20 Unique Poutine Recipes Ideas with Fun Toppings
Welcome to a culinary journey through the world of poutine, a beloved Canadian classic that lends itself brilliantly to a variety of flavors and fusions. The magic of poutine lies in its simplicity – crispy fries, squeaky cheese curds, and velvety gravy – a canvas primed for creative toppings. But who says we have to stop there?
Today we're going beyond the traditional and diving headfirst into a melting pot of international cuisines, crafting not 10, not 15, but 20 unique poutine recipes with artisan toppings. From the familiar to the exotic, and even the slightly wacky, these recipes will take your tastebuds on a grand tour across the globe without leaving the comfort of your kitchen.
Each recipe is a love letter to a different corner of the world, integrating exciting ingredients and flavors while keeping the soul of the original poutine intact. And because every great meal is elevated by the perfect beverage, we've also provided thoughtful drink pairings to complement each dish.
So, without further ado, let's tie those apron strings, fire up the stove, and embark on this exciting journey. The world of poutine awaits!
1. Caribbean Jerk Poutine
Inspiration: A zesty Caribbean twist to the classic poutine, embodying the vibrant spirit of island life.
Ingredients: Classic poutine ingredients, jerk seasoning, grilled pineapple, jerk chicken, shredded coconut.
Preparation:
1. Prepare the poutine as usual.
2. Toss your fries with jerk seasoning.
3. Add pieces of jerk chicken.
4. Top with grilled pineapple slices and a sprinkle of shredded coconut.
Time: ~1.5 hours
Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: Caribbean Rum Punch or a cold coconut water.
Chef's Tips: Use sweet ripe pineapple for the best flavor contrast. Ensure chicken is marinated well for the authentic jerk flavor.
2. Mexican Chocolate Mole Poutine
Inspiration: This recipe marries Canadian comfort food with the intricate, robust flavors of Mexican Mole sauce.
Ingredients: Classic poutine ingredients, chicken breast, Mexican mole sauce (a mix of chili peppers, spices, and chocolate), queso fresco, cilantro, lime wedges.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Cook the chicken breast and toss it in the mole sauce.
Add the chicken to the poutine.
Crumble queso fresco over the top and garnish with cilantro.
Serve with a wedge of lime to squeeze over the top before eating.
Time: ~1.5 hours
Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A classic Margarita or Mexican hot chocolate.
Chef's Tips: Mole sauce can be complex to prepare from scratch; using a good quality pre-made mole is acceptable. Remember, the lime squeeze at the end brightens up the whole dish.
3. Japanese Matcha Poutine
Inspiration: East meets West in this Japanese green tea inspired poutine.
Ingredients: Classic poutine ingredients, Matcha powder, Shichimi Togarashi (Japanese spice mix), Nori strips, Panko breaded shrimp.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Dust the fries lightly with matcha powder.
Top with Panko breaded shrimp.
Finish with a sprinkle of Shichimi Togarashi and Nori strips.
Time: ~1 hour
Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A glass of Sake or Matcha Latte.
Chef's Tips: To prevent matcha from clumping, sieve it onto the fries. Balance the bitterness of matcha with the sweet, umami-rich gravy.
4. Mediterranean Hummus Poutine
Inspiration: A vegetarian twist to poutine that incorporates Mediterranean flavors, perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients: Classic poutine ingredients, hummus, kalamata olives, feta cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh mint.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Generously spread hummus on top of the fries.
Add kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes.
Crumble feta cheese on top.
Finish with fresh mint.
Time: ~1 hour
Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A glass of dry white wine or a classic Greek Frappé.
Chef's Tips: You can roast the fries in olive oil and oregano for an extra Mediterranean touch. Using a quality hummus makes a world of difference.
5. Indian Tikka Masala Poutine
IInspiration: The fusion of Canadian poutine with the Indian subcontinent, rich with spices and vibrant flavors.
Ingredients: Classic poutine ingredients, chicken breast, Tikka masala sauce, cilantro, fresh lime, crispy chickpeas.
