France Cuisine
Europe • Western Europe
92 iconic dishes
Signature France Dishes
🍽️Main Dishes(22)
Boudin Noir aux Pommes
A classic French autumn dish featuring pan-fried boudin noir (blood sausage) served with sweet, caramelized apples. This recipe balances the rich, savory notes of the sausage with the tart sweetness of the apples.
Carpe à la Juive (Alsatian Jewish-Style Carp)
A classic Alsatian Jewish Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah dish. Whole carp is gently poached in a flavorful court-bouillon, then chilled in the resulting gelatinous broth until set. The dish is served cold, allowing the natural collagen from the fish to create a delicate jelly, offering a unique sweet and sour flavor profile.
Chou Farci (French Stuffed Cabbage)
A rustic and hearty French peasant dish featuring a whole cabbage stuffed with a savory mixture of ground pork, bacon, and rice, then slowly braised until meltingly tender. Perfect for a comforting meal.
Choucroute Garnie
A hearty Alsatian specialty featuring sauerkraut slow-braised with a generous assortment of cured and smoked meats, and tender potatoes. This dish embodies the rich, comforting flavors of Alsace.
Confit de Canard
Authentic French Confit de Canard, featuring duck legs slow-cooked in their own rendered fat until impossibly tender and succulent. A culinary treasure from the Southwest of France.
Côtes de Porc Charcutière
A classic French bistro dish featuring pan-fried pork chops served in a tangy, savory sauce made with white wine, Dijon mustard, and cornichons. This recipe delivers a quick yet elegant meal.
Flamiche aux Poireaux (Picardy Leek Tart)
A rustic and deeply satisfying tart from the Picardy region of Northern France, featuring a rich, creamy leek filling encased in a buttery pastry. It's a delightful alternative to quiche, showcasing the subtle sweetness of leeks.
Gratin Dauphinois
A classic French potato gratin from the Dauphiné region, featuring thinly sliced potatoes baked slowly in a rich mixture of cream and milk until tender and golden brown. This traditional recipe omits cheese, allowing the pure flavors of potato, cream, and a hint of nutmeg to shine.
Le Grand Aïoli
A traditional Provençal Friday feast featuring salt cod and a vibrant assortment of seasonal vegetables, all served with a rich, homemade garlic mayonnaise (aïoli).
Moules Marinière
Classic French bistro mussels steamed in white wine with shallots, garlic, and herbs. A quick and elegant seafood dish perfect for sharing.
Pâté de Campagne
A rustic and flavorful French country pâté, this pork terrine is studded with liver and fragrant herbs, making it an essential addition to any charcuterie board. Its coarse texture and rich taste are best appreciated after a proper resting period.
Petits Pois à la Française (French Braised Peas)
A classic French spring side dish where sweet peas are gently braised with tender lettuce, sweet pearl onions, and butter, creating a delicate and flavorful vegetable medley. The lettuce wilts down to form a light sauce.
Pintade au Chou (Guinea Fowl with Cabbage)
A rustic and elegant French country dish featuring tender guinea fowl braised with Savoy cabbage, smoky bacon, and aromatic vegetables in white wine and chicken stock. Perfect for a comforting autumn meal.
Pot-au-Feu
Pot-au-Feu, meaning 'pot on the fire,' is a quintessential French family meal. This classic dish features tender, slow-cooked beef and root vegetables simmered in a rich, aromatic broth. It's traditionally served in two courses: first the flavorful broth, followed by the succulent meats and vegetables.
Queue de Boeuf Braisée (French Braised Oxtail)
A classic French comfort food, this oxtail is slow-braised in red wine and beef stock until incredibly tender and falling off the bone. The rich, deeply flavored sauce is perfect for soaking up with crusty bread or mashed potatoes.
Quiche Alsacienne (Alsatian Onion Tart)
A classic Alsatian quiche featuring deeply caramelized onions suspended in a rich, creamy custard, baked in a buttery pastry crust. This is the original, simpler version of quiche before the addition of lardons made it 'Lorraine'.
Quiche Lorraine
The original French savory tart from Lorraine - a silky egg custard with crispy lardons baked in a buttery, flaky pastry. Simple perfection.
