Poutine
Poutine is a classic Canadian comfort food featuring crispy homemade French fries topped with fresh cheese curds and smothered in rich brown beef gravy. This recipe offers an authentic and approachable way to enjoy this indulgent dish at home.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 batch homemade French fries
- 1 batch homemade brown beef gravy or use a gravy packet
- 8 oz cheese curds at room temperature
Instructions
- Start by making your homemade French fries. For the perfect poutine, the fries should be golden and crispy on the outside while soft and fluffy on the inside. You can bake or fry your fries according to the preferred method in your chosen recipe. Once cooked, keep them warm to maintain their texture.
- While your fries are cooking, prepare the brown beef gravy. This gravy is rich and savory, made with a base of beef broth, aromatic vegetables, and a touch of seasoning. If you’re short on time, a high-quality gravy packet works too—just follow the package instructions for best results.
- Make sure your cheese curds are at room temperature before assembly. This helps them soften slightly when the hot gravy is poured over, creating that characteristic melty, squeaky texture.
- Place a generous layer of fries on a serving plate or shallow bowl. Scatter the cheese curds evenly over the fries. Pour the hot brown beef gravy over the top, covering the fries and cheese curds. The heat from the gravy will gently melt the curds, melding all the flavors together.
- Poutine is best enjoyed fresh and hot. Serve it right away to experience the perfect harmony of crispy fries, gooey cheese, and savory gravy.
Notes
Use fresh cheese curds whenever possible for the authentic squeaky texture. If you can’t find them, small pieces of mozzarella cheese can be a substitute, though the texture will differ. Keep the fries hot and crisp before assembling to prevent sogginess. Double-fry fries for extra crispiness or bake at a high temperature with a light coating of oil. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheat fries in the oven to restore crispiness. For variations, try vegetarian gravy alternatives, add spicy hot sauce, or top with bacon bits and herbs.