Creamy Cheddar and Bacon Poutine with Crispy Fries
A Quebec-inspired poutine featuring golden crispy fries topped with melted cheddar cheese curds and smoky bacon in a rich gravy. This canadian-inspired comfort food ready in about 40 minutes pairs vegetable oil for frying, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups russet potatoes, cut into 1/2-inch fries
- 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese curds
- 6 slices smoked bacon, diced
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep fryer or large heavy pot to 350°F. Rinse 4 cups cut russet potatoes and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
- Step 2: Fry the potatoes in batches for 4-5 minutes until golden and crispy. Remove fries with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season immediately with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: In a skillet over medium heat, cook 6 diced smoked bacon slices until crisp, about 6 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 tbsp bacon fat.
- Step 4: In a saucepan, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter and whisk in 2 tbsp all-purpose flour. Cook for 2 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Step 5: Gradually whisk in 1 1/4 cups beef broth and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until gravy thickens to coat the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: To assemble, place a layer of fries on a serving plate, sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese curds and crispy bacon. Pour hot gravy over the top to melt the cheese. Garnish with 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Cheddar and Bacon Poutine with Crispy Fries take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Cheddar and Bacon Poutine with Crispy Fries?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep vegetable oil for frying from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Cheddar and Bacon Poutine with Crispy Fries?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Cheddar and Bacon Poutine with Crispy Fries for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Creamy Cheddar and Bacon Poutine with Crispy Fries?
Canadian comfort food like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
