Disclosure: This post is sponsored in partnership with Canadian Turkey. As always, all opinions are our own.
Well…it’s official! We had our first snowfall of the season a few days ago, so I guess I can no longer ignore that winter is indeed on its way. Although I will miss the warmer weather there is something very comforting and cozy about cold winter days. It’s time for ice skating, warm fires, tobogganing and my favourite part, making hearty, healthy and delicious dinners for family and friends. Plus, it will soon be the holiday season, my absolute favourite time of the year!
With the holidays right around the corner, many of us are beginning to make plans for all the upcoming festive get-togethers. Food is at the heart of every celebration, and Canadian Turkey is here to help you get ready for the season with entertaining tips, appetizer recipes, meal suggestions and planning pointers to help you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying yourself with family and friends.
Turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites
This holiday season let Canadian Turkey help you make delicious food that is easy and healthy to prepare and is sure to wow your guests! Making memories over a festive meal with family and friends is the greatest way to celebrate the season. Whether you’re a novice cook, new to feeding a crowd, or a seasoned pro in the kitchen, Canadian Turkey can help you create show-stopping dishes and provide you with the tips and tricks you need to create delicious and memorable meals.
Finding meal solutions that will help you easily feed a crowd is the best way to prepare for those holiday get-togethers. Planning ahead and using valuable shortcuts will help you entertain like a pro. Canadian Turkey has developed a wide variety of recipes that will satisfy all your entertaining needs. Visit canadianturkey.ca to find and bookmark recipes that can feed a crowd, be made ahead of time, go from the freezer to the oven, or that can be served as festive appetizers or starters, so you’ll be prepared for every kind of gathering. Make sure to save your favourites, so you can be party-ready no matter what the occasion or size of the crowd.
To get started, try these delicious Turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites for your next cocktail party or pot-luck. You can make the ingredients ahead of time and just put them together on the day you need them.
Serving a larger crowd or planning for that special family gathering? Canadian turkey makes a perfect centrepiece for all your entertaining menus. Preparing an amazing classic roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings is time worth taking to create a festive celebration for any number of guests. You can also count on using leftovers to make some fast and healthy dishes during those busy days when you have your hands full. There’s nothing better than having some delectable dishes on hand for the remainder of the week or stashing some pre-made meals in the freezer for another busy weeknight during the holidays.
Apple, Sage and Shallot Stuffed Holiday Turkey.
With so many options, it’s easy to make Canadian turkey the star of your holiday season. Feel free to get creative with a new recipe or stick with your traditional go-to’s. Either way, there are many ways to prepare turkey and make it your own. It’s versatile enough to include as a main ingredient in any of your favourite appetizers and main meals for a crowd-pleasing option. Read on for more great ways to include Canadian turkey when you plan your next festive event!
8 Tips to Help You Entertain-at-Home Like a Pro
1. Plan on serving dishes that can be made in advance. Crowd-pleasing favourites like casseroles, pastas and stews featuring turkey can be made ahead of time and just re-heated gently to serve.
2. Help your guests avoid the dreaded ‘crash’ that follows a heavy meal and think about serving lighter fare. Turkey makes a great feature meal, feeding a crowd with big flavour, while being a leaner, lighter choice.
3. Consider building your party around a series of appetizers. There are many recipes that can be made ahead of time, like our Turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites. Finger foods also mean using fewer dishes and cutlery, saving time when it comes to clean up.
4. Experiment with something other than a formal sit down. A buffet style meal encourages grazing throughout the night, mingling while guests eat and chat, and allows for a more social and relaxed feel. Choose foods that taste great at room temperature, like a stuffed turkey breast or turkey casserole.
5. Get your guests in on the action by hosting a potluck. You provide the crowd-pleasing main dish, like a whole roasted turkey, and then have your guests bring a selection of appetizers, salads and desserts. Guests love to contribute and this will help take the heat off of you.
6. Turkey makes a fantastic substitute in any of your favourite party dishes. Think about ground turkey, turkey breast or turkey sausage in any of your go-to appetizers and mains.
7. Use your handy crock-pot to help you make a crowd-pleasing dish ahead of time. Canadianturkey.ca is filled with crock-pot and make-ahead inspiration. A bonus you’ll love with the crock pot? You can heat and serve all in the same container!
