View All Charcuterie
Terrine
Terrine at a Glance
Origination
France, Western Europe
Type of Charcuterie
Terrine
Main Ingredient
Typical Ingredients
Meat(s) of choice, onion, salt, pepper, herbs and spices
Other Names
Pate en terrine, pate de Campagne, country style terrine, cooked terrines, uncooked terrines, fresh terrines, pressed terrines, set terrines, eggs and cream terrines, meat loaf, pork terrine, beef terrine, chicken terrine, fish terrine, liver terrine, duck terrine, game terrine
Terrine Description
The word terrine is often associated with a glazed earthenware cooking dish with a cover used both in the early times and today. However, the term may also refer to a type of charcuterie product that comes from France in Western Europe.
Although force meats and pates were long part of the usual foods cooked, the dish was created in the 1820's by French chef Antonin CarĂªme who placed pate meat in this earthenware dish and cooked it giving terrine its name.
Terrine can be made from many different types of meat ranging from pork and beef to poultry, game and offal. There are also several different ways that this prepared meat dish can be made. Commonly, terrines are classified as either cooked or uncooked. These can also be pressed, set or made with eggs and cream.
Fresh and pressed terrines are usually made by layering cooked or raw ingredients then weighing it down and leaving it to set overnight. An aspic or gelatin may also be poured over the layered ingredients.
Cooked terrines on the other hand are made by creating a force meat, adding coarsely chopped meats, vegetables, nuts, or fruits and cooking it in an earthenware dish or tin lined with bacon, greens and others. Eggs and cream may also be added to the force meat.
The texture and flavor of a terrine may vary greatly according to the type. Fresh set and pressed terrines are usually soft. If aspic or gelatin is included, then a jelly like feel can be observed.
Cooked terrines on the other hand are usually firm with a rich, smooth and creamy texture. Various consistencies may also be found within these depending on the ingredients used.
There are many different ways that a terrine may be served and eaten. This highly versatile charcuterie product is usually served chilled or at room temperature. These are usually sliced thickly and may be served as is, with a salad, some bread or pickled fruits and vegetables. It may also be used for making a sandwich.
Photo Credit: Sifu Renka
If so, please join the more than 19,000 people who receive my exclusive newsletter and get a FREE COPY of my printable modernist ingredient cheatsheet.
Just click on the green button below!
Get Started!
Thanks for signing up! I look forward to sending you recipes, links, and exclusive content and offers that you can't find anywhere else on the site, and I'll send you a free copy of my modernist ingredient cheatsheet too!
Enter your first name and email below, and I'll see you on the inside!
Thanks for signing up! I look forward to guiding you through the process of discovering sous vide with amazing articles, recipes, and tips and tricks you can use to impress your friends and family by turning out amazing food time and time again!
Enter your first name and email below, and I'll see you on the inside!