Bigos (Hunter's Stew)

Name: Bigos (Hunter's Stew)
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Polish
Ingredients: 2 lbs sauerkraut, drained; 1 head green cabbage, roughly chopped; 1 lb smoked kielbasa sausage, sliced 1/2 inch; 1 lb boneless pork shoulder, 1-inch cubes; 6 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped; 1 oz dried porcini mushrooms; 1 large yellow onion, diced; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tbsp tomato paste; 1 cup dry red wine; 2 cups beef broth; 3 bay leaves; 1/2 tsp ground allspice; 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground; 1 tsp salt

A hearty Polish hunter's stew built on sauerkraut and fresh cabbage slow-simmered with smoked kielbasa, pork, dried mushrooms, and red wine until deeply flavored and thick.

120 minMediumServes 6480 cal/serving

PolishDinnerStovetopStandardHigh ProteinLow CarbLow-SodiumCorn-Free

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Ingredients

2 lbs sauerkraut, drained
1 head green cabbage, roughly chopped
1 lb smoked kielbasa sausage, sliced 1/2 inch
1 lb boneless pork shoulder, 1-inch cubes
6 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 oz dried porcini mushrooms
1 large yellow onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 cup dry red wine
2 cups beef broth
3 bay leaves
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
1 tsp salt

Instructions

1

Place 1 oz dried porcini mushrooms in 1 cup of hot water and soak for 20 minutes. Remove mushrooms and roughly chop them, reserving the soaking liquid.
2

In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook 6 strips chopped thick-cut bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the fat in the pot.
3

Increase heat to medium-high. Season 1 lb 1-inch cubes boneless pork shoulder with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, then brown in batches in the bacon fat, about 3 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
4

Add 1 lb sliced 1/2 inch smoked kielbasa sausage to the pot and cook until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
5

Reduce heat to medium, add 1 large diced yellow onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook 1 more minute.
6

Add 1 head roughly chopped green cabbage and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly wilted, about 5 minutes.
7

Add 2 lbs drained sauerkraut, browned pork, kielbasa, and bacon back to the pot. Stir in the chopped dried mushrooms and their strained soaking liquid.
8

Pour in 1 cup dry red wine and 2 cups beef broth. Add 3 bay leaves and 1/2 tsp ground allspice. Stir to combine.
9

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the pork is fork-tender and the flavors have melded.
10

Verify the pork registers at least 145°F (63°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Remove the bay leaves, taste for seasoning, and serve in bowls.

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Questions

What is Bigos (Hunter's Stew)?

A hearty Polish hunter's stew built on sauerkraut and fresh cabbage slow-simmered with smoked kielbasa, pork, dried mushrooms, and red wine until deeply flavored and thick. This reference files it under Polish dinner: made on the stovetop, rated medium and about 120 minutes start to finish.

What internal temperature should Bigos (Hunter's Stew) reach?

For Bigos (Hunter's Stew), the target internal temperature is 145 F (about 65 C), given in step 10. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork.

What equipment do I need for Bigos (Hunter's Stew)?

Beyond a knife and a board, the method uses a Dutch oven (step 2) and a probe thermometer (step 10). If you do not have one, any heavy pot with a tight lid does the work of the Dutch oven.

Is there a substitute for red wine in Bigos (Hunter's Stew)?

The entry for Bigos (Hunter's Stew) calls for 1 cup dry red wine. In its place: Use beef or mushroom stock with a tablespoon of red wine vinegar or balsamic per cup. The sauce will be a little less deep.

Can I use turkey bacon instead of bacon in Bigos (Hunter's Stew)?

Yes. Turkey bacon renders almost no fat, so add a tablespoon of oil wherever the method counts on the drippings. As written, the entry for Bigos (Hunter's Stew) uses 6 strips thick-cut bacon, chopped.

Is Bigos (Hunter's Stew) low-carb?

A serving of Bigos (Hunter's Stew) carries 0 g of carbohydrate. Against a strict 20 g keto day that is 0 percent of the budget; against a moderate 100 g low-carb day it is 0 percent.

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