Are you looking to add a touch of elegance to your dinner plate? French Side Dishes are the perfect way to do just that!
From classic recipes like almondine and pommes gratin, to regional dishes you’ve never heard of, there’s something special about creating delicious French food using fresh ingredients.
Whether you have hours or minutes for preparation, these mouth-watering side dish recipes will elevate any dish from okay to oh-la-la!
Frequently Asked Questions
From beginner-friendly to advanced, these recipes cover a variety of skill levels. Each recipe indicates the level of difficulty, so you can pick accordingly.
Many of these side dishes are perfect for making ahead of time. Check the individual recipes for make-ahead instructions.
Each recipe lists the number of servings it yields. This way, you can easily scale up or down depending on your needs.
French Side Dishes:
1. Green Beans Almondine
Whether it’s a special occasion or the holiday season, try this simple, yet elegant French side dish, Green Beans Almondine!
In this quick and easy recipe, your humble green beans will get a fancy makeover. Combine with shallots, garlic cloves, slivered almonds, lemon zest and butter for a beautiful, delicious dish your company will rave about.
Enjoy for this must-try recipe for the holidays or anytime!
Get the Recipe: Green Beans Almondine
2. Cherry Tomato Gratin
Time to introduce this beautiful, light casserole, Cherry Tomato Gratin. This simple and delicious French side dish is unbelievably quick and easy to make but is good enough for your holiday table.
To make this dish, all you need is a few simple ingredients. It’s the perfect combination of slightly blistered tomatoes, crispy baguette cubes, olive oil, herbs and shaved parmesan cheese. And in 30 minutes total, your yummy casserole is ready to serve.
Get the Recipe: Tomato Gratin
3. Lyonnaise Potatoes
Try this classic yet simple side dish, Lyonnaise Potatoes, It’s an awesome fried potato recipe from the French city of Lyon that everyone will love.
This dish starts with crispy pan- fried potatoes that are tossed with buttery onions and sprinkled with fresh parsley. It makes a great side dish for most mains and is a notch above your usual French fries.
Serve with a glass of French wine and enjoy!
Get the Recipe @ pinchandswirl
4. French Baguette
Unless you’re in France, it can be really hard to find a great French Baguette. But with this super easy recipe, you can make your own crusty loaves at home.
All you’ll need are 5 simple ingredients: Flour, water, salt, instant yeast and honey. Just follow the recipe, and boom, your perfectly crusty outside and tender inside French bread is ready to devour.
Nothing makes a better side dish to any French meal than a baguette!
Get the Recipe @ therecipecritic
5. Provence-Style Tomatoes
Do you need an effortless side dish for your summer cook-outs? Then try these Provence- Style Tomatoes which is effortless cooking at it’s best.
In this rustic French dish, your juiciest tomatoes are slow cooked in their own juices. Next, top them off with breadcrumbs, garlic and herbs and cook in the oven until crisp.
This classic dish will pair well with anything, including a glass of good French wine. Enjoy!
Get the Recipe @ pardonyourfrench
6. Ratatouille
Ratatouille, a rustic dish from the south of France, is a medley of beautiful summer vegetables. It’s a classic vegetarian stew that’s so delicious no one will ever miss the meat.
The buttery, tender veggies in this recipe are cooked in a delicious tomato sauce with herbs and a good dose of extra virgin olive oil. Serve with a crusty baguette and your favorite red wine.
Enjoy with friends and family on your deck or patio, French style!
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille
7. French Lentil Salad
If you’re looking for a healthy and delicious go-to lunch, light dinner or side dish, try this quick and easy French Lentil Salad.
Made from French green lentils, goat cheese, vegetables and other flavor enhancers, this salad is super nutritious and perfect for making large batches.
Enjoy with a light soup and rustic bread for an easy dinner you can feel good about!
Get the Recipe @ onceuponachef
8. Potatoes au Gratin
Nothing says comfort food like this classic French recipe, Potatoes au Gratin.
This ultimate make ahead casserole is made with layers of potatoes, cream, butter, cheese and a hint of garlic and thyme. It can serve as a side dish or main, either way , you’ll be amazed at how so few ingredients can taste so amazing!
Get the Recipe @ recipetineats
9. Provençal Vegetable Tian
This healthy, vegetarian side, Provençal Vegetable Tian, is one of the most impressive dishes you’ll ever make.
In this delicious recipe, sliced summer veggies are arranged over sautéed onions and garlic. Next, sprinkle capers, thyme leaves, panko crumbs, grated parmesan and bake.
This beautiful French summer side dish will be the star on your table. Enjoy!
Get the Recipe @ thebeachhousekitchen
10. Warm French Goat’s Cheese Salad
Warm French Goat’s Cheese Salad is a classic dish found in most bistros across France. Served as a starter for the usual three course menu, this salad is sure to please!
Simple to make, it consists of fresh leaf lettuce, nuts and bacon topped with a crown of pan-fried goat cheese.
Serve with your favorite French main, a baguette and a glass of wine.
Get the Recipe @ recipetineats
11. Vichy Carrots
This restaurant-style French side dish, Vichy Carrots, will be perfect for any of your special occasions or holidays.
In this recipe, the classic Vichy method is used. Your carrots are cooked in water, sugar, and butter which gives them an irresistible glaze. Sweet, savory and buttery, they’re delicious!
