The Ultimate Guide to Grilling Bacon-Wrapped Perogies: A Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer

There’s something inherently festive about food on a stick, especially when it’s mingling with the smoky aroma of a summer grill. Whether it’s a Stampede celebration, a backyard barbecue, or a casual get-together with friends, dishes that are easy to eat and packed with flavor are always a hit. Among the myriad of delicious options, bacon-wrapped perogies on the grill stand out as an absolute showstopper. This surprisingly simple creation combines the beloved comfort of perogies with the irresistible crispiness of bacon, all infused with that fantastic char from the grill.

This ingenious appetizer first gained widespread attention after a simple photo of these culinary delights, skewered and ready for the grill, sparked a frenzy on social media. The “twitterverse,” as it was affectionately dubbed, demanded a recipe, and while it’s less of a complex recipe and more of a straightforward technique, the results are nothing short of spectacular. If you’re looking to elevate your grilling game and impress your guests with minimal effort, you’ve come to the right place. Get ready to master the art of grilling bacon-wrapped perogies.

Why Bacon-Wrapped Perogies Are a Must-Try for Your Next Event

Perogies, with their soft potato and cheese filling encased in a delicate dough, are a comfort food staple in many households, cherished for their simplicity and satisfying taste. But when you introduce them to the sizzling embrace of savory bacon and the smoky kiss of a grill, they transform into something truly extraordinary. Here’s why this dish deserves a prime spot on your menu for any gathering or casual weeknight treat:

Irresistible Flavor Fusion: The salty, smoky crunch of perfectly cooked bacon forms an incredible textural and flavor contrast with the creamy, mild perogy filling. Grilling doesn’t just cook them; it imparts a unique char and smoky depth that you simply can’t achieve with other cooking methods, creating an appetizer that’s bursting with flavor.
Deceptively Easy to Prepare: Despite their gourmet appearance and the rave reviews they’re sure to receive, these grilled perogies are incredibly simple to assemble. With just a few basic ingredients and straightforward, easy-to-follow steps, even novice cooks can create a dish that looks and tastes like it came from a professional kitchen.
The Ultimate Party Food: Food served on a stick is universally loved! It’s inherently fun, mess-free, and incredibly easy for guests to grab and enjoy while mingling. These perogies make fantastic appetizers for any occasion, from laid-back backyard BBQs and summer potlucks to game day parties or festive holiday celebrations.
Highly Versatile and Customizable: This isn’t a one-size-fits-all recipe. You have the freedom to customize it to your heart’s content. Experiment with different perogy fillings (like potato and onion, or even a spicy jalapeño cheddar), try various bacon types, or add other complementary ingredients to the skewers, making it adaptable to different tastes, dietary preferences, and what you have on hand.
A Unique Twist on Comfort Food: Take a beloved classic and give it an exciting, modern twist. This recipe elevates the humble perogy to a new level, offering a fresh perspective on a familiar favorite that will surprise and delight your guests.

Essential Ingredients and Tools for Grilling Success

Before you fire up the grill, it’s always a good idea to gather all your ingredients and tools. This not only makes the cooking process smoother and more enjoyable but also ensures you don’t miss any crucial steps. Here’s a comprehensive list of what you’ll need to create these delectable grilled perogy skewers:

Ingredients:

Frozen Perogies: The star of our show! Choose your favorite variety. Classic potato and cheddar are always a winner, but don’t hesitate to experiment with potato and onion, sour cream and chive, or even meat-filled perogies for a richer flavor profile. A standard bag, typically containing 12-16 perogies, will yield a generous number of appetizers, perfect for sharing.
Regular Slice Bacon: The crucial wrapper. Opt for regular or thin-sliced bacon. Thick-cut bacon, while delicious, can be harder to wrap tightly around the perogies and may take longer to crisp up evenly on the grill. Approximately 6-8 slices should be sufficient for a dozen perogies, depending on the size of your bacon strips.
Bamboo Skewers: These are essential for keeping your perogies on a stick. Ensure you have enough for all your wrapped perogies. Standard 6-inch or 8-inch skewers are ideal. **Pro Tip:** It is absolutely crucial to soak these bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes, or even up to an hour, before use. This prevents them from burning and charring excessively on the hot grill.
Optional Flavor Enhancements:
- Pre-Cooked Sausage: Sliced into rounds, a flavorful farmer’s sausage, smoked sausage, or even kielbasa adds an extra layer of protein, savory depth, and heartiness to your skewers.
- Fresh Vegetables: For a pop of color, added texture, and a touch of freshness, consider threading small pieces of bell pepper (any color), red onion, or cherry tomatoes onto the skewers alongside the perogies.
- Seasonings/Glazes: A sprinkle of garlic powder, paprika, or even a light brush of maple syrup or a BBQ glaze on the bacon just before the final few minutes of grilling can elevate the flavor.
For Serving (The Perfect Accompaniments):
- Sour Cream: The absolute classic and quintessential pairing for perogies. Its cool, tangy creaminess provides a delightful contrast to the rich, salty bacon and warm perogy.
- Fresh Chives or Green Onions: Finely chopped, these add a fresh, mild oniony bite and a vibrant green garnish, enhancing both flavor and presentation.
- Cold Beer: As suggested by the original inspiration, a crisp, cold beer is a perfect beverage to wash down these savory bites, complementing the grilled flavors beautifully.
- Other Dipping Sauces: Ranch dip, spicy sriracha mayo, or a smoky BBQ sauce can also be fantastic options.

