Thanksgiving is a treasured time for Canadians because we often symbolize it with sharing a meal amongst those who matter most. However, for the host? It can become stressful to manage all the moving parts, especially day-of when you have hungry guests or kids waiting for that turkey feast.
To help you prepare, we’ve sourced a stellar lineup of turkey appetizers that can be partially—or fully—made in advance so your Thanksgiving day is spent being present rather than stuck in the kitchen. And so many of these recipes are perfect for batch-cooking, meaning while you whip them up for your holiday meal you can also double the ingredients to be used over the following weeks in lunches or snacks, killing two birds with one stone.
Turkey, especially ground, is such a versatile product for a variety of different spices and flavours, making it a great staple for these recipes. And above all: it freezes beautifully. So read on for our six make-ahead turkey recipes that’ll turn your holiday hosting into a breeze!
Recipe: Egg Roll Filled Wontons
One of our favourite parts about using wonton wrappers is how easily they freeze! If you’re hosting a Friendsgiving or just a social gathering this Thanksgiving, you can easily whip up just the filling and prepare the egg wrappers ahead of time so day of, all you need to do is warm it up and serve.
One great thing about these types of turkey appetizer recipes is that you can get creative with the flavour combos for a limitless variety of small bites!
Recipe: Jalapeno Turkey Bombs
Ever dreamed of combining turkey bacon and ground turkey for the most perfect, delicious bites? Then this recipe is for you! Loaded with finely chopped jalapeno pepper and some cheesy for extra goodness, this is a great hosting recipe because it’s friendly for a variety of diets and cultures.
When it comes to hosting a get-together this season, consider investing in dishes that can appeal to many of BC’s multicultural residents!
Recipe: Seven Layer Dip with Chimichurri
If you’ve got a football fanatic coming over—or maybe your partner/extended family—then Thanksgiving weekend goes hand-in-hand with a seven layer dip! It’s game-day approved and an easy appetizer to serve during this harvest holiday.
The best part about making a big batch of dip a day or so before is that the flavours settle in and get extra tangy. Just add the pico de gallo day-of and voila! Holiday hosting, easy-breezy!
Recipe: Easy Turkey Meatball Starters
If you’ve got some guests who get a little hangry throughout the afternoon waiting for the big feast, consider whipping together some meatball starters to whet their appetite during social hour. These meatballs easily accompany hummus, tzatziki, tomato or cheese sauces, and are even a great lunchbox staple if you want to get a head start on your weekly meal prep!
They’re freezer approved too, so you can whip up a huge amount and keep them on hand for up to two months afterwards! It’s a great way to invest in a cost-effective portion of ground turkey over the colder months.
Recipe: Potato-Topped Turkey Meatloaf Bites
If you need to make this in batches to save on time in the week leading up to Thanksgiving, then consider making the meatloaf bites one day and the potato topping the next. When it’s feast day, prep them a few hours before the guests arrive. Or make the whole recipe and store in the fridge—just don’t broil them until day-of!
You can also use softened cream cheese if someone in your family isn’t a goat cheese fan.
Recipe: Apple-Turkey Sausage Rolls
A harvest holiday goes hand-in-hand with crisp apples and ground allspice… so why not use them in your holiday prep? Sausage rolls freeze beautifully and when reheated, crisp to a beautiful golden. Think flaky, tangy, and deeply comforting this Thanksgiving season.
What’s even better about many of these recipes is that you can whip up multiple at the same time when you invest in a Costco-sized pack of ground turkey. So many of these dishes are versatile in that they can be repurposed in lunches and snacks throughout the rest of the month, especially if you prep a bunch for the holiday and keep on hand for school or work lunches.
So get ahead of the hosting stress with these easy, make-ahead turkey recipes perfect for the holiday season!