I don’t know exactly where it went, but boy oh boy, did this summer ever fly by! Honestly, it just seems like a few weeks ago that our daughter and her two sweet puppies were home for a visit…and that was the end of May!
Already, many of our trees are starting to show their stunning colours of gold, orange, and red. The days are still comfortably warm, but there is a definite nip in the air once the sun goes down.
This is the time of year when I love to bake pumpkin muffins, apple pies, and cookies. It is also the time when family dinners seem to turn from salads and barbecues to slow roasted yumminess and the garden’s bounty!
Another thing I love about the fall is Thanksgiving and right now, Canadians are gearing up to celebrate one of their favourite holidays of the year! Making memories over a festive meal with family and friends is the greatest way to take part in this Canadian tradition. Whether you’re a novice cook new to feeding a crowd or a seasoned pro in the kitchen, let Canadian turkey help you create a show-stopping Thanksgiving celebration and give you the tips and tricks you need to make this a delicious and memorable meal.
Families today come in all shapes and sizes with different likes, habits and dietary considerations. Whether you are feeding a large crowd or making an intimate dinner for two, there are many different ways to prepare a turkey meal that can fit your needs.
Never roasted a whole turkey before? Canadian Turkey has made it foolproof for you with their Turkey Basics Whole Turkey How-Tos. These step-by-step videos will break down the basics so you can master all the steps needed to make that perfect roast Thanksgiving bird. You’ll be surprised at how simple it can be to create a special celebration meal with these foolproof tips and easy-to-follow directions.
Are you planning a smaller meal and looking for inspiration? For a family of 4 or 6, roasting a half turkey can be a great way to celebrate! A half turkey cooks up just as delicious and festive as a whole bird. For single parents, empty nesters, or romantic couples looking for that traditional inspiration, Canadian Turkey has compiled a large library of delicious options. A turkey breast can be butterflied, rolled and roasted, and served with stuffing on the side to make a gorgeous feast on a smaller scale. Your local butcher or grocer is an invaluable resource and can help you find a solution that works for you.
Turkey is a versatile protein that tastes great with different flavour and spice combinations, so you can create a meal that suits your family’s tastes and traditions. And best of all, a roast turkey is a very economical way to feed a crowd, so you can feel good about inviting family and friends to join you around your Thanksgiving table. Let Canadian Turkey help, with these tips to help you prepare the perfect feast!
5 WAYS TO MASTER THANKSGIVING PREP AND PLANNING
1. For an easy way to ensure extra-crispy skin, unwrap your turkey the day before you are planning to cook it and leave it in the fridge overnight. The extra drying time will add the perfect crispness to your turkey.
2. Shave hours off of your prep time by going to your supermarket salad bar to stock up on sides and salads.
3. Keep your oven free for the main dish. Use a slow cooker to prepare a side dish like mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole, and keep it warm so it’s ready to serve.
4. Make sure you use a good quality meat thermometer to ensure you cook your turkey to the perfect doneness without overcooking. Test your thermometer a few days ahead of time to make sure it is working properly.
5. Consider cooking your turkey in parts – breasts, thighs and drums for a quicker, foolproof way to get the meat cooked perfectly.
No turkey dinner is complete without a delicious side of flavourful, aromatic stuffing. This recipe for Mushroom, Leek and Turkey Sausage Stuffing is the perfect accompaniment to your turkey and it tastes amazing!
PIN IT – Mushroom, Leek, and Turkey Sausage Stuffing
Canadian Turkey makes your Thanksgiving easy with all the recipe suggestions and turkey prep tips you need. Just visit www.canadianturkey.ca to find the perfect recipe and create your Thanksgiving tradition!
For more information on delicious Canadian Turkey, you may also wish to follow along on their various sites and social media channels.
