French food is famous around the world. It has a long history and many tasty dishes.
French cooking uses simple ingredients to make meals full of flavor. You can try making French food at home with some basic recipes.
These 31+ traditional French recipes will help you cook like a French chef. They include classic dishes from French bistros and home kitchens.
You’ll find recipes for appetizers, main courses, and desserts. With these recipes, you can make your own French meals and enjoy the flavors of France.
1. Coq au Vin
Coq au Vin is a famous French dish that braises chicken in red wine. The name means “rooster in wine” in French.
You can use chicken pieces like thighs and drumsticks for this recipe. The meat cooks slowly in wine with bacon, mushrooms, and pearl onions.
To make Coq au Vin, start by browning the chicken in oil. Then add vegetables and herbs.
Pour in red wine and chicken stock. Let it simmer until the sauce thickens and the chicken is tender.
This dish tastes best when made with Pinot Noir wine. Serve it with crusty bread or potatoes to soak up the rich sauce.
2. Ratatouille
Ratatouille is a classic French dish from Provence. It’s a vegetable stew that’s both healthy and tasty.
You’ll need eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, bell peppers, and onions. Cut them into chunks and cook them in olive oil.
Add garlic, herbs like thyme and basil, and season with salt and pepper. Simmer everything together until the vegetables are tender.
Ratatouille is great hot or cold. You can serve it as a side dish or main course.
It’s perfect for using up summer vegetables from your garden. Try making a big batch. It keeps well in the fridge and tastes even better the next day.
3. Boeuf Bourguignon
Boeuf Bourguignon is a classic French dish that will warm your heart. This slow-cooked beef stew hails from the Burgundy region of France.
The main ingredients are beef, red wine, pearl onions, carrots, and bacon. You’ll cube the beef and brown it in a pan before adding it to the stew.
Red wine is key to this recipe. It gives the dish its rich flavor and deep color. Choose a good quality Burgundy wine for the best results.
You’ll simmer the stew for several hours. This makes the beef incredibly tender and allows the flavors to blend perfectly.
Serve your Boeuf Bourguignon with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes. It’s a hearty meal that’s perfect for cold winter nights.
4. Quiche Lorraine
Quiche Lorraine is a classic French dish perfect for any meal. You’ll love its creamy egg custard filled with crispy bacon and melty cheese.
The dish starts with a flaky pastry crust. You’ll fill it with a mixture of eggs, cream, and milk. Crispy bacon pieces and shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese add rich flavor.
To make quiche Lorraine, you’ll need to blind bake the crust first. Then add the filling and bake until golden and set.
The result is a savory tart that’s both comforting and elegant. Serve your quiche warm or at room temperature.
It makes a great brunch centerpiece or light dinner with a side salad. You can even enjoy leftovers cold for breakfast or lunch the next day.
5. Tarte Tatin
Tarte Tatin is a beloved French dessert that will wow your dinner guests. This upside-down apple tart features caramelized apples on a buttery crust.
To make it, you’ll need apples, sugar, butter, and pastry dough. Peel and core the apples, then cook them with sugar and butter until they caramelize.
Place the caramelized apples in a pan and cover with pastry dough. Bake until golden, then flip it over to serve.
The result is a beautiful tart with tender apples and a crisp crust. Tarte Tatin pairs perfectly with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
It’s a simple yet impressive dessert you can master at home.
6. Bouillabaisse
Bouillabaisse is a classic French seafood stew from Marseille. You’ll need at least five different kinds of fresh fish to make it authentic.
The dish starts with sautéing aromatics like garlic, onions, and leeks in olive oil. Then you add tomatoes, herbs, and spices including fennel and saffron.
Fish bones and shrimp shells help create a flavorful broth. Different types of fish are added at various times so they all cook perfectly.
Serve your bouillabaisse with crusty bread and a garlicky sauce called rouille.
It’s a hearty and impressive meal that showcases the flavors of the Mediterranean.
7. Croque Monsieur
Croque Monsieur is a classic French sandwich you’ll love. It’s made with ham and cheese between two slices of bread. The bread is then toasted and topped with more cheese.
