Here are my favorite 35 most Famous French Foods that you will want to learn to cook! From the authentic Salade Niçoise to a Magret de Canard Duck breast that will transport you to France in one bite.
I have lived, and cooked with, a French Chef for almost 20 years now, both in France and in the US. He has taught me so much about cooking and one thing that really stood out to me, is that French cooking really isn't that hard. It shouldn't be scary or intimidating. And most importantly, you don't need a big kitchen to do it. My late Grandmother-in-law (Pierrette) made the most incredible multi-course meals out of what is essentially a toaster oven. I still salivate over the memories of her Petits Farcis Niçois or her Côtelettes d'Agneau.
These dishes sound fancy but are actually quite simple to make. Hence, why I created this blog. I have made it my mission to translate French cooking so that busy people who aren't Chefs can find joy in the kitchen.
Authentic French Recipes
French cooking is about using high-quality ingredients and doing as little as possible to them to render them sublime. They use only a few main ingredients and keep it as simple as possible. It is about the process and the technique for creating a beautiful dish. The wonderful thing is that once you understand a few basics - French cuisine is easier than you think.
French haute cuisine - the kind that you sample at Michelin Star restaurants in France is on a completely different level - it is as much about the overall service experience as it is about what is on the plate. French home cooks don't attempt to make Michelin Star level cuisine at home - they are realistic about their expectations and focus on flavor and generosity. Home cooks love a slow-cooked casserole dish such as a stew because the flavors are center stage and you can literally set it and forget it. A traditional food that is perfect for work-from-home days!
Julia Child's Recipes
Julia Child introduced traditional French food to America in a way that had never been done before. She made famous French dishes such as Boeuf Bourguinon, Coq au Vin and Sole Meunière known to then general public and inspired generations of home cooks (and professional chefs!) after her.
The French National dish is Pot au Feu, which is a really simple dish of meat and vegetables simmered in broth until it is decadently tender and nourishing. La Poule au Pot - famous because the King stated in the 17th century that every household should have a "Poule au Pot" or chicken in a pot on their stove, is also one of my favorite comfort foods and the easiest way to cook a whole chicken.
French restaurants in the United States can sometimes be rather hit or miss. This is why I encourage everyone to learn how to cook a few basic dishes so that you can be a true judge of quality yourselves.
French Menu
The French meal includes an " Entrée, Plat, Dessert" (or Starter, Main course and dessert) and sometimes, le fromage. Cheese is served after the main course and sometimes in lieu of dessert.
When Americans reference "french cuisine" they often refer to the traditional dishes from Paris or Lyon - The Boeuf Bourguignon, the Coq au Vin or French Onion Soup Gratinée.
However, living in the South of France for almost a decade (Nice and Antibes) gave me a perspective that was so much broader on french cuisine. Salade Niçoise and Branzino with Vierge sauce are light and fresh and invigorating recipes. A trip to the French Alps had me sampling every type of Comté cheese I could.
Once you pick up a few French cooking techniques you can cook almost anything! Chefs from all over the world train first in French techniques from French chefs and then apply their learnings to elevate their cuisine. French cooking is about the process and the process is deliciously universal.
French Kitchen Pantry Essentials
You don't need a big kitchen to cook well. Most kitchens in France are tiny with little equipment or pantry space. Very few people have spice drawers.
- Olive Oil
- French Sea Salt (Sel de Camargue ou Sel de Guerande)
- Fresh cracked pepper
- Herbes de Provence
- Piment D'Espellette (a dried chili powder from the South West of France)
- Fresh herbs
- Garlic
- Shallots
- White Wine
- Red Wine
Already with these ingredients you can make an entire month of dishes that are varied and delicious each time. Add some heavy cream, crème fraîche and butter to your pantry essentials and you have everything you need to make most classic French food.
Classic French Dishes
Simple Confit Bayaldi Recipe
Confit Bayaldi is a beautifully presented French Riviera slow cooked vegetarian dish using the same ingredients as a Ratatouille.
A perfect example of French Riviera cooking - Confit Bayaldi uses simple, fresh ingredients, beautifully displayed to create a dish that is memorable and full of flavor but is also surprisingly healthy.
