Learn how to make pyry z gzikiem (Potatoes with Farmer’s Cheese Dip), a traditional Polish recipe from Greater Poland. This authentic Polish dish combines tender potatoes with a creamy farmer’s cheese dip made with fresh herbs and vegetables. A simple, light, and beloved Polish dish perfect for summer.

Boiled potatoes topped with a creamy farmers cheese dip, chives, and chopped radishes. Served on two plates with a lemon and radishes nearby.

Table of Contents

Pyry z Gzikiem (Potatoes with Farmer’s Cheese Dip)

Pyry z gzikiem is one of those vegetarian meals that instantly takes me back home. Growing up in Greater Poland (Wielkopolska), this dish was a regular part of our family table, especially during the summer when young potatoes were in season. While many people think of Polish food as heavy and rich, pyry z gzikiem is proof that traditional Polish cuisine can also be fresh, simple, and incredibly light.

As a nutrition consultant and chef, I love recipes that celebrate simple ingredients and let them shine. This authentic Polish dish does exactly that. With just a handful of fresh ingredients, you can create a meal that feels comforting, nourishing, and full of flavor.

The word “pyry” is actually a regional name for potatoes used in Greater Poland. Poznań, the capital of Wielkopolska where I attended university, is famous for this dish. And while Poznań gets much of the attention, I’m actually from Kalisz, the oldest city in Poland. This beloved Polish dish is deeply rooted throughout the region. It remains one of the foods that instantly reminds me of home.

The best version is made in summer when young potatoes arrive at local markets. I love their delicate skin, creamy texture, and naturally sweet flavor, which pair perfectly with cool, tangy gzik, but regular potatoes wil do just fine. It is about the combination of carbs and fat from teh cheese that makes this dish so delicious. It is simple peasant food at its finest, proving that you don’t need complicated ingredients to create something memorable.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy to prepare
Made with simple, affordable ingredients
Perfect for warm summer days
Great as a light lunch or dinner
Full of fresh herbs and crunchy vegetables
Kid-friendly and family-approved

A plate of boiled yellow potatoes topped with a creamy salad mixture, garnished with chopped chives. A blurred plate and half a lemon are visible in the background.

Ingredients for Pyry z Gzikiem

Potatoes (Pyry, Ziemniaki): Potatoes are the star of this traditional Polish recipe. Any will do!
Farmer’s Cheese: Farmer’s cheese forms the base of the gzik. It has a mild flavor and a slightly crumbly, creamy texture that creates the perfect contrast to warm potatoes. Poles love this cheese. You can get it at Whole Foods.
Radishes: Radishes add a fresh crunch and a gentle peppery flavor. Perfect for spring or summer cooking. They brighten the creamy cheese mixture and bring a beautiful color to the dish.
Cucumber: Fresh cucumber adds crispness and a refreshing quality, making this recipe especially enjoyable during warm weather.
Greek Yogurt: It adds a creamier consistency. It helps bind everything together while keeping the dip smooth and light.
Lemon Juice: A squeeze of lemon juice balances and brightens all the flavors.
Greek Yogurt: It adds a creamier consistency. It helps bind everything together while keeping the dip smooth and light.
Dill: Fresh dill is one of my favorite herbs in Polish cooking. Its delicate flavor pairs beautifully with potatoes and farmer’s cheese. Perfect for spring and summer!
Chives: Chives bring a mild onion flavor that adds depth without overpowering the other ingredients. They are a classic addition to gzik.

This website may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through these links. As an affiliate, I only recommend products or services I genuinely use and love. Check the affiliate disclosure here.

Did you know?

Potatoes originated in the Andes Mountains of South America, where they have been cultivated for more than 7,000 years.

A bowl of creamy dip garnished with chopped chives and dill sits on a gray cloth, with a lemon half, salt and pepper shakers, and a gold spoon nearby on a marble surface.

How to Make Pyry z Gzikem

Step One in your process
Step Two in your process
Step Three in your process
Step Four in your process
Step Five in your process

Ingredient Substitutions

Farmer’s Cheese – Cottage cheese or quark can be used if farmer’s cheese is unavailable.
Greek Yogurt – Sour cream works beautifully and is often used in traditional versions.
Radishes – Green onions or finely diced celery can provide a similar crunch.
Cucumber – English cucumber, Persian cucumber, or even finely diced zucchini can work.
Dill – Fresh parsley can be substituted for a different herbal flavor.
Chives – Green onions make an excellent alternative.
Young Potatoes – Yukon Golds are a great substitute when young potatoes are out of season.

Chef Angie’s Tips

Use the freshest potatoes you can find for the best flavor.
Don’t overmix the gzik. A slightly chunky texture is traditional.
Let the gzik rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving so the flavors can mingle.
Add extra dill if you’re a dill lover like me.
Serve the potatoes warm and the gzik cool for a wonderful contrast.

Ways To Serve

With a country bison stew
Alongside grilled meats or juniper baby back ribs
With a summer detox salad or fennel salad
With air fryer steak bites or pomegranate salmon
At picnics, potlucks and outdoor gatherings
With a simple cucumber radish salad
As a side dish for grilled chicken drumsticks or Polish baked chicken pate

Want to save this recipe?

Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

A plate of boiled yellow potatoes cut into chunks, topped with a creamy herb and vegetable mixture, garnished with chopped chives. A similar dish and ingredients are blurred in the background.

Storage

Store leftover gzik in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cooked potatoes can be refrigerated for up to 4 days. Keep the potatoes and gzik separate for the best texture.

FAQ

What does pyry z gzikiem mean?

Pyry is the regional word for potatoes used in Greater Poland, while gzik refers to the creamy farmer’s cheese mixture served with them.

Is pyry z gzikiem served hot or cold?

Traditionally, warm potatoes are served with cool gzik, creating a delicious temperature contrast.

Can I serve this as a main meal?

Yes. It is commonly enjoyed as a light lunch or dinner throughout Poland.

Do I have to peel the potatoes?

Not at all. In fact, when using young potatoes in the summer, leaving the skins on is traditional and adds extra flavor and texture.

What can I add to gzik for extra flavor?

Many families have their own variations. Some add chopped green onions, garlic, hard-boiled eggs, or extra herbs to create their own version of this authentic Polish dish.

A plate of boiled yellow potatoes topped with a creamy salad garnished with chopped chives, surrounded by a lemon half, radishes, pepper, and utensils on a marble surface.

If this recipe brought a little taste of Poland into your kitchen, I’d love for you to share it with your friends and family. Be sure to save it for later, pin it on Pinterest, and leave a comment below to let me know if you’ve ever tried pyry z gzikiem before. Every time I make this traditional Polish recipe, it reminds me of summer afternoons in Greater Poland, when we gather around the table and enjoy simple food made with love.

Pyry z Gzikiem (Potatoes with Farmer’s Cheese Dip)

Learn how to make pyry z gzikiem (Potatoes with Farmer's Cheese Dip), a traditional Polish recipe from Greater Poland. This authentic Polish dish combines tender potatoes with a creamy farmer's cheese dip made with fresh herbs and vegetables. A simple, light, and beloved Polish dish perfect for summer.

No ratings yet

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Course lunch, Main Dish, Side Dish

Cuisine Polish

Servings

Calories 475 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

16 oz Cottage cheese or Farmers cheese
3/4 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 Cucumber English, medium
6 Radishes
3 tbsp Dill chopped
2 tbsp Lemon juice
2 oz Chives chopped
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
1 lbs Potatoes

Instructions

Cook the potatoes for 20-25 minutes. Whole. You can keep the skin if you want to.
2. In a medium bowl, combine your farmer’s cheese or well-drained cottage cheese.
3. Stir in diced cucumber, diced radishes, chopped dill, and chopped green onions or chives.
4. Add a spoonful of Greek yogurt or sour cream until it reaches your desired consistency.
5. Season with black pepper, a pinch of salt, and a splash of lemon juice.
6. Mix everything well, then chill and serve on the top of potatoes.

Nutrition

Calories: 475kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 39gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 764mgPotassium: 1632mgFiber: 7gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 1715IUVitamin C: 74mgCalcium: 351mgIron: 3mg

Keyword Pyry z Gzikiem (Potatoes with Farmer’s Cheese Dip)

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Love My Content? Buy Me a Coffee!

Creating these resources for you is my passion, and I love hearing how they’ve helped you on your health journey. If you appreciate my content and want to support my work, you can buy me a coffee to help fuel more tips, recipes, and inspiration. Every little bit means the world to me!

Pyry z Gzikiem (Potatoes with Farmer’s Cheese Dip)