8. Save on the big meal by skipping the beef tenderloin or prime rib and opting for a less expensive cut of meat. A whole turkey will feed a large crowd for just a few dollars per person, making it a budget-friendly choice!
PIN IT – Turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites
While you’re here, don’t forget to try our delicious recipe for Turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites (BELOW) and to enter the awesome GIVEAWAY, it’s near the bottom of this page.
BONUS – As a special gift, just for our readers and compliments of Canadian Turkey, we have included this FREE DOWNLOADABLE –> Ground Turkey Holiday Appetizers 5 Ways. This is the only appetizer you’ll need this holiday season!
- 2 lbs. ground Canadian turkey
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 package puff pastry
- 1 can whole cranberry sauce
- 140 gr. goat cheese
- ¼ cup mint, torn into small pieces
- In a non-stick pan or skillet, season ground turkey meat with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Sauté until lightly browned and cooked through, 6-8 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Roll out puff pastry and cut into 2-inch by 2-inch squares. Press into the bottom of a mini muffin tray. Use a fork to prick holes into the bottom part of the pastry to make your ‘cup’. Cook according to package instructions until barely browned. Set aside to cool. The exact number of bites may vary according to how thin pastry is rolled.
- Fill each pastry cup with ground turkey. Top with a dollop of cranberry sauce and goats cheese.
- Broil on high for 1-2 minutes until cheese is softened.
- Top with mint.
- Serve immediately.
Try - (See FREE downloadable)
Sweet and Spicy:
Ground turkey + red pepper jelly + brie + jalapeno
Island:
Ground turkey + jerk sauce + cubed pineapple + cilantro
Italian:
Ground turkey + pesto + sundried tomato + mozzarella
Cheesy Mushroom:
Ground turkey + mushrooms + onions + cheddar
Looking for additional tips, recipes, Turkey Basics videos and HOW TOs? Follow the hashtag #EntertainWithTurkey and visit canadianturkey.ca for all your cooking inspiration. Canadian Turkey makes your holiday season easy with all the festive recipe suggestions and turkey prep tips you need.
The Year-Round WHOLE TURKEY HOW TO section will help you prepare a whole Canadian turkey for your friends and family for any occasion. And the recipe section is filled with delicious recipes for whole turkey and turkey cuts so you can get tasty, nutritious and versatile turkey on your table every day!
GIVEAWAY TIME
WIN – a $75 Amazon e-gift card for one lucky reader to help you entertain with Canadian turkey!
DATES – Giveaway closes at 11:59 PM AT on December 5, 2018
ELIGIBILITY – Open to residents of Canada 18+.
TO ENTER – Using the Giveaway Tools form below, simply follow the instructions, complete the mandatory entries, (which unlock the optional entries), plus any or all the optional entries for your chance to win this prize.
Best of luck everyone!
FAMILY-STYLE TURKEY BRAISE WITH POLENTA looks interesting
I would make the quick one pot turkey veggie pasta!
I agree.
APPLE BUTTER AND THYME GLAZED ROAST TURKEY sounds amazing.
The STUFFED TURKEY BREAST ROLL looks and sounds delicious!
The one pot turkey pasta sounds easy!
I’d like to try the Apple, Sage and Shallot Stuffed Holiday Turkey this holiday.
I like to try the Big-Batch Turkey And Chard Chili so it can feed the crowd.
I would love to try the big-batch turkey and chard chili…I adore a good chili on a cold day!
I would love to try the THAI TURKEY WONTON CUPS
Id love to try the slow cooker whole turkey .
ROASTED GRAPE, SHALLOT AND THYME TURKEY would be a nice change for our holiday dinner.
One pot saucy turkey meatballs look super yummy and easy to prepare!
I would like to add the Rosemary Turkey Rub this year
I would really like to try these Turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites! Did you actually make them, and if so, were they awesome? I’m thinking I would probably make half a recipe first. — also — The Best Ever Turkey Chili!!!
I’d like to try the Apple, Sage and Shallot Stuffed Holiday Turkey Also your Turkey bites above!