Sardines Grillées (Grilled Sardines)
Experience the essence of Mediterranean simplicity with these French grilled sardines. Whole, fresh sardines are seasoned and grilled to perfection, offering a delightful, healthy, and incredibly easy dish. The tender flesh, crispy skin, and bright lemon make for a truly satisfying meal.
Sole Meunière
A classic French dish featuring delicate sole fillets pan-fried to golden perfection and bathed in a rich, nutty brown butter sauce with fresh lemon and parsley. Simple elegance on a plate.
Terrine aux Herbes (Herbed Vegetable Terrine)
A vibrant and light French vegetable terrine, bound with eggs and fresh herbs. Perfect as a refreshing starter for a summer meal.
Terrine de Foie Gras
A classic French luxury dish, this terrine showcases the rich, buttery flavor of duck foie gras, seasoned and gently cooked to perfection. It's an elegant appetizer, ideal for special occasions and holidays.
Tian Provençal
A vibrant and elegant Provençal vegetable gratin, featuring thinly sliced summer vegetables layered artfully and baked with fragrant olive oil and herbs. A true taste of the garden.
🥟Appetizer Dishes(12)
Bouchée à la Reine
A classic French vol-au-vent, meaning 'windblown' or 'puff', this elegant appetizer features delicate puff pastry cases filled with a rich, creamy mixture of chicken, mushrooms, and a hint of white wine. Traditionally served as a sophisticated first course.
Brandade de Morue
A classic Provençal purée made from salt cod, olive oil, and garlic, creating a rich and creamy emulsion. Traditionally served as a spread on crusty bread or baked until golden and bubbly.
Coquilles Saint-Jacques
Elegant French scallops served in their shells with a rich, creamy mushroom and shallot sauce, topped with Gruyère cheese and breadcrumbs, then gratinated to golden perfection. A classic and impressive starter.
Escargots de Bourgogne
Burgundian snails - plump snails baked in their shells swimming in garlicky, herbed butter. The epitome of French indulgence.
Gougères
Burgundy cheese puffs - classic choux pastry infused with Gruyère cheese, baked into light, airy, and savory puffs. An ideal accompaniment to wine or as a sophisticated appetizer.
Moules Farcies (Stuffed Mussels)
Elegant French stuffed mussels, where plump mussels are filled with a fragrant garlic-herb butter and breadcrumb mixture, then baked until golden and bubbling. A sophisticated appetizer reminiscent of escargots.
Quenelles de Brochet (Pike Dumplings)
Lyon's most elegant dish: delicate pike dumplings bathed in a rich Nantua sauce. This recipe requires patience and precision for truly cloud-like quenelles.
Salade Lyonnaise
A classic French bistro starter from Lyon, featuring crisp frisée lettuce, savory lardons (bacon), and a perfectly poached egg, all brought together with a warm, tangy vinaigrette. The runny yolk acts as a rich sauce, making this salad both elegant and satisfying.
Soufflé au Fromage
A classic French cheese soufflé, renowned for its impossibly light and airy texture. This recipe is a true test of technique, resulting in a majestically rising cloud of cheesy delight.
Steak Tartare
A classic French bistro dish featuring finely hand-chopped raw beef, seasoned with capers, onions, and served with a rich egg yolk. This recipe emphasizes freshness and quality ingredients for an authentic experience.
Tapenade
A classic Provençal spread made from finely chopped olives, capers, anchovies, and garlic. Perfect as an appetizer served with crusty bread, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
Vol-au-Vent
Vol-au-vent are delicate, hollow puff pastry cases, traditionally filled with a rich and creamy mixture. This recipe features tender chicken and earthy mushrooms in a velvety sauce, making for an elegant appetizer or light main course perfect for special occasions.
🍲Soup Dishes(10)
Blanquette de Veau
A classic French veal stew featuring incredibly tender veal in a rich, creamy white sauce, studded with sweet pearl onions and earthy mushrooms. This is comfort food at its finest, reminiscent of cherished family recipes.
Bœuf Bourguignon
Julia Child's beloved Burgundian beef stew, a classic French dish featuring tender beef chuck braised slowly in rich red wine with smoky lardons, sweet pearl onions, and earthy mushrooms.
