28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (2024)

Canadian recipes aren’t the best known outside of Canada but there are some amazing dishes you absolutely have to try! Maybe you’ve always wanted to indulge in Canadian poutine or you want to try a Caesar cocktail or some butter tarts. There are plenty of options when it comes to Canadian food and drinks and the Great White North is home to all kinds of yummy delights. There are French Canadian recipes as well as hearty bites to choose from, so whether a Canadian lobster roll, date bars or something else appeals to you the most, get ready to experience some brand new flavors!

Homemade Beaver Tail

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (1)

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Indulge in a classic Canadian dessert with this delicious beaver tail recipe, perfect for any occasion from movie nights to Canada Day parties. These mini donut-like treats, shaped like a beaver’s tail and coated in cinnamon sugar, are a must-try for anyone looking to experience the flavors of Canada.
Get the Recipe:Homemade Beaver Tail

Hot Turkey Sandwich

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (2)

Hot turkey sandwiches are a beloved treat in Canada but their popularity is growing rapidly everywhere. The combination of succulent turkey, thick fluffy bread slices, peas, butter, gravy, and cranberries is truly a magical one.
Get the Recipe: Hot Turkey Sandwich

Atlantic Canada Lobster Roll

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (3)

Indulge in the taste of the Atlantic with this flavor-packed lobster roll recipe, perfect for seafood lovers. The combination of lobster tail meat with garlic, shallot, hot pepper, dill, and lemon creates a mouthwatering filling that’s best served in a buttery or split-top hot dog bun.
Get the Recipe:Atlantic Canada Lobster Roll

Caesar Cocktail

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (4)

Discover Canada’s national drink – the classic Canadian Caesar, a flavor-packed cocktail perfect for Canada Day celebrations. Made with clamato juice, lime juice, and a blend of spices, this drink is a must-try, especially when paired with other famous Canadian dishes like poutine.
Get the Recipe:Caesar Cocktail

Loaded Poutine

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (5)

Indulge in Canada’s most beloved dish, the delicious poutine, which is perfect for satisfying any comfort food cravings. Smothered with cheese curds, bacon, and gravy, this tasty dish is a must-try for fry lovers.
Get the Recipe:Loaded Poutine

Butter Tarts

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (6)

Indulge in a Canadian classic with homemade butter tarts. With a sweet, vanilla-scented filling and flaky pastry shell filled with nuts and raisins, this recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Get the Recipe:Butter Tarts

Confetti Squares

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (7)

These peanut butter butterscotch confetti squares are the perfect no bake treat for any occasion. With colorful mini marshmallows and butterscotch chips, they’re sure to be a hit at your next party or potluck! This Canadian classic bar is always a favorite.
Get the Recipe: Confetti Squares

Spiced Shrimp with Saskatchewan Dry Rub

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (8)

Experience the taste of Canadian cattle country with these smoked spiced shrimp flavored with a homemade Saskatchewan dry rub. This copycat Traeger blackened Saskatchewan rub is easy to prepare, and when combined with juicy shrimp, creates the perfect appetizer or main dish.
Get the Recipe:Spiced Shrimp with Saskatchewan Dry Rub

Canadian Date Bars

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (9)

Indulge in these delicious and hearty Canadian date bars with an oatmeal crumble topping. Packed with dates, oats, coconut, and cinnamon, these bars make a perfect breakfast or brunch addition and even an unconventional dessert option. Plus, they’re sure to be a hit and far superior to their American cousin, the date bar.
Get the Recipe:Canadian Date Bars

Nanaimo Bars

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (10)

Experience the unforgettable taste of the best Nanaimo bars, a classic Canadian dessert that will leave you craving more. This no-bake, frozen bars are a perfect treat for any occasion. They are packed with layers of sweet flavors, making them an irresistible summer or holiday dessert that will quickly disappear from your freezer.
Get the Recipe:Nanaimo Bars

Apple Cinnamon Cocktail

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (11)

This apple cinnamon cocktail is the ultimate comfort drink that combines the flavours of a classic apple pie with a fun cocktail. This heady cocktail is perfect for any occasion and season and is made with fireball whisky, vanilla vodka, and apple cider.
Get the Recipe:Apple Pie à la Mode Cocktail

Bannock Bread

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (12)

Bannock is a traditional Indigenous bread that has been a staple in Canada for centuries. This versatile bread can be made in many ways, using pantry staple ingredients, and can be enjoyed on its own or used as a base for other dishes.
Get the Recipe: Bannock Bread

Ginger Beef

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (13)