Those turkey , cranberry and goat cheese party bites look delicious! I need to try them. :-)
I like to try one pot turkey veggie pasta! It looks delicious!
Turkey, Pepper, and onion skillet and/or the Masala turkey pot pies. I think both would be a big hit in my house!
I would love to try the stuffed turkey breast roll
MINI MASALA TURKEY POT PIES
I’d like to try the rosemary turkey rub this year.
I would love to add the Cranberry Cream Cheese & Turkey Stuffed Mushrooms as an appetizer at our holiday celebrations!
Love to try the ONE-POT SAUCY TURKEY MEATBALLS
I would love to try Turkey Pizza Meatloaf.
I’d love to try the SLOW COOKER TURKEY BLACK BEAN CHILI recipe.
I would make the Classic Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup.
The Turkey Apple & Kale Grain Salad sounds pretty good, A lot of great turkey recipes!
I would like to add the creamy turkey mac n cheese.
Would love to try out the CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE & TURKEY STUFFED MUSHROOMS
I would make the Turkey Sausage and Seafood Chowder.
I would like to try the Turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites
I would like to try the Turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites.
I would love to try One-Pot Saucy Turkey Meatballs for the holidays
I would like to give the One-Pot Saucy Turkey Meatballs a try.
I would love to make the Cranberry Glazed Turkey Breast
The turkey soup would be a hit here!
The Turkey falafel bit apps looks delish
I would love to try the big-batch turkey and chard chili this would be perfect for school lunches
Classic Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup. thanks
I would like to try the classic homemade turkey noodle soup.
This turkey and cranberry appetizer sounds amazing! I’m so excited to try it!
I’m inclined to try the Apple, Sage and Shallot Stuffed Holiday Turkey this year.
I’m going to try a STUFFED TURKEY BREAST ROLL this holiday season!
I would like to try the Turkey Haleem. I have always wanted to try Ghee to see if I would like it.
ONE-POT SAUCY TURKEY MEATBALLS sound delish
I would love to try the Instant Pot Herbed Turkey Breast and Gravy since I have an IP.
Well I want the TURKEY, CRANBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES …they look delish!!!!!!
Delicious made sweet treat keep it up.
I really want to make the Deconstructed Turkey Stuffing recipe! Stuffing is my favourite <3
Turkey biryani is somethin I’d make first
THAI TURKEY WONTON CUPS sound delish!!!
TURKEY, CRANBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES..They look delish…so different!
The Thai Turkey Wonton Cups sounds so delicious!
Big-Batch Turkey And Chard Chili with some fresh bread would be great for a family gathering during the season
I would love to try and include the Turkey Waldorf-Style Salad on my Holiday meal for family and friends.
I’m going to try the TURKEY, CRANBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES for our holiday party.
Turkey meatballs in a variety of different sauces
Nice!
I would like to add the Stuffed Turkey Breast Roll to my holiday celebrations.
I would add the Stuffed Turkey Breast Roll to our holiday dishes. Looks fantastic!
Mini masala turkey pot pies.
The SWEET AND SPICY BBQ HALF TURKEY ON THE GRILL would please my spice loving family!
Turkey is so versatile and tastes wonderful with festive dishes to compliment.
Turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites
Slow cooker turkey
The STUFFED TURKEY BREAST ROLL
I think the CURRIED PEA & TURKEY SWEET POTATO CROQUETTES would spice things up.
I’d love to try the slow cooker turkey. I never would have thought of it!
I’d like to add the Stuffed Turkey Breast Roll (https://www.canadianturkey.ca/recipes/stuffed-turkey-breast-roll/) to our holiday celebrations because it is simple to make, and the filling allows for a lot of different flavours.
I love Roasted grape, shallot and thyme turkey
I would make the quick one pot turkey veggie pasta
Turkey noodle soup
I’d like to try something different with the THAI TURKEY WONTON CUPS
I’d like to try the Turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites.
I’d like to try the Tari Wala. turkey. It looks like a dish my family would enjoy.
I would love the classic turkey noodle soup. Yum.
Definitely the classic turkey noodle soup
I would like to add the stuffed turkey breast roll for my family holiday dinner
I would love to make Tandoori Turkey Legs and Wings.
