Poutine Gravy

As the old joke goes, it takes a lot of time and effort to make poutine, but at least when you're finally done you get to eat soggy fries. And, what incredibly delicious, soggy fries they are. While I don't have any problem with you buying the cheese curds, or using frozen fries, I do hope you make the sauce from scratch. Use beef chuck, short rib, or brisket to achieve this marvelously meaty, super savory, ridiculously rich gravy that makes all the sogginess worth it.


Recipes · Everyday Cooking


Prep Time: 25 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Servings: 8
Total Time: 55 mins
Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

Ingredients List

  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

  • 1 pound boneless beef chuck, chopped, or more to taste

  • 4 tablespoons butter

  • 1 cup diced onions

  • salt to taste

  • freshly ground black pepper to taste

  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour

  • 4 cups homemade beef broth

  • 1 (16 ounce) package crinkle-cut French fries, or to taste

  • 1 cup fresh cheese curds, or to taste

  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives, or to taste


Directions

  1. Drizzle oil into a pan over high heat. Add beef chuck. Cook and stir until juices evaporate and the beef starts to brown and stick to the bottom of the pan, 5 to 7 minutes. Add butter and reduce heat to medium; stir until butter is melted.

  2. Add onions, salt, pepper, and cayenne to the beef. Cook until onions are softened and golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in flour. Cook and stir until flour smells like cooked pie crust, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in broth and bring to a simmer over high heat. Bring heat back down to medium. Let simmer, uncovered, until gravy reaches your desired thickness, 15 to 20 minutes, scraping down the sides occasionally. Season with salt.

  3. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Lay fries out on a baking sheet.

  4. Bake in the preheated oven, turning halfway, until crispy and golden brown, 13 to 18 minutes.

  5. Fill a serving platter with fries. Scatter cheese curds on top. Ladle a portion of the beef gravy on top and garnish with chives.

Tips

Chef's Notes:

You can also use up to 1 1/2 pounds of beef.

Feel free to substitute lard for the oil and use any kind of broth you prefer.

Here's my recipe for the homemade fries, even though frozen crinkle-cut fries are my personal favorite for poutine.

And here's how to make fresh cheese curds! If you're strapped for time you can also try using grated cheese.

If you're of the vegetarian persuasion, some severely caramelized mushrooms, and a decent vegetable stock will produce a perfectly fine version.


Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition Facts
327 Calories
22g Fat
18g Carbs
14g Protein


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