Canadian Thanksgiving Recipes

Posted: October 7, 2023 | by Sandra Valvassori

Canadian Thanksgiving is this weekend and if you’re still trying to nail the perfect dish, this post will have everything you’re looking for. From the easiest way to cook your turkey, to the sides, the desserts and all the in-betweens, these recipes have been extensively tested and enjoyed for years. I hope you love them, too.

Thanksgiving Sides

Sure the turkey is great, but we all know everyone is really here for the sides on Thanksgiving. Well maybe the desserts, too. But don’t worry, we also have all of the sweets to make everyone happy.

1

Potatoes au gratin with caramelized onions

Potatoes Au Gratin With Caramelized Onions

Filled with lightly caramelized onions and savory Gruyére cheese, there is never a morsel left of this creamy gratin on Thanksgiving.

2

Haricots Verts Amandine on platter

Haricots Verts Amandine (Green Beans with Almonds)

Tossed with buttery toasted almonds, tender shallots, a little garlic, and a squirt of lemon juice, these elegant French green beans are a cinch to make and everyone loves them.

3

red wine cranberry sauce in bowl

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

A jazzed up Homemade Cranberry Sauce that is aaalmost as easy as opening the canned stuff but umpteen times more delicious. Beautiful for the holiday table and easy to make ahead of time, too.

4

Close-up of spoon scooping out a piece of butternut squash gratin from baking dish

Butternut Squash Gratin

Oozing with creamy cheese and a crunchy bread crumb topping, I guarantee this Butternut Squash Gratin will be the hit at your holiday table. Easy to make and incredibly delicious, it is one of my personal all-time favourite side dishes.

5

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes in bowl garnished with chives

Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

Leave the stovetop clear for other sides and make the creamiest, fluffiest mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot. Ready in just 20 minutes!

6

Wild Mushroom Focaccia Stuffing looking scrumptious in casserole

Wild Mushroom Focaccia Stuffing

This Wild Mushroom Focaccia Stuffing deviates a little from the classic but it's so good, you will not want to bring it out just at Thanksgiving.

7

Radicchio Salad with fennel and pear in serving bowl

Radicchio Salad with fennel and Pear

This vibrant and festive Radicchio Salad with Fennel and Pear is incredibly easy to throw together and will add a sparkle to your holiday table. One of my favorite salads for fall!

Thanksgiving Turkey

Turkey is undoubtedly the star of the Thanksgiving table. Whether you want to cook a whole turkey or something smaller, any of these 3 easy turkey recipes will steal the show.

8

Carved spatchcock turkey on white platter with Concord grapes as garnish.

Spatchcock Turkey with Dry Brine

A spatchcocked turkey will make you a hero of your holiday dinner. It's an easy, foolproof method to achieve the crispiest, juiciest turkey with unbeatable flavor in just 90 minutes! Once you try it, you'll never go back to cooking your turkey any other way.

9

Slow cooker turkey breast

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

No desire to cook a whole turkey? I hear ya. This juicy turkey breast is perfect for a smaller gathering, will free up your oven and couldn't be easier to prepare. I promise it will surpass your expectations!

10

Roast Turkey Breast on top of Braised Red Cabbage in roasting pan

Roast Turkey Breast with Braised Red Cabbage

Whether it's for Thanksgiving or for a cozy family meal, this Roast Turkey Breast with Braised Red Cabbage offers a one-pan meal requiring minimal fuss and clean-up.

Thanksgiving Desserts

Don’t forget to leave room for dessert! An apple crisp is always present for our Thanksgiving feast, plus a few more desserts that I switch around every year.

11

A side view of a serving of apple crisp without oats on a white plate

Apple Crisp Without Oats

If you don't already have a favorite apple pie, this easy apple crisp will win everyone over. Best of all, it takes 20 minutes to throw together.

12

Baked Plum clafoutis

Plum Clafoutis Recipe

Plums are still available at the markets in Canada and this is an easy, delicious dessert that is perfect for your Thanksgiving table.

13

Apple tarte Tatin served on plate with whipped cream on the side

Apple Tarte Tatin

A stunningly beautiful French apple tart that features caramelized apples baked in a buttery puff pastry crust. This dessert is always a huge hit!

14

Sliced grain free carrot cake on stand

Grain-free Carrot Cake Recipe

Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting this grain-free carrot cake is a little less sweet and a little more rustic than the classic but it will not fail to wow you or anyone you serve it to. It may even be better than any other carrot cake you’ve ever had, and you can feel good about eating it too.

Thanksgiving Breakfast/Brunch For The Day After

If you have a house-full durning Thanksgiving weekend, you will need something easy for breakfast that will feed plenty. Here’s some of our favorites:

15

Baked French Toast in baking dish with blueberry compote

Baked French Toast

This Baked French Toast casserole can be assembled the night before, then baked in the morning for an easy and laidback weekend breakfast or brunch.

16

Baked Everything bagel breakfast casserole

Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole

This crowd-pleasing Everything Bagel Breakfast Casserole has everything you love about breakfast all in one dish. Best assembled the night before to allow the bagels to soak up the egg custard. Just mix it all up and put it in the fridge overnight, then bake away in the morning.

17

Close-up of baked Breakfast casserole in casserole dish

Easy Breakfast Casserole with Vegetables

Layered with earthy mushrooms, onions, peppers, potatoes, baby spinach, fluffy eggs and melty, gooey cheese, this another favorite breakfast casserole you can make in advance. Simple and delicious!

The Best Leftover Thanksgiving Dish

chicken pot pie with filling showing

18

chicken pot pie with filling showing

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

There are so many things you can do with leftover turkey but you can't beat a creamy pot pie that is loaded with veggies, tender turkey and an easy buttery puff pastry that encapsulates it all. Divine.

Hope you enjoy this roundup of Canadian Thanksgiving Recipes. Let us know if you have any favorites in the comment section below!

Join the Conversation Cancel reply