Also, keep an eye out for the hashtag #CdnTradition
Prep and Serving information ~ Whole Bird HOW-TOs ~ Nutritional Information ~ Barbequing Turkey ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ YouTube
- 2 lbs. Canadian turkey sausages
- 500 gr. loaf crusty bread
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 1 lb. assorted mushrooms
- 2 cups thinly sliced leeks
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 cup diced celery
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed
- ½ cup white wine
- 2 cups turkey broth
- 1 egg, beaten
- ½ tsp. each ground rosemary, sage, and thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cut the bread into 1-inch cubes. Heat oven to 250°F (120°C).
- Spread out onto a baking tray and dry out bread until the cubes are toasted and crunchy 30 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Remove sausage from casings. Break up into small pieces and cook in a frying pan over medium heat until cooked through. Remove sausage and set aside to cool.
- Add leeks, onions and celery to the frying pan. Cook over medium heat until onions and celery are soft and translucent and leeks begin to break down and brown, 20 minutes. Add garlic and cook an additional 5-8 minutes. Add white wine to deglaze. Once wine has evaporated, set aside to cool.
- While leeks, onions and celery are cooking, season mushrooms with salt, pepper and olive oil and bake in a 400°F (205°C) oven for 15 – 20 minutes. Let cool.
- Combine sausage, bread, leek mixture and mushrooms in a large bowl.
- Add the beaten egg to the broth and mix. Slowly pour mixture over the stuffing and mix to combine. Bread should be wet but not soaked.
- Season mixture with herbs.
- Bake in an oven-proof casserole dish at 350°F (177°C) for 45 – 60 minutes until browned and crispy.
Canadian Turkey makes your Thanksgiving easy with all the recipe suggestions and turkey prep tips you need. Just visit www.canadianturkey.ca to find the perfect recipe and create your Thanksgiving tradition!
Disclosure: This post is sponsored in partnership with Canadian Turkey. As always, all opinions are our own.
SUNDRIED TOMATO & GREENS STUFFED TURKEY BREAST ROAST would be perfect for Thanksgiving
I think I will try the Smoked Turkey Recipe. I’ve never smoked a turkey before but it sounds delicious!
I’m going for the smoked turkey. I love the cold cuts in a sandwich the day after.
PIZZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!
GRILLED TURKEY SAUSAGE AND SUMMER GREENS PIZZA :)
I know we’ll love the GRILLED TURKEY AND SUMMER VEGETABLE SALAD
the bacon wrapped turkey medallions looks super yummy
Grilled Turkey and summer vegetable salad looks good
The Smoked Turkey recipe sounds delicious!
The wild rice stuffing would be great addition and perfect for those in my family with celiac.
The CEDAR PLANK GRILLED TURKEY BREAST ROAST W/CHARRED TOMATO SALSA sounds yummy!
The Turkey Tacos! YUM! Thanks!
The GRILLED HERBES DE PROVENCE TURKEY (BEER CAN TURKEY) recipe sounds wonderful for the whole family
I’d love to try the bacon wrapped turkey medallions!
I will be choosing the Grilled Herbes de Provence Turkey (Beer Can Turkey). I’ve always wanted to try it.
The CEDAR PLANK GRILLED TURKEY BREAST ROAST W/CHARRED TOMATO SALSA sounds amazing
I really like wild rice so we might try the wild rice stuffing for a change, and if we all agree a new tradition will happen.
I will be choose the ASPARAGUS AND SWISS CHEESE STUFFED TURKEY CUTLETS to create our Thanksgiving tradition.
Hmm bacon wrapped turkey medallions. Oh my….
The TURKEY BIRYANI sounds good.
I will be choosing the BBQ BACON WRAPPED TURKEY MEDALLIONS W/GRILLED PEACH SALSA
The Classic Turkey Sausage stuffing looks great!
We are bringing the turkey then BBQ it , following the directions on their page.
the MALAI KOFTA CURRY WITH TURKEY MEATBALLS looks good
i’m a sucker for stuffing, so the classic turkey sausage stuffing :)
I really want to try the piri piri turkey drumettes
GRILLED HERBES DE PROVENCE TURKEY (BEER CAN TURKEY)
THE Chimichurri Turkey Breast on the Grill seems amazing. I have to try that!