Preparation:
1. Prepare the poutine as usual.
2. Cook the chicken breast and toss it in Tikka masala sauce.
3. Add the chicken to the poutine.
4. Top with cilantro and crispy chickpeas.
5. Serve with a lime wedge to squeeze over the top before eating.
Time: ~1.5 hours
Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: Indian spiced chai or a glass of Viognier.
Chef's Tips: Balance the richness of the sauce with a squeeze of lime. The chickpeas add a lovely crunch.
6. Italian Caprese Poutine
Inspiration: A refreshing fusion of classic poutine and a traditional Italian Caprese salad.
Ingredients: Classic poutine ingredients, fresh basil, mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, balsamic reduction.
Preparation:
1. Prepare the poutine as usual.
2. Substitute the cheese curds with fresh mozzarella balls.
3. Top the poutine with halved cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves.
4. Drizzle with a balsamic reduction.
Time: ~1 hour
Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A glass of Chianti or Italian Lemonade.
Chef's Tips: Use a quality balsamic reduction for the best flavor. The freshness of the basil is key in this recipe.
7. Korean Kimchi Poutine
Inspiration: The spiciness of Korean kimchi combined with hearty Canadian poutine offers a unique flavor experience.
Ingredients: Usual poutine ingredients, kimchi, bulgogi beef, green onions, sesame seeds.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as you normally would.
Cook the bulgogi beef according to the package instructions.
Add the beef to the poutine, along with a generous serving of kimchi.
Garnish with chopped green onions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A cold glass of Soju or Korean barley tea pairs well with this dish.
Chef's Tips: Don't hold back on the kimchi; it adds a fantastic crunch and spiciness. For an extra kick, consider adding a drizzle of gochujang (Korean chili paste).
8. American BBQ Pulled Pork Poutine
Inspiration: The fusion of Southern barbecue flavors and Canadian poutine delivers a satisfying comfort dish.
Ingredients: Usual poutine ingredients, pulled pork, BBQ sauce, coleslaw, pickle slices.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Toss the pulled pork in a generous amount of BBQ sauce.
Add the saucy pork to the poutine.
Finish with a dollop of coleslaw and a few pickle slices.
Time: Approximately 2 hours (if using pre-made pulled pork) Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A glass of American craft beer or a sweet iced tea.
Chef's Tips: A tangy BBQ sauce helps to balance out the richness of the dish. The coleslaw adds a refreshing crunch.
9. Middle Eastern Falafel Poutine
Inspiration: This fusion dish combines classic poutine with the hearty and aromatic flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine.
Ingredients: Standard poutine ingredients, falafels, tahini sauce, cucumber, tomatoes, parsley.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Top the poutine with crispy falafels.
Drizzle a generous amount of tahini sauce over the top.
Add diced cucumber and tomatoes.
Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Time: Approximately 1 hour Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A refreshing mint lemonade or a bold red wine would pair well with this dish.
Chef's Tips: For a lighter dish, you could bake the falafels instead of frying them. Also, a high-quality tahini sauce will greatly enhance the flavor.
10. Mexican Chorizo and Guacamole Poutine
Inspiration: This dish combines the zest of Mexican ingredients with the comfort of traditional poutine.
Ingredients: Regular poutine ingredients, chorizo sausage, guacamole, diced tomatoes, jalapeno slices, cilantro.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Cook the chorizo sausage and crumble it over the poutine.
Top with a generous scoop of guacamole.
Add diced tomatoes and jalapeno slices for a little heat.
Finish with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
Time: Approximately 1 hour Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A cold Mexican beer or a Margarita would pair wonderfully with this dish.
Chef's Tips: If you like extra spice, consider adding a dash of hot sauce. Also, using a quality guacamole will really elevate the flavor profile.
11. Spanish Tapas Poutine
Inspiration: A delightful fusion of Spanish tapas flavors and Canadian poutine.
Ingredients: Standard poutine ingredients, Manchego cheese, Serrano ham, piquillo peppers, Spanish olives.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Substitute the cheese curds with cubes of Manchego cheese.
Top with strips of Serrano ham and slices of piquillo peppers.
Add a scattering of Spanish olives.
Time: Approximately 1 hour Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A glass of Spanish Rioja or a fruity Sangria would complement this dish nicely.
