20 Delicious French-Canadian Dishes

Posted by Jenny Potter on August 2, 2017

We can thank Quebec for poutine and smoked meat but there’s so much more to the cuisine from la belle province. Saturated in hundreds of years of history, French-Canadian cooking is rich with history, culture and flavour. If you can’t make to the province anytime soon, you can make your favourites at home with these delicious recipes. Enjoy and bon appetit!

  • Pouding Chomeur
     
    1 of 20

    Pouding Chomeur

    <p>Ironically, this super rich, golden dessert is known as poor man’s pudding in Quebec. What makes it seriously sweet is pouring maple syrup on on top of the cake batter. As the cake bakes, it rises to the top, soaking in the sweet, syrup flavour, leaving a creamy cake on top and a pool of thick maple syrup underneath. Talk about decadent.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/pouding-chomeur/10255/" target="_blank">Pouding Chomeur</a></strong></p>
  • French Canadian Tourtiere
     
    2 of 20

    French Canadian Tourtiere

    <p>There are as many recipes for this classic meat pie as there are families in la belle province. While each family claims their recipe as supreme, most dishes are made with ground beef and spiced with a delicious combination of bay leaves, garlic and allspice. I like a little dash of nutmeg for good measure.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/french-canadian-tourtiere/17000/" target="_blank">French Canadian Tourtiere</a></strong>.</p>
  • Cipaille
     
    3 of 20

    Cipaille

    <p>The name of this dish is one of legends. Rumour has it that the name is reference to the six (or more) types of meat inside this delectable winter treat. The name could also be an adaptation of ‘sea-pie’. Whatever you call it, the hearty dish is similar to a pot pie, with meat-filled pastry slow cooked to perfection.</p> <p>Get the recipe <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/cipaille/9708/" target="_blank">Cipaille</a></strong></p>
  • Pig and Pea Soup
     
    4 of 20

    Pig and Pea Soup

    <p>Pea soup with ham is a centuries-old dish, most likely eaten by the first explorers and settlers in Québec. Made from dried beans, this stick-to-your-ribs stew is French-Canadian comfort food at its best. Simple, filling and a great way to warm you from the inside out.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/pig-and-pea-soup/13250/" target="_blank">Michael Smith's Pig and Pea Soup</a></strong></p>
  • Poutine
     
    5 of 20

    Poutine

    <p>Born out of rural Quebec, the ultimate poutine is a trifecta of three simple ingredients. It starts with thick, crispy-soft fries loaded with squeaky, fresh cheese curds and perfectly beefy gravy - or brown sauce as it is called there.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/sweet-potato-poutine/10943/" target="_blank">Sweet Potato Poutine</a></strong>.</p>
  • Quebec Brie with Cabernet Franc Grapes
     
    6 of 20

    Quebec Brie with Cabernet Franc Grapes

    <p>Quebec is known for excellent cheese, especially buttery-soft brie. Compliment the soft, creamy cheese with sweet ice wine, crunchy almonds and simple greens on your next cheese plate.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/quebec-brie-with-cabernet-franc-grapes/11961/" target="_blank">Quebec Brie with Cabernet Franc Grapes</a></strong>.</p>
  • Pig's Feet Meatball Ragout
     
    7 of 20

    Pig's Feet Meatball Ragout

    <p>This hearty pork-filled recipe is cozy and filling - a perfect dish to warm you up at the end of a chilly day. Simmering the pigs feet adds amazing flavour to this ragout along with mouthwatering morsels of meat.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/pigs-feet-meatball-ragout/9717/" target="_blank">Pig's Feet Meatball Ragout</a></strong></p>
  • Bûche de Noël
     
    8 of 20

    Bûche de Noël

    <p>This unique cake is a Christmas classic, enjoyed during the holidays. The jelly roll cake can be filled with any number of flavours and fillings including cream, cherries or caramel. Then it's rolled up and decorated to look like a log and sliced along the end, showing off the rings.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-canadian-cookbook/blog/a-gorgeous-buche-de-noel-using-store-bought-cake/" target="_blank">Bûche de Noël</a></strong></p>
  • Sugar Pie in a Jar
     ricardocuisine.com
    9 of 20

    Sugar Pie in a Jar

    <p>Silky smooth in texture, this single serving maple-flavoured pie is the perfect way to end any meal.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.ricardocuisine.com/recipes/6075-sugar-pie-in-a-jar" target="_blank"><strong>Ricardo's Sugar Pie in a Jar</strong></a>.</p>
  • Pork and Fig Terrine
     