Grilled Turkey and summer vegetable salad looks good and yummy
I would love to try the bacon wrapped turkey medallions.
The Sundried Tomato & Greens Stuffed Turkey Breast Roast would be great for Thanksgiving!
Anything with bacon is always delicious so “Bacon Wrapped Turkey Medallions”
I think I will be choosing the SWEET AND SPICY BBQ HALF TURKEY ON THE GRILL for our Thanksgiving.
I would love to try out the mango cashew turkey curry!
I love the sounds of GRILLED HERBES DE PROVENCE TURKEY (BEER CAN TURKEY) yummmm!!!!
The bacon wrapped turkey medallions look great!
I would like to try the smoked Turkey.
mmm so many options, I think I would definitely give the turkey tacos and smoked turkey a shot, My family loves turkey, our favourite part of the holidays :)
I like the sound of the Grilled Herbes de Provence Turkey (Beer Can Turkey)
I am totally loving the Sundried Tomato & Greens Stuffed Turkey Breast Roast recipe! wow does that ever look good and so perfect for Thanksgiving
I would be trying the CEDAR PLANK GRILLED TURKEY BREAST ROAST W/CHARRED TOMATO SALSA; it looks great!
Summer greens abd turkey pizza
The turkey, broccoli and almond salad would be a perfect starter!
Sundried tomato and greens stuffed turkey breast roast. YUMMM
I love trying new stuffing recipes so I’d love to try the Turkey Cranberry & Hazelnut Stuffing one.
Definitely the bacon wrapped turkey medallions are on the menu
The SUNDRIED TOMATO & GREENS STUFFED TURKEY BREAST ROAST sounds yummy and will be a huge hit with my family.
I will be choosing the Asparagus and Swiss Cheese Stuffed Turkey Cutlets to help create our Thanksgiving tradition.
I would love to try the SUNDRIED TOMATO & GREENS STUFFED TURKEY BREAST ROAST,
Turkey sliders with Chioptle mayo
Kickin Cranberry BBQ Turkey Foil Pack
I would choose the GRILLED HERBES DE PROVENCE TURKEY (BEER CAN TURKEY)
I think the BBQ Bacon Wrapped Turkey Medallions would be a big hit here. :-)
Love the Grilled Turkey and summer vegetable salad, so will definitely give it a try.
The CEDAR PLANK GRILLED TURKEY BREAST ROAST W/CHARRED TOMATO SALSA would be a nice twist from the usual turkey roast.
I would go with the smoked turkey. The kids love soup made from leftover smoked turkey and wild rice.
I would choose Turkey Tortilla Pie to be on our Thanksgiving table!
I would love to try turkey frittatta for breakfast! It combines two of my favourite things- turkey and eggs.
I would make the CEDAR PLANK GRILLED TURKEY BREAST ROAST W/CHARRED TOMATO SALSA. Sounds really good!
I would love to try the GRILLED HERBES DE PROVENCE TURKEY (BEER CAN TURKEY)
I will be making the Gluten-Free Red Quinoa Stuffing with Apples and Walnuts recipe
I would love to try the CEDAR PLANK GRILLED TURKEY BREAST ROAST W/CHARRED TOMATO SALSA
SMOKEY TURKEY LENTIL CHILI sounds like a nice healthy start.
GRILLED HERBES DE PROVENCE TURKEY (BEER CAN TURKEY). thanks
The ASPARAGUS AND SWISS CHEESE STUFFED TURKEY CUTLETS sound tasty!
The Smoked Turkey recipe would be great for Thanksgiving.
For me it will be the Spice Rubbed Turkey with Wild Rice and Dried Cherry Stuffing recipe!
GOAT CHEESE AND RED PEPPER FRITTATA would be a great way to use up some leftovers and get the kids to eat some veggies.
I always go traditional and will be Roasting a Whole Turkey
I would like to try the SWEET AND SPICY BBQ HALF TURKEY ON THE GRILL
http://www.canadianturkey.ca/recipes/protein-packed-turkey-lentil-frittata/ THE FRITTATa looks like a nice snack
I would love to try the CITRUS & ROSEMARY ROASTED TURKEY BREAST. It sounds so good.