Tools:

Large pot for boiling perogies
Colander for draining
Plenty of paper towels (for drying)
Sharp knife (for cutting bacon and optional sausage/veg)
Cutting board
Grill (either gas or charcoal will work wonderfully)
Long-handled grill tongs (essential for turning and safety)
Small bowl (for soaking skewers)
Basting brush (optional, if using glazes)
Serving platter

Step-by-Step Guide to Grilling Perfection: How to Make Crispy Bacon-Wrapped Perogies

Creating these irresistible bacon-wrapped perogies is surprisingly straightforward. By following these detailed steps, you’ll achieve perfectly cooked, beautifully crispy, and incredibly flavorful results every single time, ensuring your guests will be asking for more.

Step 1: Gently Boil Your Perogies to Tender Perfection

Begin by bringing a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, carefully add your frozen perogies. Cook them according to the package directions, which typically takes about 3-5 minutes, or until they float to the surface and are tender yet still firm. It’s important not to overcook them at this stage, as they will continue to cook on the grill; you want them firm enough to handle without falling apart.

Step 2: The Critical Drying Process – Don’t Skip This!

This is arguably the most crucial step for achieving crispy bacon. Once the perogies are cooked, drain them thoroughly in a colander. Immediately after draining, gently spread them out in a single layer on a clean, absorbent layer of paper towels. Using more paper towels, pat them completely dry on all sides. Any excess moisture on the perogies will make them slippery and difficult to wrap, and more importantly, it will prevent the bacon from crisping up properly on the grill. Allow them to cool slightly; this makes them much easier and safer to handle.

Step 3: Prepare Your Bacon for Wrapping

While the perogies are cooling and drying, prepare your bacon. Take your regular slice bacon strips and cut each strip in half crosswise. This ensures that each piece is the ideal length to wrap snugly around a single perogy without excessive overlap, which can lead to uneven cooking and parts of the bacon remaining soft.

Step 4: Expertly Wrap Each Perogy with Bacon

Now for the fun part! Take one dried and cooled perogy and one half-strip of bacon. Tightly wrap the bacon around the perogy, ensuring it’s snug and covers as much of the perogy surface as possible. The goal is for the bacon to encase the perogy fully or mostly, so that as it cooks and shrinks, it forms a delicious, crispy shell around the tender filling.

Step 5: Skewer Them Up – Securing Your Appetizers

Retrieve your bamboo skewers that have been soaking (remember, this prevents them from burning!). Carefully thread one bacon-wrapped perogy onto a skewer. For optimal security, make sure the skewer goes through a corner or edge of the bacon on each end of the perogy. This helps to anchor the bacon in place, preventing it from unraveling or slipping off during the grilling process. If you’re adding any optional ingredients like sausage slices or vegetables, thread them onto the skewer before or after the perogy. You might create patterns like sausage-perogy-sausage, or simply thread two perogies onto one longer stick – customize to your preference!

Step 6: Preheat Your Grill to the Right Temperature

Preheat your outdoor grill to a medium heat setting. Achieving the correct temperature is vital for even cooking and perfectly crispy bacon. If the grill is too hot, the bacon will burn before it has a chance to fully crisp up, and your wooden skewers might incinerate. If it’s too low, the bacon will cook slowly and might not get that desired crispy texture. Aim for a steady medium heat, generally around 350-375°F (175-190°C).

Step 7: Grill to Crispy, Smoky Perfection

Once your grill is preheated, carefully place the skewers directly over the medium heat. Cook the bacon-wrapped perogies for about 8-12 minutes in total. The key is to turn them frequently with tongs, ensuring that the bacon cooks evenly on all sides. You want the bacon to become beautifully golden brown and crispy, developing that desirable char. As the bacon cooks, it will “shrinkwrap” tightly around the perogy, forming a delicious, protective, and crispy shell. The perogies themselves will warm through, soften further, and develop a slight char, enhancing the overall smoky flavor. Keep a close eye on them to prevent any burning, especially around the bacon edges and the exposed perogy dough.

Serving Suggestions and Enhancements for Your Grilled Perogies

Once your bacon-wrapped perogies are perfectly grilled to a golden, crispy finish, it’s time to serve them up and savor every bite! While they are undoubtedly fantastic on their own, a few thoughtful accompaniments can elevate the experience even further, adding layers of flavor and texture that truly complete the dish.

