Where to Buy English, Scottish, and Irish Sausages in Warsaw

The best place to buy English, Scottish, and Irish sausages in Warsaw is Crazy Butcher in Mokotów (Olkuska Bazar) - a UK-trained butcher who stocks authentic bangers, gammon, and can special order British specialties. Polish białe kiełbaski are excellent but taste completely different from British bangers (different spices, less bread content, no sage). Here's where to find proper UK sausages.

Understanding the Difference: Polish vs. British Sausages

Polish Sausages (Białe Kiełbaski)

Polish sausages, particularly the white "biała" varieties, are made with different spices, fat content, and casing styles compared to British sausages. They're excellent quality, but they're distinctly Polish in flavor profile:

• Made with different meat ratios and spices
• Often lighter in color (white or pale)
• Different flavor profile—less pepper, different seasoning
• Excellent Polish brands like Podwawelska, but not a direct substitute for British bangers

British/Scottish/Irish Sausages (Bangers)

UK and Irish sausages have specific characteristics that make them distinct:

• Higher bread content (breadcrumbs/rusk as binder)
• Specific spice blend emphasizing sage, pepper, and thyme
• Higher fat content (crucial for the characteristic sizzle and flavor)
• Often beef or pork/beef blends for Scottish varieties
• Distinctive "bangers" name comes from the sound they make when grilled

Best Places to Buy British Sausages in Warsaw

Specialty Butchers (Recommended)

Crazy Butcher - Mokotów

Location: Olkuska Bazar, Mokotów district
Distance from city center: 15-minute walk from some areas
What they offer:

• English-style sausages available on request
• UK-trained Polish butchers who understand British meat preferences
• Other British specialties like Gammon (cured ham)
• Pork with skin for proper crackling
• Meat grinder available for custom minced beef (crucial for quality burgers)

Why recommended: Owner appears to be UK-trained or UK-experienced, understands what British expats are looking for, and can special order items. Good source for high-fat minced beef for burgers as well.

Tradycja Smaku (Traditional Taste)

Specialty: Recently specializing in beef (owner is a Grill Champion from this year)
What they offer:

• High-quality meats beyond standard Polish offerings
• Excellent ribeyes and premium beef cuts
• Potential for specialty sausage requests
• Professional-grade meat selection

Note: May not have sausages in stock, but worth visiting to inquire about custom orders. Check their latest offerings.

Bucherie and Taste Stores

What they offer: Specialty meat selections with potential for British-style items

Note: Less established reputation than Crazy Butcher, but worth checking for specialty items.

Supermarket Options

Auchan and Carrefour

Some locations stock packaged sausages that are closer to UK-style than typical Polish white sausages. Quality varies, but they're more convenient than specialty butchers:

• Look for sausages that aren't the white "biała" varieties
• Check ingredient lists for higher bread/rusk content
• Quality is decent but not comparable to butcher-sourced sausages
• Brush with oil and grill in the oven for 20 minutes for best results

Halal Butchers

Unexpectedly, some Halal butchers in Warsaw carry non-pork red meat sausages and specialty items that traditional Polish butchers don't stock. Worth exploring if you're seeking variety in meat options.

Specialty Food Imports

All Ireland Foods

Website: allirelandfoods.ie
What they offer:

• Authentic Irish and UK food products
• Proper Irish and Scottish sausages
• Delivery to Poland available
• Delivery costs are reasonable
• Online ordering convenience

Best for: When you need authentic products and don't mind waiting for delivery. Great for bulk orders or when visiting Warsaw without access to specialty butchers.

Allegro (Polish eBay)

Polish equivalent to eBay with various sellers offering:

• Sausage casings (both natural and artificial) for homemade sausage making
• Specialty ingredients for curing and making your own sausages
• Sometimes specialty imported foods from UK/Ireland

Making Your Own Cumberland Sausages at Home

Why DIY Sausage Making?