To make it, you’ll need white bread, ham, and Gruyère cheese. You’ll also make a creamy béchamel sauce.
This sauce is made with butter, flour, milk, and a pinch of nutmeg. To assemble, spread béchamel on the bread slices.
Add ham and cheese inside. Top with more cheese and béchamel. Toast until golden and bubbly. This tasty sandwich is perfect for lunch or a quick dinner.
It’s crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside. You can find it in many French cafes and bistros.
8. Duck à l’Orange
Duck à l’Orange is a classic French dish that combines roasted duck with a tangy orange sauce. This elegant recipe has roots in Italian cuisine but was perfected by French chefs.
To make Duck à l’Orange, you’ll need a whole duck, oranges, and a few basic ingredients. Start by roasting the duck until its skin is crispy and golden brown.
While the duck cooks, prepare the orange sauce. Zest and juice oranges, then combine with shallots and other seasonings.
The sauce should be a balance of sweet and tart flavors. Once the duck is done, serve it with the warm orange sauce drizzled over top.
This dish is perfect for special occasions or when you want to impress dinner guests with your culinary skills.
9. Sole Meunière
Sole Meunière is a classic French dish that’s simple yet elegant. You’ll love this quick and tasty recipe.
Start by coating sole fillets in flour seasoned with salt and pepper. Pan-fry the fish in a hot skillet with oil until golden brown.
The sauce is what makes this dish special. Melt butter in a pan until it turns slightly brown. Add fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
Pour this flavorful sauce over the cooked fish just before serving. The result is a light, tender fish with a rich, tangy sauce. Serve Sole Meunière with steamed vegetables or a crisp salad for a perfect French meal.
It’s an easy way to bring a taste of France to your dinner table.
10. Cassoulet
Cassoulet is a hearty French dish from the Languedoc region. It’s a slow-cooked casserole packed with beans and meat.
You’ll find duck confit, pork sausage, and sometimes lamb in a traditional cassoulet. White beans form the base of this filling meal.
The dish takes time to prepare, often cooking for 4-6 hours. This slow cooking allows the flavors to blend perfectly.
Cassoulet is topped with a crispy breadcrumb crust. It’s typically served in a clay pot called a cassole, which gives the dish its name. This comforting meal is perfect for cold winter nights.
It’s rich, filling, and showcases the best of French country cooking.
11. Raclette
Raclette is a cozy French meal perfect for cold evenings. You melt cheese and scrape it onto various foods. It’s named after the French word “racler,” which means “to scrape.”
To enjoy raclette, you need a special grill. Place it in the center of your table. Each person gets a small pan to melt their cheese.
Common foods to eat with raclette include boiled potatoes, bread, and cured meats. You can also add pickles and onions for extra flavor.
Raclette cheese is traditional, but you can use other melting cheeses too. This meal is all about sharing and having fun with friends and family.
12. Tartiflette
Tartiflette is a hearty French dish from the Savoy region. You’ll love this comfort food on cold winter days.
The main ingredients are potatoes, bacon, onions, and Reblochon cheese. Reblochon is a soft cow’s milk cheese with a nutty flavor.
To make tartiflette, you sauté bacon and onions. Then layer them with sliced potatoes in a baking dish.
Pour over some white wine and cream. Top it all with thick slices of Reblochon cheese. Bake until the cheese melts and turns golden brown.
The result is a rich, creamy potato gratin. It’s perfect after a day of skiing or hiking in the mountains. Serve with a green salad and crusty bread.
13. Pot-au-feu
Pot-au-feu is a classic French beef stew. You’ll love this comforting dish on cold winter days.
It’s easy to make and fills your home with delicious aromas.
To prepare pot-au-feu, you simmer beef cuts with vegetables in a flavorful broth. The meat becomes tender and the vegetables soak up the savory flavors.
Common ingredients include beef, carrots, leeks, turnips, and potatoes. You can adjust the recipe based on what’s in your fridge.
Serve the broth first, followed by the meat and vegetables as a second course. Pot-au-feu is perfect for family meals.
It’s hearty, nutritious, and warms you from the inside out. Give this beloved French dish a try in your kitchen.
14. Blanquette de Veau
Blanquette de Veau is a classic French comfort dish. You’ll love this creamy veal stew for its tender meat and rich flavor.
To make it, you’ll need veal chunks, usually from the shoulder or breast. Cook the meat with carrots, onions, and a bouquet garni in a pot.
The sauce is what makes this dish special. It’s made with butter, flour, and the cooking liquid. You’ll add cream and lemon juice for extra richness.
Serve your Blanquette de Veau hot, garnished with mushrooms and pearl onions.
It pairs well with rice or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
15. Soupe à l’Oignon
Soupe à l’Oignon is a classic French onion soup that warms you up on cold days. This tasty dish features caramelized onions in a savory broth.
To make it, you’ll slowly cook sliced onions until they turn golden brown. Then add beef stock and simmer the soup.
The finishing touch is a slice of crusty bread topped with melted cheese. Gruyère is the traditional choice, but mozzarella works well too.
You can serve the soup in oven-safe bowls. Place them under the broiler for a minute to brown the cheese on top.
This simple yet satisfying soup is perfect as a starter or light meal.
It’s a great way to enjoy French cuisine at home.
16. Crêpes Suzette
Crêpes Suzette is a classic French dessert that combines thin pancakes with a zesty orange sauce. You’ll love the blend of sweet and citrusy flavors in this elegant treat.
To make the crêpes, mix milk, water, eggs, sugar, salt, and flour in a blender until smooth. Cook thin pancakes in a hot pan, flipping once.
For the sauce, combine orange juice, sugar, and orange zest in a skillet. Cook until it bubbles and the sugar dissolves. Add butter and orange liqueur like Grand Marnier.
Pour the warm sauce over the folded crêpes. For an extra flair, you can flambé the sauce by igniting it briefly before serving.
17. Foie Gras
Foie gras is a luxurious French delicacy made from duck or goose liver. It’s known for its rich, buttery texture and unique flavor.
To make foie gras at home, you’ll need to start with high-quality liver. You can buy it whole or in pieces.
Carefully remove any veins from the liver. Season it with salt and pepper.
Cook it gently in a water bath or pan-sear it for a crispy exterior.
Serve foie gras cold as a pâté or hot as a main dish. It pairs well with sweet accompaniments like figs or fruit preserves.
18. Cordon Bleu
Cordon bleu is a beloved French dish that’s sure to impress. You’ll find it’s easier to make than you might think.
Start with a chicken breast pounded thin. Place a slice of ham and Swiss cheese on top. Roll it up tightly and secure with toothpicks.
Dip the chicken in flour, then egg, and finally breadcrumbs.
Fry until golden brown and crispy on the outside.
Serve your cordon bleu hot with a side of French fries or a fresh salad. Add a lemon wedge for a zesty touch.
You can also try variations using different cheeses or meats. Prosciutto or bacon work well in place of ham.
19. Pissaladière
Pissaladière is a tasty tart from the south of France. It’s popular in Nice and other parts of Provence.
The tart has a bread-like crust that’s thicker than pizza dough. On top, you’ll find caramelized onions, olives, and anchovies.
To make it, roll out the dough and spread on lots of slowly cooked onions.
Arrange anchovies in a criss-cross pattern on top. Add some black olives between the fish.
Bake the tart until the crust is golden and crisp.
Pissaladière is great as an appetizer or light meal. The sweet onions balance nicely with the salty fish and olives.
20. Salade Niçoise
Salade Niçoise is a classic French dish from Nice. It’s a simple yet flavorful salad that’s perfect for warm days.
The traditional version includes tomatoes, anchovies, and olive oil. Over time, more ingredients were added.
Today, you’ll often find hard-boiled eggs, olives, and tuna in Salade Niçoise. Some recipes also include green beans and potatoes.
To make it, arrange the ingredients on a plate rather than mixing them.
