Top 10 Most Popular French Recipes

French cooking has a reputation for being fussy and complicated, but the most popular French recipes are anything but. From a simple croque monsieur to a slow-cooked boeuf bourguignon, these are the ten French dishes that home cooks across the UK are making most often in 2026.

Classic French Recipes Anyone Can Cook at Home

1. Croque Monsieur

The croque monsieur is France’s answer to the cheese toastie, and it’s better in every way. White bread layered with ham and Gruyere cheese, topped with bechamel sauce and grilled until golden and bubbling. It takes about 15 minutes from start to finish and costs roughly £2 per serving. Use proper Gruyere rather than cheddar for an authentic taste – most large supermarkets stock it.

2. French Onion Soup

Arguably the most comforting soup in existence. Slowly caramelised onions in butter and beef stock, topped with a crusty crouton and melted Gruyere. The key is patience – the onions need at least 40 minutes of gentle cooking to develop their deep, sweet flavour. Rush this step and you’ll end up with bland, pale soup.

3. Coq au Vin

Chicken braised in red wine with mushrooms, lardons, pearl onions and herbs. It sounds restaurant-level but it’s essentially a one-pot casserole. Brown the chicken, soften the vegetables, add wine and stock, then let the oven do the work for two hours. A decent bottle of Cotes du Rhone works well and you can drink the rest with dinner.

4. Ratatouille

This Provencal vegetable stew is one of the simplest and most satisfying French dishes to make. Aubergine, courgette, peppers, tomatoes and onions, cooked slowly with garlic and herbs. It’s naturally vegan, costs about £3 to make a large batch, and tastes even better the next day. Serve it with crusty bread, over pasta or alongside grilled meat.

5. Boeuf Bourguignon

Julia Child introduced this dish to English-speaking audiences in the 1960s and it remains one of the most popular French recipes worldwide. Beef shin braised in Burgundy wine until impossibly tender, with carrots, mushrooms and pearl onions. It takes three hours but requires very little active effort. Perfect for a Sunday when you have time to let it simmer.

Quick French Recipes for Weeknight Cooking

6. Omelette aux Fines Herbes

The French omelette is a masterclass in simplicity. Three eggs, a knob of butter, and a handful of fresh herbs – chives, tarragon, parsley and chervil. The technique matters more than the ingredients: cook it gently over medium heat, tilting the pan to let raw egg flow to the edges. The centre should still be slightly creamy when you fold it. Total time: five minutes.

7. Quiche Lorraine

A proper quiche Lorraine contains just eggs, cream, bacon and pastry – no cheese, despite what most British recipes suggest. Make the pastry from scratch if you have time (225g plain flour, 100g cold butter, one egg yolk, cold water) or use a good shop-bought shortcrust. Blind bake the case before filling to avoid a soggy bottom.

8. Salade Nicoise

This composed salad from Nice is a meal in itself: tuna, boiled eggs, green beans, tomatoes, olives, anchovies and potatoes on a bed of lettuce, dressed with a simple vinaigrette. Use tinned tuna for an affordable weeknight version or seared fresh tuna steaks for something special. For more salad ideas, see our low-calorie salad recipes.

9. Crepes

French crepes are thinner and more delicate than British pancakes. The batter is simple: 125g plain flour, two eggs, 250ml milk and a pinch of salt. Let it rest for 30 minutes before cooking. Fill them with lemon and sugar for a classic combination, or go savoury with ham, cheese and a fried egg for a complete galette.

10. Tarte Tatin

This upside-down caramelised apple tart is one of the great French desserts. Cook apple halves in butter and sugar until deeply caramelised, top with puff pastry, bake until golden, then flip onto a plate. The result is sticky, buttery and utterly irresistible. Serve warm with creme fraiche.

If cooking French food has inspired you to try more international cuisine, our guide to jacket potato toppings proves that great food doesn’t have to be complicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular French dish in the UK?

Croque monsieur and French onion soup are consistently the most popular French recipes searched for and cooked in the UK, followed closely by coq au vin and ratatouille.

Is French cooking difficult for beginners?

Many classic French recipes are surprisingly straightforward. Dishes like ratatouille, omelettes and croque monsieur are beginner-friendly and require minimal special equipment or techniques.

What essential ingredients do you need for French cooking?

Good butter, fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, tarragon), Dijon mustard, Gruyere cheese, shallots, garlic and decent wine are the foundation of most French home cooking. All are readily available in UK supermarkets.