onMarch 5, 2025

Bryndzové Halušky so Slaninou – The Iconic Slovak Comfort Dish

Slovak cuisine

A bowl of traditional Slovak Bryndzové Halušky – soft potato dumplings topped with creamy sheep cheese sauce and crispy bacon, served in a rustic setting.

3 min read

Contents

What Makes Bryndzové Halušky Special?
How is Bryndzové Halušky Made?
A National Dish with Cultural Significance
Why You Should Try Bryndzové Halušky

Discover Slovakia's national dish! These potato dumplings with creamy bryndza cheese and crispy bacon are a must-try comfort food.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Course Main Course

Cuisine Slovak

Servings 4

Calories 550 kcal

Ingredients

For the dumplings:

500 g potatoes, finely grated
200 g all-purpose flour
1 egg (optional, for extra firmness)
1 tsp salt

For the topping:

250 g bryndza cheese
100 g sour cream
150 g bacon, diced

Instructions

Prepare the dumpling dough: Peel and grate the potatoes finely. Mix with flour, egg (if using), and salt to form a sticky dough.
Cook the dumplings: Drop small portions of the dough into boiling salted water using a spoon or a special halušky sieve. Cook until the dumplings float (about 3-5 minutes). Drain.
Prepare the topping: In a pan, fry the diced bacon until crispy.
Assemble the dish: Toss the hot dumplings with bryndza and sour cream until creamy. Top with crispy bacon and serve immediately.

Notes

Bryndzové Halušky so Slaninou, Slovakia's national dish, is a rich and hearty meal that perfectly captures the essence of Slovak cuisine. These tender potato dumplings, generously coated in creamy bryndza sheep cheese and topped with crispy golden bacon, offer an irresistible combination of flavors and textures. Whether enjoyed in a traditional mountain chalet (koliba) or homemade in your kitchen, this dish is a must-try for lovers of authentic Eastern European food!

What Makes Bryndzové Halušky Special?

While potato dumplings are common in Central and Eastern Europe, the magic of Bryndzové Halušky lies in its key ingredient: bryndza. This fermented sheep cheese, unique to Slovakia, gives the dish its distinctive tangy, salty, and creamy flavor.

What is Bryndza?

Bryndza is a traditional Slovak cheese made from raw, unpasteurized sheep's milk. It has: ✅ A sharp, salty taste with deep umami notes ✅ A slightly tangy and creamy consistency due to natural fermentation ✅ A crumbly yet spreadable texture, making it perfect for various dishes

For those new to strong cheeses, bryndza may be an acquired taste, but Slovaks adore it and use it in everything from spreads to pierogi-like dumplings!

How is Bryndzové Halušky Made?

The dish consists of four key elements:

1. Halušky (Potato Dumplings)

Made from grated raw potatoes, flour, and a pinch of salt, these soft, chewy dumplings are boiled to perfection.

2. Bryndza Sheep Cheese

Melted into the warm dumplings, this cheese creates a rich, creamy sauce.

3. Sour Cream (Smotana)

Added for extra smoothness and to balance the bold flavor of bryndza.

4. Crispy Bacon (Slanina)

Fried until golden brown, bacon bits provide the perfect crunchy contrast to the soft dumplings.

A National Dish with Cultural Significance

Bryndzové Halušky is so beloved in Slovakia that there's an annual Bryndzové Halušky Festival in the town of Turecká, where participants compete to eat the most dumplings the fastest! The dish is often enjoyed with a glass of žinčica, a fermented sheep milk drink that pairs beautifully with bryndza's strong flavors.

Why You Should Try Bryndzové Halušky

If you love hearty, traditional dishes, Bryndzové Halušky is a must-try. The creamy, salty cheese combined with chewy dumplings and crispy bacon creates a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Whether you're visiting Slovakia or making it at home, one bite will transport you straight to the heart of Slovak culture!

Have you tried Bryndzové Halušky before? Let us know in the comments!

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Keyword bryndza, halušky, potato dumplings, Slovak national dish, traditional Slovak food

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