How to Find Ingredients for Polish Recipes + Substitutes (Full List)
Living far away from Poland, cooking a classic Polish dish can be a real challenge.
The trickiest part?
Finding all the right ingredients.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- the list of the most popular Polish ingredients,
- where to buy them,
- how to substitute them (if buying is not an option),
- and how to use them best, once you get hold of them.
Please note: This post is a constant ‘work in progress’.
If there’s anything missing, please be patient – I’m trying my best to improve it as often as possible.
Contents
Fruit
Veggies & Herbs
Dairy
Spices & Aromatics
Groats, Flours, Legumes
Meat, Sausages & Cold Cuts
Fish & Seafood
Wild Mushrooms
Fermented Foods
Other
Fruit
Bilberry (Whortleberry, European Blueberry)
Substitute Bilberries with: Blueberries or Huckleberries
Try it in this recipe: Bilberry Pierogi
Bilberry in Polish: Jagoda Leśna (ya-god-ah lesh-nah)
Blackcurrant (Cassis)
Substitute Blackcurrants with: Elderberries, Chokeberries (Aronia), Gooseberries or Fresh Cranberries
Best for: Desserts, Garnish, Preserves, Nalewka
Blackcurrant in Polish: Czarna Porzeczka (tschar-nah po-zhetschkah)
Gooseberry (Red, Green)
Substitute Gooseberries with: Fresh Cranberries, Redcurrants, Rhubarb, Mulberries or Lingonberries
Try it in this recipe: Gooseberry Pie
Gooseberry in Polish: Agrest (agreh-st)
Redcurrant
Substitute Redcurrants with: Fresh Cranberries, Rhubarb, Mulberries, Lingonberries, Blackcurrants
Best for: Desserts, Garnish, Preserves, Nalewka
Redcurrant in Polish: Czerwona Porzeczka (tschervonah po-zhetschkah)
Sweet Cherry
Substitute Sweet Cherries with: Mirabelle (Yellow) Plums, Loquats
Best for: Kompot (Fruit Drink), Nalewka, Cakes, Preserves
Sweet Cherry in Polish: Czereśnie (tsche-reshnieh)
Whitecurrant
Substitute Whitecurrants with: Redcurrants
Best for: Desserts, Garnish, Preserves
Whitecurrant in Polish: Biała Porzeczka (bya-wah po-zhetschkah)
Wild Strawberry
Substitute Wild Strawberries with: Strawberries
Best for: Desserts, Garnish, Preserves
Wild Strawberries in Polish: Poziomki (pozyo-mkieh)
Vegetables & Herbs
Beets (Young, with Greens)
Substitute Green Beets with: [depending on the recipe]
Beetroots (for soups), or…
Chard, Swiss chard (for salads)
Best for: Beet Chłodnik (Cold Soup), Salads
Beet Greens in Polish: Botwinka, Botwina (bo-tveenkah)
Cabbage (Green/White)
Substitute White Cabbage with: Savoy Cabbage, Red Cabbage
Try it in this recipe: Gołąbki (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls), Kiełbasa and Cabbage, Bigos (Hunter’s Stew)
Cabbage in Polish: Kapusta (capoo-stah)
Cabbage (Young, Spring)
Substitute Young Cabbage with: Napa Cabbage
Best for: Soups, Salads, Side Dishes
Young Cabbage in Polish: Młoda Kapusta (mwodah capoo-stah)
Celery Root / Celeriac
Substitute Celery Root with: Parsley Root, Turnip, Kohlrabi, Jicama, Daikon
Best for: Soups, Purées
Try it in this recipe: Polish Chicken Soup
Celery Root in Polish: Korzeń Selera (pron.: ‘ko-zheñ celerah’)
Dill
Substitute Dill with: Fresh Tarragon, Fennel
Try it in this recipe: Dill Pickle Soup
Dill in Polish: Koper (pron.: ‘co-pair’)
Lovage
Substitute Lovage with: Fresh Tarragon, Wild Celery (Angelica)
Try it in this recipe: Rosół, Fava Bean Pierogi with Lovage
Dill in Polish: Lubczyk (pron.: ‘loob-tscheck’)
Parsley Leaves
Substitute Parsley Leaves with: Cilantro (Coriander), Chervil (French Parsley)
Best for: Garnish
Parsley Leaves in Polish: Natka Pietruszki (pron.: ‘natkah pye-true-shkey’)
Parsley Root
Substitute Parsley Root with: Celery Root, Turnip
Note: Parsnip looks very similar to Parsley root, but it’s not a very good substitute. It’s too mild and sweet, tasting more like a carrot.
