What are the top 5 side dishes for Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving’s ultimate supporting cast balances creamy textures, savory starches, and tart pops of flavor. The top five essential side dishes that anchor the holiday table across the country are:

What are the 12 most popular Thanksgiving side dishes?

The 12 most popular Thanksgiving side dishes—staples that anchor holiday tables nationwide—feature a mix of rich, comforting carbs, classic roasted vegetables, and sweet casseroles:

What are the top 5 Thanksgiving sides?

THANKSGIVING SIDES: Mashed potatoes, stuffing/dressing, gravy, rolls/bread, cranberry sauce and macaroni and cheese top the list of must-have Thanksgiving side dishes, according to a survey by Savings.com.

What is the #1 Thanksgiving side dish?

Nationwide surveys—including the Campbell's State of the Sides report—reveal that stuffing/dressing and mashed potatoes consistently tie as America's most popular Thanksgiving side dish. Mashed potatoes reign supreme in more than 20 states, while stuffing claims the top spot across most of the rest of the country.

What are the top 5 dishes served for Thanksgiving?

The top five dishes typically served at a Thanksgiving dinner are:

10 Amazing Side Dishes for Thanksgiving & Christmas - Easy Side Dishes

What are traditional Thanksgiving sides?

Traditional Thanksgiving sides provide the comforting staples of the holiday feast. Key favorites include savory bread stuffing (or dressing), creamy mashed potatoes smothered in turkey gravy, and tart cranberry sauce. Vegetable dishes like green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole with marshmallows or pecans are also essential crowd-pleasers.

What are the top 20 Thanksgiving foods?

The most popular Thanksgiving foods are rooted in traditional American harvest staples, leaning heavily into rich, savory comfort sides and classic autumn desserts.

What's the least popular Thanksgiving side dish?

Other Least Favorite Dishes

A recurring favorite in dislike is canned cranberry sauce, with 29% of people in a 2019 survey saying they find it “disgusting” and about 46% stating it's their least favorite item to eat. Green Bean Casserole also ranks poorly, disliked by about 24% of Americans.

What is the number one side dish in America?

According to Campbell's State of the Sides Report, stuffing (also known as dressing) is America's number one side dish of choice, with 42 states ranking it at the top spot.

How many sides should you have on Thanksgiving?

How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.

What side dishes go well with turkey?

Classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, traditional herb stuffing, rich green bean casserole, and tangy cranberry sauce are essential pairings for turkey. To balance the meal, incorporate vibrant options like roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon, sweet potato casserole, and fresh dinner rolls.

What is Americans' favorite Thanksgiving side dish statistically?

Stuffing Is Officially America's Favorite Thanksgiving Side Dish, According to Campbell's. Do you agree with the new survey? Campbell's released their annual State of the Sides report for 2025. The survey shows more than 60% of Americans prefer sides over turkey.

Which is a side dish at Thanksgiving?

Elevate your holiday table with a mix of timeless classics and modern, vibrant additions. Whether you're looking for comforting, savory staples, fresh, crisp salads, or gooey, indulgent baked dishes, these side dish ideas are crowd-pleasers.

What Thanksgiving sides can be made ahead?

Thanksgiving Side Dishes - make these ahead so that you can relax on the big day. ~ Garlic Mashed Potatoes ~ Maple Dill Carrots ~ Sweet Potato Casserole ~ Green Bean Casserole ~ Stuffing/Dressing ~ Creamed Corn https://youtu.be/ttezfLidUFk.

What are some classic Thanksgiving side dishes that are rarely seen today?

6 classic Thanksgiving side dishes that have disappeared from American tables

• Oyster stuffing. Oyster dressing called for combining shucked oysters and their brine with classic stuffing ingredients including bread, celery and spices. ...
• Ambrosia salad. ...
• Mashed turnips. ...
• Corn pudding. ...
• Giblet gravy. ...
• Cranberry fluff.

What are some kid-friendly side dishes?

Vegetable Sides That Kids Actually Want to Eat

• Honey Glazed Carrots: The Natural Candy. ...
• Roasted "Tree" Broccoli with Parmesan. ...
• Zucchini Tots: The Ultimate Disguise. ...
• Cinnamon Butternut Squash. ...
• Crispy Parsnip Fries.

What are the top 10 Thanksgiving side dishes?

The absolute top 10 Thanksgiving side dishes combine rich, comforting starches with bright, acidic elements to cut through the heavy meal. The ultimate holiday lineup features: Creamy Mashed Potatoes, Savory Stuffing/Dressing, Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, Macaroni and Cheese, Fresh Cranberry Sauce, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Turkey Gravy, Dinner Rolls, and Candied Yams.

What is the best side dish ever?

There is no single "best" side dish because the perfect pairing depends on your main course. However, Crispy Parmesan Brussels Sprouts routinely steal the title of fan-favorite. They offer the ultimate combination of texture and flavor: tender on the inside, caramelized on the outside, and covered in salty, nutty cheese.

What food is 100% American?

Because America is a melting pot, true "100% American" foods typically fall into two categories: foods deeply rooted in Indigenous Native American agriculture, or specific culinary inventions born entirely on U.S. soil.

What is the number one side dish at Thanksgiving?

Nationwide surveys—including the Campbell's State of the Sides report—reveal that stuffing/dressing and mashed potatoes consistently tie as America's most popular Thanksgiving side dish. Mashed potatoes reign supreme in more than 20 states, while stuffing claims the top spot across most of the rest of the country.

What is the most wasteful holiday?

Thanksgiving is widely considered the most wasteful holiday due to extreme food excess. Americans throw away over 300 million pounds of food—equivalent to $500 million in groceries—during a single Thanksgiving. However, the broader holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day is generally deemed the ultimate period of excess, with household trash increasing by 25%.

What is the single riskiest food on your Thanksgiving table?

Foods most likely to cause holiday illness

Turkey can harbor Salmonella, Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens. Undercooked turkey remains a leading cause of Thanksgiving-related illness. Raw turkey drippings can also easily spread bacteria onto hands, utensils and counters.

What are the 12 most popular Thanksgiving dishes of all time?

The most popular Thanksgiving dishes of all time are heavily rooted in traditional American holiday staples. These essential classics balance savory and sweet, and include roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, rolls, mac and cheese, corn casserole, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie.

What is a good side dish for Thanksgiving potluck?

You could bring classic sides like glazed Brussel sprouts, rosemary and thyme green beans or ginger spiced mashed sweet potatoes. Consider the amount of time you have to cook and planning for ingredients. It is really up to you on what you contribute to the Thanksgiving menu. Just remember to have fun!

What is the perfect Thanksgiving menu?

A well-rounded Thanksgiving menu balances rich, savory mainstays with bright, acidic elements and comforting textures. The best approach centers around a classic roasted centerpiece, surrounded by elevated sides, and topped off with a classic dessert.

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