Delectable Dipping Sauces:

The right dip can transform these already amazing perogies into an unforgettable culinary experience. Offer a variety to cater to different tastes:

Classic Tangy Sour Cream: This is the quintessential partner for perogies, and for good reason! The cool, tangy creaminess of sour cream provides a delightful and refreshing contrast to the rich, salty, and smoky bacon. It’s a timeless pairing that truly brings out the best in both components.
Herbal Chive & Dill Sour Cream: Elevate your basic sour cream by stirring in a generous amount of fresh chopped chives and a pinch of dried dill. This adds a wonderful aromatic freshness and depth of flavor that complements the perogies beautifully.
Creamy Ranch Dip: For a familiar and universally loved flavor, a creamy ranch dip offers a herbaceous, savory note that pairs excellently with both bacon and perogies.
Spicy Sriracha Mayo: For those who enjoy a little heat and a bold kick, a simple mix of mayonnaise and sriracha hot sauce creates a vibrant and spicy dipping sauce that adds an exciting punch to each bite.
Smoky BBQ Sauce: A sweet and smoky BBQ sauce can beautifully echo and enhance the grilled flavors of the bacon-wrapped perogies, adding a caramelized sweetness that is incredibly satisfying.
Honey Mustard: A sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce offers another delicious alternative, providing a bright counterpoint to the savory elements.

Perfect Drink Pairings:

For washing down these savory, crispy delights, there’s nothing quite like a cold, refreshing beverage to complete the experience. As the original inspiration suggested, a cold beer is an excellent choice. Specifically, light and crisp options such as lagers, pilsners, or light ales would pair wonderfully, as their effervescence and clean finish cut through the richness of the bacon. For non-alcoholic options, sparkling water with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime, or a crisp, unsweetened iced tea, would also be delightfully refreshing and complement the flavors without overpowering them.

Expert Tips for Success and Exciting Variations

Making these grilled bacon-wrapped perogies is straightforward, but a few insider tips can ensure your results are consistently perfect. Plus, don’t be afraid to experiment and make this recipe your own!

Master the Drying Step: Seriously, this cannot be overstressed. Ensure those perogies are as dry as humanly possible after boiling. Any lingering moisture will create steam, preventing the bacon from achieving that desirable, uniform crispiness. A truly dry surface makes a huge difference in the final texture of the bacon.
Consistent Medium Heat is Crucial: Constantly monitor your grill temperature. Flare-ups are the enemy of crispy bacon and can quickly incinerate your skewers and the delicate perogy dough. If you notice hotspots, don’t hesitate to move the skewers to a cooler part of the grill or temporarily remove them from the heat to manage the temperature. A steady medium heat allows the bacon to render its fat and crisp up slowly and evenly.
Experiment with Bacon Flavors: While regular slice bacon is recommended for its ease of wrapping and consistent results, don’t shy away from experimenting with different flavors if you’re feeling adventurous. Maple-cured bacon can add a subtle sweetness, while applewood smoked bacon will intensify the smoky notes. Just be mindful that flavored bacons might have higher sugar content, requiring even closer attention on the grill to prevent burning.
Add a Flavorful Glaze Towards the End: For an extra layer of taste and a beautiful sheen, consider brushing the bacon with a thin layer of maple syrup, a brown sugar glaze, or a savory BBQ glaze during the last few minutes of grilling. Be extremely careful, as sugar burns very quickly on high heat, so apply it sparingly and watch closely.
Prepare Ahead for Easy Entertaining: One of the best aspects of this recipe is its make-ahead potential. You can boil, dry, wrap, and skewer the perogies a few hours in advance. Simply arrange them on a platter, cover them loosely with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you’re ready to fire up the grill. This significantly simplifies party prep and allows you more time with your guests.
Consider Indoor Options (When Grilling Isn’t Possible): While grilling provides the absolute best smoky flavor and char, if inclement weather or lack of a grill prevents outdoor cooking, you still have options! You can bake these in an oven at 400°F (200°C) on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet, turning occasionally until the bacon is crispy. Alternatively, pan-frying them in a large skillet, turning frequently, will also yield delicious results, albeit without the characteristic grilled flavor.
Vary the Perogy Fillings: Don’t limit yourself to just potato and cheddar. Explore different perogy fillings available at your local grocery store – spinach and feta, mushroom, or even sweet fruit perogies for a dessert twist (though the bacon pairing might be unconventional!).
Expand Your Skewer Creations: Beyond sausage and simple veggies, consider adding pineapple chunks (for a sweet and savory kick), jalapeño slices (for heat), or even cubes of halloumi cheese for an extra layer of texture and flavor.

These grilled bacon-wrapped perogies are more than just an appetizer; they’re a conversation starter, a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and a delicious testament to how simple ingredients, combined with a little creativity and the magic of the grill, can create something truly spectacular. They embody the spirit of relaxed entertaining, offering maximum flavor with minimal fuss, making them an ideal choice for any casual or festive occasion. So, the next time you’re planning a gathering, fire up that grill, make sure those skewers are well-soaked, and prepare to delight your guests with these unforgettable, crispy, and savory bites.

Don’t forget to share your culinary creations! Just like the “twitterverse” rallied for this original recipe, we encourage you to share your photos and experiences online. Tag your grilled bacon-wrapped perogy adventures and let the world see the magic you’ve created. Happy grilling!