Elegant Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine Recipe with Crisp Crust

Quiche lorraine elevates humble ingredients into a culinary symphony that dazzles taste buds with French finesse.

Imagine a golden, buttery crust cradling a velvety blend of smoky bacon and creamy eggs that whispers gourmet comfort.

This savory tart transforms ordinary breakfast fare into an extraordinary gastronomic experience.

Layers of rich, melted cheese and delicate custard mingle with crisp pastry edges, creating a harmonious flavor profile.

The magic lies in its simplicity, where each ingredient plays a crucial role in crafting a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike adore this versatile dish that effortlessly transitions from morning brunch to elegant dinner.

Check out this delectable journey and let your palate dance with pure culinary bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours

Calories: 420 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients in Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine

• All-Purpose Flour: Select unbleached flour for superior texture and authentic flavor.
• Salt: Use fine sea salt to enhance and balance the pastry's taste.
• Unsalted Butter: Choose high-quality cold butter with high fat content for maximum flakiness.
• Ice Water: Use filtered water with plenty of ice to keep ingredients chilled.

• Onions: Pick sweet, firm onions with smooth, unblemished skin for deep caramelization.
• Bacon: Select thick-cut, smoky bacon for robust flavor and crispy texture.
• Fresh Thyme: Opt for bright green sprigs with strong herbal aroma.
• Gruyere Cheese: Choose aged, nutty Gruyere with rich, complex flavor profile.

• Heavy Cream: Select organic cream with high butterfat for luxurious smoothness.
• Eggs: Use fresh, large eggs at room temperature for consistent binding.
• Salt: Sprinkle kosher salt to enhance overall dish depth.

What to Use for Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine

• Food Processor: Perfect for blending dough ingredients quickly and evenly.
• Rolling Pin: Essential for rolling out smooth, thin pastry dough.
• 9-inch Tart Pan: Creates the classic shape and crisp edges for your quiche.
• Parchment Paper: Helps pre-bake the crust without sticking.
• Pie Weights: Keeps the crust flat during initial baking.
• Skillet: Great for caramelizing onions and crisping bacon.
• Whisk: Combines cream and eggs into a silky, smooth mixture.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient amounts.
• Mixing Bowl: Helps combine filling ingredients.
• Fork: Useful for pricking pastry dough and mixing.
• Sharp Knife: Trims excess pastry edges cleanly.
• Cooling Rack: Allows quiche to cool evenly without getting soggy.

How to Cook Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine Step-by-Step

• Craft Silky Pastry Base

Blend flour and salt in a food processor. Drop in chilled butter and pulse until crumbly. Stream icy water gradually, mixing until dough forms. Shape into a smooth disc and refrigerate for one hour to relax the gluten.

• Shape and Chill Crust

Roll out the rested dough into a delicate round. Transfer gently to a tart pan, trimming excess edges. Pierce bottom with fork tines. Return to refrigerator for a quick cool-down to guarantee ultimate flakiness.

• Prepare Crispy Crust Foundation

Warm oven to toasty 375°F. Cover crust with parchment and sprinkle pie weights. Bake until edges turn golden, about 40 minutes. Remove weights and continue baking until surface looks perfectly bronzed. Let cool completely.

• Create Savory Filling Magic

Caramelize onions in butter until soft and translucent. Crisp bacon to a deep golden brown. Scatter fresh thyme across the base. Generously sprinkle Gruyere cheese over the surface, creating a delectable layer of flavor.

• Assemble and Bake Quiche

Whisk cream, eggs, and salt into a silky custard. Pour carefully over prepared filling. Slide into oven and bake until center sets and top turns a delicate golden hue. Rest for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving.

Adjustments for Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine

Unleash creative twists with these delightful tips and variations that will elevate your baking experience.

Replace traditional bacon with pancetta, Spanish chorizo, or smoked salmon for a gourmet flavor profile that adds unexpected excitement to your quiche.

Transform this recipe by substituting bacon with roasted bell peppers, sautéed mushrooms, or caramelized leeks to create a vibrant vegetarian version that bursts with garden-fresh goodness.

Experiment with different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, tangy blue cheese, or creamy goat cheese to personalize the flavor and make the quiche uniquely yours.

Prepare the entire quiche up to two days in advance, storing it covered in the refrigerator. Reheat gently at 325°F for 15-20 minutes to maintain its perfect texture and serve a stress-free meal that tastes freshly baked.

Plating and Serving Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine

• Pair with Fresh Greens: Serve alongside a crisp, light salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy quiche.
• Brunch Companion: Create a delightful weekend brunch spread by adding fresh fruit, crusty bread, and a mimosa or fresh-squeezed orange juice.
• Wine and Dine: Complement the quiche with a glass of dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Chardonnay to enhance the flavors of bacon and Gruyere.
• Elegant Presentation: Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs and a light dusting of black pepper to elevate the visual appeal and add a subtle herbal touch.

Store Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine Smoothly

• Preserve Freshness: Store leftover quiche in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain texture and prevent moisture loss.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm individual slices in the oven at 325°F for 10-15 minutes to restore the crispy crust and maintain the quiche's delicate flavor profile. Avoid microwave heating to prevent soggy pastry.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Slice and wrap individual portions in freezer-safe wrap, storing for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire quiche up to 2 days in advance. Keep refrigerated and bake just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and flavor intensity.

Elegant Ina Garten Quiche Lorraine Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s quiche lorraine combines classic French flavors with creamy egg custard and crispy bacon in a flaky pastry shell. Rich ingredients blend perfectly for a luxurious breakfast or brunch dish you’ll savor from first bite to last.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (240 ml) all-purpose flour
• 4 oz (113 g) slab bacon, cut into ½-inch pieces
• ½ cup (50 g) shredded gruyere
• 1 stick (8 tbsps or 113 g) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp (15 g) unsalted butter
• 3 to 5 tbsps (45 to 75 ml) ice water
• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Pastry Preparation: Pulse flour and salt in a food processor. Add cold butter and blend until texture resembles coarse crumbs. Drizzle ice water and pulse until dough forms. Shape into a disc and refrigerate for one hour to stabilize gluten and butter.
2. Crust Formation: Roll chilled dough into an 11-inch circular shape. Transfer to a 9-inch tart pan, pressing into edges and corners. Trim excess dough and perforate surface with fork. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to solidify.
3. Initial Baking: Position oven rack midway and preheat to 375°F. Line crust with parchment and fill with ceramic weights. Bake for 40 minutes, then remove weights and continue baking for 15 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely.
4. Filling Development: Sauté onions in butter until translucent. Crisp bacon in separate pan. Combine onions, bacon, and thyme. Spread mixture across pre-baked crust and sprinkle Gruyere cheese evenly.
5. Final Assembly and Baking: Whisk heavy cream, eggs, and salt until smooth. Pour custard over bacon-onion layer. Bake for 30 minutes until filling sets with slight center jiggle. Rest for 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Chill Dough Strategically: Refrigerating the pastry allows gluten to relax and butter to solidify, creating a flakier, more tender crust that prevents shrinkage during baking.
• Blind Bake with Precision: Pre-baking the crust with weights prevents soggy bottoms and ensures a crisp, golden foundation that supports the rich custard filling.
• Balance Filling Moisture: Sautéing onions and bacon beforehand removes excess moisture, preventing a watery quiche and maintaining the perfect creamy texture.
• Rest Before Serving: Allowing the quiche to rest after baking helps the custard set properly, making slicing cleaner and improving overall texture and flavor integration.

• Prep Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 34 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg