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Favourite Thanksgiving Recipes

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Favourite Thanksgiving Recipes

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Thanksgiving. It is one of our most treasured holidays, whether you are a Canadian celebrating it in October, or observing the American tradition in November. Here are over 40 of our most popular, most requested, family-approved FAVOURITE THANKSGIVING RECIPES. Each one is tried and true, ready to be enjoyed. 

A gathering of ideas to inspire an inviting tablescape, perfect for entertaining during the fall season…
A take home gift for each guest

You can scroll through the entire list or click the GROUP HEADINGS to jump to a particular section of interest:

  • MAIN COURSES – Turkey, prime rib, oven-baked ham, plus a few more favourites sure to please.
  • SIDE DISHES – From oven-baked casseroles and sautéed vegetables to flavourful potato dishes plus, a few traditional faves.
  • SALADS – We’ve given salads their own section in case you’re doing a formal meal and need a healthy option for the first course. If you’re going more casual, serve one or more of these salads as a side dish.
  • DESSERTS – Yes, we’ve got you covered with something for everyone. From freshly baked pies to luxurious cakes, here are a few sweet treats for this special occasion.
  • APPETIZERS – Thanksgiving is one of those holidays where family and friends always arrive ready to eat. These appetizers will tide your guests over until dinner is served.
  • BONUS ROUND – Some additional features that guests ask for again and again.

We know these essential recipes are keepers that you’ll regularly have on the menu when you celebrate. To keep them at-the-ready, make sure to PIN the recipes on a favorite Pinterest board and SHARE it with friends. We’d also appreciate seeing pics when you make them. Use #weekendatthecottage when you post on Facebook and Instagram. Thanks for sharing with the world! 

As you scroll down through this listdon’t forget to click those LINK BUTTONS under each listing to go straight to the recipe or video.

If you enjoyed this recipe round-up, you may also enjoy 32 of our BEST SALAD RECIPES and our GRILL RECIPE ROUNDUP too. 

Here then are our best and favorite Thanksgiving recipes!

MAIN COURSES

Dry-Brined Turkey Recipe

Finely chopped fresh herbs, kosher salt and oil rubbed over a whole turkey that’s been marinated in brine for three days. Serve it with this CRANBERRY SAUCE.

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Glazed Oven-Baked Ham

Smoked and cured ham marinated with three mustards, brown sugar, honey and cloves. Enjoy it with this SPICED APPLESAUCE.

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Reverse-Seared Standing Rib Roast

A choice cut of beef rubbed with cracked pepper, salt, garlic and thyme, roasted perfectly to medium-rare. Try it with our tangy HORSERADISH CREAM SAUCE.

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Grilled Beef Tenderloin

High quality beef rubbed with dry seasoning and a touch of brown sugar, then grilled to your liking.

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Easy Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Colourful bell peppers filled with a mélange of assorted veggies and quinoa with a flavoured tomato sauce.

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SIDE DISHES

Sautéed Brussels Sprouts

Sliced Brussels sprouts sautéed with fragrant shallots and tossed with sliced almonds, pears and a drizzle of apple cider vinegar.

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Classic Corn Pudding

Whole and chopped kernels of corn blended with milk, eggs, spices and herbs, baked pudding-style with just a smidge of sugar.

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Cheesy Broccoli Casserole

Tender-crisp broccoli enveloped in a rich, creamy cheese sauce then baked in the oven with a cheesy, crispy topping.

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Creamy Scalloped Potatoes

Thin slices of potato layered with a creamy cheddar and Emmental sauce, oven baked until bubbly and golden.

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Roasted Acorn Squash

Oven-roasted acorn squash served with a sauté of shallot, pecans, fresh cranberries and dried fruit.

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Easy Cheesy Potato Casserole Recipe

Cubed hash brown-style potatoes oven baked with a bubbly, cheesy, crisp crumb-topped finish.

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Ginger Lime Spiced Carrots

Carrots sautéed in butter with fragrant spices, honey, ginger and tangy lime.

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Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Yukon golds mashed up with butter, a splash of cream and a sprinkle of Parmesan.

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Vegetarian Bean Casserole

Blanched green and yellow string beans baked with creamy leek soup mix, milk, butter and sliced green olives.

