Homemade Poutine Recipe | The Modern Proper (2024)

Fries covered in cheese curds and then a super savory beefy gravy so the curds get all melty? Yeah, poutine is the BEST. Here’s how to make it.

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Homemade Poutine Recipe | The Modern Proper (1)

Photography by Gayle McLeod

Thank You, Canada, For Creating The Best Post-Drinks Snack in the World.

Indulgence, thy name is poutine. Squeaky melty curds, meaty rich gravy, and of course, perfectly crispy fries make for a platter of perfectly gooey and delightfully messy diner food as only the Quebecois could have dreamt up! And let’s be honest about the craving that poutine satisfies. Poutine is the ultimate post-drinks food. You stumble out of a bar with a gaggle of your best buds, and you know that you need something super hearty, super umami-ish, super delicious to soak up all those co*cktails. The neon in the window of the diner across the street shines like a beacon—you’re gonna be OK. You scoot into a red vinyl booth and order the food of the gods—poutine to the rescue! But wait—you’re old! You don’t get drunk at bars anymore! You don’t live in NYC or Montreal anymore or within two blocks of a cute diner. And yet—you still crave poutine. Or at least, we do! So what’s a poutine-lover to do? You’ve got to make your own poutine! And so, we give you: Our best poutine recipe!

Homemade Poutine Recipe | The Modern Proper (2)

What is Poutine?

Similar to—but not the same as—disco fries, poutine is a delightful dive bar / diner snack that’s made up of french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. YEAH. WE KNOW. Genius. Pure genius. The beefy, meaty, savory gravy is all hot and lovely and when you pour it over the cheese-topped fries, the heat of the gravy melts the cheese curds and you end up with a super messy, richy, salty meal—yeah, it’s a meal—that is ideal for sharing. Some people dig in with their hands, but we think of it as definitely fork-worthy.

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The Very Best Poutine Gravy Recipe, Ever!

Our poutine gravy is pretty classic—a beefy, brown sauce that comes together fast and does what you need it to do! It ups the savory ante and it melts the curds into their gooey-squeaky best selves. Here’s what’s in our super yummy, beef poutine gravy:

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Let’s Talk Cheese Curds for Poutine

You know what cheese curds are, right? Well, if you’re from the Midwest, you probably do! If not, they might not be quite as familiar. Cheese curds are—as it sounds like they would be—the curds that are separated from the whey (the liquid or watery part of milk) in the cheesemaking process. When making hard cheeses, curds are pressed into big rounds or rectangles, but some people like to cut them up—unshaped and unpressed—and eat them right away! A fresh, salty, milky treat with an iconic ‘squeaky’ texture, they’re a key poutine ingredient. You’ve just gotta have them!

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How to Make Poutine

OK, you’ve got your components gathered! You’ve made the greatest fries, you’ve whipped up a deliciously beefy gravy, you’ve bought some yummy cheese curds and managed not to eat them all. You’re ready to make poutine!

  1. Make the best fries you possibly can! Our poutine recipe starts with homemade fries, but you don’t have to break out the deep-fryer for this (that’s a relief, right?). Baked fries are just so much easier, and we actually think that a little less grease is nice, since you’ll be drenching them in gravy anyway.

  2. Make the gravy! Get it simmering in a saucepan while the fries bake.

  3. Assemble your poutine! See, that actually wasn’t that much work after all! You can divide it between four individual plates, or serve it mounded on a big platter for sharing. Just be sure to get the order right! First the fries, then the curds, then drizzle it all with lots of hot gravy. By the time people are digging in, the curds should be getting good and melty.

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Tools You’ll Need:

More Super Snack Recipes

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  • Jalapeño Poppers

  • Greek Fries (Patates Tiganites)

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Too Much of a Good Thing

We love recipes like this—pure, unabashed delight! Food for the sake of “hey this tastes good!”. Poutine is nothing but fun and we’re ALL about it. We hope you love it as much as we do! When you make it, we want to hear all about it! Share a photo and tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper so that we can see your stuff! Happy eating!

