French cuisine is famous for pastries, but the savory side dishes are just as incredible. It is actually super easy to make fancy food right in your own kitchen.
You can use simple techniques to get big flavor on the table for date night or a rotisserie chicken dinner. Here are 14 fabulous French side dishes to make you feel fancy.
1. Ratatouille
This vegetarian stew is robust enough to stand on its own. It is also perfect next to a pot roast or roast chicken.
The traditional mix uses eggplant and zucchini and peppers. But other veggies fit right in too.
Use cheesecloth bags if you lack twine to secure your herbs. This adds flavor without the twigs.
2. Easy Lyonnaise Potatoes Recipe
Is there a better combo than potatoes and butter and onion? It is simple and always delicious.
Parboil them to get perfectly tender potatoes with a golden brown crust. Use a good oven safe skillet to keep all that flavor right in the pan.
3. Classic French Aligot
This smooth dish is a big step up if you like mashed potatoes. Cook and mash your potatoes before heating crème fraîche with garlic.
Slowly add the dairy and then the sharp cheese. You just beat the mixture over heat for 10 minutes until it is velvety smooth.
4. French Onion Soup
The French added bread and cheese to caramelized onion soup because how could they not? Good quality beef broth is the key to that great flavor.
You can use chicken broth. But beef makes it really pop.
Toast the bread before adding it and use a flavorful cheese.
5. Creamed Leeks
Leeks add a beautiful pop of color and a subtle onion flavor to your plate. You need to wash them after slicing since dirt gets trapped in the layers.
Soak and drain them to remove debris. Just combine the clean leeks with butter and cream and heat until soft.
6. Baked Brie Appetizer
I love the combination of herbs in this cheesy appetizer. This simple dish is elegant and gooey enough for a crowd.
Cut your brie in half and bake it right next to the sliced baguette. Keep an eye on the herbs so they do not burn in the oven.
7. Traditional French Broccoli Gratin Recipe
This cheesy baked dish will have picky eaters reaching for more greens. Use fresh broccoli so it does not turn to mush.
You can let frozen broccoli thaw and reduce the cooking time by five minutes. Use half the amount of ground sage if you cannot find rubbed sage.
8. Classic French Spinach Au Gratin
Au gratin describes a creamy baked dish covered with cheese. You likely have everything you need in the kitchen even if the list looks long.
Onion and thyme join spinach in a creamy sauce. Throw in a little rosemary to make it even better.
9. Easy French Lentils
Lentils are packed with protein and plenty of nutrients. Cook them in vegetable oil with herbs and garlic powder so they soak up the flavor medley.
They can quickly turn to mush if you look away for too long. Add them to everything from tacos to shepherd’s pie once cooked.
10. Haricots Verts Amandine (Green Bean Almondine)
These boiled and pan fried green beans are combined with butter and lemon juice. Toast the sliced almonds so the flavor is as good as it gets.
Their light flavor pairs perfectly with chicken or pork or fish.
11. Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms (Champignons farcis au beurre d’escargot)
Nothing is better than tender and meaty stuffed mushrooms. Crimini mushrooms are the best for these perfect little bites.
The butter paste mixed with garlic and pepper is the star of the show. Grate these with fresh parmesan for ultimate yumminess.
12. French Glazed Carrots
A simple glaze of chicken stock and sugar is all it takes to upgrade your carrots. Cook the sliced carrots in the liquid and then remove them to let it reduce.
The syrup will coat every inch when you add them back. Drizzle with lemon juice and serve hot.
13. Petits Pois a la Francaise (French Peas)
Trust the French to jazz up the humble garden pea. This recipe has just a handful of ingredients and is ready in under 30 minutes.
You can leave the lardons out to make these veggie friendly. But they really do bring so much flavor if you can leave them in.
14. Gratin Dauphinois (Scalloped Potatoes)
Nothing is like these thinly sliced potatoes mixed with garlic and cheese cream sauce. It is the ultimate gratin dish.
Soak and dry your potatoes so they crisp up during cooking. Gruyere is the choice cheese here but mature cheddar is an excellent alternative.