This Sweet Potato Poutine with Vegetarian Gravy is a healthier alternative to traditional poutine topped with yummy cheese curds!
Ingredients and substitutions
Fries
- Sweet potatoes – cut down on prep time by using frozen sweet potato fries instead.
- Olive oil – substitute for another neutral cooking oil such as avocado oil.
- Salt & pepper – to taste.
- Cayenne pepper – paprika would also be good and will give your fries a bit of kick.
Gravy
- Butter – swap out for your favourite dairy-free butter substitute.
- Mushrooms – use any variety of mushrooms of your choice.
- Yellow onion – white onion or shallots would be the best substitutes here.
- Garlic – I prefer freshly minced garlic but jarred minced garlic will work in a pinch.
- Flour – cornstarch will work if you’re looking for a gluten-free option.
- Vegetable broth – you can use chicken broth instead, but then the gravy won’t be vegetarian.
- Red wine – leave this out if need be.
Toppings
- Cheese curds – these are classic to poutine. You can use grated mozzarella, Swiss or cheddar instead, but your poutine won’t taste as authentic.
- Green onions – garnish with fresh parsley instead or leave this off altogether.
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How to make sweet potato poutine
- Cook the sweet potato fries.
- Combine the gravy ingredients.
- Blend the gravy.
- Top the fries with cheese curds.
- Ladle the gravy over top and dig in!
What to add to your poutine
Poutine doesn’t have to be limited to gravy and cheese – add any other toppings as you see fit! Bacon, leftover turkey and rotisserie chicken are all great ways to get some protein in, and you can add on some veggies or garnishes like hot pepper.
If you’re serving this poutine at a party, you can even create a poutine bar. Lay out a variety of topping options and let guests add on their faves.
Here are some great poutine topping options:
- Shredded mozzarella, Swiss or cheddar
- Bacon crumbles
- Chili
- Sour cream
- Pulled pork
- Shredded lobster meat
- Sauteed veggies
Frequently Asked Questions
Poutine is a classic Canadian dish! It consists of fries (in this case sweet potato fries) that are topped with creamy gravy, cheese curds and a variety of toppings. I made this poutine a bit healthier by using sweet potato fries and vegetarian gravy.
The vegetarian gravy for this recipe is made of butter, mushrooms, yellow onion, garlic, flour, vegetable broth and red wine. You can use a store-bought gravy if you’d like, but the homemade version is so easy to make. I suggest blending it using an immersion blender to get that perfect creamy texture.
The three main components of poutine are fries, gravy and cheese curds. As long as you have those three main components, you can add on whatever additional toppings you like.
Storing and reheating
Though I doubt you'll have any leftovers (LOL), these sweet potato fries can be stored in the fridge for about 3 to 5 days. To reheat, simply place the fries on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake them in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 375° Fahrenheit. You can also microwave the fries (they reheat better than regular potato fries), but just know that they will be a bit soggy and won’t have the same texture.
Freezing the gravy
Unfortunately, you can't freeze the poutine or the fries, but you can freeze the gravy! Freeze it in a small glass container for up to 3 months.
You can defrost it in the fridge overnight then heat it up in the microwave or on the stovetop. You can also reheat from frozen – just microwave it for 6-7 minutes, stirring halfway through. You won't even know you're using leftover gravy as long as you make the fries fresh!
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More sweet potato recipes
Meal prep tools for this recipe
- Freeze the gravy in glass microwave-safe bowls for up to 3 months.
Sweet Potato Poutine with Vegetarian Gravy
Ingredients
Fries
- 2 sweet potatoes
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Gravy
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cups mushrooms sliced
- 1 large yellow onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp flour
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp red wine optional – this is just for added flavour
Toppings
- 1 cup Cheese curds
- 4 Green onions sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 475 F.
- Cut sweet potatoes into 1/2 inch thick fries, then immerse in cold water to get rid of starch. Dry fries with clean towel and place in large bowl.
- Toss fries with olive oil, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper then transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets (you will probably need one sheet per potato). Roast in the oven on the middle oven rack for 15 minutes, then flip and cook for another 12-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, while fries are cooking, make your gravy. In medium saucepan on med-high heat, add butter. Add mushrooms and onion to pan, sautéing for about 6-7 min, stirring often. Add garlic and flour, stirring well, then add vegetable broth and red wine, bringing mixture to a boil. Simmer for 10-15 min. For a creamy and smooth consistency, blend gravy using an immersion blender.
- Fries should be finished around this time, so pull them out of the oven and transfer them to a pasta bowl or plate. Sprinkle with cheese curds, then ladle gravy overtop. Garnish with green onions, then serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Alisha says
This was totally great! I added broccoli on top instead of green onions and I actually used half beef/half veggie bouillon. I left out the cayenne pepper and used thyme on the fries instead and a bit of ground mustard in the gravy.
The only change I would make next time would be to use less stock to make a thicker gravy. I had to reduce it for a very long time and even with extra flour only after I warmed up the poutine in the oven to melt the cheese curds was it more gravy like in texture. So glad I have a go to recipe now instead of caving and ordering in!
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed 🙂
Irene says
You were right about not having any leftovers!! haha these were amazing and my fiance gave it a 10/10!!
Taylor Stinson says
I’m so happy you enjoyed, Irene 🙂
Brian says
We are always searching for Healthy Sides for our grilling classes. This looks like a tasty one.
Jennifer Ostroski says
This looks amazing, I’m so excited to try it! I love twists on a classic.
Taylor Stinson says
Thank you Jennifer!! So glad you agree 😉
Emma {Emma's Little Kitchen} says
Oh, swoon! This sounds EPIC!!!
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks Emma!! 🙂
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
I literally just yelled across the room , describing this recipe to my husband. He would LOVE THIS!
Taylor Stinson says
LOL Liz, I love it!! Thanks for sharing that?