Chef's Tips: A high-quality Serrano ham will greatly enhance the flavor of the dish. The Manchego cheese can be melted slightly if preferred.
12. Martian Terraform Poutine
Inspiration: This recipe takes you on a culinary journey to outer space, embracing the imaginative concept of Martian terraforming – the hypothetical process of creating a habitable environment on Mars.
Ingredients: Standard poutine ingredients, spicy Sriracha astronauts' ice cream (edible and safe, but truly out-of-this-world), Martian-red beetroot chips, green pea sprouts, blue potato fries.
Preparation:
Substitute regular fries with blue potato fries and prepare the poutine as usual.
Introduce an alien element by scattering pieces of spicy Sriracha astronauts' ice cream across the dish.
Garnish with Martian-red beetroot chips, simulating Martian soil.
To represent the terraforming process, scatter green pea sprouts over the dish – the sprouts of life on a distant planet.
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: An ice-cold cosmic blue lemonade, for an out-of-this-world experience.
Chef's Tips: The astronauts' ice cream offers a surprising element of spice and sweetness, and the beetroot chips add a beautiful earthy flavor and crunch. Don’t be shy with the green pea sprouts, they add a lovely fresh element to this cosmic dish.
13. Japanese Teriyaki Poutine
Inspiration: This fusion of Japanese flavors and Canadian poutine offers a delicious and unique twist on the classic dish.
Ingredients: Standard poutine ingredients, teriyaki chicken, spring onions, sesame seeds, pickled ginger.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Top the poutine with teriyaki chicken.
Add a sprinkle of sliced spring onions and sesame seeds.
Finish with a garnish of pickled ginger.
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A Japanese beer or a cup of green tea would pair nicely with this dish.
Chef's Tips: Use a quality teriyaki sauce for the chicken, and consider grilling the chicken for a smoky flavor.
14. Indian Butter Chicken Poutine
Inspiration: This fusion dish brings together the warm, aromatic spices of Indian butter chicken and classic poutine.
Ingredients: Standard poutine ingredients, butter chicken, fresh coriander, naan bread.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Top the poutine with butter chicken.
Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
Serve with a side of naan bread.
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: An Indian lassi or a glass of Indian pale ale would complement this dish nicely.
Chef's Tips: Be sure to use a flavorful butter chicken for the best taste. The naan bread is perfect for soaking up any extra sauce!
15. Greek Gyro Poutine
Inspiration: This dish is a medley of classic Greek flavors and comforting Canadian poutine.
Ingredients: Regular poutine ingredients, gyro meat, tzatziki sauce, tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, feta cheese, fresh dill.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Top the poutine with gyro meat.
Add a generous drizzle of tzatziki sauce.
Add diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions.
Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and fresh dill.
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A glass of Greek white wine or a cold Greek beer would pair well with this dish.
Chef's Tips: The tzatziki sauce and fresh vegetables add a refreshing contrast to the savory gyro meat and fries.
16. Thai Red Curry Poutine
Inspiration: A flavorful fusion of classic poutine and the rich spices of Thai cuisine.
Ingredients: Standard poutine components, chicken breast, red curry paste, coconut milk, Thai basil, lime, peanuts.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Cook the chicken breast in a sauce made from red curry paste and coconut milk.
Add the chicken to the poutine.
Garnish with Thai basil, a squeeze of lime, and a sprinkle of crushed peanuts.
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A Thai Iced Tea or a light beer would pair nicely.
Chef's Tips: The lime juice adds a refreshing tang to balance the richness of the curry. Using a quality curry paste is key for an authentic flavor.
17. Scandinavian Pickled Herring Poutine
Inspiration: This recipe pulls inspiration from Scandinavian cuisine, blending the traditional flavor of pickled herring with Canadian poutine.
Ingredients: Standard poutine ingredients, pickled herring, red onions, dill, rye bread crumbs.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Top with pickled herring and thinly sliced red onions.
Sprinkle with fresh dill and rye bread crumbs for a crunchy finish.
Time: Approximately 1 hour Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: An ice-cold shot of aquavit or a crisp lager would pair nicely with this dish.