Best for: Soups (e.g. Rosół, Kapuśniak, Red Borscht)
Parsley Root in Polish: Pietruszka (pron.: ‘pye-true-shkah’)
Turnip
Substitute Turnip with: Parsley Root, Celery Root
Best for: Soups, Salads
Turnip in Polish: Rzepa (pron.: ‘zhe-pah’)
Dairy
Twaróg (Polish-style Farmer’s Cheese)
Substitute Twaróg with: unsalted Farmer’s Cheese, Pot Cheese, or Quark (thick, well drained)
Make at Home: Polish Farmer’s Cheese
Try it in these recipes: Classic Polish Cheesecake, Cheese Pierogi, Potato and Cheese Pierogi
Farmer’s Cheese in Polish: Twaróg / Ser Biały (pron.: ‘tvaroog’ / ‘sir byaweh’)
Oscypek and Gołka Cheese
Substitute Oscypek with: Smoked sheep’s milk cheeses
Substitute Gołka with: Smoked cow’s milk cheeses
Best for: grilling, cheese board, sliced on bread
In Polish: Oscypek (pron.: ‘ostse-peck’), Gołka (pron.: ‘go-wkah’)
Where to buy: In the Polish Highlands (Oscypek season: May to September)
Soured Milk
Substitute Soured Milk with: Sour Cream, Kefir, Yogurt
Make at Home: Soured Milk recipe
Best for: Cold Soups, Baked Goods, Making Twaróg
Soured Milk in Polish: Zsiadłe Mleko (pron.: ‘s-shia-dweh mlekoh’)
Spices, Dried Fruit, Aromatics
Allspice Berries
Substitute Allspice with: when cooking soups and stews, just add additional black peppercorns instead. Otherwise, try a mix of the equal parts of cinnamon, nutmeg and clove.
Best for: Soups, Stews, Bigos
Allspice in Polish: Ziele Angielskie (pron.: ‘zyeleh’)
Bay Leaf, Dried
Substitute Bay Leaf with: Thyme, Oregano
Best for: Soups, Stews, Bigos, Brine for Fermented Foods
Bay Leaf in Polish: Liść Laurowy (pron.: ‘leesh-tch laurovee’)
Gingerbread Spice
Substitute Gingerbread Spice with: Pumpkin Pie Spice, Cinnamon
Try it in this recipe: Polish Gingerbread Cake
Gingerbread Spice in Polish: Przyprawa do Piernika (pron.: ‘pshe-prava doh pyer-nickah’)
Juniper Berries
Substitute Juniper Berries with: Rosemary
Best for: Bigos, Juniper Beer, Marinades, Nalewka
Juniper Berries in Polish: Owoc Jałowca (pron.: ‘ovos yawov-tsa’)
Poppy Seed
Substitute Poppy Seed with: (in small quantities) Black Sesame Seeds, Toasted Sesame Seeds
Best for: Poppy Seed Filling, Makowiec and other desserts
Poppy Seed in Polish: Mak (mac)
Smoked Prunes
Substitute Smoked Prunes with: regular Dried Prunes
Best for: Bigos Stew
Smoked Prunes in Polish: Śliwki Wędzone (shleev-key ven-tsoneh)
Vanilla Sugar
Substitute Vanilla Sugar with: Vanilla Extract or real Vanilla Beans. One sachet of Vanilla Sugar (in Poland it contains roughly 16 g, a tablespoon-worth) can be substituted with one vanilla pod or 3 teaspoons of vanilla extract.