Once you try this traditional recipe, you’ll never look at carrots the same way again.
Get the Recipe @ veggiedesserts
12. French Cucumber Yogurt Salad
This summer, try this French Cucumber Yogurt Salad. It’s truly refreshing, flavorful, and super easy to make.
You’ll love this staple French side salad filled with zesty yogurt, chopped chives, parsley and crunchy cucumbers. Cool and creamy, it’ll make an amazing addition to your meal on a hot summer day.
Enjoy!
Get the Recipe @ gourmandeinthekitchen
13. French Tomato Mustard Tart
French Tomato Mustard Tart is a classic recipe that cooks love to make when tomatoes are in season. And this savory summer dish is not only delicious, it’s beautiful!
This recipe features a buttery pastry crust, perfectly seasoned ripe tomatoes, grated cheese, and Dijon mustard. All you have to do is follow the easy recipe and tips to make it at home.
This tart is simple yet amazingly wonderful, give it a try!
Get the Recipe @ pardonyourfrench
14. French Grated Carrot Salad
Found in almost every deli and market in France, this French Grated Carrot Salad is a classic.
Fresh and crisp, this salad needs minimal effort to produce this example of French food that is sweet, tangy and tasty. Three simple steps, 10 minutes of your time and you’ll have a healthy , delicious side dish that even the kids will love!
Serve with any favorite main for a meal or a bowl of soup for a quick and easy lunch.
15. Petits Pois à la Française
Give your boring boiled peas an elegant French twist by making this Petits Pois à la Française.
This recipe is super quick and easy and needs just 10 minutes of your time. And the spring onions, bacon and lettuce add incredibly delicious flavors and textures to this dish.
It’s a perfect recipe for holiday meals and entertaining but also works great for a weeknight family dinner.
Get the Recipe @ chezlerevefrancais
16. Asparagus Mimosa
This classic French dish, Asparagus Mimosa, is an elegant side or appetizer that is packed with springtime flavors.
This healthy dish of sauteed asparagus and onion is served with chopped hard -boiled eggs and a light vinaigrette dressing. It’s quick and easy to whip up, but looks incredibly gourmet!
17. French Onion Soup
Learn how to make everyone’s favorite, cozy comfort food from France, French Onion Soup.
To make this magical soup, all you need are a few simple ingredients. Onions, butter, flour, wine, beef stock, bread, cheese and flavor enhancers combine to create a rich, buttery caramelized onion soup.
All you’ll need now is a fresh baguette and a bottle of French wine.
Get the Recipe @ gimmesomeoven
18. Vegetable Jardinière
rich,This colorful French side dish, Vegetable Jardinière, is a vibrant combination fresh vegetables that is perfect for springtime holidays.
This recipe is super versatile in the seasonal vegetables you can use. But it’s the French touch of fresh herbs and simple sugar glaze make this rustic dish unbelievably delicious.
Enjoy for a simple family dinner or a special holiday meal.
Get the Recipe @ pardonyourfrench
19. Fondant Potatoes
Fondant Potatoes is a French method of cooking potatoes that produces a dish with a serious WOW factor.
This outstanding method, where potatoes are cut into cylinders, gives your potatoes some serious crispy edges and a super flavorful buttery inside texture. Just follow the easy recipe and in no time you’ll be cooking like a French chef.
Serve this fantastic side dish with your favorite meat dishes and enjoy.
Get the Recipe @ eatingeuropean
20. French Bistro Salad
This famous French Bistro Salad is a healthy and light salad that will be perfect served alongside a rich meal.
This leafy salad has lots of greens and herbs which are paired with sweet and tangy pickled eschalots and crunchy walnuts. Drizzled with a classic lemon dressing, it’ll pair wonderfully with rich meat dishes and heavy casseroles.
Serve this as an appetizer, side or starter or with a soup or sandwich for lunch.
Get the Recipe @ recipetineats
Check out these other great recipe collections:
French Recipes
French Desserts
French Chicken Recipes
Mediterranean Side Dishes
Greek Side Dishes
Italian Side Dishes
20 BEST French Side Dishes
This collection of easy French Side Dishes includes twenty recipes to add a touch of class to your dinner table.
Ingredients
- Green Beans Almondine
- Cherry Tomato Gratin
- Lyonnaise Potatoes
- French Baguette
- Provence-Style Tomatoes
- Ratatouille
- French Lentil Salad
- Potatoes au Gratin
- Provençal Vegetable Tian
- Warm French Goat’s Cheese Salad
- Vichy Carrots
- French Cucumber Yogurt Salad
- French Tomato Mustard Tart
- French Grated Carrot Salad
- Petits Pois à la Française
- Asparagus Mimosa
- French Onion Soup
- Vegetable Jardinière
- Fondant Potatoes
- French Bistro Salad
Instructions
- Pick a recipe that looks good.
- Gather ingredients,
- Make your new favorite French side dish!
Welcome to GypsyPlate! I'm Alpana, former wordwide tour manager and professional caterer, now full time blogger. I love exploring cuisines from around the world, and my recipes have been featured on sites such as MSN, Parade, Brit + Co, CNET and AOL. You can explore my entire collection of sortable recipes in my Recipe Index or learn more about me here.
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