Chef's Tips: This dish is definitely for those who enjoy a taste of the sea! The rye bread crumbs add an earthy depth and a lovely crunch.
18. Australian Vegemite and Kangaroo Sausage Poutine
Inspiration: An adventurous combination that showcases Australian favorites, Vegemite and kangaroo meat, in a poutine form.
Ingredients: Regular poutine ingredients, kangaroo sausages, Vegemite, grated cheddar cheese.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Grill the kangaroo sausages and slice them.
Add the sausage slices to the poutine.
Drizzle a Vegemite-infused gravy over the top, and add a generous amount of grated cheddar cheese.
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: An Australian Shiraz or a cold Aussie lager would complement this dish.
Chef's Tips: Vegemite is quite strong, so it's best to mix it into the gravy rather than applying it directly. The cheddar cheese helps to balance out the unique flavor of the Vegemite.
19. Moroccan Mint Tea Poutine
Inspiration: This experimental fusion takes the cooling properties of Moroccan mint tea and incorporates them into a gravy for poutine.
Ingredients: Standard poutine ingredients, Moroccan mint tea leaves, honey, almonds, goat cheese, fresh mint.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual, but infuse the gravy with Moroccan mint tea leaves and a touch of honey.
Top with a sprinkle of crumbled goat cheese.
Garnish with slivered almonds and fresh mint leaves.
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A glass of Moroccan mint tea or a rich Cabernet Sauvignon.
Chef's Tips: This poutine takes a sweet-savory approach. The goat cheese offers a nice tang to balance the sweetness of the honey-mint gravy.
20. Einstein's Relativity Poutine
Inspiration: This playful recipe is inspired by the scientific genius of Albert Einstein. His theory of relativity might not have been about food, but we're bending the rules in the name of culinary exploration!
Ingredients: Standard poutine ingredients, black garlic aioli, "time-dilated" slow-cooked beef brisket, Gruyère cheese, atom-shaped pretzels.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Substitute the cheese curds with Gruyère cheese.
Slow-cook the beef brisket until it's tender and falling apart ("time-dilated" to perfection), then shred and spread over the poutine.
Drizzle the black garlic aioli across the dish.
Top with a few atom-shaped pretzels for a bit of fun and extra crunch.
Time: Approximately 2 hours Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A bold, dark stout or a smooth bourbon would pair well with this dish.
Chef's Tips: Slow-cooking the beef brisket is key here - the longer, the better. The black garlic aioli will provide a nice contrast with its rich, umami flavor.
21. French Onion Poutine
Inspiration: A fusion between classic French onion soup and comforting poutine, ideal for a cozy dinner.
Ingredients: Regular poutine ingredients, yellow onions, thyme, beef broth, gruyere cheese, baguette slices.
Preparation:
Prepare the poutine as usual.
Sauté the onions with thyme until caramelized, then simmer in beef broth.
Pour the onion mixture over the poutine.
Top with slices of gruyere cheese and broil until melted.
Serve with toasted baguette slices on the side.
Time: Around 1.5 hours Servings: 4
Drink Pairing: A glass of French Bordeaux or a hot cup of espresso would complement this dish nicely.
Chef's Tips: Take your time caramelizing the onions to bring out their sweetness. The broiled gruyere gives a fantastic cheesy crust, just like in a traditional French onion soup.
Thanks for reading!
And there you have it – a thrilling world tour of the humble poutine, reimagined. Twenty recipes, each uniquely different, yet each capturing the heart and soul of the traditional poutine we know and love.
We've ventured across borders, experimented with adventurous flavors, and breathed new life into a beloved classic. From the spicy zest of Mexican chorizo to the unique tang of Scandinavian pickled herring, each recipe has told a story of its own, merging the comfort of Canadian cuisine with international culinary wonders.
And remember, the joy of cooking lies in creativity. Don't hesitate to add your own twists, explore different ingredients, and create a poutine that tells your own culinary tale. After all, the best recipes are those that resonate with you personally.
As you embark on your homemade poutine adventure, we hope these recipes inspire you, awaken your creativity, and most importantly, make your tastebuds dance with joy.
Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.
