12 Truly Canadian Recipes

Whether you are spending July 1st in the backyard with friends, at a cottage up north, or spending a quiet evening at home, there is no better way to celebrate Canada Day than with a menu of truly Canadian food staples.

Check out these super Canadian recipes based on the nation’s internationally beloved regional foods:

1. Bacon

Smoked, fried, baked or broiled, this delicious, salty meat has become a go-to in Canadian cuisine. In fact, Canadians are so obsessed with the stuff that peameal bacon is known as “Canadian bacon” abroad. In America, it’s taken from the belly of the pork; in Canada it’s made from the side and back cuts, where there’s much more meat than fat. Bacon is no longer reserved simply for breakfast, burgers and sandwiches. This crispy meat is now used in conjunction with sweets to add a balancing savoury element. But for the sake of tradition, try some Canadian Cheddar Burgers with Peameal Bacon this Canada Day.

2. Poutine

Another Canadian staple is poutine, eh! Originating in rural Quebec, this decadent fast food dish consists of crispy French fries topped with cheese curds and then slathered in hot, rich gravy. Try a gourmet version of this Canadian junk food fave, with some Foie Gras Poutine.

3. Beer

If there’s anything rather useless that Canadians are especially good at, it’s brewing and drinking beer. Since most of us will be consuming a great deal of alcoholic beverages on July 1st anyway, why not try this super simple BBQ chicken meal that takes just two ingredients. The kicker? This recipe requires you to drink some of the beer! So give Michael Smith’s Beer Can Chickena try.

4. Pemmican

If you want to make something truly Canadian to honour this great nation’s annual celebration, get your hands on some moose meat and dried cranberries. Pemmican is a concentrated mixture of fat and protein that was and is said to provide energy in times of transience, severe cold or scarce resources. Try this simple Pemmican recipe and get a taste of what helped our ancestors brave the harsh Canadian cold.

5. Venison

Venison is the meat of any game animal, stemming from the Latin venor, which means “to hunt or pursue”, but it most often refers to deer meat. Northern Canada is a popular destination for hunting enthusiasts, and before the introduction of farming animals, most traditional Canadian dishes consisted of wild game meat. Take a walk on the wild side with this meaty Canada Day delight; Vennison with Sweet Potato Dauphinoise.

6. Lobster

Canada is rather well-known for its seafood, and the most valuable Canadian seafood export is lobster; Eastern Canada’s offshore lobster fishery is one of the best-managed, sustainable fisheries in the world. Another Canadian favourite is Kraft Dinner. What happens when you combine gourmet sea fare with a comfort food classic? Try this Lobster Mac & Cheese masterpiece and you’ll find out.

7. Salmon

Canada is very well known for its saltwater fish, and the Atlantic salmon is one of the most highly sought after game fish on the East Coast. This fish packs a nutritional punch, so get a healthy dose of omega 3’s this Canada Day with our World-Famous Hot-Smoked Salmon Sandwich.

8. Arctic Char

Closely related to both salmon and lake trout (and similar to both in taste), this fish is found off of Canada’s northern coast. Because of their low-optimum temperature requirements, they grow well in Canada’s cold waters. Try this Roasted Arctic Char with Chickpea Ragu.

9. Goose

It doesn’t get much more Canadian than this. Geese are symbolic of Canada mostly for their high population within the country, but also for their bravery, loyalty and … delicious meat. Roast goose is an Old World tradition, typically eaten at Christmas or on a special occasion. We think July 1st is just as special an occasion, so try our Roast Goose with Currant Kumquat Compote.

10. Montreal Smoked Meat

In case the name doesn’t give it away, this North American favourite hails from Montreal! Beef brisket is smoked with fragrant wood chips, and rubbed with a special spice medley to give it a distinct flavor. Pile CC’S Montreal Smoked Meat on some rye bread with all your favourite fixings.

11. Apples

From Cortland and Spartan to Golden Delicious, Canada has no shortage of flavour choices with these tangy fruits. An interesting pairing that is unique to Canada is the combination of tart apple with sharp cheddar. Try it out—round up some of your favourite apple varieties and bake a Brunch-Style Cheddar-Apple Crisp for dessert.

12. Maple Syrup

This golden brown sauce practically lines the shelves of Canadian tourist shops. Made from the xylem sap of maple trees, it takes approximately 43 gallons of sap to produce a single gallon of syrup. Finish your long weekend celebration on a high note with a slice of this devilishly sweet Maple Pecan Pie.