Turkey noodle soup
I would love to add the Turkey Potstickers to my Christmas holiday menu and especially my hosting menu.
I’d love to make the TURKEY, CRANBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES
I would like to try the Slow Cooker Whole Turkey!
I’d like to try the Big-Batch Turkey And Chard Chili, sounds like a healthier chili than my go-to ground beef chili!
I love Brining our turkey, grow my own sage so the …Sage & Apple Brined Turkey would be a recipe I would love to try!
The classic turkey noodle soup looks yummy!
I’d like to make the classic turkey noodle soup.
I would love to add ONE-POT SAUCY TURKEY MEATBALLS to our dinner (maybe not christmas dinner, but it would be awesome for christmas eve or news years eve)
I love to give the Slow Cooker Turkey Black Bean Chili a try.
I would love to make the turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites. Looks so so good!
I would make the turkey, cranberry and goat cheese party bits. They look so delicious.
cranberry turkey breast
Turkey Sausage and Seafood Chowder sounds delicious.
One-pot saucy turkey meatballs sound like dinner!
I’d make the Classic Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup.
I would make the homemade turkey soup!
I’d make the apple, sage and shallot stuffed holiday turkey.
Would like to add the one pot turkey pasta to our holiday celebrations.
I would like to try these Turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites, they sound delicious and look easy to make.
I would like to make the Turkey Nicoise Salad with Sundried Tomato Dressing for the holidays.
I live on slow-cooker meals — especially chili — at this time of year, so I love the look of the Slow Cooker Turkey Black Bean Chili.
I would love to try the ROASTED GRAPE, SHALLOT AND THYME TURKEY.
I think my family would like the one pot turkey veggie pasta.
classic turkey noodle soup is perfect for holiday leftovers!
I would love to make the MINI MASALA TURKEY POT PIES.
SLOW COOKER TURKEY BLACK BEAN CHILI! This sounds incredible!
The one pot turkey pasta
I would love to try the turkey stuffing
APPLE BUTTER AND THYME GLAZED ROAST TURKEY. Perfect
Super Easy Roast Turkey Dinner is perfect for the holiday.s
I would love to try the DECONSTRUCTED TURKEY + STUFFING recipe
The APPLE BUTTER AND THYME GLAZED ROAST TURKEY sounds good.
Classic homemade turkey soup.
Turkey meatballs! I love having a hot crock pot of meatballs at my holiday gatherings – I will definitely switch to turkey this year!
I would like to add the SWEET & STICKY BBQ TURKEY LEGS to our meal.
Honestly the TURKEY, CRANBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES sound to die for – but I’d also like to try the Classic homemade turkey soup!
I would love to try Slow Cooked Turkey Meat Sauce and Baked Rigatoni, as I am big fan of pasta.
Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs would be AWESOME!
TURKEY, CRANBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES are what I would make…..they look soooo good!
The Stuffed Turkey Breast Roll would make a lovely holiday dish.
I think the MINI MASALA TURKEY POT PIES would make for a delicious holiday appetizer. They sound like something the whole family would enjoy too which is always a plus!!
oooh! I would love to add the veggie and turkey nachos. That sounds delicious.
The stuffed turkey breast roll sounds really good.
APPLE BUTTER AND THYME GLAZED ROAST TURKEY sounds great!!
My husband and I love the Deconstructed Turkey + Stuffing
I’d definitely like to try the STUFFED TURKEY BREAST ROLL
I like to try one pot turkey veggie pasta! It looks delicious!
I would love to try the slow cooker whole turkey.
Turkey Noodle Soup!
Turkey Sausage and Seafood Chowder !
I want to try the recipe for Tandoori Turkey Legs and Wings.
Oh my goodness! I think these Bacon-Wrapped Turkey Bites with Cranberry-Chipotle BBQ Sauce would be a wicked awesome appetizer on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve. I am definitely trying them this year.
oh The STUFFED TURKEY BREAST ROLL- looks & sounds great
I can’t wait to make some turkey soup! Mmmmmm!
The stuffed turkey breast roll sounds wonderful
CROSTINI WITH TURKEY, BRIE AND SPICY-SWEET DATE CHUTNEY
I would add the TURKEY, CRANBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES
I think my family would love the one pot turkey pasta.
