Canada offers delicious flavors like poutine and Nanaimo bars.
The Great White North has plenty of culinary gifts to share.
I have gathered 20 recipes that will make you crave these northern treats.
1. Homemade Garlic Fingers and Donair Sauce
This side dish uses tender pizza dough covered in mozzarella cheese and garlic butter. Canadians cut garlic pizza into slivers to make these sharable snacks.
You are essentially eating slices of garlic bread rather than triangles. The sauce really pushes this recipe over the edge.
2. 5-Ingredient Maple Candy (Toffee)
You might find it hard to believe that this candy is gluten-free and paleo-friendly. It is actually true.
You will mix water, coconut sugar, maple syrup, and butter until the mixture boils. Whisk it as it rises from the soft ball stage to the hard crack stage. Pour it onto a lined baking sheet and add toppings like chopped nuts or dark chocolate chips.
3. Montreal Steak Seasoning
I know the ingredient list sounds long, but you should make a big batch to store with your other spices. It features a delightful mix of salt, paprika, pepper, garlic, coriander, onion, dill, and crushed red pepper.
This seasoning adds unbelievable depth of flavor to grilled chicken. I have even used it as a rub for ribs.
4. Poutine
You can find versions with chicken tikka or bacon and ranch, but the classic plate is unbeatable. My first taste happened at a hockey game in Toronto.
It could not have been a more Canadian experience. I was hooked immediately by the gravy, melted cheese curds, and thick-cut fries.
5. Easy Bannock Bread
Scottish fur traders brought this simple fried bread to Canada. Many Indigenous people adopted the recipe, and it remains popular today. You only need half a dozen ingredients for this yeast-free dough.
There is no rest time required. Just mix the sticky dough with a fork and fry it right away. It was a staple back in the 18th Century.
6. No-Bake Vegan Nanaimo Bars
The classic recipe features a simple chocolate, graham cracker, and coconut base. A custard-like filling sits beneath a chocolate topping. I ate plenty of these bars while visiting the funky port town of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
This vegan version uses cocoa powder, dates, coconut, and cashews. The filling mixes turmeric, maple syrup, coconut milk, and cashews. You can also use pistachios for a lovely green color.
7. Timbits
Tim Horton’s sells Timbits while Dunkin’ has Munchkins. Every Canadian I know has grabbed a box of these for school or work occasionally. They are a classic sweet treat.
You usually find them covered in powdered sugar or a glaze. Fillings can include chocolate spread, custard, or strawberry jam. Baking powder makes them much cakier than typical donuts.
8. Calgary Ginger Beef Recipe
Restaurants usually fry the beef twice to ensure maximum crunch. Getting the texture right is just as important as the sauce.
This fusion dish features deep-fried sliced sirloin or flank steak. You toss the meat in a sweet chili sauce. That sauce contains plenty of ginger for a lovely warm spice.
9. Old-Fashioned Butter Tarts
I have tasted varieties like raspberry, pecan, and blueberry. The original recipe is still the tastiest.
These treats are very much like a mini-pecan pie. You will often find raisins in the mix. The flaky pie crust should be slightly sweet and unbelievably tender.
10. Nova Scotia Lobster Rolls
Most people associate these sandwiches with Maine. Nova Scotia is very close, so having a similar dish makes sense. You do not want to overpower the meat.
This recipe uses a simple blend of lemon juice, mayo, salt, parsley, and pepper. The creamy dressing and lemon juice enhance the lobster perfectly. I like adding a few dashes of hot sauce.
11. Canadian Salmon in a Maple Syrup Marinade
I typically love a sweet chili glaze and fried rice with my fish. This quick maple marinade caught my eye immediately.
You will whisk together cracked black pepper, cumin, green chili, salt, and chopped ginger. Add lemon juice, olive oil, and maple syrup to the mix. You will have a tasty piece of fish after 30 minutes.
12. Glazed Maple Shortbread Cookies
These crumbly cookies get a heavenly maple glaze on top. That adds just a touch of extra sweetness.
You only need flour, sugar, and butter for the cookie base. Keeping it simple is the key. Pull them from the oven before they turn golden to ensure they melt in your mouth.
13. Tourtière: A French-Canadian Meat Pie
This is a thick slice of savory seasonings, onions, and ground meat. Mashed potatoes are the secret ingredient.
They bind everything together so you can build the pie high. The potatoes also add plenty of moisture.
14. Montreal Bagels
It is true that New York bagels are sensational. I must say these Montreal bagels are a close second.
You will see maple syrup on the ingredient list. These chewy delights are traditionally poached in sweetened water. That creates a lovely flavor profile.
15. Classic Canadian Caesar Recipe
I have never been a huge fan of Bloody Marys. These cocktails are practically a religion in Canada.
They include similar ingredients like vodka, tabasco sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. However, this drink also includes BBQ sauce, pickle juice, and clam juice-infused tomato juice. Try the clam juice if you feel adventurous.
16. Baked Maple Glazed Donuts
You do not need to worry about frying dough since these are baked. They are wonderfully tender and lightly spiced. The maple glaze really sets them apart.
Nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon make these a perfect fall favorite. Make sure you use 100% pure maple syrup instead of synthetic pancake syrup.
17. Nova Scotia Style Donair
A Greek chef modified a traditional offering to appeal to Canadian palates. This dish is specific to the small town of Halifax in Nova Scotia.
It features spiced beef inside a pita. You top it with tomato and onion. A sweet garlic sauce gets drizzled over everything.
18. Hawaiian Pizza
You have our northern neighbors to thank for this invention. I know many people who adore the salty and sweet combination.
It features pineapple paired with ham or bacon. Finding Canadian bacon makes it even better.
19. Cinnamon Sugar Beaver Tails
These fried pieces of dough are coated in cinnamon sugar. They are quite flat like the tail of a beaver.
Every Canadian kid grew up eating these treats. I have had them smothered in peanut butter or a sweet glaze. They are warm, big, and worth every calorie.
20. French Canadian-Style Crockpot Split Pea Soup
This title has a lot going on. The recipe is actually very straightforward.
You just throw everything into the slow cooker. You will have a delicious soup a few hours later. You only need to break apart the ham once it falls off the bone.