Put “A Farm Boy Fresh Twist” on Thanksgiving by hosting your own Thanksgiving brunch! This harvest holiday offers us the chance to get together with loved ones to enjoy good food, good drinks, and all the beautiful colours of the season. If your schedule is jam-packed with multiple dinner events, you might want to host a brunch instead.
From décor to drinks to food and fun, we have a handy guide for everything you’ll need! Pick up all your brunch supplies at your local Farm Boy and gobble up the best deals over on our flyer page! Read on to learn how to host an unforgettable—and flavourful—Thanksgiving brunch.
Blog Overview
- For Thanksgiving brunch, choose drinks, food, and decorations that match a harvest theme.
- Incorporate store-bought items as well as homemade recipes for ease, variety, and convenience.
- Prepare brunch dishes the day before and choose recipes that are simple to make for a crowd.
- Use a mix of sweet and savoury Thanksgiving brunch dishes to appeal to different palates.
- Arrange fun games, activities, and crafts to keep littles ones interested.
Step 1: Offer Harvest-Themed Beverages
Hosting brunch is a thirsty business. While the harvest season gets a lot of credit for the food, we can’t neglect the drinks. Caffeinated options like coffee and tea are always welcome, and we like to incorporate seasonal spices, fruits, and flavour profiles.
Below are a few options for recipes and products found at your local Farm Boy. For your Thanksgiving brunch, offer guests a variety of glassware. Coffee cups and tumblers are ideal, but you can also use wine glasses or flutes for added fanciness. Prepare batch beverages to take some of the pressure off. Simply whip up a large amount of your chosen beverage and keep it in a carafe or pitcher. Set it on a side table or counter along with the necessary glassware so guests can serve themselves.
Recipe: Pear Citrus Chardonnay Mocktail
Elegant and alluring, at first glance this harvest-themed mocktail might surprise you that it’s completely alcohol-free. Muddled pear purée lends this drink a burst of natural sweetness, while the floral, citrus notes of our Orange Blossom Water give it complexity.
Topped with our gently fizzing Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay-Style Sparkling Beverage, it’s giving major celebratory vibes. Swirl in some gold edible glitter or garnish with a cinnamon sugar rim for extra flair.
Recipe: Mulled Apple Cider
Move over pumpkin spice latte; our favourite cold-weather drink has to be apple cider! This recipe turns things up a notch with the help of autumnal spices to make a mulled apple cider. Cinnamon, ginger, star anise, and cloves join forces in making your house smell amazing while infusing aromatics into a classic fall beverage.
This recipe doesn’t contain any alcohol, although you can definitely add it. We recommend brandy, whiskey, or dark rum, depending on your preference. To really embrace the harvest season, we like adding in some maple whiskey, which provides an extra boost of autumnal flavour and a slightly sweet kick.
Farm Boy™ Organic Chai Concentrate
For a brunch treat that provides a gentle caffeine boost, try our Organic Chai Concentrate. Aromatic, smooth, and well-balanced, it’s made with a blend of black tea and autumnal spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and nutmeg.
To ensure the best flavour, mix one part of this concentrate with one part of your milk or dairy alternative of choice. For a harvest brunch, offer guests multiple options according to their dietary needs. Bonus points: it’s delicious hot or cold!
Step 2: Create a Thanksgiving Food Spread
Thanksgiving is the holiday where we’re all wearing stretchy pants. If you’re hosting Thanksgiving brunch, you’d better be prepared for your guests to arrive hungry. The best recipes for this twist on the classic holiday involve comforting, seasonal flavours and dishes that can be made in a big batch.
These items are simple enough that they can be either prepared ahead of time, cooked all at once, or are ready in minutes—saving you major holiday stress. From sweet and savoury brunch dishes to delicious Thanksgiving treats, Farm Boy has you covered.
Sweet Thanskgiving Brunch Mains
Recipe: Apple Pancakes with Warm Apple Cider Sauce
No brunch is complete without a hearty stack of pancakes—and all the better if they feature one of our favourite fall flavours. Apples show up twice in this recipe, in the pancakes themselves as well as the sauce made with our Sweet Apple Cider. Get closer to the farm with this cider, which is made with only one ingredient: fresh apples picked in Dundela, Ontario.