Several expats in Warsaw have successfully made their own sausages because quality options are limited. It's not as difficult as you might think:

• Quality control—you know exactly what goes into them
• Cost-effective when making in batches
• Perfect winter/Christmas project
• Satisfying DIY experience

Equipment Needed

• Meat grinder: KitchenAid stand mixer meat grinder attachment works well
• Sausage casings: Available on Allegro or from specialty butchers (natural preferred for authenticity)
• Basic kitchen equipment: Mixing bowl, scales, thermometer

Meat Selection for Homemade Sausages

• Best ratio: 80% lean meat (karkowka or łopatka) + 20% fat (boczek/bacon)
• Meat types: Pork is traditional, but beef varieties (Scottish beef sausages) also work well
• Fat content is crucial: Higher fat content ensures proper texture and flavor
• Where to buy: Regular supermarkets have what you need, or ask at butcher for specific cuts

Key Ingredients for Cumberland Sausage Recipe

• Bread/rusk: Use dried breadcrumbs or authentic butcher's rusk (challenge: may not be available in Poland, some expats make their own)
• Spices: Sage (most important), black pepper, thyme, marjoram
• Salt and pepper: To taste
• WARNING: Fresh mace is too strong—use dried mace instead

Recommended Video Tutorial

This YouTube recipe is an excellent starting point for homemade Cumberland sausages: Search for "homemade Cumberland sausage recipe" and look for professional butcher tutorials. The key is getting the meat-to-rusk ratio right and not overworking the mixture.

Sausage Casing Tips

• Natural casings: Better flavor, more authentic, slightly more difficult to work with
• Artificial casings: Easier to use, sometimes thicker than ideal
• Sources: Auchan, Carrefour, or specialty orders on Allegro
• Size matters: Different diameters available—choose based on preference (32-35mm is standard)
• Alternative skins: Some expats experiment with different casing types available on Allegro for future batches

Common DIY Mistakes to Avoid

• Overworking the meat: Mix gently to avoid tough sausages
• Using fresh mace: Way too strong; use dried mace only
• Insufficient fat content: Lean meat alone produces dry sausages
• Poor quality casings: Cheap casings affect the final product; invest in decent ones
• Inconsistent seasoning: Mix thoroughly so spices are evenly distributed

Cooking British Sausages in Poland

Traditional British Fry-up (Breakfast)

• Pan fry in butter or oil on medium heat for 15-20 minutes
• Turn regularly to ensure even cooking
• Serve with baked beans, eggs, mushrooms, and bacon
• Toast or fried bread on the side

Oven Grilling (Recommended for Supermarket Sausages)

• Brush sausages with oil
• Place on baking tray
• Grill in the oven for 20 minutes at 200°C
• Results in even cooking and less grease

BBQ Grilling

• Medium heat to avoid charring
• Turn frequently (every 3-4 minutes)
• Watch for sizzle and slight browning
• Internal temperature should reach 71°C

Complete British Breakfast in Warsaw

While you're sourcing sausages, here are other British breakfast components available in Warsaw:

• Bacon: Gammon and proper bacon available at Crazy Butcher
• Baked beans: Heinz available in supermarkets, though pricier than UK
• Mushrooms: Fresh mushrooms widely available; sauté in butter
• Eggs: Freely available; fried or scrambled
• Bread: Polish bread is excellent; try sourdough varieties for toast
• Butter: High-quality Polish butter available everywhere

Homesickness and Food Nostalgia

Many expats describe missing seemingly insignificant foods from home—the little things you don't appreciate until they're gone. A proper sausage might seem trivial, but it's often tied to family breakfasts, childhood memories, and the comfort of familiarity. Finding or making quality sausages in Warsaw is about more than just food; it's about maintaining a piece of home while building a new life abroad.

As one expat humorously noted, the foods we miss most from home are often the ones we'd never order in restaurants back there—cheap takeaway pies, petrol station snacks, or simple breakfasts. Yet when they're unavailable, they become treasured memories worth the effort to recreate.

Final Thoughts

While Poland offers exceptional local sausages and other meat products, finding proper English, Scottish, or Irish bangers requires a bit of effort. Your best bets are:

• Crazy Butcher in Mokotów: For immediate access and professional advice
• All Ireland Foods online: For convenient delivery of authentic products
• DIY sausage making: For complete control and quality assurance
• Auchan/Carrefour: For quick, convenient (if not perfect) supermarket options

Whatever approach you choose, the effort to source or make quality sausages is worth it. You'll not only satisfy a craving but also maintain a taste of home while enjoying the best of what Warsaw and Poland have to offer. And who knows—you might discover that making your own sausages becomes a cherished part of your expat experience.

Related Warsaw Food Guides

• Warsaw City Guide
• Warsaw Food & Dining
• Warsaw Shopping

Sell British food products in Warsaw? List your shop on ExpatsList.