The United States is so close to Canada that it almost seems like one big country. However, if you actually LIVE in Canada, you will realize there are some huge differences…like American foods! (And Canadian foods!)
I mean we have free health care, lots more social liberalism but we don’t have nearly as many food choices (except ketchup chips…we get ALL of those).
Canada has come a long way in the 15 years I’ve lived there (how did that happen? It seems like I just moved here.) but there are still a lot of American foods that you can’t really get in Canada unless you find them at a specialty store.
One morning, while I was enjoying my Jimmy Dean sausage biscuit, I thought “Hmmm… I wonder what everyone else brings back to Canada when they visit the US. I wonder if I’m missing anything.”
So I did what I always do when I have these burning questions. I asked my Facebook friends what they bring home. Here is the list (with affiliate links in case you are going to the US and want to order on Amazon.com so you don’t have to shop around).
Some items require refrigeration but I am making my list like I could bring ANYTHING home without worrying about refrigeration or weight.
American Foods that Have Recently Come to Canada
Every time someone reads this list, they let me know if something is wrong (telling someone they are wrong on the internet makes some people very, very happy). Here are a few foods that recently became available on shelves in Canada. I am leaving in this article because you never know how long they will be available. Many, many products appear on Canadian shelves only to disappear soon thereafter.
- Rotel – If you want to make easy and delicious queso dip, Rotel is a MUST. Rotel is now found on Canadian grocery shelves! Queso lovers rejoice. Now if only Velveeta was easier to find and not priced as if it included gold as its first ingredient.
- Candy – Word on the street is that you can find some of the candy bars I list below at dollar stores in Ontario. Since I don’t live in Ontario, I cannot confirm or deny this fact. We in Alberta, are candy barless and sad.
American Foods You NEED to Bring Back to Canada Next Time You Visit
- Jimmy Dean Sausage – Jimmy Dean is, in my opinion, the best breakfast sausage out there. Unfortunately, you can’t get it in Canada. We have been known to bring back 25 pounds when we drive to Montana. It freezes well and it makes the best sausage and cheese balls EVER.
- Cherry Coke Zero – For years you couldn’t get any of the Cherry Cokes in Canada. They’ve changed that and you can get the full-sugar variety. However, I prefer Cherry Coke Zero. Unfortunately, you can’t get that north of the border. Also try Vanilla Coke, Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper and Cherry 7-Up.
- Sugary Cereal – I know, I know…it’s not really GOOD for you but who cares. The cereal aisle in the US makes the Canadian version look pale in comparison. May I suggest: Count Chocula, Cinnamon Pecan Special K, Fruity Pebbles and Cookie Crisp.
- Pimento Cheese – Funny thing is, I didn’t really like pimento cheese growing up. Now, I love it and buy it every time I go to the US. I love it slathered on saltine crackers. Yum! Price’s is my brand of choice. Don’t cheap out. You will regret it when you get icky fake cheese (as opposed to delicious fake cheese). I recently realized it is amazing on a ham biscuit!
- Easy Cheese – Speaking of fake cheese. You can not get aerosol cheese in a can in Canada. Who knows why. Oh, the nostalgia of spraying mounds of cheese on Wheat Thins. Delicious!
- Instant Grits – Ok, this is a new one for me. I’ve finally developed a taste for grits and you can’t really get them in Canada. Though I can hear my Granny telling me that regular grits are WAY better than instant.
- Anything Tillamook – Tillamook cheese, yogurt and ice cream have a cult-like following. Unfortunately, they are only available in certain areas of the US and require refrigeration. However, if you can swing it, bring some back!
- Candy – It’s interesting how different the candy aisle is between the US and Canada. When my brother and sister were younger, I would always bring them Coffee Crisp, Crunchie and other candy bars you can’t get in the US for a treat. Now, I sometimes bring candy back to Canada from the US that I can’t get. Like what, you ask? Well, for a start Zero bars, PayDay, Almond Joy and Mounds, Butterfinger (which you can find sometimes in Canada but not always) weird flavoured M&Ms (Caramel is yummy) and more. ALL THE CANDY!
