It’s no secret that Canada is home to numerous delicious treats. In case you haven’t had the opportunity to visit before, we’ve put together a list of people’s all-time favorites you have to try during your stop.

But if travel is not an option for whatever reason, all of these can be prepared at home. Also, don’t forget to use a VPN Canada while browsing online for news and recipes. Using a VPN is one of the easiest ways to ensure that your information will stay private and your internet connection will be secured.

Now, let’s take a look at these dishes:

1. Poutine

There is no Canada without poutine. Period. Originating from the 1950s, this mish-mash of crispy fries, gravy, and cheese is what people keep on raving about. Due to its popularity, the entire world is trying to emulate this mouth-watering dish, so you’ll find many recipes that teach you how to make it yourself. This also opens the doors to customizing the recipe and making it your own. You’re free to experiment with toppings such as smoked meat, pulled pork, and bacon.

When ordering it in a restaurant, expect to pay somewhere in the ballpark of 4 dollars. Given that big brands like McDonald’s also serve it on their menu, you will not have trouble finding a bite for inspiration.

2. Canadian Pizza

What makes a pizza unique? It’s hard to say. But if you’ve ever had the pleasure to taste Canadian pizza, you’ll know exactly what makes it special. For the most part, it comes down to the toppings and how it’s made. Compared to American pizzas, their Canadian counterparts aren’t quite as fried and doughy.

As far as toppings go, they tend to be on the inventive side, even more so than those found on traditional Italian pies. Hawaiian was invented in Ontario, Canada for example. So to summarize: if you’re going to make it at home, go with a thin crust and let your creativity flow when choosing the toppings. To get that iconic Canadian flavour, be sure to throw in some red pepper, mozzarella, caramelized onions, feta, tandoori tofu, mango or pineapple.

3. Split Pea Soup

When it comes to comfort foods, there’s nothing like the good old split pea soup. The essence of it comes from blending pork, herbs, and peas, which gives you the creaminess it’s known for. This dish is especially popular when the weather gets cold. It’s what the early inhabitants of Canadian soil turned to when they found themselves in need of some nourishment.

The reason is that cured meats and dried peas can last a while, thus making them the ideal choice for a long journey in a demanding climate. Either way, the recipe has been handed down throughout generations, and split pea soup remains one of the finest Canadian dishes of today.

4. Caesar Cocktail

Originating from the year of 1969, this drink with a mighty name was invented by Walter Chell, a Calgary restaurant manager. From there on out, it kept surging in popularity, and every year, more than 350 Caesars are sold. If you want to make it at home, the ingredients are no secret; the magic happens when you throw some Clamato juice, salted rim, and Worchester into the glass and mix it with vodka.

If you can’t shake off the notion that this is nothing but a Canadian take on the Bloody Mary, you’d be correct. So to make it unmistakably Canadian, don’t forget to pin some hot dogs, onion rings, or burgers right on top of it. It’s how they serve it in Vancouver.

5. Nanaimo Bars

Whatever you choose to make, be sure to end the meal with Nanaimo bars, one of Canada’s go-to desserts. Its magic comes from combining these three layers of ingredients: melted chocolate, vanilla-flavored butter icing, and a mixture of crumbs. As for its origin, ask different people, and you’ll get different answers.

One thing that is for sure is that the name “Nanaimo” comes from the British Columbian city of Nanaimo. But one thing remains… This dessert is as Canadian as it gets. On top of it all, it requires zero baking, thus making it the obvious choice when you want to serve something delicious but don’t have a lot of extra time on your hands.

Conclusion

Canada is amazing, and so are its dishes. To get a taste of how it feels to be Canadian, do yourself a favor and treat yourself to one of its iconic delights.

If you have some time, definitely try to make these dishes at home!