I would use leftover turkey and sweet potatoes to make Sweet Potato Shepherd’s pie. Yum!
I think I will try the Smoked Turkey Recipe
The grillled turkey and summer vegetable salad
I would like to make the GRILLED TURKEY PANZANELLA SALAD for Thanksgiving
I would really like the Spiced Thanksgiving Turkey with Turkey Chorizo Stuffing.
The GRILLED TURKEY AND SUMMER VEGETABLE SALAD sounds amazing
The GRILLED HERBES DE PROVENCE TURKEY (BEER CAN TURKEY) looks yummy
I’ll be choosing to make BBQ Bacon Wrapped Turkey Medallions w/Grilled Peach Salsa for Thanksgiving.
I would like to do a Beer Can Turkey and the Turkey, Bacon and Pineapple Skewers as a new tradition.
A great recipe that looks delicious is TEX-MEX TURKEY RICE BOWL WITH AVOCADO DRESSING.
Turkey sliders please
Grilled Turkey summer vegetable salad
The ASPARAGUS AND SWISS CHEESE STUFFED TURKEY CUTLETS sound amazing..I would love to try this
I would like to try the TOASTED “TUR-BANOS”.
http://www.canadianturkey.ca/recipes/coconut-lime-grilled-turkey-noodle-bowl/ I will add this as a side dish to the turkey dinner.
The GRILLED TURKEY PANZANELLA SALAD sounds awesome,and would make a yummy side dish.
I would love to try the Piri Piri Grilled Turkey Drummettes
I would love to try the Chimichurri Turkey Breast on the Grill recipe.
Canadian Turkey, Bacon and Pineapple Skewers is what I choose to help create our Thanksgiving tradition.
I have never had a beer can turkey, so I would choose Grilled Herbes de Provence Turkey.
I will be choosing the Grilled Turkey Panzanella Salad to help create our Thanksgiving tradition.
I would like to serve Grilled Turkey and Summer Vegetable Salad for Thanksgiving.
I would love to try out the mango cashew turkey curry!
I will be choosing the GRILLED TURKEY AND SUMMER VEGETABLE SALAD.
I’d really like to try the cheddar Smokey turkey burgers
The Classic Turkey Sausage Stuffing would be a lovely addition to our Thanksgiving meal & start a new tradition in our home!
We will be enjoying grilled turkey taco bar at some point during the weekend. Love turkey and tacos.
I would love to try for my family the Smoked Turkey Recipe
the GRILLED HERBES DE PROVENCE TURKEY (BEER CAN TURKEY)
I’m going to try the Smoked Turkey Recipe!
The SUNDRIED TOMATO & GREENS STUFFED TURKEY BREAST ROAST looks great!
I’d love to try the Protein-Packed Turkey Lentil Frittata.
i like the CANADIAN TURKEY, BACON AND PINEAPPLE SKEWERS
bacon wrapped turkey medallions look very tasty.
the smoked turkey sounds great
I think the BBQ BACON WRAPPED TURKEY MEDALLIONS W/GRILLED PEACH SALSA would be an awesome way to incorporate turkey into my Thanksgiving. :)
http://www.canadianturkey.ca/recipes/goat-cheese-and-red-pepper-frittata/
I’d totally make this Goat Cheese and Red Pepper Frittata with any leftover turkey!
Smoked turkey! Yum!
The Sun-dried tomatoes and greens stuffed turkey breast roast sounds delicious…I definitely will be trying that one….
I will try MAPLE-THYME BASTED ROAST TURKEY
http://www.canadianturkey.ca/recipes/coconut-lime-grilled-turkey-noodle-bowl/
I would love to try that recipe first but they all look divine!
The mango cashew turkey curry sounds delish
This year, I’ll be serving the Maple-Thyme Basted Roast Turkey.
