46 delicious recipes for Canada day

Whether you’re looking for tips on keeping cocktails cold at the beach or on a picnic, choosing the right type of salad for your gathering or putting together an impressive appetizer in under five minutes, this roundup features more than 45 recipes as well as an array of tips to ensure your Canada Day celebration is a success.

The appetizers in this section range in their level of involvement; our recipe for guac and chips couldn’t be simpler, while the time it takes to make the grilled summer squash stacks with herbed ricotta couldn’t be more worth the effort. Low on time and energy? Decant pre-made dips into pretty bowls or ramekins and serve them with a bowl of pita chips and chopped veggies from the salad bar or deli counter. From there, easy add-ons can include cheese, charcuterie, fresh or dried fruit, olives, and store-bought preserves and pickles.

Pay homage to the great Canadian Caesar by creating a build-your-own cocktail station. Provide a selection of spirits and toppings; vodka, gin or tequila, a non-alcoholic spirit for those who aren’t imbibing and an array of pickles, hot sauces, rimming salts and lime wedges. To keep drinks cool away from home, chill in the fridge for a minimum of 24 hours and pack in a cooler bag with plenty of ice packs.

Whether you’re a fan of smoky, dry-rubbed ribs, grilled salmon or summer veggies, many of these crowd-pleasing mains are perfect for cooking on the barbecue or over an open fire. Homemade burger patties can be up to three months ahead of time: freeze the burgers in a single layer on a baking sheet, moving them to a resealable freezer bag once completely frozen. If possible, buy fresh salmon (or any other type of seafood) and store in the fridge over ice for no longer than 24 hours.

When choosing a salad recipe for your Canada Day celebration, consider whether or not the salad will be served immediately or if it will need to sit out for a longer amount of time. Salads made from hardy ingredients like grains, potatoes, and pasta can often stay dressed for several days, unlike salads made from leafy greens and other delicate ingredients, which should be dressed at the very last minute.

From customizable ice cream sandwiches to rhubarb and cherry crumble, these desserts capture the essence of summer in a single bite. With stone fruit, berries, rhubarb, and melon in season, there’s never a better time of year to make fruit the focal point of dessert. Seasonal fruit, when served with a vanilla frozen yogurt and a wafer cookie, is a dessert in its own right when enjoyed at peak ripeness.