Try it in this recipe: Karpatka Cake
Vanilla Sugar in Polish: Cukier Waniliowy (soo-keyr vanee-lyoveh)
Groats, Flours, Legumes
Barley (Hulled)
Substitute Hulled Barley with: Pearl Barley, Millet, Quinoa
Best for: soups, side dishes, pierogi fillings
Hulled Barley in Polish: Pęczak (Peh-tschuck)
Barley (Pearl)
Substitute Pearl Barley with: Hulled Barley, Millet, Quinoa
Try it in this recipe: Krupnik Soup
Barley in Polish: Kasza Jęczmienna Perłowa
Millet
Substitute Millet with: Bulgur, Quinoa
Try it in this recipe: Mazovian Baked Pierogi with Millet
Barley in Polish: Kasza Jaglana (Kasha Ya-glanah)
Potato Flour
Substitute Potato Flour with: Cornstarch, Tapioca Flour
Try it in this recipe: Gluten-free Pierogi Dough
Potato Flour in Polish: Mąka Ziemniaczana
Rye Flour
Substitute Rye Flour with: Wholemeal Wheat flour, Buckwheat Flour
Try it in this recipe: Rye Flour Starter for Żurek Soup
Rye Flour in Polish: Mąka Żytnia (mow-kah zheet-nya)
Split Peas (Yellow, Green)
Substitute Split Peas with: Lentils
Best for: soups, e.g. Grochówka; Split Pea Babka
Split Peas in Polish: Groch (groh)
Meat, Sausages, Cold Cuts
Blood Sausage (Kaszanka)
Also known as: Polish Kishka, Buckwheat Kishka
Substitute Kaszanka with: Black Pudding, Morcilla, Boudin Noir, Blutwurst
Try it in this recipe: Baked Kaszanka
Blood Sausage in Polish: Kaszanka (kashankah)
Duck Blood
Substitute Duck Blood with: Pig’s blood
Try it in this recipe: Polish Duck Blood Soup
Duck Blood in Polish: Krew kaczki (krev katch-key)
Kabanosy
Where to buy: coming soon…
Substitute Kabanosy with: Sorry, there are no substitutes
Best for: snacking, charcuterie board
Pronunciation: caba-no-syh
Kiełbasa Sausage
Note: In Poland, there are hundred of different kiełbasa types. But here, we mean the type known in Poland as wiejska, śląska or zwyczajna.
Substitute Polish Kiełbasa with: German BratwurstTry it in these: Kiełbasa recipes
Kiełbasa Pronunciation: kyew-ba-sah
Kiełbasa (Raw, White)
Substitute White Kiełbasa with: German Weisswurst
Try it in these recipes: White Borscht, Żurek soup
White Sausage in Polish: Biała Kiełbasa (byawah kyew-basah)
Salo (Unrendered Lard)
Where to buy: coming soon…
Substitute Unrendered Lard with: Jowl, Pork Belly
Try it in these recipes: White Borscht, Żurek soup
Unrendered Lard in Polish: Słonina (swo-nina)
Fish & Seafood
Carp (European Carp)
Substitute European Carp with: Invasive Carp (formerly known as Asian Carp)
Try it in this recipe: Christmas Fried Carp, Carp Fish Cakes, Carp Fillet in Plum & Cherry Sauce
Carp in Polish: Karp (carp)
Crayfish (European Crayfish)
Where to buy: coming soon…
Substitute Crayfish with: Langoustines, King Prawns
Best for: appetisers, soups
Crayfish in Polish: Raki (racky)
Eel (European Eel)
Where to buy: coming soon…
Substitute European Eel with: Pacific Saury, Japanese Unagi (Freshwater Eel), Conger Eel
Best for: frying, smoking, pickling
Eel in Polish: Węgorz (ven-gosh)
Herring, Fresh
Where to buy: coming soon…
Substitute Fresh Herring with: Salted Herring (rinse it well before use, ideally soak overnight)
Try it in this recipe: Pickled Herring
Herring in Polish: Śledź (shle-G)
Perch (European Perch)
Substitute Perch with: Cod, Haddock, Pollock
Best for: grilling, frying, baking, steaming
Perch in Polish: Okoń (o-coñ)
Trout, Rainbow and Brown
Substitute Trout with: Salmon
Best for: grilling, frying, baking, steaming
Trout in Polish: Pstrąg (pss-tronk)
Zander / Pikeperch
Where to buy: coming soon…
Substitute Trout with: Hake, Cod
Best for: grilling, frying, baking, steaming
