10 Easy French Recipes Anyone Can Cook

Escargot-Stuffed Mushrooms

With a name like escargot-stuffed mushrooms, you're probably thinking this appetizer is too difficult for you. Yet, you'll be pleasantly surprised at just how easy these tasty foods are.

If possible, choose fresh snails. But if you are stuck, use canned, especially as canned does make the recipe just a little easier. A single snail goes into a single mushroom along with tasty herb butter. It's all baked and in 15 minutes you have a dish bound to impress everyone.

Avocado and Romaine Salad

The best salads are often the easiest and this is a perfect example of how the salad is treated in French cuisine. The salad is filled with romaine hearts, chopped avocado and tiny tomatoes then seasoned with a hint of dill and parsley before sprinkled with balsamic vinegar.

Serve this avocado and romaine salad alongside a steaming bowl of soup. We're thinking Lobster Bisque sounds like a fantastic idea.

Lobster Bisque

Did you expect a recipe as famous as lobster bisque to be included in a collection of 'easy' French recipes? It may be a surprising addition, but it proves the point that you can cook like a French chef.

In French cuisine, a bisque is a creamy, thick soup, and heavy cream gets the job done in this classic recipe. The stock is seasoned to perfection with paprika, onion and white wine. Don't forget the cognac either, as it's a key to making the soup fabulous.

French Lentil Soup

If you're seeking a vegan soup, the classic French lentil soup is a great option and delights both vegan and non-vegan diets. 

The soup is filled with onions, celery, carrots, garlic, and tomatoes. The lentils and apple cider vinegar finish it off with perfection. It's one of the quickest homemade soups and can be table-ready in just about 45 minutes. Also, it is delicious. 

Duck Fat Fries

If you are looking for a little "extra" in your fries, try these duck fat fries. A staple in French bistro cuisine, they are crisp, golden, and delicately flavored from the duck fat, which is a perfect fat for deep-frying due to its high melting point. 

Quiche Lorraine

The quiche is another famous French dish and there are many ways that you can make these delicious egg bakes. You could opt for a savory delight like the spinach and onion quiche or you might consider the iconic quiche lorraine.

The key to this humble egg pie is bacon, nutmeg and a lot of cheese—specifically, Gruyere. If you cannot find that at your local markets, Swiss cheese will do just fine. ​

Croque Monsieur

As you explore French cuisine, you will discover many recipes that are called a Croque, which is French for 'crunch.' These are tasty little sandwiches you can find at bistros and they come in a variety of flavors.

You can make the Croque Provencal, a delicate sandwich of tomato, cheese, ham, and herbal mayonnaise. You might also try the famous Croque Madame, a fantastic breakfast sandwich that takes your fried egg to a new level.

Then again, you might want to go with a true classic and stick with the Croque Monsieur. This ham and Gruyere sandwich includes Dijon mustard and is broiled to a crispy, golden brown. 

Steak au Poivre

Add a simple French twist to steak night with this easy recipe. Steak au poivre translates to 'pepper steak' and it is a quick and fabulous way to dress up your strip steak. You might want to save this one for a romantic dinner because it includes a little showmanship.

The steak is seasoned simply with pepper and salt, then fried in a skillet. The magic happens when you (carefully) add 1/2 cup of cognac because it may flame. Add a little cream and a delicious steak dinner is ready for the table.

Duck a l'Orange

French restaurants pride themselves on their duck a l'orange and no wonder, it is fabulous. The recipe is simple and transforms ordinary duck breasts into an enchanting meal.

There are two steps to this recipe and the first is to create the orange sauce. It's a simple recipe of fresh oranges, vinegar, shallots, and chicken stock. Next up is the duck and it's even easier than the sauce.

Simplified Brioche

Bread is a key element to French cuisine and brioche is one of the best-known varieties. While many classic brioche recipes can be a bit of a challenge, this simplified brioche is great for beginners.

Brioche is a delicate bread and it has a fantastic aroma. The recipe mimics many other bread recipes, so if you're a regular bread baker it will be a snap.