The Maple-Thyme Basted Roast Turkey sounds fairly classic and would be easy to incorporate into our Thanksgiving traditions.
FAMILY-STYLE GRILLED TURKEY TACO BAR sounds like a great use of leftover turkey!
We would like to try this recipe for Thanksgiving
The Maple-Thyme Basted Roast Turkey
I will be choosing Canadian turkey, bacon and pineapple skewers
Mushroom, Leek and Turkey Sausage Stuffing sounds delicious! I love stuffing!!
Smokey Turkey Lentil Chili
I love the family-style grilled turkey taco bar idea. A low-key informal way to serve up a meal.
We love dark meat so the Spanish-Style Braised Turkey Thighs sound great.
I would love to create the Thanksgiving Turkey with Fig and Walnut Dressing.
I would choose to make HEARTY TURKEY LENTIL BREAKFAST BOWL
The Thanksgiving Turkey with Fig and Walnut Dressing sounds promising.
Southern Italian turkey is for me!
After we roast the turkey, we may grind up some leftover meat for Smokey Turkey Lentil Chili .
I love the bacon wrapped turkey medallions
Mushroom, Leek and Turkey Sausage Stuffing sounds really good
I would love to try the THANKSGIVING TURKEY WITH FIG & WALNUT DRESSING
The Grilled turkey and summer vegetable salad looks so appealing.
I would love to try the Turkey Biriyani to switch things up.
grilled turkey and summer vegetable salad
My boys love Salmon so the CEDAR PLANK GRILLED with turkey one sounds Fab!
I am going to try THANKSGIVING TURKEY WITH FIG & WALNUT DRESSING
BBQ Bacon Wrapped Turkey Medallions w/Grilled Peach Salsa sounds great.
Smokey turkey lentil chili.
I like the smokey turkey lentil chili recipe
None of them, we are vegan.
I’d like to make the Coconut Lime Grilled Turkey Noodle Bowl with my leftover turkey.
I’ve never tried smoked turkey! I’m keen. Thanks for the chance
My kids do t like turkey. It gets thrown out most of the time. So I’ll probably ako lasagna.
I want to try the Thanksgiving Turkey with fig and walnut dressing – YUM!
The Smoked Turkey recipe sounds delicious it might be a new favoit recipe
Sweet and Spicey half turkey on the grill
THANKSGIVING TURKEY WITH FIG & WALNUT DRESSING
The Cedar Plank Grilled Turkey Breast Roast with Charred Tomato Salsa is a recipe we would enjoy for Thanksgiving.
I think I’ll make some Open-Faced Turkey Sandwiches with the leftover Thanksgiving turkey to keep the holiday going just a little longer!
Southern Italian Turkey
I would like to try the MAPLE-THYME BASTED ROAST TURKEY. That sounds delicious.
the turkey tacos!!! yumm
I LOVE PIZZA SO I WOULD TRY GRILLED TURKEY SAUSAGE AND SUMMER GREENS PIZZA.
I WOULD TRY THE CITRUS & ROSEMARY ROASTED TURKEY BREAST
Maple thyme basted roast turkey
bacon wrapped turkey medallion sounds really good!
Turkey Biryani sounds pretty awesome to me!
I think I’ll try the GRILLED TURKEY AND SUMMER VEGETABLE SALAD to make our Thanksgiving leftovers a nice change!
THANKSGIVING TURKEY WITH FIG & WALNUT DRESSING
Maple-Thyme basted roast turkey would be a great new tradition
Citrus and Rosemary Roasted Turkey breast
SPICED THANKSGIVING TURKEY WITH TURKEY CHORIZO STUFFING sounds delicious, I always like to try something a little different than traditional.
The turkey with fig and walnut dressing looks delicious!
SUNDRIED TOMATO & GREENS STUFFED TURKEY BREAST ROAST is what I’ll be making.
The fig and walnut stuffing sounds good.
The Maple-Thyme Basted Roast Turkey sounds delicious! I would love to give that a try.