- Cheez-Its – There are cheese crackers in Canada but they are NOT THE SAME.
- Moon Pies – I know what you are going to say. “But Canada has Wagon Wheels!”. Yeah, they are not the same. If you decide to snag some Moon Pies, make sure to get the single-decker ones. They are much better than the double-decker ones.
- Coffee Creamer – Again, maybe not the healthiest thing but I’ll admit that I am addicted. My favourite is the Almond Joy flavour. It is really, really good. My second favourite is Coldstone Creamery flavour. Yum!
- Oreos – Few things epitomize the difference between the US and Canada than Oreos. In Canada, we get regular Oreos, double stuff and maybe golden. That’s it. In the US you get Hot Cocoa Oreos, Mystery Oreos, Red Velvet Oreos, Birthday Cake Oreos, Peanut Butter & Jelly Oreos, Jelly Donut Oreos, Dunkin Donuts Mocha Oreos, and more. Crazy!
- Candied Jalapenos – I learned to love these living in Austin. They are amazing on crackers with cream cheese or on your ham sandwich. Really…I think you could eat them on anything.
- Anything from Trader Joe’s or Target. Let’s face it. We love stores we don’t have. I suggest peanut butter stuffed pretzels from Trader Joe’s and many of my friends swear by the “Everything But the Bagel” seasoning. Yum!
- Rudy’s BBQ Sauce and rub – We love this peppery bbq sauce that we fell in love with in Austin, TX. It is a must-have when we make a brisket.
- Spices – Take a turn around the spice aisle. You’ll find all kinds of spices and spice blends not available at your local store. My friend Shan recommends Lawry’s Garlic Salt.
- Chips – Like breakfast cereal, we have a lot of the same options in Canada that they have in the US but they definitely have MORE. Plus, they have things like Funyuns which we don’t get. Also, if you are in the South, try Zapps chips. They are super crunchy and delicious. My favourites are the Voodoo flavour (kind of a sweet bbq).
- Cake Mixes – I’m beginning to feel like a broken record! Check out the cake mix and frosting aisle when you visit a store in the US. They have many, many more flavours than we do. In fact, you can get one of my favourite cake mixes, German Chocolate and you can’t get it in Canada.
And food isn’t the only thing people bring back.
Many suggested I have a look at yarn, fabric, clothing and shoes. Let’s face it, the options and varieties are better for almost everything. In short, if you are a shopper and want to try new things.
Make sure you bring extra bags when you visit the US and save at least one of them for all the American foods you want to bring back! Going the other way? Make sure to buy these yummy Canadian products to take back to the US.
Jen Duncan says
My mornings would not be the same without Jimmy Dean and coffee creamer lol! And Cookie Crisp…yum. 🙂 Not good for me, but yum!
Margaret Davis says
Just moved to Toronto. Do you ever have any issues bringing Jimmy Dean sausage into the country or any other items?
Merry Kuchle says
Nope and I always disclose!
Davindra says
Add King’s Hawaiian Rolls to your grocery list.
Merry Kuchle says
Good one! Those are so tasty!
Rebecka says
The have those at my grocery store save on foods in western Canada ! I just saw
Them !
Bethany says
your list is delightfully accurate. My Canadian husband always remarks about the number of Oreo varieties that the States offers.
& OMG ROTEL!! <3 <3 it drives me batty that this is impossible to find. I was hoping that this was only a Quebec problem. French fried onions are also non-existent in Quebec (nobody there seems to be into green bean casserole??). taco sauce is also difficult to come by. In the states, I could probably get it at a gas station.
Merry Kuchle says
They have JUST started carrying Rotel at Superstore here in the west. Of course it is triple the price that you can get it in the US but at least it is there.
Joanne says
Rotel is at Walmart in Canada for almost same price!
Bonnie says
Rotel is now available in MB, just in the last few months so keep an eye out for it!
Merry Kuchle says
I just bought some at No Frills yesterday! So glad it FINALLY is available here!
Jeanne says
I just went to the US yesterday to buy cereal. Only cereal. Why don’t they have the same cereals in Canada? My kids were so excited. Cocopuffs, cookie crisp, fruity pebbles, trix and a unicorn cereal for my 4 year old.