Bouillabaisse
Marseille's legendary fish stew - a rich, aromatic broth infused with saffron and fennel, brimming with a variety of fresh fish, traditionally served with rouille-slathered croutons.
Daube Provençale
A classic Provençal beef stew, slow-braised in red wine with aromatic vegetables, olives, and a hint of orange peel. This rich and deeply flavorful dish is the epitome of Mediterranean comfort food, best enjoyed after a day or two of resting to allow the flavors to meld.
French Onion Soup
A classic French Onion Soup featuring deeply caramelized onions simmered in a rich, savory beef broth, then topped with a toasted baguette slice and a generous layer of melted, bubbly Gruyère cheese.
Navarin d'Agneau
A classic French lamb stew, Navarin d'Agneau, celebrates the arrival of spring with tender braised lamb and a medley of fresh, seasonal vegetables. This hearty yet bright dish is perfect for a family gathering.
Potée Auvergnate (Auvergne Pork and Cabbage Stew)
A hearty and rustic French stew from the Auvergne region, featuring tender salt pork, flavorful sausages, and a medley of root vegetables and cabbage, all slowly braised in a savory broth. This dish is the epitome of mountain sustenance.
Poulet Basquaise
A classic Basque dish featuring chicken braised in a vibrant sauce of bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and the subtle warmth of Espelette pepper, enhanced with savory Bayonne ham. It embodies the sunny flavors of the Pays Basque.
Ratatouille
A classic Provençal summer vegetable stew featuring tender eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes slow-cooked with aromatic herbs de Provence. This version emphasizes cooking each vegetable separately to preserve its unique texture and flavor before combining them into a harmonious dish.
Soupe à l'Oignon Gratinée
A classic French onion soup featuring deeply caramelized onions simmered in a rich beef broth, topped with toasted baguette slices and a generous layer of melted, bubbly Gruyère cheese. A comforting and iconic Parisian bistro dish.
🥗Salad Dishes(3)
Pan Bagnat
A classic Niçoise pressed sandwich, featuring a crusty bread roll generously filled with fresh tuna, ripe tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, anchovies, and briny olives, all brought together with a flavorful olive oil dressing. Perfect for a picnic or a light meal.
Pissaladière
A classic Niçoise onion tart, featuring deeply caramelized onions atop a rustic bread dough, adorned with savory anchovies and briny Niçoise olives. Often considered the Riviera's answer to pizza.
Salade Niçoise
A classic French composed salad from the Côte d'Azur, featuring perfectly cooked tuna, tender vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, briny olives, and savory anchovies, all brought together with a light vinaigrette. It's a vibrant and satisfying summer meal.
🥔Side Dishes(2)
Cassoulet
Southwest France's legendary bean casserole - white beans slow-cooked with duck confit, sausages, and pork in a rich, crusty masterpiece. This dish requires significant preparation and time, but the result is a deeply flavorful and comforting meal.
Teurgoule (Norman Rice Pudding)
A classic Norman rice pudding, Teurgoule is made by slow-baking short-grain rice with milk, sugar, and cinnamon until incredibly creamy and topped with a delightful caramelized crust. It's a comforting and elegant dessert.
🍰Dessert Dishes(28)
Brioche
A classic French butter bread, incredibly rich, eggy, and buttery. Its tender crumb makes it perfect for toast, French toast, sandwiches, or enjoyed simply on its own.
Canelé
Bordeaux fluted cakes - rum and vanilla custard cakes with a deeply caramelized, crisp crust and a tender, custardy interior. A signature sweet from the Bordeaux region.
Charlotte aux Fraises (Strawberry Charlotte)
An elegant French molded dessert featuring a delicate ladyfinger shell filled with a light and airy strawberry Bavarian cream. Perfect for special occasions.
Clafoutis aux Cerises
A classic French dessert from the Limousin region, featuring plump black cherries baked in a rich, thick, custardy batter. This simple yet elegant dish is a country-style perfection.
Classic French Butter Croissants
Authentic French butter croissants, crafted from a meticulously laminated dough, rolled, and shaped into iconic crescents. These croissants are the quintessential symbol of French patisserie, offering a flaky, buttery, and airy interior.
