Pot Au Feu
Pot-au-Feu: The Classic Comfort Dish You’ll Want to Make All Winter
Pot-au-Feu is all about minimal ingredients, slow cooking, and letting natural flavors shine. Each vegetable - carrots, potatoes, cabbage, onion, keeps its shape and sweetness as it gently simmers. It’s the kind of recipe that feels rustic yet elegant, perfect for cozy nights or family gatherings.
The first time I tasted this dish was at home while I was still in Japan, cooked by my parent, introduced it was called “potofu”. I still remember being amazed by how something so simple could be so incredibly comforting. The vegetables were soft and juicy, the broth was clean and savory, and the seasoning was subtle yet deeply satisfying. It quickly became a regular on our dinner table - one of those dishes everyone looked forward to on a chilly evening.
Despite feeling special, Pot-au-Feu is wonderfully easy to prepare. It’s a one-pot dish with ingredients you probably already have, making it perfect for weeknights, cozy weekends, or meal prep. Once everything goes into the pot, the simmering does all the work, filling your kitchen with the most comforting aroma.
Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or revisiting a childhood favorite, Pot-au-Feu is a timeless recipe that brings together warmth, simplicity, and French tradition - all in one pot.
RECIPE
Servings: 4-5
Time: 60 min
Ingredients:
1 pc small cabbage
2 pcs medium potato
2 pcs medium carrot
1 pc medium onion
8 pcs sausage
2 packs vetetable dashi stock or consommé cube or powder
8 cups water, or to cover all the ingredients
Instructions:
Prep the Vegetables
Cut the cabbage into half, leave the core.
Peel and cut the onion into half.
Peel and cut the potatoes and carrots into large, rustic pieces.
Build the Pot
Place the cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onion, and sausages into a large pot.
Add the vegetable dashi stock packs and pour in the water just cover enough the ingredients.
Simmer Low and Slow
Cover and bring the pot to a gentle simmer.
Cook on low heat for 50–60 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and the broth tastes rich and flavorful.
Serve and Enjoy
Remove the vegetable dashi packs if you used, and serve the broth alongside the vegetables and sausages.
Enjoy it warm!
My Kitchen Tool:
I use STAUB Cast Iron Dutch Oven 4-qt Round Cocotte for soups
Pot au feu in France:
Pot-au-Feu, which literally translates to “pot on the fire,” is one of France’s most iconic comfort foods. Rooted in medieval home cooking, this slow-simmered dish traditionally combines tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a gentle broth that warms you from the inside out. What began as a humble peasant meal has evolved over centuries into a beloved national classic—celebrated for its nourishing qualities and beautifully simple flavors.
