12 French Comfort Foods for a Hearty Winter

Gooey Croque Monsieurs 

There’s a reason why croque monsieurs are a classic in French cuisine – they’re rich, satisfying and they’re super easy to make. All you need is some bread, butter, cheese, ham and a bit of béchamel sauce. Think of it as a fancy grilled cheese. If you’re feeling extra fancy, add a fried egg on top and make it a Croque Madame!

Cassoulet 

Cassoulet is the ultimate French comfort food. This meaty stew from Southwest France has been warming bellies since the 1300s. It takes some patience to prepare, especially if you soak the beans overnight, but trust us, the results are worth it. If you're short on time, try making it in an Instant Pot or Crock-Pot.

Soupe à l’Oignon 

There’s nothing like a hot bowl of soup on a cold day and French onion soup is a classic. Simply prep your beef stock and caramelized French onions with copious amounts of gooey melted cheese and you're ready to go. Serve with crusty bread for dipping. If you’re vegetarian, don’t worry! Simply swap out the beef broth for veggie stock for an equally tasty alternative.

Cheese Fondue 

As far as we’re concerned, no one in the history of mankind has ever said no to a helping of cheesy fondue. Inspired by the Alpine Savoie region of France, cheese fondue is fun, festive and perfect to warm up after a long day of skiing in the cold – or on any cold day really. Whether you prefer Comté, Gruyere, or Beaufort, we guarantee you’ll be everyone’s favourite party host if you prepare this classic French meal.

Auvergne-Inspired Aligot 

Aligot doesn’t often get the love it deserves, but if you love cheese and mashed potatoes, this Auvergne dish will blow your mind. This dish from the Auvergne region combines cheese, cream, butter and garlic with fluffy mashed potatoes to make a creamy and textured dish that’s full of flavour. If you cant’ find local cheese (think tomme d’Auvergne), don’t worry – Emmental de Savoie, Gruyère or any other lower-fat cheese will work just as well.

Tartiflette 

While on the topic of potatoes, we’d be remiss to not suggest Savoie’s  traditional tartiflette recipe. Crafted from scalloped potatoes, smelly reblochon cheese, and copious amounts of bacon chunks (lardons), this flavour-packed meal promises to warm all of your friends’ and family members’ bellies on cold winter nights. Pair with a local wine from Savoie to make the experience even better.

Alsatian Flammekueche  

If you like pizza you will love Alsatian flammekueche. This northeastern French flatbread is beloved by French foodies all over the country, and if you love cheese, bacon, and crusty bread, we’re sure it’ll satisfy you, too. Some even consider this dish to be a “healthier” alternative to pizza, as the crust of flammekueche is generally paper thin – however, if you’re anything like us, we tend to compensate with extra bacon, cheese, and loads of crème fraiche. For those with kids, this is a super fun recipe to make at home to get the whole family involved.

Boeuf Bourguignon 

When a craving for the French classics strikes, look no further than boeuf bourguignon. This simple-yet-satisfying stew incorporates slow-cooking meats and veggies in a bath of their own juices and wine. With the rise in today’s Instapot and Crock Pot cultures, you can enjoy it without spending all day in the kitchen. We recommend using (and sipping) local Pinot Noir to accompany this hearty, soul-warming dish.

Gratin Dauphinois 

Leave your diets at the door with this traditional French recipe. Similar to Savoyard tartiflette, this Dauphiné-inspired recipe combines potatoes, cream, and cheese (emphasis on the cream) and the gratin technique to create a soft, belly-filling dish that promises to keep you coming back for more. Fair warning, wear stretchy pants when eating this one – although you’ll find yourself full rather quickly, we’re fairly certain you’ll be reaching for a second portion.

Coq au Vin 

For those who prefer poultry over red meat, this warming, chicken-based alternative to boeuf bourguignon is for you. Made with tenderized chicken and veggies in a wine-based broth, this easy-to-make recipe is perfect for big dinners at home. Affordable, simple, and crowd pleasing? Count us in. (Similar to boeuf bourguignon, we recommend serving this dish with a regional Red or White Burgundy to really bring the flavours of the dish to life.)

Homemade Quiche 

Perhaps the most versatile French comfort food of them all is the classic quiche. Ideal for breakfast, lunch, or sliced into canapés for an apéro, this accessible and affordable dish is a French classic that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Although classic recipes include ham and cheese, salmon and creme fraiche, or simple spinach and brie, the best part about quiches is that you can pretty much put whatever you want in them. Use the meats, cheese, and fillings of your choice, mix ‘em all up, et voila.

Spicy Vin Chaud 

What winter French comfort food list would be complete without a hot boozy bonus? Enter vin chaud, the traditional belly-warming beverage of French winters everywhere.

Synonymous with Christmas markets and holiday gatherings, this spicy, traditional drink is best served piping hot on snowy evenings with friends and family – and believe it or not, whipping up your own recipe at home is easier than you think. Simply grab an affordable bottle of red, some sugar, spices, and fresh oranges, and you’re all set (If you want an extra kick, don’t forget to add a splash of cognac!)

From our Taste France family to yours, we wish you a joy-filled winter season!