Recipe: 2 Simple Summer Salads That Start with Grilled Mini Pierogies
A lighter take on a ranch salad with Mini Cheddar Seasoned with Bacon Pierogie in a creamy buttermilk dressing.
Serves6 to 8
Prep15 minutes
Cook10 minutes
Ostensibly, the main star of any barbecue is the meat, but everyone’s secret favorite part of the meal is the sides. Since the grill’s already on fire, use it to take two salads to the next level. With the help of Mrs. T’s Mini Pierogies, you can make these two side dishes full of colorful veggies that are each hearty enough to double as delicious summer meals.
You might be surprised about the concept of grilling pierogies, but Mrs. T’s Pierogies are simple, easy to prepare (and just as tasty!) whether you boil, bake, sauté, fry or grill them! After spending just a few minutes on the grill, these pasta pockets filled with melty cheese and creamy mashed potatoes pick up some nice smoky flavor. All that’s left to do is toss them with some veggies and a flavorful dressing to tie it all together. Plus, since Mrs. T’s Pierogies are ready to grill straight out of the package, they make these salads a breeze to prepare.
2 Simple Summer Salads
This salad proves that as per usual, ranch dressing makes everything taste better. Grill skewers of Mrs. T’s Mini Cheddar Seasoned with Bacon Pierogies with some bell peppers and tomatoes, then combine with creamy avocado cubes, red onion, and buttermilk ranch for a quick summer picnic salad.
Avocado Ranch Mini Pierogy Salad
A lighter take on a ranch salad with Mini Cheddar Seasoned with Bacon Pierogie in a creamy buttermilk dressing.
Prep time 15 minutes
Cook time 10 minutes
Serves 6 to 8
Ingredients
- 1 (12.84-ounce) package
Mrs. T’s Mini Cheddar Seasoned with Bacon Pierogies, thawed
- 1
medium red bell pepper, large dice
- 8 ounces
grape tomatoes (about 1 1/2 cups)
- 2
medium avocados, pitted and diced
- 1 cup
finely diced red onion (from 1 small red onion)
- 1/2 cup
- 15
(10-inch) skewers, soaked in water at least 30 minutes if wooden
Vegetable oil, for the grill grates
Instructions
Heat an outdoor grill to medium-high, direct heat. Meanwhile, thread the Mrs. T’s Mini Cheddar Seasoned with Bacon Pierogies onto skewers, about 5 pieces per skewer. Thread the skewers through each pierogy twice so that they lie flat. Thread the bell pepper and tomatoes onto skewers, alternating them, about 9 pieces per skewer. Place the skewers on a baking sheet.
Scrape the grill grates clean if needed, then oil them. Place the skewers on the grill. Cover and grill until grill marks form on the pierogies and the vegetables are crisp-tender with grill marks, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Remove the pierogies, bell pepper, and tomatoes from the skewers and place in a large bowl. Add the avocados and red onion, drizzle with the dressing, and gently toss to combine. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
When fresh corn starts to flood the market, pick up a few ears to make this riff on Mexican Street Corn. Grill fresh summer corn with Mrs. T’s Mini Classic Cheddar Pierogies first, then toss those pillowy pasta pockets and smoke-kissed corn kernels in a creamy dressing spiced with chili powder, lime juice, and some cotija cheese if you want an extra punch of cheesy flavor. Serve with lime wedges to squeeze over everything just like you would with classic elote.
Mexican Street Corn Mini Pierogy Salad
A great BBQ side dish, grilled Mini Classic Cheddar Pierogies are tossed with grilled corn, mayo, lime juice, and chili powder.
Prep time 15 minutes
Cook time 11 minutes to 14 minutes
Serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 (12.84-ounce) package
Mrs. T’s Mini Classic Cheddar Pierogies, thawed
- 5 ears
shucked fresh corn
- 1/2 cup
mayonnaise
- 3/4 teaspoon
chili powder, divided
- 1 tablespoon
vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup
crumbled cotija cheese (1 ounce), plus more for topping (optional)
- 2 tablespoons
freshly squeezed lime juice (from 1 lime)
Lime wedges, for serving
Vegetable oil, for the grill grates
Instructions
Heat an outdoor grill for high, direct heat. Meanwhile, place the Mrs. T’s Mini Classic Cheddar Pierogies, oil, and 1/2 teaspoon of the chili powder in a large bowl and toss to combine; set aside.
Scrape the grill grates clean if needed, then oil them. Place the corn on the grill and grill uncovered, flipping them every 2 to 3 minutes, until some kernels are charred, 6 to 9 minutes total. Transfer to a plate and cool slightly. Meanwhile, place the pierogies on the grill (reserve the bowl) in a single layer. Grill uncovered until grill marks appear and the pierogies are cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
When the corn is cool enough to handle, cut the kernels off by standing each ear of corn on the stalk end in the now-empty pierogy bowl and carefully cutting the kernels off with a paring knife.
Add the grilled pierogies. Whisk the mayonnaise, cotija if using, lime juice, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon chili powder together in a small bowl. Pour over the corn and pierogies and toss until combined. Sprinkle with more cotija cheese if desired, and serve warm or at room temperature with lime wedges.
Recipe Notes
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
These pierogy salads are sure to be a summer picnic favorite, but don’t forget about them when you’re looking for a simple weeknight meal. Mrs. T’s Pierogies come in a variety of flavors – including Classic Cheddar, Loaded Baked Potato and other favorites in full and mini sizes, and you’ll find them all in your frozen food aisle. So find out where to buy them and stock up for the summer.
Plus, now through June 17, fans can enter the Summer Stuff Giveaway for the chance to win all of the cookout swag they need to throw an amazing summer get-together. Click here and enter to win a grill set, one (1) year of Mrs. T’s Pierogies, a $1,000 Wayfair Gift Card and more!