The colors are beautiful and vibrant and the fancy rose shape of the vegetables looks almost too pretty to eat! When cooked just right Confit Bayaldi can be the star of a special brunch table or the dish that everyone asks you the recipe for at a dinner party.
La Salade Mentonnaise - a delicious Fennel, Orange and Artichoke Salad with Pine Nuts
La Salade Mentonnaise is a delicious fennel, orange and artichoke salad with pine nuts and a citrus vinaigrette. Perfect with grilled fish.
Duck Magret with fresh figs
This Duck Magret with fresh figs and eggplant is perfect for a late summer dinner party. The duck breast is seared to perfection, tender and juicy. The sautéed figs and eggplant melt in your mouth and bring a just the right level of sweetness to the dish.
Prosciutto Salad with Melon and Burrata
This Prosciutto salad with Melon and Burrata instantly takes me back to the South of France. The salty Prosciutto mixed with the sweet, juicy melon and the creamy burrata cheese is absolutely heavenly.
Merguez Sandwich
Merguez sandwich is the French Riviera equivalent of the American Hot Dog. You will find them at every BBQ and picnic from May to September. The spicy, juiciness of the Lamb Merguez sausage hot off the grill, the sweet smokiness of a freshly made Piperade sauce and the crunch of a toasted baguette. A perfect bite if you ask me! Truly an awesome sandwich.
Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb
This oven roasted rack of lamb is a luxurious and delicious dish that is always impressive to serve and yet surprisingly easy to cook! The fragrance of the rosemary cooked with the lamb is absolutely irresistible. Your guests will know they are in for a treat the moment they catch the scents wafting from the kitchen. The perfect Easter meal.
Rack of lamb can be expensive to buy, so I understand that cooking it can be intimidating - especially when it is for a special occasion. Have no fear - I will walk you through, step by step, how we roast a rack of lamb in Le Chef's household.
Seared White Wine Scallops and Leeks Recipe
Pan Seared Scallops and Leeks in White Wine make for a delicious French-inspired appetizer. The buttery taste of the scallops pairs beautifully with the slight tang of leeks. This dish is super simple to make and yet is impressive to serve.
Soupe au Pistou
La Soupe au Pistou is a hearty yet summery vegetarian bean soup packed with mixed vegetables, pasta and LOTS of basil. The perfect meal in a bowl , ideal meal prep to get you through the week.
Authentic Ratatouille Recipe
Ratatouille is a delicious & healthy side dish from Provence made of baked eggplant, zucchinis, peppers, tomatoes, garlic and onions, seasoned with fragrant Herbes de Provence. The vegetables are robust in flavor, each distinctly seasoned. Each velvety forkful melts in your mouth, offering the beauty of Provence in each bite.
How to make a French Cheese board
This post includes everything you need to make a perfect French Cheese board. With a focus on quality, not quantity, a French board is simple to make with a few tips! 3 well chosen cheeses, a few slices of apple and some dried fruits, a little bowl of honey and perhaps some fig jam et
Super Simple French Roast Chicken Recipe (Poulet Rôti)
How to make the most succulent, flavorful, crispy skinned chicken that looks like it belongs in a magazine. This Super Simple French Roast Chicken, or Poulet Rôti, recipe is so easy to make! You will want to make this recipe for your next dinner party with friends, Sunday lunch with the family or Tuesday night dinner for the kids!
La Salade Parisienne - the best French Potato Salad
La Salade Parisienne is a fancy Potato salad with a French twist. A sophisticated side dish for your Summer BBQs.
The Best Chocolate Soufflé Recipe
The best, no fail recipe for a Chocolate Soufflé! Learn to make this impressive, decadent, lighter-than-air dessert at home with tips from Le Chef.
Chantilly Cream
Looking for a no-fail recipe for fluffy, silky, Chantilly Cream? The perfect topping for fresh fruit, pie, crèpes, French Toast or hot cocoa...all of the delicious things in life!
This Chantilly cream recipe is super easy dessert to make in just a few minutes.
La Salade Lyonnaise - the best brunch salad ever
La Salade Lyonnaise is the best brunch salad ever. A soft poached egg , crispy bacon and a rich shallot jam served on a homemade crouton over mixed greens.
