The runza got its start from German immigrants (both Germans native to Germany and Germans who had lived in Russia) to the American midwest. This stuffed sandwich was inspired by the pierogi but is made with a yeasted bread dough instead of a dumpling. The runza sandwich is a bun stuffed with ground beef and cabbage.
What is Runza?
A bread dough pocket, made with frozen bread dough, stuffed with cabbage, onion, seasoned ground beef, and sometimes cheese. Baked until golden brown. Delicious! If you grew up in Nebraska, or if you have ever even driven through Nebraska, you have seen a fast food place called Runza.
What is Runza bierock?
But you may have heard it called by its Volga German name, the Bierock. Over the years Runza added on a bunch of different flavors of their world-famous sandwich. As I mentioned the traditional Runza is filled with cabbage, onion and seasoned ground beef. You can also order that traditional sandwich with cheese.
Is Runza still in the family?
She passed it down to her sons, and now it’s still in the family, run by her grandchildren. Runza prides itself on fresh ingredients, and they show it, by starting early to make the bread dough, season the beef and cook it with the cabbage and onions before stuffing each sandwich by hand.
What do you put in your Runza?
I also used the full amount of yeast. Followed the rest of the steps, except I added salt, pepper, and a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce to the meat and put half a piece of American cheese into each Runza. I also added an egg wash and a pinch of salt on the outside of each roll for golden brown deliciousness.
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What does Runza mean in German?
“Runza” is a version of the low German word runsa, which translates into “bun shape” or the soft shape of a round belly.
What is a Runza from Nebraska?
A runza (the dish) falls somewhere between a hot pocket and burger when it comes to the culinary spectrum; it's ground beef, onions, and cabbage all wrapped in yeast dough that's then baked. What you get is a savory pastry that's ideal for a Cornhuskers tailgate or any other meal on the go.
Are runzas German or Russian?
History. The runza sandwich originated from pirog, a Russian baked good or more specifically from its small version, known as pirozhok (literally "little pirog").
What is Runza famous for?
Ground beef seasoned with a top-secret blend of spices and mixed with cabbage and onions. All wrapped up in fresh-baked bread. It's the taste that generations of Midwesterners have grown up loving, and it's our signature sandwich.
What is Nebraska's famous food?
Nebraska does not have a state food. But many would argue that the unofficial state food of Nebraska is the Runza sandwich. This sandwich is kind of like a fancy Hot Pocket. It has soft, fluffy bread and is stuffed with a mixture of seasoned beef, cabbage, and onions.
What is the difference between a bierock and an Runza?
What's the Difference Between Bierocks and Runzas? The filling is virtually the same, but what makes a Runza different from a bierock is the shape. Runzas are rectangular! We developed our bierocks as a part of our Nebraska state dinner, so in honor of Runza, we shaped our bierocks rectangular too.
Is Runza only in Nebraska?
Runza Restaurant (formerly called Runza Drive-Inn and Runza Hut) is a fast food restaurant whose flagship menu item is the runza sandwich....Runza (restaurant)Runza restaurant in Gering, Nebraska, May 2022TypePrivateArea servedNebraska Iowa Colorado KansasKey peopleSally Everett, Alex Brening & Donald Everett, Sr.8 more rows
Are bierocks a Kansas thing?
If you grew up in Kansas, you're probably familiar with bierocks. The cabbage, meat and onion-stuffed dough balls are a Wheat State tradition, and are served at restaurants everywhere, especially in small city diners.
What nationality are bierocks?
Bierock is a yeast dough pastry pocket sandwich with savory filling, originating in Prussia. The dish is common among the Volga German community in the United States and Argentina. It was brought to the United States in the 1870s by German Russian Mennonite immigrants.
Is Runza a German food?
Bierocks—pronounced bee-rock and also known as runzas—are a German/Eastern European roll that made its way to the American Midwest. They're similar to the Russian pirozhki, another popular European meat-stuffed pastry. They vary in shape, but the most popular ones are usually round or rectangular.
Why is it called Runza?
“The late Sarah 'Sally' Everett of Lincoln coined the name Runza as an abbreviated approximation for what her family called the cocoon of dough enveloping a cooked mixture of ground beef and chopped cabbage. Everett opened the first Runza restaurant in Lincoln in 1949 with her brother.”