This apple recipe is great for the whole family, as you can prep your pancakes and keep them warm in the oven. Double the recipe for apple cider sauce if you want to add a seasonal twist to your morning oatmeal or coffee. It even makes a great marinade for pork. Talk about putting “A Farm Boy Fresh Twist” on Thanksgiving leftovers!
Farm Boy™ Orange and Cranberry Scones
Orange and cranberry are a classic fall pairing, and we love this flavour profile for Thanksgiving brunch. Our buttermilk scones are tender, flaky, and studded throughout with dried cranberries and candied orange peel. Offer a plate of these in the centre of the dining table for your guests to easily grab. (Warming them and keeping them covered with a tea towel is a nice touch.)
Pick up any of our Fruit Jams or Marmalade to serve with these scones. Or you could make a simple whipped honey butter or cinnamon butter and keep it in a small dish for your guests.
Recipe: Apple and Pear Steel Cut Oats
For a fall-themed breakfast, look no further than this naturally wholesome, nutritious recipe. Made with steel cut oats, it’s high in fibre and protein, helping keep you fuller longer and powering through those early mornings. Two kinds of apple—Honeycrisp and Royal Gala—make an appearance here, lending their crisp, juicy sweetness to the oats.
For a little bit of extra fall flair (and some added sweetness), we suggest drizzling a bit of Farm Boy™ Amber Maple Syrup or swapping the brown sugar for a sprinkle of Farm Boy™ Maple Sugar. Produced in Canada, it’s another way we bring you good food from good neighbours. Pro tip: Keep these oats in a crock pot with the topping separate and bowls on the side for guests to serve themselves.
Savoury Thanksgiving Brunch Mains
Farm Boy™ Maple Wood Smoked Bacon
What is brunch without bacon? While turkey bacon is definitely a seasonal choice we can get behind, there’s something about the smoky-sweet flavour of this bacon that wins us over. Made with the best cuts of 100% Canadian pork, it’s smoked over maple hardwood for an unforgettable flavour.
For big-batch bacon cooking, lay your bacon on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. (The bacon can touch, as it will shrink during cooking.) Bake at 400°F for 20-30 minutes, depending on your preferred level of doneness. This method makes minimal mess, is mostly hands-off, and leaves you with plenty of bacon to serve a crowd.
Recipe: Cheesy Breakfast Egg Bites with Prosciutto and Pesto
Making eggs for a group of people, with their specific cooking times and temperatures, is not a good idea when hosting a brunch. Instead, these protein-packed egg bites deliver gourmet taste without a gigantic headache. You can prep this recipe ahead of time and even cook it prior to your Thanksgiving brunch.
These egg bites freeze well so that you can take some stress off your hosting gig or enjoy leftovers when you need something satisfying on a busy morning.
Recipe: Savoury Cheddar and Spinach Waffles
When you think of waffles, you probably think of sweet ones doused in maple syrup. These waffles are a bit different, in that they’re chock full of savoury ingredients like fresh spinach and Cheddar cheese. This recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving brunch, since you can whip up a batch a little bit ahead of time and keep them warm in the oven.
If you like things a bit smokier, feel free to swap out our Organic Medium Cheddar Cheese for our Organic Double Smoked Cheddar Cheese. Serve alongside our Turkey Fresh Artisan Sausage for a seasonal spin on Thanksgiving. Made fresh by our chefs with simple ingredients, they’re tender and juicy.
Succulent Thanksgiving Sides
Farm Boy™ Harvest Grain Salad
If you’re like us, you know that salad belongs on the brunch table. That’s the “lunch” part of the word, and we think this salad is the perfect fit. Prepared fresh daily by our chefs, this Harvest Grain Salad is nourishing, hearty, and ideal for the holiday. It’s filled with whole grains like quinoa, millet, and buckwheat, as well as roasted butternut squash, roasted sweet potato, roasted pumpkin seeds, kale, beets, and dried cranberries.
Scoop this salad into your favourite salad bowl and garnish with some crumbled feta or goat cheese. (A fun sweet spin would be our Cranberry Cinnamon Goat’s Milk Cheese sprinkled on top.) Serve with your dressing of choice and enjoy!
Farm Boy™ Smoked Bacon Hash Browns
We love a hearty, starchy side for Thanksgiving brunch. Think of these hash browns like the breakfast version of Thanksgiving stuffing. Found in our Frozen Department, these Smoked Bacon Hash Browns are made with potatoes, double smoked bacon, seasonings, and a vegetable medley.
