Thanksgiving does not have to taste the same every year. If your table could use a little warmth and a lot of flavour, a sweet heat twist is the easiest way to shake things up without starting from scratch.
Here is how to weave Sammy D's BBQ jerk sauce, made in Ontario, through your Canadian Thanksgiving from the main to the leftovers.
Rethink the main
You do not have to abandon the bird. Brush your turkey or chicken with Sammy D's for a sweet heat glaze that turns the skin sticky and golden.
Prefer something different this year? A jerk glazed ham or a roast chicken brings the same bold warmth to the centre of the table. For the method, borrow from our oven-baked BBQ jerk chicken.
Give the sides some heat
Sides are where a sweet heat twist really shines. Toss roasted sweet potatoes, carrots, or squash in a little sauce before they go in the oven for caramelized, spiced edges. Stir a spoonful into a glaze for green beans, or set out a creamy jerk dip for the veggie tray while everyone waits for dinner. More ideas live in our 12 ways to use BBQ jerk sauce.
Make it proudly Canadian
Half the joy of Thanksgiving is the local table. Build your spread around Ontario grown produce where you can, and let a made in Ontario sauce carry the flavour. It is a small, proud touch that fits the holiday.
The best part: leftovers
Thanksgiving leftovers are a gift, and a bold sweet heat sauce makes them exciting again. Pile leftover turkey onto a bun with a spoonful of Sammy D's and some slaw for a next day sandwich that beats the original. Or chop everything into a rice bowl and drizzle sauce over the top.
A stress-free hosting plan
Keep the day calm. Glaze and prep what you can the night before, roast your main with a fresh coat of sauce, and finish sides with a quick glaze so nothing feels last minute. Then sit down and enjoy your own table.