I think the Toasted “Tur-banos” would be a great leftover turkey Thanksgiving tradition. They sound soooo good!
The turkey sausage and greens pizza – one can never go wrong with pizza!
The Grilled Turkey and summer vegetable salad looks good to me!
We will try the Turkey Biryani.
The Smoked Turkey recipe sounds really good.
I would love to add Maple-Thyme Basted Roast Turkey to our Thanksgiving meal!
The Thanksgiving Turkey with Fig & Walnut Dressing would be nice for our thanksgiving.
I know my family will love the Piri Piri Grilled Turkey Drumettes!
BBQ Turkey Club with Spicy Mayo wI’ll be my choice!
I would love to try the Spiced Thanksgiving Turkey with Turkey Chorizo Stuffing
Actually, your Mushroom Leek and turkey Dressing appeals to me so much!
we love turkey! i will definitely try your recipe as well as the turkey and lentil ragu!!!
My mouth is watering so much now! I hope to try this recipe next weekend!
My mouth is watering so much now!
I hope to try this recipe next weekend.
Happy Thanksgiving!
The recipe I will be using to help create our traditional Thanksgiving is the ROASTING A WHOLE TURKEY recipe.
Would love to try wild rice stuffing.
MUSHROOM, LEEK AND TURKEY SAUSAGE STUFFING LOOKS SO GOOD
Looks tasty
think I will try the Smoked Turkey Recipe. I’ve never smoked a turkey before but it sounds delicious!
I will try the GRILLED HERBES DE PROVENCE TURKEY (BEER CAN TURKEY)
The Sausage and Pistachio stuffed Turkey breast
The stuffing looks delicious! I’m going to pass the recipe to my sister in law to make for Thanksgiving.
The Classic Turkey Sausage stuffing looks super good.
Grilled turkey taco bar sounds delicious. Happy Thanksgiving
I have only ever made boxed turkey stuffing, but after reading this recipe: MUSHROOM, LEEK AND TURKEY SAUSAGE STUFFING, I am encouraged to try this delicious sounding recipe.
The ALL-IN-ONE THANKSGIVING DINNER BOWL looks so good. But I would make with the leftovers.
I’d love to try the Thanksgiving Turkey with Fig & Walnut Dressing – it sounds like a great combination.
The smoked turkey recipe looks worth trying
THANKSGIVING TURKEY WITH FIG & WALNUT DRESSING sounds amazing, would love to try making this.
Grilled turkey taco bar, entry pls
I would like to try the Grilled Turkey and summer vegetable salad
The Thanksgiving Turkey with Fig and Walnut Dressing sounds fantastic! #CanadianTurkey
The Chimichurri Turkey Breast on the Grill looks delicious.
THANKSGIVING TURKEY WITH FIG & WALNUT DRESSING YUM!
Can’t wait to try this!
Grilled turkey and summer vegetable salad would be a family favorite!
Sausage and pistachio stuffed turkey breast. Yum.
the classic turkey sausage stuffing!
The all in one turkey dinner bowl is a perfect thanksgiving tradition for families!
I will choose:
Mushroom, Leek and Turkey Sausage Stuffing
I’m choosing the Grilled Turkey Panzanella Salad!!! Mmm
I think we would like GRILLED TURKEY PANZANELLA SALAD
SUNDRIED TOMATO & GREENS STUFFED TURKEY BREAST ROAST
I would like to try the smoked turkey recipe
Sausage and Pistachio Stuffed Turkey Breast Roast would surely freshen up my Thanksgiving routine!
I would make the SMOKEY TURKEY & LENTIL CHILI a Thanksgiving tradition
I’d love to try the Thanksgiving Turkey with Fig and Walnut Dressing!
Just found your blog, looks great, will come back.
Thanks so much, Cathy!
the Grilled Turkey Panzanella Salad
Smokey Turkey & Lentil Chili as it’s a different take on chili.
we mixed it up this year with ASPARAGUS AND SWISS CHEESE STUFFED TURKEY CUTLETS!!
nice
so versatile any time of the year! thanks