How to make Crème Brûlée like a French Chef
There is Crème Brûlée, and then there is Le Chef's Crème Brûlée. A rich, decadent and silky smooth cream, flecked with fragrant vanilla bean and a crisp, crackly top that shatters into sugar shards when you break into it. This crème brûlée is absolute perfection - and, with a few insider tips, is easier than you think to make a home. Are you ready to learn how to make Crème Brûlée like a French Chef?
Le Grand Aïoli, made simple
Le Grand Aïoli. This classic dish is everything I love about summer dining in the South of France. A sophisticated take on a dipping platter with summer vegetables, seafood and a delicious homemade garlicky mayonnaise. Each individual ingredient shines beautifully and the presentation is artful yet casual. Perfect for a luxurious picnic or a long lunch outdoors accompanied by chilled glasses of Provençal Rosé.
Magical Leek Soup
Magical Leek Soup - the French woman's diet secret, as referenced in "Emily in Paris". Le Chef's Wife twist on the recipe is delicious and family friendly. It tastes like comfort food yet is incredibly healthy for you. Vegan and gluten free. Tasty and pretty enough to be served at a dinner party.
La Poule au Pot - the easiest way to cook a whole chicken
La Poule au Pot is a fancy French chicken soup! Juicy, tender chicken meat that falls off the bone in a delicious, savory broth with big chunks of root vegetables. Delicious and healthy.
This recipe features Le Chef Sébastien's secret ingredients for making an amazing chicken broth. One of the healthiest recipes you will ever make and a French grandmother's cure all for all ailments!
Lemon Thyme French Roast Chicken (Poulet Rôti)
This Lemon and Thyme French Roast Chicken Recipe (Poulet Rôti au thym et citron) with Roasted Garlic is one of our family's favorite dishes. The meat is juicy and tender with the delicate perfume from the lemons, garlic and thyme. The skin is crispy and flavorful. Simply exquisite as well as super easy to make!
French Mashed Potatoes
This French Mashed Potatoes recipe makes the most decadent, buttery, melt in your mouth mashed potatoes that everyone will love.
Les Petits Farcis Niçois (or Petits Farcis à la Provençale)
Step by step instructions to make my favorite French Riviera dish - Les Petits Farcis Nicois. Rich and hearty with fresh summer vegetables - a showstopper!
The best Tomatoes Provençale Recipe
This Tomatoes Provençale recipe is incredible. Melt in your mouth, velvety tomatoes with a vibrant pesto, made from scratch, and vegan too!
Roasted Fennel
Roasted fennel is healthy side dish that pairs beautifully with fish or chicken. If you are interested in healthy eating this is one of my favorite ways to serve a light, satisfying dish.
Coq au Vin Blanc
Coq Au Vin Blanc is a French recipe for a succulent chicken stew made with white wine.
A classic French dish, each forkful melts in your mouth and is so fragrant and flavorful. I confess, I actually prefer Coq au Vin Blanc to the traditional Coq au Vin , made with red wine. The flavor is lighter and incredibly indulgent.
Spiced Prune Compote Recipe
This spiced California prune compote recipe with Grand Marnier is perfect for your holiday entertaining. The prune compote is an ideal match for a slice of foie gras and adds a je ne sais quoi to your cheese
La Daube Provençale made simple
A Daube Provençale is the South of France version of the classic "Boeuf Bourguignon". Many of the ingredients and methods of cooking are the same, however it is the addition of orange zeste and Niçois olives that make this dish unforgettable. This is our family recipe, full of French cooking tips. Allons-y!
Mousse au Chocolat (French Chocolate Mousse made simple)
French mousse au chocolat (Chocolate Mousse) will become your family's favorite dessert. A Rich dark chocolate flavor with a light, airy texture and a depth of flavor from the spices. This recipe takes less than a half hour to make (plus a few hours to chill) and can be made a day in advance. No one can resist an "mmmmm" when eating this Mousse!
Coq au Vin made simple
An iconic French Dish. Chicken that is seared, then braised in a rich red wine sauce that infuses it with so much flavor, you will say, "mmmmm" with every bite. Pearl onions, bacon and mushrooms add a level of flavor complexity, you won't believe you made this dish yourself!
