Learn everything you need to know to make Authentic, Canadian Poutine right at home! From what cheese to use, to the easy brown gravy recipe, and even homemade french fries, it’s all here!
Being that my mom was born and raised in Canada, it’s probably no surprise that Poutine is near and dear to my heart. It was one of the top-5 best things about visiting Canada each year. They even have it at McDonald’s over there! (By the way, I know how to make McDonald’s French Fries at home too.😁)
Since we only visited Canada once or twice a year and couldn’t get Poutine in the US at that time, we got pretty good at making it ourselves at home, and I am more than happy to show you the ropes, my friend!
What is Poutine
Poutine is French Fries that are topped with cheese curds and brown gravy.
Variations can also include the following:
- Pulled Pork
- Duck
- Sweet Potato Fries
- Mushroom Gravy
- Bacon
- Avocado
Where Did Poutine Originate
Poutine originated in Quebec, although there are varying stories as to how. One such story is that a customer requested that cheese curds be added to their French Fries at a restaurant called Le Lutin qui rit.
Poutine Pronunciation
“Pu-tsin” is really the correct pronunciation of the word, not “Poo-teen”.
Why is it Called Poutine
“Poutine” is Quebec slang for “a mess”.
How to Make Poutine:
1. French Fries
Make homemade French fries if at all possible, they are golden, crispy, and perfect. You can bake them or fry them.
If you’re short on time, frozen French fries also work well, and can also be baked or fried.
2. Cheese Curds
One the fries are cooked, they’re laid out on a baking sheet and sprinkled with cheese curds and baked until the cheese is warm and melted.
Where to buy cheese curds.
Cheese curds would be located where the high-quality cheese is, typically in a refrigerated area near the produce section.
Cheese Curd Substitute:
A block of low moisture mozzarella cheese, cut into bite-sized cubes is the best substitute and melts much better than a package of shredded cheese.
3. Beef Gravy
My homemade brown gravy recipe takes just 10 minutes and tastes just like the classic beef gravy that is served with authentic Poutine in Canada.
These are the poutine gravy packets that we used to stash up on in Canada, but I like my homemade recipe even better.
The gravy is heated separately and drizzled over the French Fries and cheese after they’ve been baked.
Prefer to use Chicken or Mushroom Gravy?! I’ve got those too!
Reheating
Yes. To reheat poutine, place it on a foil-lined baking sheet in a 300° oven just until warmed through, about 10 minutes.
What to Serve with Poutine
-
- Fried Chicken Tenders
-
- Homemade Onion Rings
-
- Bacon Ranch Cheeseburgers
-
- Texas Roadhouse Steak Rub
-
- Chicken Fried Steak
-
- Chicken Milanese
Get My Free Meal Plan
I’ve got a Free Meal Plan with 7 of my super popular recipes (complete with grocery list)! Sign up for my email list and I’ll send it over now along with weekly dinner recipes!
And follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
Poutine
Ingredients
- 1 batch homemade French Fries, or a 28 z. bag of frozen fries
- 6 oz. cheese curds or cubed mozzarella cheese
- 1 batch homemade brown gravy, or use a packet
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
Prepare the French Fries
- I recommend making my homemade French fries. Otherwise frozen French fries can be baked per package instructions, or fried as follows:
- Heat oil to 300 degrees in a deep fryer or dutch ovenTIP: Using a candy/deep frying thermometer makes it easy to tell when the oil is ready.
- Add the fries to the oil in batches, don’t overcrowd them. Fry for about 5 minutes, then place them on a paper towel lined plate. This is enough to cook them through without browning the outside yet and is the best method for extra crispy fries.
- Increase heat to 400 degrees and fry in batches a second time, until they are crispy and golden brown on the outside. Place on paper towels.
Add the Cheese and Bake
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Line the fries on a baking sheet and sprinkle the cheese on top.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is just melted.
Prepare the Gravy
- This recipe for homemade beef gravy is perfect for Poutine and takes just 10 minutes. Otherwise, prepare a packet according to package instructions. You can also make my easy Chicken Gravy recipe.
- Drizzle the gravy over the fries and serve immediately!
So good!!! Made it tonight for dinner!
That’s GREAT Jess, I am so happy that you enjoyed it, thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review, I really appreciate it! -Stephanie
This looks delicious! If I use frozen fries and bake them, should I put the cheese curds on before the fires are actually ready? I can’t fry them well, my stove top is not great at bringing things to a good boil. Boiling water for pasta takes forever.
Anyway, my frozen Fries package says it takes 11-15 minutes in the oven. I don’t want to totally dry them out with another 10 minutes to melt the cheese. What do you suggest?
Hey Virginia! I would bake the frozen fries for 5 minutes to give them a head start, then I’d remove them and add the cheese and bake for 10 more minutes! 🙂 I hope you love them! -Stephanie
Poutine! It’s the most amazing thing ever! I’m going to have to try this recipe for sure! My husband and I visited Canada and tried poutine for the first time while there. It was so good I ordered a second plate. Since then we dream of poutine! We went on an Alaskan cruise where they stopped at a small Canadian town. My husband and I asked the first Canadian we came to where to find the nearest poutine. We hiked up hill all the way. Worth it! When we came back to the boat, we ran into some people complaining about the stop and that there was nothing to see. We enthusiastically shared with them our experience of finding poutine and they all agreed, they should’ve came with us! Love it!
haha, that’s so funny Laura! I too dream about poutine! Sounds like you went on quite the journey for it, I can definitely respect that! I can’t wait for you to try this one!
Poutine is not Canadian it’s from. Quebec as you noticed it. To say that bread is Vietnamese because they make good bread, has no sense . Same thing for poutine. I live in Quebec and the pronunciation is poo (sounds like pou) tine and not Pu stin.
Good afternoon Jacques, we have some differing opinions on this one, however I don’t disagree that Poutine originated in Quebec and that’s what I outlined in this post, as you mentioned. Since its origination, it quickly became a widely popular dish in all of Canada, which is why I view it to be popular Canadian dish, (because it undoubtedly is). I have never heard it pronounced the way that you have stated it other than in the United States. I think there are definitely varying ways of pronouncing it but I’m going to stick to pronouncing it this way. 😊
This is so good, definitely my guilty pleasure! I followed your homemade fries instructional and they came out perfect. My mother in law is from Quebec, I can’t wait for her to try this out!
So glad you liked them Sunni, and thanks for the review!😀 Canadians definitely know their Poutine!
Very helpful and explained what poutine was and where it’s from!🤔👀❤️
So happy that you found it helpful! Thank you for the feedback/review! 🙂
OH my gosh, we just made this with your recipe for homemade French fries and your AMAZING brown gravy recipe!! I’ve never tasted anything better, and we order this often from our favorite local restaurant. This one blows it out of the water! Thank you!!
That’s great Cheryl, so happy that it was a success, my job is done! 😉
aaahhhhh! Poutine!
i could live on that and have. good stuff!
i have several from scratch recipes but the gravy pouch is a great time saver.so many tasty variations on the beef gravy, french fries and cheese curd recipes can feed me for the rest of my life
I totally agree, I love playing with variations of Poutine! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! 🙂
Thank you for clearing up a lot of questions that I had about Poutine! We love making this recipe and even ordered those gravy packets too! Thank you!
I love this poutine recipe. Poutine is served in many restaurants in Canada, even McDonalds.