Wish you were in France right now?
Me too. I find myself longingly dreaming of French patisseries, perfectly cooked steaks with crispy fries, delicious crisp white wines and deep earthy red wines…
However, for the time being, I am stuck in Bulgaria, far from any French food — unless, of course, that which I can make in my kitchen.
I’ve gathered over 30 different incredible and traditional French recipes to help you bring a bit of France to your table. This includes breakfasts, side dishes, lunches, salads, sandwiches, soups, and dinners.
However, it doesn’t include French desserts and pastries — that merits a post of its own (coming soon!)
Here are my favorite classic French recipes you can easily make at home.
French Dishes
Want to cook some delicious savory French dishes?
Here are some of the classics of French cuisines (and a few spins on French classic recipes) for France-inspired breakfasts, lunches, and dinner recipes.
French desserts and pastries, of course, deserve their own post -- which is coming soon!
Nicoise Salad is really called a salad composée, because it’s not tossed, but rather “composed”, on a serving platter or plate.
While you don’t have to “compose” a Nicoise salad, it is a classic French recipe, and it does make a lovely presentation
Our favorite French Onion Soup made vegetarian with the classic French recipe.
French onion soup is made with caramelizing onions in butter which are then deglazed with dry white wine and further cooked with meat stock or veggie stock.
Want French onion soup the vegan way?
Savory, 'cheesy,' and easy vegan French onion soup is full of flavor and perfect for a first course or a main.
This French onion chicken is reminiscent of French onion soup, only that pan-seared chicken is smothered and cooked in a rich and glorious sauce.
This is a one-pan/skillet chicken recipe perfect for busy weekdays or lazy weekends.
I encountered this classic French dish on my first trip to Paris and it’s been a family favorite ever since. Although there are a few extra steps in this dish, it’s not difficult to make and you don’t need a long list of exotic ingredients.
Traditional French confit de canard or duck confit, a simple yet amazing recipe, perfect for a special occasion.
These duck legs are a delicious French recipe everyone will love!
A classic French dinner, loved by young and old, made the classic way. Great for grilling season!
French onion tart is a savory tart that's great for party appetizers. Sweet caramelized onions, hint of fresh herbs and ricotta cheese over homemade tender crispy pastry is sure to become everyone's favorite appetizer.
This Cheesy Oeufs en Cocotte recipe is a super-simple but audaciously tasty French dish.
You can mix it up in a thousand different ways, and it’ll taste great every time.
This easy French Crêpe Recipe is adapted from Julia Child’s basic crêpe recipe, and will walk you through how to make paper-thin French Crêpes at home!
Stuff them with sweet jam or fruit for a sweet breakfast crepe or ham and cheese for an afternoon meal or snack!
This Aigo Bouido, or garlic soup, is a Julia Child classic.
While it is so simple, it is restorative and so comforting.
Socca flatbread is a common street food in Nice, France. It's fluffy and flavourful, and SO simple to make. Here's three great ways to use it!
Mushroom veloute is a classic French mushroom soup that packs so much flavor!
This silky, creamy, velvety soup is so easy to make, and perfect for dunking crusty French bread!
Julia Child made this classic French dish famous with her Sole Meunière.
This easy Fish Meunière is seared in butter and oil, and served with a lemon and butter sauce, and it's a classic French dinner recipe.
Perfect for the summer, a delicate light tart using fresh tomatoes, mustard and Comté cheese.
It's the perfect savory French pastry!
Looking for an easy French dinner recipe? Try Julia Child's Omelette Roulee - it's more elegant than it sounds!
One of the simplest sandwiches you can ever have, and yet so incredibly delicious, and oh, so French!
Jambon buerre is a classic French dish, and it's so easy to make in your home.
You’ll love these 5-ingredient roasted Parmentier potatoes with rosemary and garlic. The classic French cubed, diced potatoes are quick, easy and tasty.
French comfort food with a gourmet presentation. Brined quail leads to super tender meat.
Fresh Cherry sauce compliments the quail beautifully. Mashed Potatoes and grilled green beans complete the meal.
Petits Pois a la Francaise may sound all sorts of fancy but it is nothing more than peas, lettuce and bacon braised in stock, cream and butter. And yes it is every bit as good as that sounds!
This French-style lentils recipe makes the perfect Provencal side dish to any grilled or roasted meat or fish.
Made with French green lentils and classically French seasoning it brings the Mediterranean home.
What's more French than ratatouille?
This stew is the perfect summertime treat when fresh vegetables are bursting from your garden.
A classic French recipe from Provence, ratatouille uses the best of seasonal vegetables to create a stunning dish on the table.
It is traditionally vegan and gluten free but also bursting with flavour.
This tasty, fresh soup is light and delicious, with a pistou (pesto) to brighten it all up.
It's an easy classic French soup recipe perfect for spring.
Salmon tartare is such a lovely, elegant appetizer with delicate flavors. It’s light, pretty healthy & easy to prepare.
Perfect for date night and entertaining, this French starter is the perfect recipe to impress your guests!
Tarte flambée (sometimes called Flammekueche, its German equivalent) is essentially a bacon onion flatbread/pizza from the Alsace region which borders Germany.
It may seem like only a few ingredients, but they are transformed into a truly delicious dish you’ll instantly love! And it’s easy to make, too.
Instant Pot Chicken Fricassee is a classic French Chicken Stew made easy and quick thanks to the Instant Pot!
Comfort food defined with a silky broth, tender chicken, and hearty vegetables: the ultimate French dinner recipe!
Based on Julia Child’s famous French-inspired beef bourguignon, this simple beef burgundy recipe is easy to make and tastes amazing.
Duck Liver Parfait is a beautiful French starter that is perfect for any occasion, whether it be for a dinner party or light lunch.
Laced with brandy and butter and served with a fruit jelly, you can't go wrong with this classic French recipe.
Hearty chicken cassoulet recipe with bacon and beans, excellent paired with red wine from the Languedoc region of France.
Tartiflette is a delicious French dish featuring potatoes topped with a layer of bacon followed by melted cheese.
Crunchy, fresh and delicious, classic French-style carrot salad transforms a few simple ingredients into a sophisticated side dish or starter.
Cheat’s Croque Madame is a delicious stripped back version of the famous French recipe for the Croque Madame.
It uses a sandwich press or toaster for a quick and delicious treat topped with a fried egg!
Pin This Guide to Classic French Recipes for Future Cooking!
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