The BEST French Recipes (2024)

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French cuisine… Known as one of the most elegant in the world, many of the dishes are actually quite easy to make in your own kitchen.

That’s why we compiled this list of amazing French Recipes for you to try. There’s no need to go to a fancy restaurant when you master these dishes.

Ever since Julia Child published her first book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Americans have considered French food to be among the most gourmet in the world.

Now you can amaze your friends and family with your own culinary skills when you present these French dishes!

The Best French Recipes:

1. Chicken Provençal

We’re starting this list of French recipes with our own Chicken Provençal. Beautiful golden brown chicken braised in white wine, nestled between eye catching olives, plump cherry tomatoes, oh-so French shallots, tangy capers and plenty of garlic and herbs.

As much as “Chicken Provençal” sounds and looks fancy, it’s extremely simple and comes together in just a little over an hour.

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2. Coq au Vin

This one is a more traditional coq au vin stew. Classic French cooking at its best.

Chicken is braised into tender submission in an herb infused red wine gravy, along with veggies and aromatics for good measure.

This is one to keep in your back pocket for special occasions and company nights. Shh, don’t tell them it’s so easy

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3. Tapenade

Tapenade – An ode to Olives… à la Provençal, coming to you all the way from the south of France. Earthy, robust olives, capers, garlic and a few other flavorings just chopped or pureed with plenty of olive oil… Simple, quick, delicious and addictive.

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4. Ratatouille

This thick and silky French stew of eggplant, zucchini, sweet peppers, and ripe summer tomatoes will use up your extra vegetables in one fell swoop, making enough food to feed a crowd, pack for lunch, and still freeze for later. Cook this French classic for delicious meatless night.

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5. Chicken Chasseur

Chicken Chasseur is one of the most popular French Chicken recipes. It’s a simple dish where chicken simmers in a tomato based sauce with wine and plenty of fresh herbs.

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6. Quiche

Quiche is a famous egg casserole from French cuisine. There are so many different varieties, but this tasty version is loaded with ham and cheese.

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7. Baguette

This French baguette recipe gives a step-by-step process to bake the perfect artisan homemade baguettes! They’re crispy on the outside and soft in the center.

Your very own homemade French baguette is so much better and satisfying that any you will ever buy in the store. Just that freshly baked aroma, when it comes out of the oven will make you reach for some butter and polish it off.

Get the Recipe @ aberdeenskitchen

8. Beef Bourguignon

Beef Bourguignon is a savory French classic. Tender chunks of chuck roast, veggies and potatoes braised in a wine infused broth. So good. Foods like these make for happy meal times.

This recipe is based off of the one made famous by Julia Child.

Get the Recipe @ cafedelites

9. Bouillabaisse

Celebrating some special occasion at home? This French seafood stew is your answer. This fancy and elegant stew is a combination of assorted seafood in a broth.

Shrimp, clams, mussels and fresh fish all simmered in a flavorful broth. All you need is some warm crusty bread… Divine.

Get the Recipe @ dinneratthezoo

10. Hollandaise Sauce

Hollandaise Sauce is one of the classic sauces, and a mainstay in French cuisine. It’s a staple on eggs benedict, and goes great with a variety of veggies and seafood.

Don’t be intimidated, it’s easier than you think.

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11. French Onion Soup

This French classic is a must on some chilly nights. Ultimate comfort with rich caramelized onion flavor. So GOOD and so EASY…

Get the Recipe @ damndelicious

12. Nicoise Salad

Nicoise Salad is a hearty salad-for-dinner type of dish. It makes a beautiful platter, and is full of nutritious ingredients.

Get the Recipe @ loveandlemons

13. Cassoulet

This French Cassouletis a classic and simple, yet delicious, casserole. It has beans, pork sausage and chicken breast. Served with a French baguette and salad and you have one hearty meal for some special occasion.

Get the Recipe @ theseasonedmom

14. Crème Brûlée

Want something fancy? Try this Crème Brûlée Cheesecake. It’s a delicious dessert that’s good looking too.

It is made with only 5 ingredients, and the caramelized sugar topping is what makes it so unique.

Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic

15. Croque Monsieur

Croque Monsieur is the French answer to a ham and cheese sandwich. It has gruyere, parmesan, ham and béchamel sauce. The sandwich is grilled, then topped with more béchamel and cheese, and broiled to perfection.

Get the Recipe @ recipetineats

16. Croque Madame

The Croque Madame sandwich is a variation on the famous Croque Monsieur, but the Croque Madame is topped with a fried egg, making it more dramatic and absolutely delicious.

Get the Recipe @ thesuburbansoapbox

17. Vichyssoise

Vichyssoise is your summertime potato soup. A classic French recipe, vichyssoise is a creamy soup with a blend of potatoes and leeks.

What makes it a summer soup? It’s served cold.

Get the Recipe @ oliviascuisine

18. Chateaubriand

This Chateaubriand is a French preparation for the center cut of the beef tenderloin. It is a great dish for special occasions, or impressing guests.

Get the Recipe @ thekitchn

19. Crêpes

Crêpes are special, super thin pancakes that are great with both sweet and savory fillings. They are a true French classic, and well worth mastering.

