Poutine is Undisputed Leader in Canadian Cuisine Preferences (2024)

Across the country, appetite for pizza with pineapple has decreased from 73% in 2021 to 68% this year.

Vancouver, BC [November 17, 2023] – More than four-in-five Canadians would consume one of the staples of Québécoise cuisine, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 82% of Canadians say they would “definitely” or “probably” eat poutine, up five points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2021.

Poutine is particularly popular among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (84%) and aged 18-to-34 (82%). More than three-in-four Canadians aged 55 and over (77%) would also try this dish.

Just over two thirds of Canadians (68%, -5) would eat pizza with pineapple, while 29% (+5) would not.

At least seven-in-ten residents of British Columbia (81%), Alberta (76%), Ontario (71%) and Saskatchewan and Manitoba (70%) would consume Hawaiian pizza. The proportions are lower in Atlantic Canada (62%) and Quebec (54%).

Just over half of Canadians (51%, +1) would try a plant-based hamburger patty—a proportion that rises to 57% among those aged 18-to-34 and to 63% among those who voted for the New Democratic Party (NDP) in the 2021 federal election.

Just over two-in-five Canadians (42%, -2) would consume a steak with ketchup, including 47% of British Columbians and 46% of Conservative Party voters in 2021.

The rating remains low for four other dishes. Fewer than three-in-ten Canadians would “definitely” or “probably” eat prairie oysters (27%, =), shark fin soup (20%, -1), cod tongues (also 20%, +1) and scrunchions (17%, -2).

“As was the case two years ago, Quebecers and Ontarians are particularly fond of prairie oysters (29% each),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The delicacy is not as popular in Alberta (21%) and Manitoba and Saskatchewan (19%).”

When Canadians were asked to select up to three ingredients to design their own pizza, more than half (53%, +2) chose pepperoni, while 39% (-8) favoured mushrooms.

About one-in-four Canadians (24%, +6) would add sausage to their pizza, while fewer selected other ingredients, including green pepper (22%, -2), onion (21%, -2), ham (17%, -1), chicken (16%, +3) and pineapple (also 16%, -4).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from November 10 to November 12, 2023, among 1,000 adults in Canada. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Photo Credit:Jen Arrr

Find our data tables hereand download the press release here.

For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Poutine is Undisputed Leader in Canadian Cuisine Preferences (2024)

FAQs

Poutine is Undisputed Leader in Canadian Cuisine Preferences? ›

poll has found. In the online survey of a representative national sample, 82% of Canadians say they would “definitely” or “probably” eat poutine, up five points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2021. Poutine is particularly popular among Canadians aged 35-to-54 (84%) and aged 18-to-34 (82%).

Why is poutine so popular in Canada? ›

Mass Popularization

McDonald's catapulted poutine to fast-food fame when it added the dish to Quebec store menus in 1990 before expanding the offering to other Canadian locations. Canadian chain Harvey's followed suit in 1992, placing poutine on menus across the country.

What is poutine Canada food? ›

Poutine (Quebec French: [put͡sɪn]) is a dish of french fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy. It emerged in Quebec in the late 1950s in the Centre-du-Québec region, though its exact origins are uncertain, and there are several competing claims regarding its invention.

What is poutine called in America? ›

History of Poutine

The dish started becoming popular in the U.S. during the late 1970s, although it was called "disco fries" in America. The dish was popular in New Jersey and New York, and it was usually consumed after a long night of partying and dancing, hence the "disco" in the name.

When did poutine become the national dish of Canada? ›

Poutine is a Québécois dish made of fresh-cut french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. It first appeared in 1950s rural Quebec snack bars. It was widely popularized across Canada and beyond in the 1990s.

What makes poutine unique? ›

Real cheese curds are what makes a poutine “authentic”. Cheese curds are simply solid pieces of curdled milk, that can be either eaten alone as a snack or, in Canada, added to fries and gravy to make poutine :) Cheese curds can be found in white or yellow colour. White cheese curds are the ones you want for poutine.

Is poutine healthy? ›

A large poutine, incredibly high in total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and refined carbs, can raise the triglyceride levels in your blood for 6-12 hours after consumption. Triglyceride levels will rise even higher if you have alcohol in your system, which most people eating a late-night poutine probably do.

What is Canada's national dish? ›

What is Poutine? Poutine is Canada's national dish, which usually consists of french fries topped with cheese curds and hot gravy.

Is poutine a Canadian comfort food? ›

Poutine is the definitive Canadian comfort food. It is a dish of French fries and cheese curds topped with a brown beef gravy.

What is a poutine slang? ›

Poutine (pōō'tēn) Canadian slang for “Mess”, American slang for “Delicious” 😉

Are cheese curds illegal in US? ›

At this point, the milk is legally pasteurized. (Raw or unpasteurized milk is banned in the United States, but luckily, cheese curds are 100 percent legal!)

What to eat with poutine? ›

Poutine is usually enjoyed as a main or as a side dish. Eat it with some roasted veggies, a side salad, or some freshly baked dinner rolls.

Why is poutine so famous in Canada? ›

Available in rural Quebec since the 50s, poutine became a common street food option in Ontario and Quebec by the 1980s, but didn't reach mass popularization until the early 90s, when popular fast-food chains like McDonald's, Burger King and Harvey's began adding it to their menus.

How does poutine taste? ›

So what does this combination of fries, gravy and cheese taste like? No surprise here, but it's delicious! The french fries provide crispness and saltiness—two must-haves for any savory snack. The cheese is mellow and creamy.

What is the gravy in poutine made of? ›

Butter: Use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt in the gravy. All-purpose flour: Equal parts flour and butter are combined to create a roux. This is what makes the gravy so thick and creamy! Beef broth: Use reduced sodium beef broth to prevent an overly salty gravy.

What percent of Canadians like poutine? ›

In the online survey of a representative national sample, 82% of Canadians say they would “definitely” or “probably” eat poutine, up five points since a similar Research Co.

What's the deal with poutine? ›

Poutine is an absolutely divine dish composed of fries topped with cheese curds and hot gravy. Though it's not officially Canada's national food (this is actually the subject of some contention), it might as well be.

Why does poutine taste good? ›

Taste of Poutine

The hot fries and steaming gravy gently melt the cheese a bit; at first, the three elements are eaten alongside one another but as you get further into the bowl they meld more and more, changing each others' textures and flavors along the way.

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