rillettes

American  

[ri-lets, ree-yet] / rɪˈlɛts, riˈjɛt /

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. an appetizer made usually of pork or goose meat that is diced, seasoned, cooked, and then pounded or ground to the consistency of a spread.

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Etymology

Origin of rillettes

Borrowed into English from French around 1885–90

Example Sentences

The honor of the pre-dinner nosh, meanwhile, usually falls to charcuterie, a category of cooked or cured meat like dry-aged ham, potted pâté, or rillettes.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2023

The meaty spread embraces duck rillettes, head cheese made from delicious pig parts and hinting of star anise, and caramelized onions, which are dark, sticky and swollen with reduced balsamic vinegar.

From Washington Post • Jul. 22, 2021

Stockholm to Dublin brings together salmon rillettes, dried apricots, greens and pumpernickel croutons.

From Washington Post • Dec. 26, 2019

Ms. Jaramillo’s menu is wide ranging, with dishes like binchotan-grilled abalone, chawanmushi with mushrooms, and duck rillettes served à la carte and on tasting menus.

From New York Times • Dec. 10, 2019

We have not yet tasted the rillons and rillettes so prized by the school children of Tours, and so longed for by Félex when he beheld them in the baskets of his more fortunate companions.

From In Château Land by Wharton, Anne Hollingsworth