    10 of 20

    Pork and Fig Terrine

    <p>A savoury loaf to serve with a winter salad or baquette.</p><p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/pork-and-fig-terrine/10220/" target="_blank">Pork and Fig Terrine</a></strong>.</p>
  • Maple
     
    11 of 20

    Maple

    <p>Sweet, sticky liquid gold is found in abundance in Eastern Canada, with Québec producing more than 70 percent of the world’s maple syrup. While maple syrup is available across Canada, a trip to the sugar shack to eat taffy on snow is most popular in Quebec.</p> <p>Learn <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/shows/great-canadian-cookbook/blog/how-to-make-maple-taffy-on-snow/" target="_blank"><strong>How to Make Maple Taffy</strong></a></p>
  • Sugar Pie
     
    12 of 20

    Sugar Pie

    <p>This sweet maple treat comes from Québec but is enjoyed by Canadians from coast to coast.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/sugar-pie/18515/" target="_blank"><strong>Ricardo’s Sugar Pie</strong></a></p>
  • Sucre a la Creme
     
    13 of 20

    Sucre a la Creme

    <p>This Quebecois specialty is crumbly and grainier than normal fudge but has an equally rich and creamy flavour!</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/sucre-a-la-creme/13148/" target="_blank"><strong>Sucre a la Creme</strong></a></p>
  • Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
     
    14 of 20

    Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

    <p>There's something about cold weather that begs for a batch of split pea soup, and this simple one-pot version will fulfill all your cravings.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/slow-cooker-split-pea-soup/17455/" target="_blank"><strong>Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup</strong></a></p>
  • Easy Ramekin Tourtières
     
    15 of 20

    Easy Ramekin Tourtières

    <p>These mini versions of a French Canadian classic get served up in puff pastry-topped ramekins.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/baking/blog/how-to-make-easy-ramekin-tourtieres-34115/" target="_blank"><strong>Easy Ramekin Tourtières</strong></a></p>
  • Mini Tourtières
     
    16 of 20

    Mini Tourtières

    <p>Tourtière meets empanada meets calzone for a portable holiday appetizer that will surprise and delight all guests. This Canadian classic can be made ahead and frozen, so you can pop a few in the oven in the case of last minute guests or cravings.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/mini-tourtieres/12132/" target="_blank"><strong>Mini Tourtieres</strong></a></p> <p><em>Allison Day is a cookbook author, nutritionist (RHN) and the creator of the award-winning food blog <a href="http://yummybeet.com/" target="_blank">Yummy Beet</a>.</em></p>
  • Poor Man's Pudding
     
    17 of 20

    Poor Man's Pudding

    <p>Chuck Hughes presents a traditional French-Canadian, self-saucing pudding cake to a new audience. Sticky, sweet and warming Canadian comfort food that can be served for breakfast with a scoop of yogurt, or dessert with a scoop of ice cream.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a target="_blank" href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/poor-mans-pudding/11943/"><strong>Chuck Hughes' Poor Man's Pudding</strong></a></p>
  • Foie Gras Poutine
     
    18 of 20

    Foie Gras Poutine

    <p>An incredibly indulgent dish that is rich, creamy and perfectly crisp.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/foie-gras-poutine/8697/"><strong>Foie Gras Poutine</strong></a></p>
  • Tourtière with a Twist
     
    19 of 20

    Tourtière with a Twist

    <p>A classic tourtière gets a yuletide twist when Laura Calder wraps the whole spiced pork concoction up in a flaky pastry roll.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/tourtiere-with-a-twist/9106/" target="_blank"><strong>Laura Calder's Tourtière with a Twist</strong></a></p>
  • Twice-Baked Pate Chinois
     
    20 of 20

    Twice-Baked Pate Chinois

    <p>This hearty dish is Québec’s version of the comfort food classic, shepherd’s pie. Instead of serving it up casserole-style, this recipe delivers tasty meat and potatoes layered in easy to eat potato skins.</p> <p>Get the recipe for <strong><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/twice-baked-pate-chinois-potatoes/19738/" target="_blank">Twice-Baked Pate Chinois</a></strong></p>
  • Start Over
    Next Gallery

    20 Classic Canadian Foods You May Not Have Tried Before

    More Galleries

You Might Also Like

Food Network Member