Get ready for the ultimate takeout experience with this Canadian classic: Ginger Beef from Calgary! With crispy battered steak tossed in a sweet and spicy ginger sauce, you won’t believe how easy it is to make this restaurant favorite at home. This recipe is a piece of Western Canada’s culinary heritage, perfect for a quick and delicious dinner!
Get the Recipe: Ginger Beef

Maple Leaf Cookies

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (14)

These Maple Leaf Cookies with a delicious maple butter filling are a Canadian treat that melts in your mouth. Made with real maple syrup, they were a childhood favorite and are now a beloved indulgence for any maple lover.
Get the Recipe: Maple Leaf Cookies

Québécois Maple Pudding

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (15)

Indulge in the rich, comforting flavor of classic Québécois maple pudding, a dessert that celebrates the sweetness of maple season. Learn about its origins and bake it at home for a delightful treat that pairs perfectly with a scoop of ice cream. For those who crave the unique flavor of maple, this dessert is a must-try!
Get the Recipe: Québécois Maple Pudding

Montreal Bagels

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (16)

Making authentic Montreal bagels at home is easier than you think! These sweet and chewy bagels have a unique flavor thanks to their malt extract dough and honeyed water boil. Try this Canadian recipe and enjoy a taste of Montreal in your kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Montreal Bagels

Halifax Donair

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (17)

Halifax’s traditional Donair is a Canadian treasure with bold flavors and convenient ingredients, making it a guaranteed family favorite. Invented by Peter Gamaoulakos, this unique recipe features a special sauce and beef instead of lamb, earning it the title of official food of Halifax in 2015. This is one of the top easy Canadian recipes.
Get the Recipe: Halifax Donair

Nova Scotia Seafood Chowder

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (18)

Nova Scotia seafood chowder is a rich and creamy soup that can be easily made from scratch with bacon and fresh dill for extra flavor. This East Coast classic comes together quickly and can be customized with your choice of seafood, making it a must-try recipe for any seafood lover!
Get the Recipe: Nova Scotia Seafood Chowder

Maple Apple Whiskey Sour

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (19)

Smooth whiskey pairs up with sweet apple cider and maple syrup, zingy fresh lemon juice, and frothy egg white to make this Canadian take on the classic whiskey sour recipe.
Get the Recipe: Maple Apple Whiskey Sour

Saskatoon Berry Pie

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (20)

Saskatoon berry pie, a Canadian dessert favorite, is made with a unique pie filling that is cooked on the stovetop to soften the berries and blend the flavors for a richer, thicker, and more flavorful filling. With a hint of almond, this dessert is distinct from other berry pies and a must-try for any lover of Canadian cuisine.
Get the Recipe: Saskatoon Berry Pie

French Canadian Sugar Pie

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (21)

French Canadian Sugar Pie, also known as Tart au Sucre, is a beloved Canadian classic known for its ultra-flaky crust and creamy, sweet filling. Served with ice cream, whipped cream, or a sprinkle of flaky salt, this pie will surely be a hit at any gathering or as a special treat for yourself! This is one of the best traditional french Canadian dessert recipes.
Get the Recipe: French Canadian Sugar Pie

Bouilli or Pot au Feu Québécois

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (22)

Bouilli, a traditional Quebecois beef stew inspired by the French pot au feu, is a simple and comforting meal with root vegetables, beef, and pork belly cooked slowly until tender. This dish evokes memories of visiting grandparents in remote villages and being greeted with the comforting aroma of a cast iron pot simmering on the stove.
Get the Recipe: Bouilli or Pot au Feu Québécois

Blueberry Grunt

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (23)

Blueberry Grunt is a classic and popular dessert in Atlantic Canada, made with fresh blueberries and fluffy dumpling dough and often served with a scoop of ice cream for the ultimate east coast experience! This stewed fruit dessert includes seasonal blueberries that have been cooked down into a jam-like consistency, topped with dumplings, and steamed until cooked through.
Get the Recipe: Blueberry Grunt

Québécois Pea Soup

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (24)

Quebec pea soup has roots in the cargo carried by French explorer Samuel de Champlain to the New France settlement, consisting of dry beans, cured meats, and salted fish. The traditional recipe consisted of dried yellow peas, cubes of salted pork, carrots, bay leaf, and lots of lard, as animal fat was more available and less expensive than imported olive oil.
Get the Recipe: Québécois Pea Soup

Tourtiere Meat Pie

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (25)

This French Canadian Tourtiere is a traditional meat pie often served on Christmas Eve in Quebec, but it’s the perfect comfort food for the cooler months all year round. The warming spices give it a cozy feel, like a big warm hug on a cold winter’s day – in pie form!
Get the Recipe: French Canadian Tourtiere

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Bella Bucchiotti of xoxoBella is a storyteller, food lover, dog mom and adventure seeker living on the Pacific coast. She shares her passion for recipes, dogs, sustainability, adventures, travel and philanthropy, in hopes of encouraging followers to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places and stand for a cause. Bella lives with Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease.

