15 French-Canadian Foods That You'll Want To Eat Immediately

There's more than just poutine.

When you think of Quebec, two things probably come to mind: Céline Dion and poutine. Céline for obvious reasons (she’s Queen Céline, after all) and poutine, well, it’s just downright delicious.

Giphy: @cbc, Giphy: @celinedion

But did you know there are countless other French-Canadian dishes that are just as tasty as everyone’s favourite hangover snack?

1. Tire d’érable

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When the world thinks of maple syrup, they think of Canada. And when Canada thinks of maple syrup, they think of Quebec. Which is why we literally put syrup on snow and eat it from a stick at places like a cabane à sucre (sugar shack). Oh, Canada! 

2. Cretons

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I bet you could hear the accent just by reading this one. Cretons is a meat spread made of ground pork and spices that is usually eaten for breakfast (because it’s the most important meal of the day and deserves the best, obvi).

3. Soupe aux pois

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Soupe aux pois (pea soup), as you can probably imagine, is a soup made out of peas. Yellow peas to be more precise. You may have heard it be referred to as habitant soup, but regardless of what you call it, it’s absolutely scrumptious.

4. Pouding chômeur

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Pouding chômeur (which translates to “poor man’s pudding") is a super simple dessert, but it goes to show that you don’t need to be fancy to be delicious. The proof is in the pudding (sorry, I couldn’t help myself)! Want to make this dish yourself? Here's the recipe.

5. Tarte au sucre

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Speaking of dessert (which I always am), you gotta try a sugar pie. Exactly what it sounds like, this is a buttery, flaky crust filled with a creamy, sugary filling — sometimes with maple syrup, which is basically nature’s sugar. Either way you make it, sounds like a sweet deal to me.

6. Tourtière

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If you want to try a savoury pie, tourtière is in the cards for sure. The recipe may change depending on the region, and it can be stuffed with everything from pork to beef or veal. Sometimes even wild game, like moose or goose. But there’s one thing that’s always consistent: meat (sorry, vegetarians).

7. Tourtière du Lac-Saint-Jean

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You’d probably think that this is just tourtière from Lac-Saint-Jean, and you would be right, but tourtière in this region in the middle of the province is so good that it gets its own name. It's also thicker, with heartier cuts, and a deeper crust than the traditional dish. Go big or go to Lac-Saint-Jean, non?

8. Ragoût de boulettes

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Essentially a meatball. But not on spaghetti — think of it as meat and potatoes soup. The best of both worlds, really.

9. Montreal smoked meat

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There’s smoked meat, and then there’s Montreal smoked meat. Your first thought may be Schwartz’s Deli (partly owned by none other Queen Celine, herself), but true Montrealers know the real hidden gems like Smoke Meat Pete and Le Main (literally across the street from Schwartz’s).

10. Montreal bagels

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Another Montreal classic, bagels in this city are sweeter than its New York counterparts. In fact, they’re so well known that there are legitimate teams when it comes to the best spot in the city (#TeamFairmount or #TeamStViateur).

11. Cheese curds

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Yes, yes, these are in poutine, but they’re practically a Quebec specialty on their own. It’s all about that squeeeaaak.

12. Feuilleté jambon-fromage

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A more savoury type of roll, this one’s filled with ham and cheese and is pretty much necessary on cold Quebec nights.

13. Guédille

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There are lots of charming fishing villages along the province’s coastline, so the lobster roll definitely earned its spot on the list. Imagine a hot dog filled with lobster instead of the usual…whatever it usually is.

14. Chiard

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A pork stew with potatoes and onion, this is another great satiating option for something filling.

15. Tarte farlouche

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Similar to a British mincemeat pie, the Quebecois version is filled with things like molasses, brown sugar, and raisins. Dating back to the 1660s, it doesn’t get more old school than this.  

Maybe they should call it "la délicieuse province" because its food is so dang good. Let us know what you're ordering in the comments below.

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