Homemade Poutine (Authentic Canadian Poutine Recipe)

Growing up in Canada, I spent countless weekends visiting family in Quebec, especially around Montreal. Back in the 90’s, poutine was a beloved local treasure, found at roadside diners and casse-croûtes long before it gained international fame. Sure, the UK has their “cheesy chips and gravy,” but authentic Canadian poutine is in a class of its own.

At its heart, poutine is a glorious trifecta: crispy fries, melty cheese curds, and rich, savoury poutine gravy. It’s salty, messy, and completely satisfying—exactly how comfort food should be.

Now, if you are travelling, you should definitely go to Montreal and explore all the poutine in it’s home state, there is a great list of poutineries on the MTL Blog. While you’re there, you also need to have Smoked Meat. If however, you aren’t planning on visiting anytime soon, you can check out my awesome Montreal Smoked Meat recipe here. 

Whether you’re craving an easy poutine recipe or want to try an air fryer poutine twist, this recipe brings the nostalgic flavours of Canada to your kitchen.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Equipment
• FAQ
• Storage
• Top Tips
• Variations
• Homemade Poutine

Ingredients

For the Fries & Toppings:

• 1 bag oven-ready French fries (I use Cavendish Pub Style 0 750g)
• ½ cup fresh white cheddar cheese curds

For the Poutine Gravy Recipe:

• 2 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon water
• 4 tablespoon salted butter
• 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 cups beef broth (Better Than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base recommended – affiliate link )
• 1 cup chicken broth (Better Than Bouillon Roasted Chicken Base recommended – affiliate link)
• ¼ teaspoon dried parsley
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• Salt, to taste

Instructions

Poutine Gravy Recipe

1. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water to make a slurry. Set aside.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 5–6 minutes until golden brown and nutty.
3. Slowly add beef and chicken broths while whisking continuously.
4. Add parsley, cloves, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
5. Stir in 2 tablespoon of the cornstarch slurry. Simmer until thickened. Add more slurry for a thicker consistency.
6. Taste and season with salt as needed. Keep warm.

Assemble the Poutine

1. Cook fries according to package directions or in the air fryer (see tips below).
2. In a heatproof serving dish, layer fries and cheese curds.
3. Pour hot gravy generously overtop.
4. Let sit for 2–3 minutes to melt curds slightly then serve immediately.

Substitutions

• Fries: Oven fries, air-fried, or homemade—just keep them thick enough to hold up under gravy.
• Cheese curds: If unavailable, use torn mozzarella as a last resort, though the authentic texture and squeak will be missing.
• Broths: Use homemade stock if available for an extra layer of depth. Try not to use the stock cubes, as they are loaded with salt.

Equipment

• Measuring cups & spoons
• Saucepan
• Whisk
• Air fryer or oven
• Serving dish

FAQ

What is a cheese curd?

Cheese curds are fresh chunks of cheddar that haven’t been aged. They’re soft, squeaky, and melt slightly in hot gravy—essential to an authentic Canadian poutine recipe.

What fries are best for poutine?

Thick-cut fries like crinkle cut, steak cut, or pub-style hold up best. Avoid shoestring fries—they get soggy fast!

Can I make air fryer poutine?

Absolutely! I love making air fryer poutine:

• Preheat your air fryer.
• Don’t overcrowd the basket.
• Shake halfway through to crisp evenly.

Storage

Poutine is best enjoyed fresh, but you can store components separately:

• Gravy: Refrigerate up to 4 days; reheat gently.
• Fries: Re-crisp in the air fryer or oven.
• Assembled poutine: Not recommended for storage (fries go soggy).

Top Tips

• Use fresh cheese curds – they should squeak when bitten.
• Preheat your air fryer for even cooking.
• Shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking.
• Don’t overcrowd the fryer – crispiness matters!

Variations

• Taco Poutine Recipe: Add taco seasoning to your fries and top with spiced ground beef.
• Smoked Meat Poutine Recipe: Montreal-style! Use chopped smoked meat on top.
• Chicken Poutine Recipe: Add shredded rotisserie or my healthy chicken recipe.

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If you’re looking for an easy poutine recipe that captures the soul of Canadian comfort food, this is it. Whether you’re reliving your childhood trips to Quebec or just curious about the buzz around this dish, try this authentic Canadian poutine recipe—you won’t regret it.