What is inside a Runza?
The Runza® Sandwich features fresh-baked bread stuffed with ground beef, onions, our secret blend of spices, and yes, cabbage.
Is Runza just in Nebraska?
80 of the Runza restaurants are located in Nebraska; only Iowa, Kansas, and Colorado are lucky enough to have one or two locations of the restaurant chain. The Runza fast food restaurants sell other typical fast food: onion rings, chicken strips, cinnamon rolls, and fries.
Why is it called a Runza?
“The late Sarah 'Sally' Everett of Lincoln coined the name Runza as an abbreviated approximation for what her family called the cocoon of dough enveloping a cooked mixture of ground beef and chopped cabbage. Everett opened the first Runza restaurant in Lincoln in 1949 with her brother.”
What is inside a Runza?
The Runza® Sandwich features fresh-baked bread stuffed with ground beef, onions, our secret blend of spices, and yes, cabbage.
Is Runza a German food?
Bierocks—pronounced bee-rock and also known as runzas—are a German/Eastern European roll that made its way to the American Midwest. They're similar to the Russian pirozhki, another popular European meat-stuffed pastry. They vary in shape, but the most popular ones are usually round or rectangular.
Our Signature Sandwich is Filled With Cabbage
And people actually love it. The Runza® Sandwich features fresh-baked bread stuffed with ground beef, onions, our secret blend of spices, and yes, cabbage.
Then Then We We Double Double Dip Dip Them Them
We dip each hand-sliced onion in our homemade breading not once, but twice.
Every Burger is Homemade and Made to Order
Hand-pressed patties. Buns from a local bakery. Fresh toppings. It’s getting hard to look at these pictures…
And They Like Us So Much That They Wrote Us Some Love Letters
You can read some or submit your own and enter to win a Runza® gift card!
People Really Like Our Homemade Ranch Dressing
We make it in our restaurants each morning from scratch. And it's trusted by customers and moms everywhere.
Sometimes Our Food Takes a Tiny Bit Longer
But there's no need to be dramatic. It only takes longer because we make it from scratch.
Many New Runza Flavors Over the Years
Over the years Runza added on a bunch of different flavors of their world-famous sandwich. As I mentioned the traditional Runza is filled with cabbage, onion and seasoned ground beef. You can also order that traditional sandwich with cheese.
Love it?? Pin it!!
Don’t forget where you found this Copy Cat Runza recipe! Make sure you pin it to your favorite Pinterest board before you go!
How Do I make Homemade Runzas?
So, the recipe I use actually calls for frozen loaves of bread dough. But due to the state of the grocery stores during COVID-19, I was unable to find the loaves.
Do you have any other recipes from Nebraska Restaurants?
I do!! Not only do I have the recipe for Nebraska’s Homemade Runzas, but I also have these other Nebraska restaurant favorite recipes:
Freezing and Re-Heating Runza Sandwiches
Can I freeze Runzas ? Absolutely! There are two ways to go about freezing them.
Instructions
Place frozen dinner roll dough on a sheet pan and rise according to package instructions. It will use 2 rolls for each sandwich.
Notes
There are two ways to freeze them. The first way is freezing them unbaked. Prepare the sandwiches to the step where you place them seam side down on the baking sheet. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for a little bit, to let them firm up a bit. Wrap each sandwich in plastic wrap and then in foil.
Runza Recipe
For this particular recipe I’m going to be making my own homemade dough but feel free to use store bought as well. If you decide to go that route, I recommend using Rhode’s frozen dinner rolls. Just be sure to thaw and roll the dough out to the desired shape.
What is Runza
Runza is a Midwestern Fast Food Franchise known for its namesake, The Runza Sandwich. However, if you don’t live in the heartland, fear not, this is a fantastic recipe for these bundles of joy, also known as Bierocks.
In Conclusion
Runza is just as much a Nebraska tradition as the Huskers. I highly recommend trying out this recipe and you’ll be happy you did!
History
The runza sandwich originated from pirog, a Russian baked good or more specifically from its small version, known as pirozhok (literally "little pirog ").
Runza restaurant
Runza is a vendor in Memorial Stadium, home of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team, and sells over 10,000 sandwiches at each football game. The "Temperature Tuesday" promotion is held on Tuesdays in the months of January and February.