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Traditional Cretons (French Canadian Pork Spread)

PublishedMarch 17, 2025July 28, 2026 UpdatedJuly 28, 2026

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Cretons is a beloved pork spread from Quebec, Canada. Made with ground pork, onions, and a touch of cloves and garlic, this creamy spread is a breakfast staple, especially loved by kids!

Don’t be fooled by its aesthetic; this pork spread is delicious and easy to make and customize. Some variations using veal, chicken, or even tofu, known as cretonnade, also exist. However, this recipe is a traditional one made with pork. It results in a smooth, tender spread on toasted bread, a breakfast favourite for kids in Quebec. It also makes a delicious sandwich with yellow mustard for lunch!

A Cultural Spread

This dish is so deeply rooted in the culture that it inspired popular sayings like “Geler comme un creton,” which means “freezing like a creton”—a way of saying you’re cold. The phrase likely comes from the tradition of making cretons in large batches and freezing them for storage. In the past, cretons were made with fatty cuts of leftover pork, creating a white fat crust that helped preserve the meat. Today, this extra top layer of fat is rarely seen as leaner versions have become more popular.

The word cretons is used mainly in the plural in Québécois French, even though it refers to a single dish. The plural usage may also be due to it often being served in small portions. But whatever the exact reason, in good Québécois fashion, we always say cretons!

Variations

The fun thing about this pork spread is that you can aromatize it however you prefer. This version uses only cloves and garlic, the latter being my personal touch. But you could add winter savoury, cinnamon, or parsley in small amounts if you like a more aromatic spread.

Breadcrumbs are typically used instead of oats to absorb the liquid in cretons, but it all comes down to personal preference and what you have in your pantry.

Another variation is the liquid used to simmer the pork; options include broth or white wine. While I prefer milk for its traditional richness, broth enhances the savoury meat flavour, and wine adds a refined touch. Feel free to mix and match to suit your taste!

Technique

Overall, this recipe is straightforward, with under five ingredients; the only “hick” is the long cooking time, and you need to keep an eye on it, especially in the end. The lower the heat, the better; no more than 2 or 3 bubbles should show. Ultimately, you want a minuscule amount of liquid left, which will set wonderfully with the spread.

Storage

This is the fun part: You can batch-cook cretons, make many small pots, cover them with airtight plastic wrap, and freeze them for up to 4 months. Let them unfreeze overnight, and you’ll get your spread ready the following day! From there, you can store the cretons in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

Other Canadian Recipes

5 from 11 votes

Traditional Cretons

By: Marie Breton

Course Breakfast, Lunch

Cuisine French Canadian

Servings ramequins

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 1 30

Total Time 1 40

Cretons is a classic pork spread from Quebec, Canada, made with ground pork, onions, and a hint of cloves and garlic. This rich and flavorful spread is a breakfast favorite, especially among kids!

Ingredients

400 g ground pork
300 ml full-fat milk
1 onion
1 garlic clove
2 tbsp oats
1 tbsp butter
5 cloves
salt and pepper

Instructions

Add the butter, onions, and salt to a small pot or pan and cook on medium-low heat to soften for 3-4 minutes.
Stick the cloves in the whole garlic clove.
Add the meat to the onions, milk, garlic, and oats and lower the heat to low.
Season with salt and pepper.
Let it simmer on really low heat for 1h30 or until there is no more liquid at the bottom, stirring occasionally.
Add to the container, cover with air-tight plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours before using.

Video

Notes

Serve on toast or as a sandwich with extra yellow mustard.

*One ramequin filled with Cretons will serve about 4 to 6 toasts.

Nutrition

Keywords: cloves, cretons, ground pork, onion

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Marie Breton

Marie is a professionally trained cook and the creator of Little Nomads Recipes, sharing easy, family-friendly meals inspired by her expat life and love of traveling through food with your family. A French Canadian mom of two living in Spain with her German husband, Marie blends her culinary expertise with international flair to create globally inspired comfort food that even picky eaters love. From her multicultural kitchen to yours, she makes exploring the world's flavours simple, delicious, and achievable for busy families.