One thing I love about travel, whether internationally or within the U.S., is sampling local ingredients and signature recipes. Certainly a big draw about traveling through Eastern Canada was the seafood and local produce. A specific recipe I had my eye on to try was Poutine.
For those who may not be familiar with poutine, it’s an iconic comfort food of French Canadian origin found readily in Eastern Canada. French fries topped with cheese curds and brown gravy is the traditional recipe. If not familiar with cheese curds, they are as they sound, large curds of cheese (usually cheddar) which have a rubbery or springy texture. They can be eaten solo or added to recipes such as poutine.
Our first sample was at a stop in Cape Breton where we arrived famished and devoured 2 orders between the four of us. Clearly satisfying, as not a morsel was left, but I’ll admit I’m not a brown gravy lover so the overall flavor was ‘okay’ by my palate, but not necessarily something I was crazy for. We noted almost every restaurant when in larger areas offering some form of poutine, often with lobster, for an appetizer or main dish.
When visiting a restaurant in Quebec City best known for the creative burgers (and ability to accommodate gluten-free diners with gluten-free buns), my appreciation for poutine spiked. Chez Victor offers several versions of poutine, all riffs on the original but including ingredients such as spicy lamb, chicken and buffalo sauce, goat cheese and duck. We ordered a version with barbecue sauce, beef, bacon and fried onions along with cheese curds but unfortunately learned the onions were not gluten-free so I was only able to taste a few bits that had not come into contact with the onions. It left me with a determination to make it at home.
I always tread gingerly when replicating or innovating a national treasure like poutine. We take our traditional recipes seriously and can take offense at modern spins! I feel poutine has a comforting quality very similar to nachos for Americans. They are simple, rustic dishes, easy to prepare and to be shared with a group. The flavors deliver as a centerpiece of a gathering and the dish doesn’t demand one’s attention with fussy methods of consumption. This would be a great option for football parties too! I think you’ll agree this version offers all the best of the original version with some added flavors that will make it a well-loved favorite in your home too!
Barbecue Beef Poutine with Beer-Battered Onions
Ingredients
- 4-6 cups Homemade Fries or store purchased and prepared Steak Fries (regular fries may also be used though the substance of steak fries work well for this recipe)
- 2 cups Slow Cooker Shredded Barbecued Beef , warmed
- ¼ - ½ batch Beer Battered Onion Rings {gluten-free} , prepared as onion strips instead of rings
- 1 cup Cheese Curds (purchased or homemade)
Ingredients for the BBQ sauce (note: if in a time pinch, 1 cup of your favorite store bought barbecue sauce may be substituted):
- 1 cup liquid from the Slow Cooker Shredded Barbecue Beef
- 2 teaspoons Cornstarch
- 1 tablespoons Water
Instructions
Instructions to prepare the BBQ sauce:
- Combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl and whisk together.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the slow cooker liquid and cornstarch mixture. Whisk to combine. Heat until simmering stirring often; cook for 5 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat and allow to cool to until slightly warmer than room temperature (note: sauce with thicken as it cools).
Instructions for the Poutine:
- On a large serving platter, arrange the French fries, topped evenly with the shredded beef, followed by cheese curds, onion strips then drizzled with the barbecue sauce.
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
This Canadian approves 🙂 Looks delicious!
Mary Pisarkiewicz says
Can’t wait to try Poutine. I love french fries and this is a great addition to the fries. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Jean | DelightfulRepast.com says
I have American friends living in Eastern Canada who love poutine. I’ve never tried it. Yet.
Debra says
I’ve been hearing so much about poutines lately, is there a season for it? Not sure where I would find cheese curds – I’d have to find a cheese monger I guess…
Toni Dash says
I wouldn’t know why you’ve heard more about poutine lately, Debra, unless it’s going through a popularity phase outside of Canada. It’s very popular in Canada as a national dish and we saw it everywhere there. I think asking your grocery dairy manager if they don’t sell them for ideas to find cheese curds, or a cheese monger. I’ve also seen recipes online to make them yourself!