For the easiest brunch side, cook these up in your air-fryer or oven and transfer to a large, heatproof bowl for guests to serve themselves. You can also offer guests a Thanksgiving-inspired breakfast poutine bar, with the help of cheese curds and our made-from-scratch Turkey Gravy.
Recipe: Warm Kale, Apple, and Butternut Squash Salad
This vibrant salad uses some of our favourite fall produce: apples, butternut squash, and cranberries! Heartier than most salads, it makes a great shareable starter at your Thanksgiving brunch table.
To prevent your apple slices from browning and keep that beautiful presentation, toss them in water with a squeeze of lemon. If you’re planning to make this salad ahead of time, we suggest roasting the butternut squash first. Gently reheat it to maintain its texture and flavour and enjoy.
Sweet Thanksgiving Treats
Farm Boy™ Vegan Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Fluffy, flavourful, and totally powered by plants! Made with quality ingredients, these vegan muffins are also completely nut-free for a wholesome snack. Ideal for little hands, this is an easy Thanksgiving brunch sweet treat that parents can feel good about giving their kiddos.
Farm Boy™ Plant-Based Apple Strudel
Another sweet vegan treat is our plant-based apple strudel. Flaky and sweet, they’re baked fresh in-store. Warm them up for your guests for the best experience. You can even slice them into smaller pieces for a delicious bite-sized treat that’s ideal for Thanksgiving.
Recipe: Old Fashioned Pear Spice Cake
We hope you saved room for dessert! This pear Bundt cake is an ideal make-ahead dish, at it tastes even better the day after it’s baked. Prepared with harvest-inspired ingredients like pears, spices, and pumpkin seeds, this cake is sweet, moist, and pairs perfectly with your Thanksgiving brunch.
Step 3: Decorate
Thanksgiving is a chance to celebrate the harvest and all the beautiful colours that come with the season. Use jewel tones, neutrals, or warm colours to decorate your brunch table. Break out the cloth napkins and arrange your table setting however you’d like. Try florals, foods, and extra special touches to create a beautiful Thanksgiving brunch spread.
Gourds
Thanksgiving is pumpkin season, so why not use nature’s bounty while it’s available? Incorporate mini pumpkins and decorative gourds throughout your table settings. A place card tied to the stem of a tiny pumpkin is a sweet and easy way to let guests know where they’re seated, as well as being a budget-friendly choice.
Greenery
We know that fall has a vibrant explosion of colour, but maybe you like things a little more subdued. Earthy greens, warm browns, and creamy neutrals are elegant but still seasonal. Visit our Floral Department for seasonal greenery that you can lay down on your table as a runner or pile into vases.
Florals
Some things are classics for a reason. Fall florals are a great choice for your Thanksgiving brunch décor. At Farm Boy, our Floral Department is stocked with fresh flowers delivered at their peak for the longest vase life. Create your own bouquet or pick up any of our pre-arranged options to display on your table. Multiple vases with different blooms are a gorgeous way to transform your brunch table, but if you don’t have multiple vases, one centrepiece is also a beautiful option.
Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Brunch
Hosting can be an overwhelming task, but don’t worry! We have a few tips to help ensure your brunch goes smoothly, with full bellies, happy guests, and an enjoyable time celebrating with loved ones.
- Set the table the night before. Don’t spend your morning running around trying to fold napkins and arrange flowers. Decorate your table and organize your place settings the night before and leave them all ready to go on the table for the following morning.
- Make and prepare as much as you can ahead of time. Many of the recipes in this guide can easily be made a day or two beforehand and then kept in the fridge or freezer until needed. You can also supplement your Thanksgiving brunch spread by choosing ready-made items from our Chef’s Market or Bake Shop. Prepared with expert care and the highest quality of ingredients, they can give that extra special chef’s touch to your Thanksgiving brunch table.
- Arrange a self-serve station for drinks. On a sideboard or other table, set up your glassware and beverages for guests to serve themselves. This way, you won’t be running around topping everyone up when you have other things to do.
- Play music. If you’re worried about a lull in conversation or one to add some liveliness while guests begin to arrive, play some soft, upbeat music in the background. Bonus points if it puts you in a good mood!
- Set up some Thanksgiving activities. Have little ones on the guest list? Set aside a low table (like a coffee table) away from the hubbub for fun Thanksgiving activities. Paper bag turkeys, leaf painting, and colouring sheets are a great way to keep kiddos engaged during a busy brunch.
