If you've always dreamed of cooking along with Julia Child, now's your chance! The French Chef is streaming on Prime and PBS.
You Can Now Binge-Watch Every Single Episode of The French Chef with Julia Child
Julia Child wasn’t the first TV chef, but she’s certainly the most memorable. (Do you know the most popular cooking show from the year you were born?)
Her iconic cooking show, The French Chef, was taped live. It dominated the televisions of home cooks from 1963 through 1973 and taught many a viewer how to cook like the French do. With her down-to-earth personality, Julia made dishes we could hardly pronounce—like beef bourguignon, bouillabaisse and coq au vin—seem doable.
She’s always with us in our hearts, thanks to her quick kitchen wit. Now, she’s back on our screens, thanks to PBS!
How to Stream The French Chef
In mid-March of 2019, PBS launched its PBS Living service, which includes classic cooking shows. PBS Living is an add-on service that you can access through your PBS membership, but you can also access it through Amazon Prime Video.
To access through PBS Passport
To access The French Chef, you need to be a PBS member according to your local PBS station’s particular requirements. (Here’s how it works in the New York area, where I live.)
Find out what happened when we cooked like Julia Child for a week.
To access through Amazon Prime Video
To watch on Amazon Prime Video, you have to be a Prime member. You can sign up for a free trial for 30 days, after which it’s $12.99 per month. Then, join PBS Living, which is a paid opt-in channel for Prime subscribers. You can enroll in a free trial for 7 days, after which the cost is $2.99 per month. In addition to The French Chef, you’ll be able to access episodes of other iconic shows, including This Old House and Antiques Roadshow.
Don’t miss these timeless cooking lessons from Julia Child.
How to Watch Julia Child—Without Paying Extra
If neither of the above options works for you, you can still enjoy Julia Child on PBS via the free Julia Child Video Collection, consisting of full-length episodes of select Julia Child programming (including some early The French Chef episodes) as well as shorter interviews, behind-the-scenes clips and other snippets.
You can also catch reruns of all of Julia Child’s best French Chef episodes with celebrity chef commentary during Dishing with Julia Child!
Must-Make Recipes Inspired by Julia Child
French BreadOnce you make this easy French bread recipe, you'll never go back to store-bought loaves. Here are our best tips on how to bake it.
Cauliflower GratinThis is a lower-carb side dish that pairs well with pork, ham or beef. It's so creamy and delicious! If you like a bit of crunch, sprinkle buttered bread crumbs over the top for the last five minutes in the oven. — Mary Zinchiak, Boardman, Ohio
Creamy Banana CrepesMy husband and I enjoy taking turns fixing weekend breakfasts. These crepes are frequently on our menus. The sweet-and-sour banana filling is delicious. You'll want to serve them for lunch, dinner and dessert!
Salmon MousseSophisticated in presentation yet deceptively simple to make, this salmon mousse will upgrade your garden parties, hors d'oeuvre hours and everyday snack time.
Gingerbread Roll CakeMake a gorgeous, fragrant, festive gingerbread roll cake in less than an hour! This spiced take on a Yule log will wow any crowd at your holiday gathering.
Cassoulet for the GangWine lends a warm background taste to this take on a traditional French stew. The recipe feeds 10, making it a great option when you’re expecting guests—or wanting some leftovers for weekday lunches! &mdash Lynn Stein, Joseph, Oregon
Slow-Cooker Beef BourguignonSlow-cooker beef bourguignon simmers all day so you can enjoy a traditional French dinner tonight.
Inspired by: Chocolate MousseA friend shared this rich velvety chocolate mousse recipe with me. I love to cook and have tons of recipes, but this one is a favorite. Best of all, it's easy to make. —Judy Spencer, San Diego, California
Lemon TartThis sunshiny lemon tart recipe will make everyone smile. It is a simple treat with intense citrus flavors, and it can be easily decorated for elegant events.
Red Potato SaladThis creamy red potato salad recipe is a classic for cookouts, potlucks and any festive get-togethers.
Vanilla FrostingLight, sweet and perfectly airy, this easy homemade vanilla frosting recipe makes a delicious topping for cakes, cupcakes, desserts and sweet breads.
Chicken MarsalaTransform your weeknight dinners with this quick and easy chicken Marsala recipe. Featuring tender chicken breasts, earthy mushrooms and a rich Marsala wine sauce, this classic Italian-American dish comes together in just 30 minutes.
Herb-Topped Stuffed TomatoesThis simple treatment perfectly complements the fresh taste of tomatoes. Serve as a side dish to any entree or as a fresh summer appetizer. Mary E. Relyea - Canastota, New York
Spring Essence Soup with PistouDuring the last part of April one year, I picked what I had available in the garden. I found oregano, leeks, asparagus and rhubarb. This became the base for an essence-of-spring recipe. The rhubarb adds a citrus element, which is balanced by the nutty, earthy pistou. It is truly a layering of flavors. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Meringue Shells with Lemon CurdWe love a dazzling dessert of meringue shells filled with sunny lemon curd. It’s sweet and tart, crunchy and fluffy. Top this lemon curd dessert with whipped cream and berries. —Kris Brill, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Chicken Nicoise SaladThis salad makes it easy to eat what’s good for you. It’s versatile, so you can use asparagus in place of green beans and salmon instead of tuna, or add garden tomatoes. And if you follow the keto diet, you'll be happy to know this is a keto chicken salad. —Nick Monfre, Oak Ridge, New Jersey
Lemon & Sage Roasted ChickenWhether it’s soaking in marinade or baking in the oven, this easy-to-prepare chicken allows ample hands-free time. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois
Homemade MayonnaisePssst! Did you know America’s top-selling condiment and go-to dressing for chicken, tuna and potato salad can be prepared with a handful of everyday pantry items? This mayonnaise recipe will be a new favorite. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Apple Upside-Down CakeThis apple upside-down cake is a clever way to use up extra apples, and it's easy to throw together for any sweet occasion.
RatatouilleThis easy ratatouille recipe is a celebration of summer vegetables. It brings the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean to your table, whether you enjoy it as a hearty main course or a light and refreshing side dish.
French Onion SoupThis rich and comforting French onion soup recipe is surprisingly simple to make at home. And it rivals the soup you’ll find at any restaurant.
Pan-Fried Chicken ThighsPan-fried chicken thighs are the easiest, tastiest weeknight dinner you can make. Dress them up with your favorite spices and sides and you have got a meal in a flash.
Never-Fail Scalloped PotatoesThis rich, cheesy take on scalloped potatoes is deceptively simple to make. It comes together in just 25 minutes and then you have an hour to relax (or make the rest of the meal) while it bakes.
