Thaw in the fridge before reheating.
  • TIPS AND FAQs
  • Use different types of meat or combinations of meat and game. Do not use lean cuts of meat (such as pork tenderloin for instance) you need meat that loves slow cooking!
  • This hearty stew is suitable for the Keto diet minus the prunes. Add salt at the end. Since the sausages and sauerkraut can be quite salty, it is best to season the stew at the end of cooking.
  • If your sauerkraut contains vinegar you may want to rinse and drain it first.
  • The meat and sausages need to be browned before being added to the slow cooker. I suspect you could also simply add everything to the crockpot and just leave it to do its thing but for best results follow the first steps.

Nutrition Information

Calories 623kcal (31%) Carbohydrates 33g (11%) Protein 26g (52%) Fat 43g (66%) Saturated Fat 17g (85%) Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 104mg (35%) Sodium 1822mg (76%) Potassium 1075mg (31%) Fiber 9g (36%) Sugar 12g (24%) Vitamin A 308IU (6%) Vitamin C 62mg (69%) Calcium 116mg (12%) Iron 4mg (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 623

% Daily Value*

Calories 623kcal 31%
Carbohydrates 33g 11%
Protein 26g 52%
Fat 43g 66%
Saturated Fat 17g 85%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 104mg 35%
Sodium 1822mg 76%
Potassium 1075mg 23%
Fiber 9g 36%
Sugar 12g 24%
Vitamin A 308IU 6%
Vitamin C 62mg 69%
Calcium 116mg 12%
Iron 4mg 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.