Classic French Crêpes
Delicate, thin wheat flour crêpes, a staple of French cuisine, perfect for both sweet and savory fillings. Originating from Brittany, these versatile pancakes are a beloved street food and home-style treat.
Crème Brûlée
French burnt cream - a luxurious and silky vanilla custard base crowned with a shatteringly crisp, caramelized sugar crust. The satisfying crack of the spoon through the sugar is the signature joy of this classic dessert.
Éclair au Chocolat
An iconic French patisserie classic: crisp, elongated choux pastry shells filled with rich vanilla pastry cream and enrobed in a glossy chocolate glaze. Perfect for special occasions or a delightful afternoon treat.
Far Breton
A dense, custardy baked flan from Brittany, traditionally made with prunes. This simple yet beloved dessert has a rich, comforting texture.
French Macarons
Delicate, airy almond meringue cookies with a crisp shell and chewy interior, sandwiched with a rich ganache or creamy buttercream. These Parisian jewels are a true test of patisserie skill.
Galette des Rois
A traditional French king cake, made with flaky puff pastry filled with a rich frangipane (almond cream). The lucky person who finds the hidden 'fève' (a small charm) is crowned king or queen for the day. Perfect for Epiphany celebrations.
Gâteau Breton
A dense, rich, and incredibly buttery cake originating from Brittany, France. This Gâteau Breton is a true testament to the region's love for high-quality butter, resulting in a cake that is both rustic and elegant.
Îles Flottantes (Floating Islands)
A classic French dessert featuring ethereal poached meringue 'islands' floating on a rich, vanilla-infused crème anglaise, all drizzled with delicate caramel threads. It's a light, elegant, and visually stunning treat.
Kouign-Amann
A traditional Breton pastry, Kouign-Amann (pronounced 'queen a-mahn') is a rich, laminated dough made with generous amounts of butter and sugar. The baking process creates distinct, caramelized layers, resulting in a dangerously addictive treat that is both flaky and chewy, with a deep buttery flavor and a crisp, caramelized crust.
Madeleines
Delicate French shell cakes, known for their distinctive hump and tender, buttery crumb. A classic treat, famously associated with Proust's literary recollections.
Mille-Feuille
A classic French dessert, also known as a Napoleon, featuring delicate layers of crisp puff pastry, rich pastry cream, and a smooth fondant topping. The name 'Mille-Feuille' translates to 'thousand leaves,' alluding to the many flaky layers.
Mousse au Chocolat
An ethereal, rich, and intensely chocolatey French dessert. This classic Mousse au Chocolat is a testament to the beauty of simple, high-quality ingredients.
Opéra Cake
A classic French Opéra cake, featuring delicate almond sponge (Joconde) layered with rich coffee buttercream, a smooth chocolate ganache, and a coffee-soaked syrup, all enrobed in a glossy chocolate glaze. This sophisticated dessert is a true test of patisserie skill.
Pain Perdu (French Toast)
An elegant and delicious way to use up slightly stale brioche, pain perdu translates to 'lost bread'. Thick slices of brioche are soaked in a rich custard and then pan-fried to a beautiful golden-brown, resulting in a custardy interior and a slightly crisp exterior.
Paris-Brest
A classic French wheel-shaped pastry, this Paris-Brest features a ring of crisp choux pastry filled with a rich and airy praline-flavored mousseline cream. It was famously created to commemorate the Paris-Brest bicycle race.
Pâté en Croûte
A quintessential French charcuterie masterpiece, Pâté en Croûte features a rich, savory forcemeat encased in a decorative, golden pastry crust, finished with a clear, flavorful aspic gelée. This dish is a true showstopper, requiring precision and patience.
Poires Belle-Hélène
A classic French dessert featuring pears poached in a fragrant vanilla syrup, served with rich chocolate sauce and creamy vanilla ice cream. This elegant dish was famously created by Auguste Escoffier.
Profiteroles (Cream Puffs)
Delicate choux pastry shells filled with cold vanilla ice cream and generously drizzled with a warm, rich chocolate sauce. The contrast between the warm sauce and cold ice cream is what makes these cream puffs truly irresistible.
