Pasztet Wielkanocny (Polish Easter Meat Pâté)

Served cold in tidy slices, Pasztet Wielkanocny is the Polish Easter version of a baked meat pâté: rich, savoury and firm enough to cut cleanly after chilling. Pork shoulder and chicken thighs give the loaf body, while chicken liver adds depth and a smoother, more traditional pâté-like character. Onion, garlic and marjoram keep the flavour recognisably Polish without making it heavy or overly spiced. It is typically baked in a loaf tin, cooled, then chilled until compact and sliceable, making it well suited to festive breakfast tables, appetizer platters or make-ahead entertaining. Sharp mustard and horseradish are the classic accompaniments, cutting through the richness.
Cuisine style Polish festive cooking
Spice level Mild
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Freezer-friendly • Crowd-friendly
Time commitment Make-ahead friendly

Why this recipe works

  • Rich, savoury depth: Pork, chicken and liver create a full-flavoured pâté, while onion, garlic and marjoram add gentle aromatic warmth.
  • Designed for chilling: A long chill firms the pâté so it can be sliced neatly and served cold without last-minute cooking.
  • Classic baked texture: Packing the minced meat mixture into a loaf tin gives pasztet its recognisable set, sliceable form.

Get the most out of this recipe

Timing notes

  • Chill before slicing: The pâté needs several hours in the fridge after baking; overnight chilling gives the cleanest slices.
  • Cool gradually: Let it cool in the tin before turning out, then cool fully before refrigerating to help the loaf hold its shape.

Texture tips

  • For a finer texture: Pulse the cooked meats and liver until evenly minced, then mix thoroughly with the egg until the mixture looks cohesive.
  • Keep the liver tender: Simmer the chicken liver gently rather than boiling it hard, which helps avoid a coarse or grainy finish.
  • Pack the loaf firmly: Press the mixture into the tin without large air pockets so the baked pâté sets into neat, even slices.

Authenticity notes

  • Easter serving: Pasztet Wielkanocny is commonly served cold as part of a Polish Easter spread, often alongside sharp condiments.
  • Traditional accompaniments: Mustard and horseradish cut through the richness of the meat and liver, making them classic partners for sliced pasztet.

Make-ahead tips

  • Best made ahead: Prepare it the day before serving so the pâté has time to firm up and the flavours settle.
  • Freeze in slices: Once fully chilled, slice and wrap portions well before freezing; defrost in the fridge and serve cold.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Heat the oven to 170°C (340°F). Grease a loaf pan with a little of the unsalted butter.
  2. Peel and finely chop the yellow onion, then crush the garlic. Melt the remaining unsalted butter in a frying pan over a medium heat and cook the onion with a pinch of the fine sea salt for 8 to 10 minutes until soft and lightly golden; stir in the garlic for 1 minute, then scrape into a mixing bowl to cool slightly.
  3. Put the pork shoulder and chicken thighs into a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 45 to 55 minutes until the meat is tender and cooked through, skimming any foam; lift out and leave to cool until just warm.
  4. In the same pot, gently simmer the chicken liver for 6 to 8 minutes until just cooked through with no pink in the centre. Drain and cool for 5 minutes.
  5. Cut the cooked pork shoulder and chicken thighs into chunks. Pulse the meats and chicken liver in a food processor until finely minced, then add to the bowl with the onion and garlic.
  6. Beat the egg, then mix it into the meat with the dried marjoram, remaining fine sea salt and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until the mixture looks cohesive and slightly sticky.
  7. Pack the mixture firmly into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes until set and firm, and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out hot and mostly clean.
  8. Cool in the tin for 20 minutes, then turn out and cool completely. Chill for at least 6 hours so it slices neatly, then serve in slices with mustard and horseradish.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • For the cleanest slices, chill the pâté overnight and use a sharp knife wiped between cuts.
  • Keep the simmer gentle when cooking the chicken liver so it stays tender rather than grainy.
  • Food safety: this recipe contains poultry and eggs, so make sure the pâté is baked until piping hot in the centre before cooling and chilling.

Substitutions

  • Replace dried marjoram with dried thyme for a slightly different herbal note.
  • Replace mustard with dijon-mustard for a smoother, sharper finish.
  • Replace horseradish with mustard if you prefer a milder serving accompaniment.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 4 days
  • Store wrapped or in an airtight container in the fridge. Freeze sliced portions well wrapped for up to 2 months; defrost overnight in the fridge and serve cold.

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Pasztet Wielkanocny (Polish Easter Meat Pâté)
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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 2h 30min (40min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Polish
  • Allergens:
    Eggs Milk Mustard
Freezer friendly

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