Bringing that fancy French flair into your own kitchen is surprisingly simple. I have rounded up 15 fabulous French side dishes that range from cozy date night classics to easy upgrades for a weeknight rotisserie chicken. Get ready to add some rich and creamy elegance to your dinner rotation!
1. Haricots Verts Amandine (Green Bean Almondine)
These green beans are boiled and then pan fried with fresh lemon juice and butter and sliced almonds. I love how this light flavor profile pairs up flawlessly with chicken or pork or flaky white fish.
You definitely want to toast those almonds beforehand to bring out their deepest nutty flavors. It is an incredibly easy vegetable side that feels remarkably refined.
2. Classic French Aligot
Anyone who loves mashed potatoes will absolutely fall for this incredibly smooth and intensely cheesy upgrade.
After boiling and mashing your potatoes, gently warm up some crème fraîche and minced garlic. I slowly fold that rich dairy mixture into the potatoes before adding in a generous pile of sharp cheese. Vigorously beating the whole batch over low heat for ten minutes creates a luxurious velvety texture that is out of this world.
3. Baked Brie Appetizer
I can never blame the French for their absolute devotion to cheese. This gooey appetizer is my favorite way to serve something elegant yet incredibly easy when hosting a crowd.
Simply slice your brie in half and roast it right alongside your baguette pieces on a single baking sheet. The herb mixture adds fantastic flavor, just be sure to watch the oven closely so those herbs do not scorch.
4. Perfect Pommes Frites Recipe (French Fries)
These golden fries might technically originate from Belgium, but they are a classic staple you cannot ignore. I firmly believe that nothing beats a piping hot plate of perfectly salted fries right out of the kitchen.
The real trick here is slicing your potatoes as evenly as humanly possible so every piece finishes cooking at the exact same time. Frying them in small batches until pale ensures they will achieve ultimate crispiness during their second dip in the hot oil.
5. Ratatouille
This vibrant vegetarian stew is hearty enough to be the main event while also serving as a brilliant side for pot roast or chicken. The classic version calls for onions and peppers along with zucchini and eggplant, but you can easily customize it with whatever vegetables you have on hand.
I like to place my fresh herbs inside a small cheesecloth bag if I am out of kitchen twine. That trick infuses the entire dish with herbal flavor without leaving you to fish out stray twigs before dinner.
6. French Onion Soup
Caramelized onion soup is already absolutely incredible, but topping it with toasted bread and bubbly cheese takes it to another level. I always make sure to use a high quality beef broth because that rich flavor truly makes the whole bowl shine.
You can technically use chicken broth, but the beef version is just unmatched. Do not forget to toast your bread first and pick a strongly flavored cheese for the top!
7. Gratin Dauphinois (Scalloped Potatoes)
These thinly sliced potatoes bathed in a garlicky cheese and cream sauce represent the absolute pinnacle of potato dishes. I make sure to soak and thoroughly dry my potato slices first to help them crisp up beautifully in the oven.
Keeping those slices uniformly thin is the real secret to an evenly baked casserole. Gruyere is the traditional choice for authentic flavor, but a sharp mature cheddar tastes just as incredible.
8. Garlic Stuffed Mushrooms (Champignons farcis au beurre d’escargot)
Tender and meaty stuffed mushrooms are simply impossible for me to resist. I find that crimini mushrooms work perfectly here to create the ultimate bite sized appetizer.
The real magic happens with the butter paste made from garlic and black pepper and a customizable amount of salt. Finish them off with a heavy grating of fresh parmesan for a truly delicious treat.
9. Creamed Leeks
Leeks deliver a delightfully subtle onion flavor alongside a gorgeous pop of vibrant green color.
The only tricky part about cooking with them is that you must wash them thoroughly *after* slicing. I always soak the rings in water to ensure all the trapped sand and dirt floats away. Once they are rinsed clean, you simply heat them in a pan with butter and cream until they reach soft perfection.
10. Petits Pois a la Francaise (French Peas)
Leave it to French cuisine to transform the basic garden pea into something spectacular. I adore this recipe because it only requires a handful of ingredients and comes together in less than half an hour.
You can easily make this vegetarian by skipping the lardons. However, I strongly suggest keeping the pork in the pan if possible because it adds a massive amount of savory flavor.
11. Easy Lyonnaise Potatoes Recipe
Potatoes and butter and onions are a humble combination that will never let you down. The secret to getting a wonderfully crisp exterior while keeping the insides tender is to parboil your potatoes first.
This ensures they spend the exact right amount of time in the oven to achieve that golden brown crust. I highly recommend using a heavy oven safe skillet to lock all of those rich flavors perfectly inside the pan.
12. Easy French Lentils
Lentils are a fantastic source of protein and nutrients, but I have learned they can turn mushy if left unattended. Simmering them in oil along with garlic powder and herbs allows them to soak up a wonderful medley of flavors.
This gentle cooking method infuses every single bite with savory goodness. I love adding these perfectly cooked legumes to all kinds of meals, from homemade tacos to comforting shepherd pies.
13. French Glazed Carrots
Upgrading your standard carrots requires nothing more than a quick glaze made of butter and sugar mixed with chicken stock and salt. I simmer the sliced carrots directly in the liquid before removing them so the sauce can rapidly reduce and thicken up.
Tossing the vegetables back into the pot allows that glorious syrup to coat every single piece. A final squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens up the entire pan right before serving.
14. Classic French Spinach Au Gratin
The term au gratin simply means a creamy baked dish smothered in a beautiful layer of cheese. The ingredient list looks a bit long at first glance, but I bet you already have almost everything sitting in your pantry right now.
Bubbling spinach sits in a rich cream sauce flavored with onion and thyme. I like to toss in a pinch of rosemary to make that classic savory combination even better.
15. Traditional French Broccoli Gratin Recipe
If you have picky eaters who avoid green vegetables, this cheesy baked casserole is practically guaranteed to win them over. I always try to use fresh broccoli florets here to prevent the final dish from turning into mush.
You can certainly substitute frozen broccoli if you prefer, just thaw it completely and shave about five minutes off the total cooking time. Ground sage works perfectly in a pinch if you cannot track down rubbed sage at the store.