Get the Recipe @ sallysbakingaddiction

20. Potatoes Dauphinoise

THIS is the crème de la crème of all potato recipes!! Also known as Dauphinoise Potatoes, this French classic is made with layers upon layers of finely sliced potatoes, cream, butter and cheese with a hint of fresh thyme.

Get the Recipe @ howtofeedaloon

21. Flan Pâtissier (French Custard Tart)

Flan Pâtissier is a rich, creamy vanilla custard tucked inside a flaky pastry crust. It’s a magnificently tasty dessert, and would surely be a hit at your next get together.

Get the Recipe @ recipetineats

22. Bisque

Don’t get intimidated by the idea of making bisque in your kitchen. This is an easier take on the French classic. This creamy soup is made with delicious lobster tails, fresh herbs and seafood stock.

Get the Recipe @ cafedelites

23. Macarons

French Macarons… those colorful cookie looking sweets you so often see in the bakery. They’re sweet and nutty with a slightly crunchy outside and a soft and chewy inside.

Get the Recipe @ sugargeekshow

24. Sole Meuniere

Extremely simple but intensely satisfying, this Sole Meuniere is a French bistro classic that ranks as a great dish.

The fish is lightly floured, then sautéed in browned butter with a hint of lemon. Great dish for special occasions.

Get the Recipe @ jocooks

25. French Omelette

A French Omelette is so simple in ingredients, but mastering the technique is considered one of the hallmarks of a great chef.

No need to be intimidated, this recipe will give you all the tips necessary to master this French classic.

Get the Recipe @ themodernproper

26. Duck Confit

This Duck Confit is an amazing French recipe. Duck legs are slow cooked in their own fat, then at the end they are roasted to crispy perfection. This one takes some time, but is well worth it!

Get the Recipe @ recipetineats

27. Hachis Parmentier (French Beef and Potato Casserole)

Hachis Parmentier is like a French version of shepherd’s pie. Layered mashed potatoes and beef are topped with cheese before baking. Pure comfort food.

Get the Recipe @ curiouscuisiniere

28. Béchamel Sauce

Béchamel Sauce, one of the mother sauces in classic French cooking, is a simple white gravy made of butter roux and milk.

It’s an easy recipe to master, and is a must for dishes such as moussaka, mac and cheese, and even biscuits and gravy.

Get the Recipe @ jocooks

29. Escargot

Escargot is one of the famous French appetizers, and this recipe shows you how to make it the authentic way. It’s an elegant and classy dish you should definitely try making at home.

Get the Recipe @ savoryexperiments

30. Croissant

If you love croissants, wait until you try homemade! They’re super flaky and buttery. You’ll be coming back to this one again and again!

Get the Recipe @ sweetandsavorybyshinee

31. Steak Tartare

Steak Tartare recipe is made with chopped steak, egg yolk, capers and Worcestershire sauce.

This no-cook beef tartare is commonly served as an appetizer along with fresh baguette bread.

Get the Recipe @ lenaskitchenblog

32. Lemon Soufflés

Lemon Soufflés are the perfect light summer desserts. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these individually portioned desserts are great for potlucks.

Get the Recipe @ somewhatsimple

33. Chicken Fricassee

Chicken Fricassee is total French comfort food. Chicken is slowly braised in an herb infused gravy with carrots, celery, mushrooms, sweet pearl onions, and garlic. So good!

Get the Recipe @ carlsbadcravings

34. Pâté

Chicken liver Pâté is a famous spread made of poultry liver. It’s is one of the most popular recipes to serve on French appetizer spreads.

Get the Recipe @ hungryhuy

35. Lobster Thermidor

This lobster thermidor is a French dish that looks and tastes super fancy, but is so easy to make in your own home. This one is perfect for anniversaries, Valentine’s or other special occasions.

Get the Recipe @ thesuburbansoapbox

We hope you enjoy these classic French Recipes as much as we do. There’s just so many elegant dishes to choose from!

Save or pin this collection of great recipes so you always know where to find it. And be sure to subscribe to GypsyPlate, we’re always cooking up new easy recipes for you!

Check out these other great recipe collections!
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The 35 BEST French Recipes

This collection of classic French Food includes many elegant dishes perfect for serving company! We love this chicken provencal:

Ingredients

• 4-5 bone in, skin on chicken thighs
• 5-6 shallots, halved or quartered
• 8-9 large garlic cloves, sliced
• 1/4 cup flour, divided
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup white wine
• 3 Tbsp olive oil
• 8 oz red cherry tomatoes
• 8-10 jumbo green olives
• 8-10 jumbo black olives
• 2 Tbsp capers
• 9-10 sprigs of thyme, chopped
• 2 sprigs of rosemary, chopped
• 2 Tbsp parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then dredge them lightly in flour.
3. Heat olive oil in a dutch oven or braiser over medium high heat. Place the chicken skin side down and cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes, until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside.
4. Add more oil if needed. Stir in shallots, garlic and 1 Tbsp flour and sauté for a minute. Add half of the chopped rosemary and thyme. Give it a stir.
5. Add in wine and chicken stock, scraping the brown bits on the bottom into the sauce.
6. Place the chicken thighs back in the sauce along with olives, capers, cherry tomatoes and the rest of the chopped thyme and rosemary. Cover the pot with a lid and bake it in the preheated oven for about an hour.
7. Garnish it with parsley and serve with fresh crusty bread.

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