Dress the salad with a light vinaigrette for a tangy finish.
Salade Niçoise is versatile and can be adapted to your taste. It’s a great option for a light lunch or dinner.
21. Brandade de Morue
Brandade de Morue is a tasty French dish made from salt cod. You’ll find it popular in southern France, especially in Provence and Languedoc.
To make it, you soak salt cod to remove excess salt. Then you mix it with olive oil, milk or cream, and mashed potatoes. Garlic adds extra flavor.
The result is a creamy, flavorful spread. You can serve it hot or cold. It’s great on toasted bread or baguette slices.
Brandade de Morue works well as an appetizer or light main course. Pair it with a crisp white wine for a true French experience.
This dish shows how simple ingredients can create something special. It’s a perfect example of French cuisine’s ability to transform humble foods into delicious meals.
22. Clafoutis
Clafoutis is a delicious French dessert that combines fruit with a custard-like batter. You’ll love how easy it is to make.
The most traditional version uses cherries, but you can try other fruits too. To make it, spread the fruit in a buttered baking dish.
Mix eggs, sugar, milk, and flour to create a smooth batter.
Pour this over the fruit and bake until set.
When it’s done, the clafoutis will be puffy and golden brown. Dust it with powdered sugar before serving.
You can enjoy clafoutis warm or at room temperature. It’s perfect for breakfast or as a simple dessert after dinner.
23. Hachis Parmentier
Hachis Parmentier is a classic French comfort food. It’s similar to shepherd’s pie, but with a French twist. You’ll love this hearty dish made with minced beef and mashed potatoes.
To make Hachis Parmentier, start by cooking minced beef with onions and garlic. Add tomato paste for extra flavor.
Next, prepare the mashed potato topping. Peel and cube potatoes, then boil them until tender.
Mash with cream for a smooth texture.
Layer the beef mixture in a baking dish and top with the mashed potatoes.
Bake until golden brown on top.
This dish is perfect for cold winter nights. You can also try variations using chicken or duck instead of beef.
24. Choucroute Garnie
Choucroute Garnie is a hearty Alsatian dish that combines sauerkraut with various meats. You’ll find it’s perfect for cold winter days.
The dish features sauerkraut cooked with white wine, juniper berries, and herbs. It’s then topped with an assortment of meats like smoked pork, sausages, and sometimes beef.
To make it, you’ll simmer the sauerkraut with seasonings and layer it with the meats.
Serve Choucroute Garnie with boiled potatoes and crusty bread for a filling dinner. It’s a great way to experience traditional Alsatian cuisine in your own home.
25. Poulet Basquaise
Poulet Basquaise is a beloved French dish from the Basque region. This flavorful meal combines chicken with a colorful mix of peppers, onions, and tomatoes.
To make it, you’ll need chicken thighs or breasts, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and tomatoes. The dish is cooked in a large pot or Dutch oven.
The key to its unique flavor is the piperade sauce. This sauce is made by simmering peppers, tomatoes, and onions together. Some recipes add Espelette pepper for an extra kick.
You’ll cook the chicken first, then set it aside. Next, you’ll prepare the vegetables and create the sauce.
Finally, you’ll return the chicken to the pot to simmer in the flavorful mixture.
26. Galette des Rois
Galette des Rois is a French cake eaten on January 6th for Epiphany. It’s made with puff pastry and filled with almond cream.
You can make this treat at home. Start by preparing the almond filling. Mix ground almonds, sugar, butter, and eggs.
Roll out two circles of puff pastry. Spread the almond cream on one circle, leaving a border. Place the second circle on top and seal the edges.
Brush the top with egg and bake until golden brown.
A small charm or bean is often hidden inside. Whoever finds it becomes king or queen for the day!
27. Gougères
Gougères are tasty French cheese puffs that make great appetizers. You can serve them at parties or with wine tastings.
To make gougères, you’ll need water, butter, flour, eggs, and cheese. Gruyère is the classic choice, but other hard cheeses work too.
The dough starts on the stove. You boil water and butter, then mix in flour.
