Pot au Feu

Pot au Feu is a hearty vegetable dish that I grew up eating. In spite of its simplicity and peasant origins, I loved the smell of the bacon-rich broth, and the flavor of the tender-cooked vegetables.

Pot au feu, simply translated to “caldron of fire,” was a way to use what you raised, and what grew locally. For my mother, with her French upbringing, it meant a little meat and seasonal vegetables.

My mother recently sent me some Black Forest bacon amongst cheese and other gourmet goodies for my birthday. She knows what I love! And I just knew that I was going to use the bacon in a Pot au Feu. It’s the best way to honor it.

pot77

So here’s what I did, but you can switch up the vegetables however you like, depending on what you like, and the season. Enjoy!

Pot au Feu

Olive oil
Bacon
Onion, coarsely chopped
Potatoes, cleaned
Carrots, cleaned
Cabbage, in chunks
Frozen peas, thawed
Parsley or fresh thyme

Begin by dicing the strips of bacon.
pot88
Place it in a braising pan with raised sides, large enough to accommodate the vegetables. I added a little olive oil in the braising pan because this bacon wasn’t fatty.
pot9
Cook the bacon over medium-high heat. Then stir in the onions, and lower the heat a little.

Cook the bacon and onions for about 5 minutes, then add the potatoes.
pot6
Add enough chicken broth just to partially cover the potatoes. Bring to a simmer, cover the pan slightly, and cook them for about ten minutes. Add the carrots, and cook for about five minutes, depending on their size.
pot2
Tuck the cabbage into the broth, and add a little more broth as necessary.
pot1
Braise the vegetables, with the lid partially covered, turning them occasionally. Add the peas towards the end of the cooking time.
pot
The pot au feu is done when all the vegetables are cooked though.
pot678
You can remove the bulk of the vegetables and bacon to a serving bowl, and then reduce the broth in the braising pan.
pot234
Then pour the remaining broth over the vegetables and serve. I forgot to do this, even though I did reduce the broth, so the vegetables aren’t “glistening” as they should be! Ah, food blogging!
pot456
As you can imagine, these simply braised vegetables are delicious as a side to just about every protein. Even though this vegetable dish is hearty, I think it works in the spring as well as in the fall or winter. Sprinkle them with chopped parsley, if desired, or with fresh thyme leaves.
pot123
note: Like I mentioned, the vegetables can definitely be varied depending on the season, or what’s available. Butternut squash, leeks, sweet potatoes, turnips, green beans, even spinach or spring onions can be used. Just cook the densest vegetables first, so that in the end every element is perfectly cooked!

By Published On: May 15th, 201533 Comments on Pot au Feu

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

33 Comments

  1. thesinglegourmetandtraveller May 15, 2015 at 8:08 AM - Reply

    Such a classic dish and yours looks wonderful, Mimi! What a great post to honour your mother as well as the bacon.

  2. Chef Amy at Remke Markets May 15, 2015 at 8:09 AM - Reply

    Looks Delicious Chef Mimi!!! :)

  3. fgassette May 15, 2015 at 8:19 AM - Reply

    This looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.
    BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!

  4. sallybr May 15, 2015 at 8:48 AM - Reply

    That is a superb dish, the first time I had it was in Paris, actually, on my first visit, all by myself, overwhelmed, but thrilled to be there.

    It was in a restaurant close to Institut Pasteur, I went back there before my departure and enjoyed also for the first time confit de canard… unforgettable!

    I’ve never made pot au feu at home, something to definitely bring to our table

  5. Tasty Eats Ronit Penso May 15, 2015 at 1:03 PM - Reply

    You’ve managed to add so much color and freshness to the traditional dish. Looks wonderful! :)

  6. Our Growing Paynes May 15, 2015 at 1:40 PM - Reply

    Very nice, a great stick to your ribs dish. :)

    • chef mimi May 16, 2015 at 9:08 AM - Reply

      It is hearty! But I do make it year round!

  7. anotherfoodieblogger May 15, 2015 at 6:23 PM - Reply

    A very beautiful dish of vegetables!

  8. dianeskitchentable May 15, 2015 at 6:56 PM - Reply

    Happy Birthday Mimi. Black Forest bacon, now that’s a wonderful treat tucked in with cheeses. This dish looks wonderful and very similar to something my mother used to make but for the life of me I can’t remember what she called it. It wasn’t nearly as pretty sounding as Pot au Feu, that I’m sure of!

  9. Conor Bofin May 16, 2015 at 2:02 AM - Reply

    Lovely. We should all cook more of the classic peasant dishes. Many, like this, have great merit.

    • chef mimi May 16, 2015 at 9:10 AM - Reply

      Some canned be improved, as well (haggis!) but sometimes they’re perfect!

  10. Mr Fitz May 16, 2015 at 9:52 AM - Reply

    Brilliant!

  11. DellaCucinaPovera May 17, 2015 at 10:05 AM - Reply

    ahhh – the beauty of comfort french food <3

  12. StefanGourmet May 18, 2015 at 1:21 AM - Reply

    Great looking dish, Mimi. With traditional dishes such as this, there are as many versions as there are mothers to learn them from. I know pot au feu as beef braised with vegetables.

    • chef mimi May 19, 2015 at 1:12 AM - Reply

      It probably depended on the wealth of your farm!

      • StefanGourmet May 19, 2015 at 1:44 AM

        Good point! We often don’t realise how meat used to be enjoyed seldomly. 19th century Dutch diet was potatoes with lard…

  13. Peter - The Roaming GastroGnome May 23, 2015 at 10:11 AM - Reply

    Looks great! And so versatile!

  14. savannabel May 31, 2015 at 11:13 AM - Reply

    YUMMO! Looks really delicious, and something I’ll have to try now that we’re heading into winter in the southern hemisphere. All the best to you, Annabel

  15. Sophie33 June 2, 2015 at 9:38 AM - Reply

    A ckassical tasty dish that I also love,….mmmmmmmm!

  16. Shanna Koenigsdorf Ward October 17, 2015 at 1:46 PM - Reply

    Greg loves cabbage – I will have to try this. You said other vegetables could be used – what might you use in place of the peas if someone (ahh-hem, not me) is adverse to them?

Leave a Reply. I love 'em!