How to Make Vegan Poutine, Cheese Curds and All

Poutine has been a Canadian staple since the 1950s. First eaten in rural Quebec, the simple dish of fries, cheese curds, and gravy grew in popularity across Canada in the 20th century, and now, you’ll find it offered in restaurants and bars worldwide. In the UK, for example, it’s a street and festival staple, often sold from food trucks. Poutine is also popular in Italy, South Korea, Ireland, the U.S., and many more countries. Recipes vary (some stick to the basics, while others add in new ingredients like meat or vegetables), but the crux of the dish is always the same: It’s fries loaded with plenty of cheesy goodness. But poutine doesn’t have to be made with dairy. Here’s how to make the iconic Canadian dish with plants.

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What is poutine?

As mentioned above, poutine consists of three key ingredients: crispy French fries, (slightly squeaky) cheese curds, and rich gravy. The latter is poured over both the fries and the curds, which helps to melt the cheese. The dish is loved across Canada and the world over for its comforting combination of flavors and textures. The crispiness of the fries, the gooeyness of the melted cheese curds, and the warmth of the gravy all complement each other beautifully.

RELATED: How to Make Crispy Restaurant-Style Fries at Home Without Deep Fryers or Air Fryers

Can you make poutine without cheese curds?

Cheese curds—which are basically small, soft, and moist pieces of curdled milk that have a distinct squeaky texture and mildly tangy flavor — are a defining element of classic poutine because of their unique texture and flavor.

However, there are ways to get a similar taste and texture to cheese curds without using dairy. Acidic ingredients like lemon juice and apple cider vinegar can help impart that curd-like tang to vegan cheese recipes, while nutritional yeast, salt, and miso can help bring the cheesy, umami flavor.

You can also make a variation of poutine without cheese curds, but it won’t be entirely traditional. Dairy-feee mozzarella, for example, has a nice melty texture. It won’t have quite the same texture as curds, but it still melts nicely under the hot gravy.

How to make vegan poutine: 5 recipes to try

Craving poutine? Here are five ways to make delicious Canadian-style poutine without the dairy.

Francesca Bonadonna

1 Easy Vegan Poutine With Herby Gravy and Mozzarella

Taken from the Plantiful cookbook, this super comforting and simple poutine recipe combines crispy French fries with a thick, nourishing gravy, made with ingredients like vegetable broth, garlic, and fresh thyme. The essential cheesy element of the dish comes from melted vegan mozzarella cheese.
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Vancouver With Love

2 Easy Vegan Poutine With Cheese Curds (Nut-Free)

If you want to make a more authentic version of Canadian poutine, you need cheese curds. In this recipe from Vancouver With Love, blogger Elizabeth Emery will show you how to make a delicious version of the essential ingredient using plant-based ingredients like tofu, lemon juice, dairy-free milk, and nutritional yeast. It even squeaks thanks to the tapioca starch.
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Romy London

3 Vegan Poutine With Brandy Maple Gravy

What’s just as Canadian as poutine? It’s got to be maple syrup. In this recipe (which is also made with plant-based cheese curds), Romina Callwitz of the Romy London blog combines the two classics in one dish thanks to the hearty brandy maple gravy. Callwitz calls it “next-level comfort food.”
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Cadry’s Kitchen

4 Vegan Poutine With Gravy and Almond Feta

Not a fan of squeaky curds? Creamy, almond-based feta cheese is a great alternative. In this recipe from Cadry’s Kitchen, it’s paired with herby vegan turkey gravy and homemade fries for a delicious plant-based take on the cozy classic. “In non-vegan poutine, cheese curds are the default,” says recipe developer Cadry Nelson. “They’re often described as being ‘squeaky.’ Vegan feta is soft and smooth. But it pairs nicely with the flavors of the gravy.”
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MN Veg Head

5 Vegan Poutine With Chorizo Chili Gravy

Rules are made to be broken. You can make poutine with whatever ingredients you fancy, including meaty vegan chili. This recipe from MN Veg Head will show you how to make a tasty, spicy vegan poutine complete with dairy-free cheese curds and homemade meat-free chorizo chili. Recipe developer Allison calls it a “ bomb diggity creation.”
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