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Sausage Dressing Recipe

Sausage mixed with chunks of sourdough, dried fruit, onion, celery, apples, freshly chopped veggies and herbs.

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Mennonite Potato Dinner Rolls

Light, fluffy, freshly baked dinner rolls made with melted butter and mashed potatoes.

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SALADS

Simple Salad Recipe

Strawberries and red onions nestled in Boston lettuce with fresh dill and a drizzle of honey-Dijon dressing.

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Roasted Beet Salad with Goat's Cheese

Oven-roasted beets tossed in a bright citrus vinaigrette, nestled on greens with a sprinkle of spiced pecans and crumbled goat’s cheese.

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Fall Harvest Salad

Chopped kale, julienned carrots, parsnips and peppers tossed with plums, blueberries and a tangy dressing.

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Pretty Plum Salad

Sweet, juicy plums with assorted greens, radicchio and fennel, tossed in our light honey-ginger dressing.

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Spinach and Fennel Salad

Fresh baby spinach and fennel tossed in a sherry vinaigrette with bursts of flavourful toasted walnuts and your choice of cheese.

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DESSERTS

Mom's Apple Pie with Cheddar Cheese Crust

Layers of thinly sliced apples coated in a salty-sweet caramel-style sauce. Make it with this CHEDDAR CHEESE PIE CRUST.

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Fresh Peach Cake

A buttery cake scented with orange and spice, baked with juicy fresh peaches.

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Oma's Apple Cake Recipe

The simplest cake dotted with grated apples, spices and a smidge of chocolate.

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Spiced Pumpkin Pie

Flaky, golden pie crust baked with a creamy filling of oven-roasted pumpkin and freshly ground spices.

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Homemade Chocolate Walnut Pie

Our buttery pie crust surrounds this rich and marvellous dessert made with chocolate and chopped walnuts.

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Cranberry Cobbler

Fresh cranberries tossed with sugar, orange juice and liqueur, then baked under a golden cobbler topping and served with a tangy orange sauce.

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Pumpkin Pie Squares

A buttery, pecan-studded shortbread base under a creamy, spiced pumpkin pie topping.

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Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing

A rich, moist carrot cake made with fragrant spices and walnuts, topped with a tangy LEMON CREAM CHEESE ICING.

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APPETIZERS

Stuffed Mushrooms with prosciutto and Parmesan

Cremini mushroom caps baked with a flavourful prosciutto, Parmesan and panko stuffing

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Spinach Artichoke Cheese Dip

Chopped spinach and artichoke blended with garlic and shallot, baked with Parmesan, Swiss, mozzarella and cream cheese.

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Baked Cheddar Olives

Stuffed green olives oven-baked in a wrap of buttery cheddar pastry.

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Flaky Cheese Puffs - Pogačice

A light, flaky cheese puff made with butter, flour and a dry cottage cheese.

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Blue Cheese and Pecan Shortbreads

Buttery shortbread wafers made with crumbled blue cheese and chopped pecans.

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Feta Cheese Dip

Feta cheese creamed with yogurt and mayo, then flavoured with lemon, dried herbs and seasoning.

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Festive Cheese Ball

Soft gorgonzola and cream cheese blended with capers, olives, shallots and parsley, rolled in chopped walnuts.

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French Cheese Puffs

Crisp, puffed pâte à choux pastry flavoured with Gruyère and Parmesan.

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BONUS ROUND

Orange and Brown Sugar-Glazed Beets

Oven-roasted red beets, brightened with a flavourful, tangy glaze of orange and brown sugar.

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Fall Punch Recipe

A seasonal spiced punch made with chilled apple cider, spiced whisky, sparkling apple wine and fragrant spices.

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Turkey Pot Pies

Roast turkey leftovers and assorted vegetables in a light, creamy sauce baked under a flaky crust.

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Hot Brown Turkey Sandwich

Turkey and tomato on slices of toasted bread, topped with an aged cheddar cheese sauce and sprinkle of crispy bacon.

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Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Soup

A hearty soup of tender roasted turkey and assorted vegetables seasoned with fresh thyme and sage.

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