As Canadians prepare for Thanksgiving 2025, food lovers everywhere are already anticipating what will dominate dinner tables this year. Based on emerging food trends, reader polls, and new recipe features in Canadian magazines, here’s a roundup of the voted favourite and up-and-coming Thanksgiving meals and dishes expected to shine this autumn. Whether you lean classic or modern, there’s inspiration here to build a show-stopping feast.
The Classics That Never Stop Winning
Even as food trends shift, some dishes remain perennial crowd-pleasers. In 2025, we expect the following classic items to again top “favourite dish” polls — partly because they remain reliably delicious and partly because they comfort us during the chilly fall.
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Roast Turkey with Herb Butter & Pan Gravy
Turkey continues to centre the Thanksgiving plate. Many Canadians still vote for a crispy, well-seasoned roast turkey with sage, thyme, garlic and a rich pan gravy. -
Sausage & Herb Stuffing or Dressing
The familiar combination of savoury sausage, aromatic herbs, and crusty bread (or cubes) is often one of the most requested side dishes. -
Creamy Mashed Potatoes / Buttermilk Whipped Mash
Silkiness, butter, a bit of cream—mashed potatoes remain a comforting favourite on almost every Canadian table. -
Cranberry Sauce (Fresh or Spiced)
Whether made with fresh berries, citrus zest or a splash of maple, cranberry sauce is a must. Cranberry sauce is a traditional accompaniment to turkey across Canada. -
Pumpkin Pie & Apple Pie (or both)
Pies are eternally popular. Pumpkin and apple rank high in dessert ballots every year; many Canadians find it nearly impossible to choose just one. -
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Once underappreciated, Brussels sprouts have become a modern Thanksgiving favourite. Versions sautéed with bacon, onions, herbs or pomegranate seeds are frequently lauded by chefs for good reason.
These staples anchor the meal and remain highly ranked in poll results and recipe roundups.
2025’s Voted Favourite “Twists” & Emerging Stars
While classics hold strong, 2025 is seeing more adventurous plates and hybrid dishes rise in popularity. Voters in food magazines, national surveys, and contest entries point to several standout dishes:
1. Chestnut- & Shallot-Stuffed Turkey Breast
Canadian Living’s 2025 Thanksgiving menu highlights a recipe for Chestnut- & Shallot-Stuffed Turkey Breats as a featured dish. It’s a trend toward upscale simplification — a part of the bird stuffed with nutty chestnuts and sweet shallots gives all the flavour without cooking a full turkey for some households.
2. Caramel, Clementine & Whisky Pudding Cake
On the dessert side, Canadian Living includes a Caramel, Clementine & Whisky Pudding Cake as a “sweet and savoury” highlight. It plays on flavour contrast: citrus brightness, rich caramel, and a touch of whisky warmth.
3. Baked Cheese & Fig Jam Dip
To begin the feast or as a sophisticated snack, Baked Cheese & Fig Jam Dip is emerging in 2025 menus. It pairs creamy cheese with fig jam and is perfect with crackers or toasted baguette slices.
4. Caramelized Onion Tarte Tatin
A savoury twist on a classic French dessert, Caramelized Onion Tarte Tatin is making an appearance in Thanksgiving menus as a side or appetizer. Its balance of sweet, golden onions atop pastry offers elegance and novelty.
5. Couscous & Radicchio Salad
This colourful salad, with couscous grains, radicchio, greens and a tangy dressing, is being cited in 2025 menu features as a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, warm staples.
Regional & Canadian-Distinctive Favourites
In Canada, Thanksgiving dishes have strong regional roots and a few uniquely Canadian influences. Below are some regional or culturally Canadian faves to consider including:
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Tourtière (French-Canadian Meat Pie)
While more common at Christmas, tourtière is a beloved French Canadian meat pie (often pork, beef, game or a mix) that sometimes features on holiday tables, including Thanksgiving, in many parts of Canada. -
Maple & Local Game Enhancements
Dishes that incorporate Canadian ingredients — maple syrup, local wild game (venison, pheasant), or regional squash varieties — are trending. 2025’s broad food theme leans into local sourcing and flavour storytelling. -
Fusion & Global Accents
In urban centres, some cooks are blending traditional Thanksgiving fare with flavours from other cuisines: spice rubs, harissa in sides, Asian five-spice in turkey brines, or globally influenced desserts.
Why These Trends Are Gaining Popularity
Several broader food and consumer trends help explain why these dishes are rising:
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“High-Low” Flavor Pairing
Combining luxury or gourmet elements (like chestnuts, whisky, fig jam) into familiar foods provides contrast and surprise, a trend expected to continue in 2025. -
Simplification & Portion Control
Not everyone wants or needs a huge turkey and twelve side dishes. Recipes like stuffed breast or elegant small desserts allow scaled-down feasts without losing festivity. -
Local & Seasonal Focus
Emphasis on local ingredients is strong, and Canadian chefs are leaning into regionally abundant produce, maple products, and sustainable meats. -
Better Vegetables & Elevated Sides
Vegetables are no longer afterthoughts. Brussels sprouts, roasted root vegetables, and composed salads are earning starring roles.
Thanksgiving 2025 in Canada promises to blend long-loved classics with novel flavour accents and elevated sides. The voted favourite dishes—stuffed turkey breast, Brussels sprouts, inventive desserts—reflect evolving palates without abandoning the heart of tradition. Whether you stick to a tried-and-true menu or experiment with a new twist, the winning combination is flavor, balance, and a little Canadian flair.