Homemade Poutine Recipe | The Modern Proper (2024)

FAQs

How is poutine traditionally made? ›

poutine, a Canadian dish made of french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. It first appeared in 1950s rural Québec snack bars and was widely popularized across Canada and beyond in the 1990s. Poutine may be found everywhere from fine dining menus at top restaurants to fast-food chains.

What is the American version of poutine? ›

The classic Canadian poutine Americanized by loading it up with sautéed shredded sirloin, chopped bacon and sautéed mushrooms.

What is the gravy in poutine made of? ›

Butter: Use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt in the gravy. All-purpose flour: Equal parts flour and butter are combined to create a roux. This is what makes the gravy so thick and creamy! Beef broth: Use reduced sodium beef broth to prevent an overly salty gravy.

What are the 3 things that poutine is made of? ›

The basic recipe only calls for three ingredients: french fries, cheese curds, and gravy.

What kind of cheese is good for poutine? ›

Fries: Russet potatoes work well for French fries, as they're extra starchy. Cheese curds: Cheese curds are key for authentic poutine. However, if you like, you can use shredded mozzarella cheese.

What does poutine mean in French? ›

The Dictionnaire historique du français québécois lists 15 meanings of poutine in Québécois and Acadian French, most of which are for kinds of food; the word poutine in the meaning "fries with cheese and gravy" is dated to 1982 in English. Other senses of the word have been in use since at least 1810.

Why are cheese curds illegal in USA? ›

(Raw or unpasteurized milk is banned in the United States, but luckily, cheese curds are 100 percent legal!)

What is poutine called in New Jersey? ›

Out of all of the menu options, there's one dish that's unique to the area that you might have never heard of: disco fries. They are sort of a rival to Canada's poutine. In case you haven't tried the New Jersey delicacy, let us fill you in on what exactly it is.

Is cheese curds the same as poutine? ›

Cheese Curds are sometimes breaded and deep fried especially in Wisconsin. Cheese curds are a main ingredient in Poutine, a Quebec dish in which cheese curds are served layered on top of french fries, and melting under steaming hot gravy.

Are cheese curds supposed to melt in poutine? ›

“They are what makes the dish great. If, for example, you've tried a poutine where the curds have been in the sauce or with the fries too long, the curds will heat up and they'll melt. And then you won't have that texture – that squeakiness,” Porras says.

How to make poutine without curds? ›

at home, if you can't get curds, I recommend using something like mozzarella chunks. They will melt a bit more than the curds but otherwise provide a similar taste and texture.

What does poutine do to your body? ›

A starch-filled meal like poutine can actually make your blood sugar level skyrocket, making your pancreas (which secretes insulin to makes sure your cells can access glucose in your blood) respond in kind.

What is a good substitute for cheese curds in poutine? ›

Diced mozzarella is a good and readily available substitute for cheese curds; salted fresh mozzarella is probably closer in flavor, although commercial mozzarella has a bit more of the springy, rubbery texture of curds.

What is the mother of poutine? ›

Details of the first ten years of Putin's life are scarce in his autobiography, especially when compared with other world leaders. Allegedly Vladimir Putin with his mother, Maria Ivanovna Putina (née Shelomova), in July 1958; two years before Vera Putina claims he was sent to his grandparents in Russia.

Does traditional poutine have meat? ›

There are versions of poutine that have meat, but the standard, “classic” poutine is only fries, gravy, and cheese curds.

Why don t Americans have poutine? ›

It's cheese curds, which are not widely consumed in the US outside of Wisconsin. French fries, cheese, & gravy are called 'Disco Fries' in NJ Diners. I had poutine a handful of times growing up in CA. California has a big dairy industry and cheese curds aren't the most rare thing.

What is poutine made of in Canada? ›

Poutine is a Canadian dish that originated in the province of Québec. It is made using French fries, cheese curds, and brown gravy. Some consider poutine Canada's national dish. Even McDonald's and Burger King sell it in parts of Canada as a side dish.

What is the history of poutine râpées? ›

Poutines râpées' origins are likely northern France (perhaps Alsace?), but their exact origin is unknown. They're like large dumplings, and making them is a long and physical process. First, pounds of potatoes are peeled, then half are cooked and mashed, while the others remain raw and are grated.

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