Bella Bucchiotti is a freelance food, travel, and lifestyle writer for MSN and the Associated Press Wire.

28 Canadian Recipes You Really Need to Try (2024)

FAQs

What is the number 1 most popular food in Canada? ›

No exploration of Canadian cuisine is complete without mentioning poutine. This iconic dish originated in Quebec and has become a nationwide favorite. Imagine a plate of crispy golden fries topped with cheese curds and smothered in rich gravy – a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that satisfy many cravings.

What is Canada's national dish? ›

What is Poutine? Poutine is Canada's national dish, which usually consists of french fries topped with cheese curds and hot gravy.

What is the most Canadian thing to eat? ›

Here are 10 that make us proud to be Canadian.
  • Bannock. ...
  • Nanaimo Bars. ...
  • Maple Syrup. ...
  • Saskatoon Berries. ...
  • Caesars. ...
  • Ketchup Chips. ...
  • Montreal Smoked Meat. ...
  • Lobster.

What is Canada's top 5 popular food? ›

Learn all about Canada's most popular dishes
  • Poutine.
  • Bannock.
  • Butter tarts.
  • Montréal-style bagels.
  • Timbits.
  • Montreal-style smoked meat sandwiches.
  • Nanaimo bars.
  • Tourtière.
Mar 9, 2021

What is Canada's famous dish? ›

Poutine. One of the many culinary gems to come out of French Canada, poutine has emerged as the definitive Canadian food. Several small towns in Quebec claim to have invented this celebrated dish (or side dish), and it's said to date back to the 1950s.

What do Canadians eat for breakfast? ›

Canadians are big consumers of grain products, vegetables and meats when they wake up. Bread, bagels, eggs, deli meats, cereals, white beans… a whole selection of healthy foods to start the day off right.

What candy is only available in Canada? ›

ONLY IN CANADA: Smarties, Eat More, Big Turk, Coffee Crisp, Maltesers, Caramilk, Wunderbar, Crispy Crunch, Mr. Big, Jersey Milk and MacIntosh's Toffee. And, not specifically exclusive to Canada, but NOT available in the States: Wine Gums, Swedish Berries, Aero, Crunchie and Dairy Milk.

What food does Canada have that America doesn't? ›

Here are some things that our American comics like and don't, apparently, have in the States:
  • Butter Tarts. ...
  • Nanaimo Bars. ...
  • Vachon cakes. ...
  • Beaver Tails. ...
  • Candy Bars, or as we call them, Chocolate Bars: Smarties; Caramilk; Crunchie; Kinder Surprise; Coffee Crisp; Aero; Big Turk; Yorkie; MacIntosh Toffee; Sweet Marie; Mr.
Nov 9, 2023

What drink is Canada known for? ›

9 Uniquely Canadian Beverages
  • Bloody Caesar. This Canadian drink concoction is made using vodka, Clamato juice, seasoning (usually Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco, but sometimes horseradish) and garnish. ...
  • Coureur des bois, Maple Cream Liqueur. ...
  • Caribou. ...
  • Screech. ...
  • Ice Wine. ...
  • Sussex Golden Ginger Ale. ...
  • Canadian Beer. ...
  • Canadian Whisky.

What are 5 traditional foods in Canada? ›

Foods such as bannock, moose, deer, bison, pemmican, maple taffy, and Métis stews, such as barley stew, are all either traditional Indigenous foods, or originate from Canada with roots in Indigenous cuisines, and are eaten throughout the country.

What is the most popular meat in Canada? ›

Chicken is Canada's favorite protein, according to a recent survey conducted by Leger for Chicken Farmers of Canada. 84% of Canadians purchase fresh chicken on a regular basis, and 90% place chicken among the top three meats they eat most often – consuming more Chicken than beef [72%], pork [52%] or other meats.

What is the #1 most eaten food in the world? ›

Rice is often considered one of the most consumed foods in the world.

What is the most popular drink in Canada? ›

Coffee. Coffee is Canada's favorite beverage, especially because it provides that energy boost needed to kick into action. In this country, we always appreciate a little help to wake up, especially in the heart of winter, Canadians don't really have a national coffee drink, they just love coffee a lot, in all its forms ...

What is the #1 food eaten in the world? ›

Cereal grains and tubers are the most common food staples. There are more than 50,000 edible plants in the world, but just 15 of them provide 90 percent of the world's food energy intake. Rice, corn (maize), and wheat make up two-thirds of this.

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