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The Recipe · No.748 · Poutine

Poutine, and where to source it

Poutine — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Poutine Canadian 5best2buy.com

Two details separate real poutine from fries with gravy: the curds have to be fresh and squeaky, added at room temperature so they soften but never fully melt, and the gravy has to hit boiling-hot so it warms the curds and keeps the fries from going cold. Cold gravy or melted cheese and the whole texture collapses.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep20 min
Cook25 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineCanadian
Cost$$$
Contains  dairy · gluten
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Potatoes
A starchy potato double-fried for crisp fries that survive the gravy. A good frying potato is key.
2 lb
Source it →
Fresh cheese curds
Fresh, squeaky curds at room temperature; they soften without fully melting. Freshness is the whole point.
2 cups
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Beef stock
The base of the brown gravy; a rich stock makes a deep gravy. Homemade or a good bone broth.
3 cups
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Butter and flour
A roux to thicken the gravy to a glossy, pourable coat.
3 tbsp each
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The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Getting greedy
Rich enough that Mom might raise an eyebrow.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Air fryerOne-pot
The Method
  1. Make the gravyCook a butter-flour roux, whisk in hot beef stock, and simmer to a glossy gravy. Keep it boiling-hot.
  2. Double-fry the potatoesFry the cut potatoes low to cook through, cool, then fry hot until deeply crisp. Salt at once.
  3. Layer curds on hot friesPile the hot fries in a bowl and scatter the room-temperature curds over them.
  4. Drown and servePour the boiling gravy over so the curds just soften, and eat immediately.
The Toolkit

Fry pot · Saucepan · Whisk

Straight Answers
Can you make Poutine in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze Poutine? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Poutine ahead of time? — Prep ahead

Best fried to order — the crunch fades if it sits. Do the breading or shaping ahead and cook it fresh when you serve.

Is Poutine gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Poutine vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

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© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.748

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