I’ll be making some Thai Turkey Wonton Cups this year!
I definitely want to add the TURKEY, CRANBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES to my celebrations! Would be an awesome appetizer for parties.
I would love to add the Mini Masala Turkey Pot Pies recipe to our celebrations. Looks delicious!
would love to try the THAI TURKEY WONTON CUPS
I’d love to try the Mini Masala Turkey Pot Pies. Looks scrumptious!
I’d like to try the Classic Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup from Canadian Turkey
I’d love to try the CRANBERRY CHIPOTLE TURKEY SAUSAGE SAVOURY TARTLETS! They look so good!
I’d like to try FAMILY-STYLE TURKEY BRAISE WITH POLENTA
I think the TURKEY, CRANBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES sound great!
I would make the Classic Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup . I like easy recipes!
I would like to add the Honey Apple Turkey Sausage Savoury Tartlets.
Those nachos , I lovveee Nachos and have not tried them with turkey so I have to .
The Thai Turkey Wonton Cups woud be great to add to christmas appetizers!
I would love to try the one pot pasta.
The Turkey Falafel Bites would be such a great appetizer to share with friends & family this holiday season!
Turkey Potstickers sound fantastic!
Thai wonton bites sound soooo yummy!
Cranberry Cream Cheese & Turkey Stuffed Mushrooms
I would to try making the HONEY APPLE TURKEY SAUSAGE SAVOURY TARTLETS – and the ones you made too!!
Look like amazing finger foods that everyone will love
I’d love to try the roasted turkey with cornbread cranberry stuffing because other than turkey stuffing is my fave part of our Christmas meal & I’d like to try a cornbread version! I love using cornbread in other recipes so I’d like to try it & it sounds like it would go great with the turkey!
I will be making the TURKEY, CRANBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES for my dinner party. I know they will be a hit!
I would love to try the QUICK & TASTY HONEY LEMON ROSEMARY TURKEY TENDERS.
Turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites
I would love to try the Spaghetti and Turkey Meatballs!
Definitely want to try the Tari Wala turkey dish! It sounds interesting and delicious. Perfect for Winter meals!
https://www.canadianturkey.ca/recipes/tari-wala-turkey/
I would make the Turkey, Cranberry and Goat Cheese Party Bites for new years with the leftovers!
The recipe that I will add to our holiday festivities is Classic Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup. Great to warm up with after skating, tobogganing and all other outdoor activities.
I would love to try making the Turkey, cranberry and goat cheese party bites
Turkey, cranberry and goat cheese party bites ! These look and feel festive , easy to snack on or as a side ! I will be trying these for sure !
I would love to try the big-batch turkey and chard chili
Classic Homemade Turkey Noodle Soup! It sounds so good, especially for a cold winter night.
I would like to try the stuffed turkey breast roll
I would love to try the Turkey Cranberry Goat Cheese Party Bites. This would be a big hit with my husband and kids.
turkey tacos!
I would love to have the turkey tacos!
I would love to try the TURKEY, CRANBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES!
I would make the Stuffed Turkey Breast Roll-delicious!
Thanks for this post! I never think about turkey other than Thanksgiving!
I would make the HONEY APPLE TURKEY SAUSAGE SAVOURY TARTLETS, these look delicious.
I love the turkey nachos
Turkey pizza meatloaf sounds good
Classic homemade turkey noodle soup looks delicious!
Turkey pot pie – yum
Slow Cooker Whole Turkey–I could use the time savings.
Homeade Turkey Noodle soup sounds amazing!
I would love to add the Turkey, cranberry and Goat cheese party bites. I love goat cheese and these appetizers look stunning and will taste amazing too!
One pot Turkey Pasta! YUM
I think the TURKEY, CRANBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES would be a hit at any pot luck gathering.
I would make the TURKEY, CRANBERRY AND GOAT CHEESE PARTY BITES
The STUFFED TURKEY BREAST ROLL looks and sounds delicious!
One pot Turkey pasta!
Slow Cooker Turkey Black Bean Chili.
I would do this app https://www.canadianturkey.ca/recipes/thai-turkey-wonton-cups/ they look delicious.