Zander in Polish: Sandacz (san-datsch)
Wild Mushrooms
Bay Bolete
Also known as: Imleria badia
Where to buy: coming soon…
Substitute Bay Bolete with: dried or frozen products; Boletus, other wild mushrooms (Honey Mushroom, Parasol Mushroom, Saffron Milk Cap), last resort – Brown Champignons (Button Mushrooms)
Try them in this recipe: Wild Mushroom Pierogi
Bay Boletes in Polish: Podgrzybek
Boletus (Porcini)
Also known as: Penny Bun, Cep
Where to buy: coming soon…
Substitute Bay Bolete with: dried or frozen products; Bay Bolete, other wild mushrooms (Honey Mushroom, Parasol Mushroom, Saffron Milk Cap), last resort – Brown Champignons (Button Mushrooms)
Try them in this recipe: Bigos Hunter’s Stew
Boletus in Polish: Borowik (boro-vick) or Prawdziwek (prav-gee-veck)
Chanterelle
Where to buy: coming soon…
Substitute Chanterelles with: Sorry, there are no substitutes
Best for: scrambled eggs, savoury tarts; garnish for pastas, soups
Chanterelles in Polish: Kurki (koor-key)
Saffron Milk Cap
Also known as: Red Pine Mushroom, Rovellon (Spanish name)
Where to buy: coming soon…
Substitute Saffron Milk Cap with: other wild mushrooms (Honey Mushroom, Parasol Mushroom, Bay Bolete)
Best for: frying in butter, pickling, adding to soups and stews
Saffron Milk Cap in Polish: Rydz
Fermented Foods
Beets, Fermented
Also known as: Beet Kvass
Where to buy: coming soon…
Make at Home: Beet Kvass / Zakwas
Substitute Fermented Beets with: Sauerkraut Juice, Full Sour Pickles Juice (But if you’re cooking Red Borscht – don’t swap!)
Try them in this recipe: Red Borscht Soup
Beet Kvass in Polish: Zakwas Buraczany (za-kvass boo-rah-tschaney)
Pickles, Full Sour
Where to buy: coming soon…
Make at Home: Dill Pickles in Brine
Substitute Full Sour Pickles with: Half Sour Pickles
Try them in this recipe: Polish Pickle Soup
Full Sour Pickles in Polish: Ogórki Kiszone (ogoor-key key-shoneh)
Pickles, Half Sour
Where to buy: coming soon…
Make at Home: coming soon…
Substitute Half Sour Pickles with: Full Sour Pickles
Best for: snacking, as aperitif, appetizer, side dish
Half Sour Pickles in Polish: Ogórki Małosolne (ogoor-key mawo-solneh)
Rye Flour Starter, Fermented
Where to buy: coming soon…
Make at Home: Fermented Rye Flour Starter
Substitute Rye Flour Starter with: Buckwheat Starter, Wheat Flour Starter
Try them in this recipe: Żurek Soup
Rye Flour Starter in Polish: Żur / Zakwas Żytni (zhur / za-kvass zhet-knee)
Sauerkraut
Where to buy: coming soon…
Make at Home: coming soon…
Substitute Sauerkraut with: Fermented Red Cabbage, Korean Kimchi (warning: it’s spicier!)
Try it in these recipes: Sauerkraut Pierogi, Sauerkraut Soup, Kiełbasa and Sauerkraut
Sauerkraut in Polish: Kapusta Kiszona (kapoo-stah key-shonah)
Soured Milk (see → ‘Dairy’)
Other
Custard
Where to buy: coming soon…
Make at Home: coming soon…
Substitute Custard with: Sorry, there are no substitutes. Use instant/canned Custard instead.
Best for: desserts
Custard in Polish: Budyń (boodeñ)
Kissel
Where to buy: coming soon…
Make at Home: coming soon…
Substitute Kissel with: Sorry, there are no substitutes.
Best for: desserts
Kissel in Polish: Kisiel (key-syel)
Honeydew Honey
Where to buy: coming soon…
Substitute Honeydew Honey with: other types of Honey, Maple Syrup
Best for: desserts
Honeydew Honey in Polish: Miód Spadziowy (myood spa-Gyo-veh)
Żubrówka (Bison Grass Vodka)
Where to buy: coming soon…
Substitute Żubrówka with: Sorry, there are no substitutes.
Best for: Drinks (e.g. Szarlotka: Żubrówka with Apple Juice)
Pronunciation: zhoo-broovkah