Merry Kuchle says
Right? I just want some is the options!
Ellen says
corn chex are always a favourite for my husband.
Kelly says
It’s the amazong yogurt flavors I’m driving over for tomorrow. The Chobani greek pineapple and mango and the yoplait creamsicle are some of my favorites. It”s been a while so I’m excited to find some new flavors!
Stacies Cinnamon pita chips! Chex mix! And all the different string / cheese sticks are amazing too. I just find the USA has so much more variety than we do. Oh and Im hoping to find Olive Garden salad dressing!
Merry Kuchle says
I agree! It’s the variety that is the kicker. I love cereal X. Here they have 2 options…in the US they have 10. I also love the yogurt flavours there. Oh and Breakstones cottage cheese. I can’t even eat Canadian cottage cheese.
james says
100 grand chocolate bars, orange vanilla coke zero, whatchamacallit, limon lays chips, biscuits and gravy lays chips, ice cube gum, jack Daniel’s marinade and BBQ sauces, cheesecake jello, banana cream jello, reese whipped cream, combos
Alyssa Garbrick says
Super glad you have this posted because I’m sending a snack swap to a friend in Ontario and I needed ideas of what to send.. only problem is, she doesn’t really like chocolate/sweets. So I’m making a list of savory snacks!
Merry Kuchle says
I’m glad it is helpful! Your friend is lucky to get such a yummy package in the mail.
Tony says
I am in canada and ive seen all the chocolate bars you said we don’t have, not every store sells them but i have seen then in the dollar store here, also for the oreos ive seen Red Velvet,birthday cake,double stuffed chocolate,mint, golden, so we got a few different ones.
wish we had the cereal like trix and fruity pebbles we use to have those here when i was a kid,sucks that they are gone now.
Merry Kuchle says
Weird. I haven’t seen them at any store? I guess you just have good luck. *shrug*
Bethany says
Salad dressing!! My god, it drives me crazy about how little variety there is when it comes to salad dressing in Canada. As a Midwesterner, I need access to 7 different kinds of ranch dressing at all times otherwise I go a little nutty. And tahini goddess dressing is amazing on roasted veggies!! Also, there’s so many options for vinigrette! Where’s THAT?! I’m Quebec it’s just a limited selection Kraft + a few fancy store brand dressings. No Newman’s. No Ken’s. No Drew’s. I guess that I have seen Briana’s once or twice. But still. They put it on the bottom shelf because they don’t want you to see it. Because of you did buy it and try it, you’d start importing salad dressing from US trips like I do.
Merry Kuchle says
You are so right!
GAIL DUNLOP says
Zero chocolate bars can be found in DOLLARAMA..
Merry Kuchle says
I keep looking but haven’t found them. What Area are you from?
Miranda says
I have had zero chocolate bars, here in Ingersoll, Ontario canada, dollerama store. Tried one and yummy:)
Merry Kuchle says
I’m so jealous. We don’t get them st the dollar stores in western Canada. 🙁
Danielle says
I have 100% seen them at Dollarama in calgary.
Merry Kuchle says
Which candy bars?
Mrs.P says
VELVEETA! I love making queso and its so hard to find/stupid expensive in Canada.
Merry Kuchle says
So true!
Wendy says
WHATCHAMACALLIT!!! chocolate bars are the best! I also load up on biscuits from the refridgerator section (pilsbury) and corn bread mixes, they even have gluten free 🙂
Lindsay says
I also live in Alberta and I have seen Caramel M&Ms around for years. Same with Count Chocula, although it’s only available around Halloween. Same with Oreos; Birthday cake oreos are a staple in grocery aisles that I’ve been in, and I’ve seen plenty of limited edition flavours in my local Sobeys, including: cinnamon roll, smores, red velvet, carrot cake, and hot cocoa. That’s in addition to the flavours of oreo thins: lemon, mint, pistachio, coconut, and mocha.
Merry Kuchle says
I think it depends on where you live. Also, this post was first written 3 years ago so things come and go.