Our easy Poutine Recipe is the best way to bring this classic fries and gravy comfort food to your own kitchen. We first had this in Canada years ago, and now we are so happy we can make it home.

If you have not tried Poutine before, it’s a Canadian dish consisting of crispy fries, rich gravy, and melty cheese curds that create a delicious dish everyone loves. And with frozen fries to start out with, this recipe is beyond easy to make.

We have made this for casual dinners and game days, and it is always one of the first things gone. If you love comfort food sides, try our Carne Asada Fries, Potato Wedges, and Baked French Fries.

Why we love it + Why it works:

  • Simple to Make: Uses easy ingredients and straightforward steps.
  • Perfect for Sharing: Great for game days or casual get-togethers.
  • Crispy Base: The fries stay crisp under the rich gravy.
  • Smooth Gravy: The roux and cornstarch create a thick, silky texture.
  • Melty Cheese Curds: The heat softens the curds for that classic finish.
Poutine recipe ingredients on a kitchen counter.

Poutine Recipe Ingredients

  • Frozen French fries (1 26-ounce bag): Creates the crispy base that holds the toppings. We like extra crispy varieties for best texture.
  • Cornstarch (3 tablespoons): Helps thicken the gravy to the perfect consistency.
  • Water (2 tablespoons): Mixes with cornstarch to create a smooth thickening slurry.
  • Unsalted butter (6 tablespoons): Forms the base of the gravy and adds rich flavor.
  • All-purpose flour (ยผ cup): Creates a roux that gives the gravy body and depth.
  • Beef broth (1 14.5-ounce can): Adds rich, savory flavor to the gravy.
  • Chicken broth (1 14.5-ounce can): Balances the flavor and keeps the gravy from being too heavy.
  • Salt and pepper (to taste): Enhances and balances the final flavor.
  • Cheese curds (1 5-ounce bag, white cheddar): Adds that classic poutine texture with a soft, slightly melty bite.

How to Make Poutine

PREP. Prepare and bake french fries, according to package instructions while you make the gravy.

SAUCE. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water until the cornstarch dissolves. Set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour and stirring constantly, cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the mixture turns golden brown.

Add the broths to the mixture and bring to a boil, whisking often. Add half the cornstarch mixture and mix. Simmer for a minute. Add more of the cornstarch mixture, if desired, based on the consistency you want your gravy. Season with pepper and salt to taste.

SEASON. Salt the french fries when done.

SERVE. To serve, add cooked french fries to a bowl or plate, top with gravy, sprinkle on cheese curds, and pepper. Serve immediately, and enjoy.

Kristyn’s Recipe Tips

  • Keep it Crisp: Serve immediately so the fries stay crisp under the gravy. Bake fries until extra crispy for the best texture.
  • Gravy: Use hot gravy so the cheese curds soften just right.
  • Adjust Seasoning: Taste the gravy before serving and adjust seasoning as needed.
  • Serving Suggestions: Warm the bowls or plates if you want the fries to stay hotter longer.
  • Gravy Thickness: Add the cornstarch slurry gradually, gravy thickens quickly, and it is easier to add more than to fix an overly thick gravy.
Poutine recipe in a black bowl.
No ratings yet

Easy Poutine Recipe

This easy Poutine Recipe makes crispy fries topped with rich homemade gravy and cheese curds, a fun comfort-food favorite perfect for sharing.
Servings: 8
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 1 (26-ounce) bag frozen French fries, Ore Ida Extra Crispy

Poutine Gravy

  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ยผ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can beef broth
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can chicken broth
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 (5-ounce) bag cheese curds, white cheddar

Instructions 

  • Prepare and bake French fries, according to package instructions, while you make the gravy.
  • In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch and water together until cornstarch dissolves. Set aside.
  • In a large saucepan, melt the butter. Add the flour and stirring constantly, cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the mixture turns golden brown.
  • Add the broths to the mixture and bring to a boil, whisking often. Add half the cornstarch mixture and mix. Simmer for a minute. Add more of the cornstarch mixture, if desired, based on the consistency you want your gravy. Season with pepper and salt to taste.
  • Salt French fries when done.
  • To serve, add cooked French fries to a bowl or plate, top with gravy, sprinkle on cheese curds and pepper. Serve immediately, and enjoy.
Save This Recipe!
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

Notes

Recipe Tips.
  • Keep it Crisp: Serve immediately so the fries stay crisp under the gravy. Bake fries until extra crispy for the best texture.
  • Gravy: Use hot gravy so the cheese curds soften just right.
  • Adjust Seasoning: Taste the gravy before serving and adjust seasoning as needed.
  • Serving Suggestions: Warm the bowls or plates if you want the fries to stay hotter longer.
  • Gravy Thickness: Add the cornstarch slurry gradually, gravy thickens quickly, and it is easier to add more than to fix an overly thick gravy.
Store. Keep components separate. Refrigerate leftover gravy for up to 4 days and fries/curds for up to 3 days. Warm on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much. Crisp the fries in the oven or air fryer until hot and crunchy.ย 
Freeze. Freeze gravy in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Fries and curds do not freeze well once opened and assembled.

Nutrition

Calories: 102kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 23mg, Sodium: 4mg, Potassium: 8mg, Fiber: 0.1g, Sugar: 0.02g, Vitamin A: 262IU, Vitamin C: 0.01mg, Calcium: 4mg, Iron: 0.2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store?

Keep components separate. Refrigerate leftover gravy for up to 4 days and fries/curds for up to 3 days. Warm on the stove over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if it thickens too much. Crisp the fries in the oven or air fryer until hot and crunchy.

How to freeze?

Freeze gravy in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Fries and curds do not freeze well once opened and assembled.

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipesโ€”each one tested in her kitchenโ€”that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

Get my cookbook!

My cookbook is the ultimate resource for feeding your friends and family with 200+ simple recipes with videos, tips & more!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating