Flaki (Polish Tripe Soup)

One of Poland’s most recognisable soups, flaki centres on beef tripe simmered until tender in a savoury beef broth. The character of the dish comes from its firm yet silky strips of tripe, sweet root vegetables, onion, marjoram and a gentle warmth from paprika and black pepper. A pale butter-and-flour roux gives the soup light body without making it heavy, so it remains brothy, aromatic and satisfying. Served piping hot, it is a hearty dinner soup with a distinctive old-world flavour and benefits from gentle cooking — and, often, a rest before serving or reheating.
Cuisine style Polish comfort food
Cooking style Slow-cooked • Make-ahead friendly • Freezer-friendly
Time commitment Slow-cooked

Why this recipe works

  • Traditional slow simmer: A long, gentle simmer tenderises the tripe and lets the beef stock, vegetables and spices develop a rounded flavour.
  • Herby, savoury depth: Marjoram, sweet paprika and black pepper give the soup its recognisable Polish character without overpowering the broth.
  • Lightly thickened finish: The pale roux gives the soup enough body to feel substantial while keeping the texture closer to a broth than a stew.

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Timing notes

  • Most of the time is hands-off: The active work is mainly rinsing, chopping and making the roux; the flavour and texture come from the slow simmer.
  • Better after resting: Flaki often tastes fuller the next day, once the marjoram, paprika and beef stock have had time to settle together.

Ingredient notes

  • Rinse the tripe well: A thorough rinse under cold running water helps keep the broth clean-tasting before the tripe goes into the stockpot.
  • Use sweet paprika for balance: Sweet paprika adds warmth and colour without heat; smoked paprika can be used if you want a deeper, smokier finish.
  • Root vegetables matter: Carrot, celeriac and parsley root give the soup its earthy sweetness and make the beef broth feel more rounded.

Texture tips

  • Keep the simmer gentle: A rolling boil can tighten the tripe; a steady, gentle simmer helps it become tender and silky.
  • Control the roux finish: Whisk hot soup into the roux before adding it back to the pot so the soup thickens smoothly rather than forming lumps.

Make-ahead tips

  • Make it a day ahead: Cook the soup fully, cool it, then refrigerate; reheat gently until piping hot before serving.
  • Freeze in portions: Portion the cooled soup before freezing so it defrosts more evenly and can be reheated as needed.
  • Loosen if needed: If the roux thickens the soup after chilling, add a little hot beef stock while reheating and stir until smooth.

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Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Rinse the tripe well under cold running water, then cut it into thin strips. Pour the beef stock into a stockpot, add the tripe, and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 60 minutes, skimming any foam from the surface as needed.
  2. Meanwhile, peel the onion, carrots, celeriac, and parsley root, then cut them into small dice. Add the vegetables to the pot, along with the marjoram, sweet paprika, fine sea salt, and black pepper. Simmer gently for 60 minutes, or until the tripe is tender and silky.
  3. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over a low heat, then whisk in the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until pale and nutty-smelling. Ladle in a little hot soup and whisk until smooth, then pour the roux back into the pot. Simmer for 5 to 8 minutes until the soup lightly thickens, then taste and adjust seasoning with a little more salt and pepper if needed.
  4. Rest the soup off the heat for 5 minutes so the flavours settle. Ladle into bowls and serve piping hot.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Keep the soup at a gentle simmer rather than a rolling boil; it helps the tripe turn tender without tightening.
  • If the soup thickens too much after the roux, loosen it with a splash of hot beef stock and simmer briefly to bring it back together.
  • For best flavour, make it a day ahead and reheat gently; the marjoram and paprika round out beautifully overnight.

Substitutions

  • Replace Unsalted butter with ghee for a slightly richer, nuttier roux.
  • Replace Sweet paprika with smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky finish.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a saucepan over a low heat until piping hot, stirring often; add a splash of beef stock if it has thickened. Freeze in portions for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 2h 30min (30min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Polish
  • Allergens:
    Gluten Milk Wheat
Freezer friendly

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