Easy French Crêpes Recipe
My Grandmother's Crêpes are as easy to make as 1-2-3. 1 Cup of flour, 2 cups of milk, 3 large eggs. Et Voilà!
French Salade Niçoise Recipe
Here is an authentic, tasty French Salade Niçoise recipe that you will love! One of my all-time favorite salads that is full of protein (eggs, tuna and possibly sardines) and with lots of good veggies butter lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, artichokes fava beans, radishes and basil. It is simple to make yet impressive to serve and is perfect for picnics or long lunches in the sun.. Serve with a fresh baked baguette and a glass of Rosé for the perfect French Riviera lunch.
Easy French Toast Recipe
This, no-fail, easy french toast recipe is perfect for a decadent weekend brunch but is easy enough to put together in under 20 minutes with very little skill.
I love this recipe because it is high in protein and does not use sugar. As well, the measurements do not need to be precise for the end result to be tasty. Kids tend to spill on the counter when mixing and that is ok here. It is nearly impossible to mess up this recipe!
Quick Easy French Baguettes (Baking Baguettes for Beginners)
Quick, easy French baguette recipe. Deliciously simple yet crusty and crackly, homemade French Baguettes. Follow this recipe for easy French Baguettes even first time bakers can make and with only a couple hours.
Le Chef's French Onion Soup Gratinée
I Love EVERYTHING about Le Chef's French Onion Soup Gratinée. The rich, comforting broth. The ooey-gooey cheese pull. The dash of whiskey. A perfect meal to serve for socially distanced dinners outside in the winter.
Classic Beef Bourguignon
This Beef Bourguignon, or "Boeuf Bourguignon" dish is one of the grand classics of French Cuisine, for good reason. Tender chunks of braised beef that melt in your mouth. A rich, winey sauce that envelops the beef and the supple vegetables. A dish you can't resist saying "yum" after just one bite - just like in one of my favorite movies, Julie & Julia.
French Side Dish Inspiration
- Buttery mashed potatoes
- Roasted Fennel
- Tomatoes Confit
- Ratatouille
- Bayaldi de Légumes
South of France cuisine is one of my personal favorites because it is a lighter and brighter version of the traditional french dishes we know.
Branzino with Vierge Sauce, a classic dish from Southern France is a great example. Instead of a beurre blanc sauce, the fish is served with an olive oil based salsa of tomatoes, black olives, capers and fresh herbs. A perfect example of the Mediterranean diet.
How to make a French Cheese platter
The French love cheese! It is an essential part of their diet and every region in France makes their own cheese. A cheese board in a Michelin star restaurant in France is a work of art. You can also make your own cheese board at home with a few simple tips. I have written about the art of the homemade French cheeseboard here. Your taste buds will thank you!
One soft, one hard, one stinky (such as a blue cheese)
Famous French Dessert
First - let us state what dessert is not in France. It is not a viennoisserie such as a croissant or pain au chocolat. In French culture these are considered breakfast foods or le goûter - an afternoon snack enjoyed around 4pm as dinner is often served around 8pm.
Dessert can be as simple as some fresh fruit or a plain yogurt served with a little sugar, or it can be a more complex dessert as below. Most French people will pick up their desserts from the local Patisserie when hosting, as they would their French bread.
- Crème brûlée
- Mousse au Chocolat
- Chocolat Soufflé
- Moelleux au Chocolat
French Street Food
- Merguez Sandwich
- Crêpes
What do you think the most famous French food is? Which is your favorite? I love to hear from you!
Bon Appétit,
Anina Belle
ABOUT LE CHEF'S WIFE
Bonjour! I am Anina Belle. I translate the fancy cooking of my Michelin-star trained French Chef Husband, Le Chef, into easy to make dishes that busy people with no culinary training (like me!) can make at home. We have two young kids (6 and 3) and I work full time in addition to this blog. I strongly believe that even busy people deserve to eat well at home.
Look inside our Kitchen with this recent Washington Post Article. We were featured on the TODAY SHOW for our recipes of French Onion Soup Gratinée and Moelleux au Chocolat. You can watch our full segment here:
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