Ris de Veau (French Veal Sweetbreads)
A classic French haute cuisine dish featuring delicate veal sweetbreads, expertly prepared to achieve a crispy exterior and a luxuriously creamy interior. This recipe guides you through the essential steps for a truly exquisite result.
Soufflé au Grand Marnier
An exquisite, light-as-air French dessert soufflé infused with the warm citrus notes of Grand Marnier. This elegant dish is a showstopper, perfect for a sophisticated finale to any meal.
Tarte au Citron
A classic French lemon tart featuring a crisp, sweet pastry shell filled with a vibrant, tangy lemon curd. Often finished with a torched meringue for a delightful contrast in texture and flavor. A true patisserie staple.
Tarte aux Pommes
A classic French apple tart, featuring thinly sliced apples arranged in a beautiful spiral over a sweet pastry crust, finished with a glistening glaze. A staple in French patisseries.
Tarte Tatin
The iconic French upside-down apple tart, featuring tender, caramelized apples nestled under a crisp, buttery puff pastry. A delightful dessert born from a happy accident.
🍵Beverage Dishes(3)
Coq au Vin
A quintessential French comfort dish, Coq au Vin features tender chicken braised in rich red wine with savory lardons, sweet pearl onions, and earthy mushrooms. This rustic Burgundian classic is perfect for a special occasion or a cozy evening.
Oeufs en Meurette (Poached Eggs in Red Wine Sauce)
A classic Burgundian brunch dish featuring perfectly poached eggs nestled in a rich, savory red wine sauce, accompanied by crispy lardons, tender pearl onions, and sautéed mushrooms. Traditionally served with toasted bread.
Steak Frites
A quintessential Parisian bistro dish, featuring perfectly pan-seared steak served alongside golden, crispy French fries, often finished with a rich pan sauce.
🫙Sauce Dishes(3)
Canard à l'Orange (Duck with Orange Sauce)
A classic French dish featuring a whole roasted duck served with a rich, glossy sauce made from oranges, sugar, vinegar, duck stock, and a touch of Grand Marnier. This recipe emphasizes the traditional preparation and the balance of sweet and bitter notes.
Lapin à la Moutarde (Rabbit in Mustard Sauce)
A classic Burgundy bistro dish featuring tender rabbit pieces braised in a rich, creamy Dijon mustard sauce. This recipe offers a comforting and flavorful meal, perfect for a special occasion or a hearty weeknight dinner.
Sauce Nantua
A classic French sauce, Sauce Nantua is a rich and creamy emulsion made with the distinct flavor of crayfish butter. Traditionally served with quenelles (poached dumplings) and fish dishes, it offers a luxurious taste of French culinary heritage.
🍳Breakfast Dishes(3)
Galette Bretonne (Savory Buckwheat Crêpe)
A classic Breton savory crêpe made from buckwheat flour, traditionally filled with ham, Gruyère cheese, and a perfectly cooked egg. This rustic dish is a staple of Brittany and a delightful, hearty meal.
Omelette aux Fines Herbes
A classic French Omelette aux Fines Herbes, showcasing delicate technique for a perfectly creamy interior and a pale, tender exterior. This recipe features a blend of fresh chervil, chives, parsley, and tarragon for an aromatic and flavorful experience.
Piperade
A vibrant and flavorful Basque specialty featuring sweet peppers, ripe tomatoes, and onions gently cooked and then folded with soft scrambled eggs. Traditionally served with thinly sliced Bayonne ham, it's a delightful and hearty breakfast or light meal.
🧀Cheese Dishes(3)
Croque Monsieur
A classic French grilled ham and cheese sandwich, elevated with a rich béchamel sauce and topped with melted Gruyère. For a Croque Madame, simply add a fried egg on top.
Gratin de Chou-fleur
A classic French cauliflower gratin featuring tender cauliflower florets enveloped in a rich, creamy Mornay sauce, topped with golden-brown breadcrumbs and melted Gruyère cheese. This comforting side dish is perfect for any occasion.
Tartiflette
A hearty and iconic Savoyard dish, perfect for a cold evening. Potatoes, smoky lardons, and sweet caramelized onions are baked under a generous blanket of melted Reblochon cheese.