Żurek
Polish Sour Rye Soup
A traditional Polish Easter soup, Żurek is characterized by its unique tangy flavor derived from a fermented rye starter (żur). This recipe guides you through making the starter from scratch, resulting in a deeply flavorful and comforting soup, often served with sausage, bacon, and hard-boiled eggs.
🧂 Ingredients
- 200g Rye flour (whole grain)(Essential for the sour starter. Whole grain provides more flavor and nutrients.)
- 5 cloves Garlic(For the starter. Crushing them releases their flavor into the fermenting mixture.)
- 3 Bay leaves(Adds aromatic depth to the starter.)
- 5 Allspice berries(Contributes a warm, complex spice note to the starter.)
- 200g Smoked bacon(Adds a smoky depth to the soup base. Diced for serving.)
- 400g White Polish sausage (Biała Kiełbasa)(A traditional, uncooked, often garlic-infused sausage. If unavailable, a good quality pork sausage can be substituted.)
- 6 Hard-boiled eggs(For serving. Halved or quartered.)
- 150ml Sour cream(Adds richness and a slight tang. Full fat is recommended for best flavor and texture.)
- 2 tbsp Marjoram(Fresh or dried. Adds a distinct herbal note characteristic of Polish cuisine.)
- for serving Horseradish(Freshly grated or prepared. Provides a pungent kick to balance the soup's richness.)
- 2.5L (approx.) Water(Divided for starter and soup base.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the Żur Starter: In a clean glass jar or bowl, combine the rye flour with 500ml of lukewarm water (around 35°C / 95°F). Add the crushed garlic cloves, bay leaves, and allspice berries. Stir well to ensure no dry flour pockets remain. The mixture should have a consistency similar to thick pancake batter. Cover the jar loosely with a lid, cheesecloth, or plastic wrap secured with a rubber band to allow air circulation while keeping contaminants out.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 2
Ferment the Starter: Leave the starter in a warm place (room temperature, ideally 20-24°C / 68-75°F) for 5 days. Stir it once or twice daily. If the starter becomes too thick, add a little more lukewarm water to maintain a pourable consistency. By the end of the fermentation period, the starter should develop a distinct, pleasantly sour aroma and may show some bubbles. Do not discard the garlic, bay leaves, and allspice.
⏱️ 5 days - 3
Strain the Starter: After 5 days, strain the fermented mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl or container. Discard the solids (garlic, bay leaves, allspice). You should have approximately 500ml of tangy, liquid żur. This is the base for your soup.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 4
Prepare the Stock Base: In a large pot, combine the diced smoked bacon with 1.5 liters of fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 30 minutes to extract flavor from the bacon. Strain the liquid into a clean pot, reserving the bacon. You can dice the cooked bacon further for serving.
⏱️ 35 minutes - 5
Cook the Sausage: While the stock is simmering, place the white Polish sausages in a separate pot. Cover with water and bring to a gentle simmer (do not boil rapidly, as this can cause them to split). Poach the sausages for about 20 minutes, or until cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 70°C (160°F). Remove from water, let cool slightly, then slice into rounds or chunks.
⏱️ 25 minutes - 6
Combine and Simmer: Add the strained żur liquid to the bacon stock in the large pot. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. It is crucial not to boil the soup vigorously after adding the żur, as this can cause it to curdle or lose its tangy flavor. A gentle simmer is key.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 7
Temper and Finish the Soup: In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream and about 1 cup (240ml) of the hot soup liquid until smooth. This tempering process prevents the sour cream from curdling when added to the hot soup. Pour the tempered sour cream mixture back into the pot. Stir in the marjoram. Heat gently for another 2-3 minutes until the soup is warmed through, but do not let it boil.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 8
Serve: Ladle the hot żurek into bowls. Garnish each serving with slices of the cooked white sausage, the reserved diced bacon, and a halved or quartered hard-boiled egg. Offer grated horseradish on the side for guests to add according to their preference. This soup is a quintessential part of the Polish Easter feast.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For convenience, you can purchase ready-made żur liquid from specialty European food stores.
- ✓The sourness of the soup is adjustable. If you prefer it tangier, let the starter ferment for an extra day or two. If it's too sour, you can balance it with a touch more sour cream or a pinch of sugar.
- ✓For a truly festive presentation, serve Żurek in a hollowed-out bread bowl.
- ✓Traditionally enjoyed as a hearty breakfast or lunch, especially during Easter.
- ✓Ensure your rye flour is fresh for the best starter fermentation.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Serve in a hollowed-out crusty bread bowl.
- Add boiled and cubed potatoes to the soup along with the sausage and bacon.
- Omit the sour cream for a lighter, less rich version.