After that, you add eggs and cheese off the heat.
Pipe or spoon small mounds of dough onto baking sheets. They puff up nicely in a hot oven, turning golden brown.
Gougères are best served warm. Their crisp outside and soft, cheesy inside are hard to resist. You can make them ahead and reheat them too.
28. Gratin Dauphinois
Gratin Dauphinois is a classic French potato dish that’s sure to impress. You’ll love this creamy, comforting side that’s perfect for special meals.
To make it, you’ll need thinly sliced potatoes, cream, milk, garlic, and cheese. Layer the potatoes in a baking dish with the cream mixture and bake until golden and bubbling.
The key is cooking it low and slow. Bake at 300°F (150°C) for about 2 hours. This allows the flavors to meld and the potatoes to become wonderfully tender.
You can serve Gratin Dauphinois alongside roasted meats or as a main dish with a salad. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s both simple and elegant.
29. Croquembouche
Croquembouche is a show-stopping French dessert perfect for special occasions. This towering confection consists of cream puffs stacked in a cone shape and held together with caramel.
To make croquembouche, you’ll first prepare choux pastry for the cream puffs. Fill them with a rich pastry cream flavored with vanilla.
Next, you’ll create a caramel sauce to act as the “glue” for your tower.
Carefully dip each cream puff in the caramel and arrange them in a circular pattern, building upwards.
For decoration, you can spin sugar threads around the tower or add edible flowers.
Croquembouche is typically served by breaking off the cream puffs with your hands or a small hammer.
30. Confit de Canard
Confit de canard is a classic French dish from the southwest region of Gascony. You’ll find it’s made by slowly cooking duck legs in their own fat. This method of preservation dates back centuries.
The duck legs are first seasoned with salt, garlic, and herbs like thyme. Then they’re cooked at a low temperature for several hours. This process makes the meat incredibly tender and flavorful.
To serve, you’ll typically crisp up the skin in a hot pan or oven.
The result is a crispy exterior with melt-in-your-mouth meat inside. Confit de canard is often paired with roasted potatoes or a simple salad.
You can find confit de canard in tins at specialty stores. It’s easy to prepare at home too. Just heat and crisp the duck for a quick, delicious meal.
31. Lentilles du Puy
Lentilles du Puy are small, dark green lentils from France’s Auvergne region. They’re prized for their peppery flavor and ability to hold their shape when cooked.
To prepare them, start with a mirepoix of onion, carrot, and celery. Add garlic and rosemary for extra flavor.
Rinse the lentils and add them to the pot with vegetable stock.
Simmer for about 20-25 minutes until tender but still firm.
These lentils make a great side dish or base for salads. You can also use them in soups or as a vegetarian main course.
Try serving Lentilles du Puy with roasted meats or fish for a traditional French meal. Their earthy taste pairs well with many dishes.
Mastering French Sauces
French sauces are central to many dishes. The five mother sauces – béchamel, velouté, espagnole, hollandaise, and tomato – are the starting point.
To make béchamel, cook flour and butter, then slowly add milk. Velouté uses stock instead of milk. Espagnole is a rich brown sauce made with beef stock. Hollandaise combines egg yolks, butter, and lemon juice. Tomato sauce uses fresh tomatoes as its base.
Practice these sauces to build your skills. Start with béchamel, as it’s the easiest.
Use it for gratins or as a base for cheese sauce. Try making hollandaise for eggs Benedict or to top fish. Experiment with herbs and spices to create your own sauce variations.
Classic French Baking Methods
French baking relies on precise techniques. Creaming butter and sugar is key for cakes and cookies.
Beat room temperature butter with sugar until light and fluffy. This adds air to the batter, making baked goods tender.
For flaky pastries, use the lamination method. This creates layers by folding butter into dough multiple times.
It’s used for croissants and puff pastry. Chill the dough between folds to keep the butter cold.
Learn to make choux pastry for éclairs and cream puffs. Cook flour, butter, and water on the stove, then beat in eggs.
The high moisture content creates steam, making the pastry puff up when baked.