Linda@ThereandBackAgainFood says
I’ve never been a fan of poutine anytime I’ve tried it, though I’ll admit I’ve only had it a couple of times and not in Canada. Now this version is a different story. It looks and sounds delicious!
Toni Dash says
I’m glad I’m not alone Linda! The first version we tried as very flat taste-wise. It really has no seasonings. I was much more excited about alternative versions with spicier toppings.
Linda@ThereandBackAgainFood says
That’s exactly what I thought! I was expected a beefy, flavorful gravy but instead it was dull and bland.
Toni Dash says
I’m so glad you are sharing this Linda because I felt very guilty putting that out there about a national dish! I do think some people just love gravy no matter what. I grew up with canned gravy or gravy as an after thought (not much flavor) so haven’t really begun to love until I was an adult and really build the flavors. For me this version of poutine is perfect with lots of layers, textures and flavors!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That looks fantastic! I’ve heard of Poutine before, but I’ve never tried it. That is definitely going to change. Yum!
Melissa Pezza says
That looks so good! And I love that you used beef instead of pork! I’m kosher, but I always see recipes using barbecue pork.
Toni Dash says
Oh I’m so glad too! The slow cooker shredded BBQ beef recipe is really good and would make a few recipes other than this. I love the option to make one main protein and get a few meals out of it! Hope that will work for you too Melissa.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I could literally sit down and eat that whole thing! OMG, it sounds right up my alley!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
You’ve totally convinced me I need this in my life…the fried onions won me over!!
Catherine S says
This looks so yummy. I can’t wait to make this I have never had poutine. Thanks for the recipe.
Pam says
My daughter and I went to a local poutine food truck. It was good, so we may try your recipe and make it at home.
Liz Mays says
Oh my family would love this recipe. It will be great to bring some more Canadian dishes into the kitchen.
Marcie W. says
I have never tried traditional poutine but hope to change that someday since everyone raves about it. Your version looks to be more my speed than the standard recipe.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
This is completely new to me and I am fascinated! I need more Canadian dishes in my life. Pinned and sharing!
Christie says
I’ve never worked with cheese curds before. This looks like such a hearty dish!
Veronica says
This is a new one for me; poutine. I will have to give it a try
Theresa says
So, I have never heard of poutine before, but now I think I need it in my life. This sounds sooo amazing!
Crystal says
This is a new one for me, and that makes it extra exciting! I’d love to try poutine.
Penelope says
I love adding things to fries. That’s how I love my curry. Now I need to try it with poutine.
Ora Lee Gurr says
This certainly looks tasty, particularly with the extra flavor in the gravy. Once winter sets in, our meals are all about warm and comfy. I may just cheat and add some shaved cheese curls from a block of sharp cheddar.
Toni Dash says
I’m all about adapting and that is a great idea!
Krystal says
Poutine is SO good. I went to a conference recently and they had a poutine buffet bar with all different kinds including chicken and waffles!
Toni Dash says
Fantastic! I feel like the popularity is spreading and with it more creative variations.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I love Poutine and we just started seeing cheese curds in our stores around here! This looks so good!
Jeanine says
Oh how I love original poutine I bet I would love this. It’s so good, I don’t have it often though. I need to give this a try!
Wandering Educators says
OH MY GOSH. Yes, making these this week. We love poutine!
Ann B says
My mouth is watering looking at these pictures. We love poutine. I have never tried adding meat to it. I am going to try this recipe on the weekend.
Chris Scheuer says
Oh my gosh Toni, I’ve never heard of anything like this but it sounds so fun! I love discovering national treasures like Poultine!
Shell says
I keep hearing about poutine. I haven’t tried it yet! This sounds really good!
Amanda says
I have;t tried poutine yet but I need too! This looks so yummy!