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Turkey is such a huge part of a typical Thanksgiving dinner that we even nicknamed the holiday Turkey Day, but it turns out, it’s not the favorite part of the meal for a lot of Americans. Campbell’s has just released their State of the Sides report, revealing just how important those side dishes are to people.
The survey of 5-thousand U.S. adults reveals:
- Two-thirds (67%) actually prefer side dishes to the entree (up 1% from 2022).
- More than half (54%) say they’d be happy with only sides and no turkey at all on their Thanksgiving plates (a 17% increase from last year).
- Sides help make your holiday meal unique, with 66% saying sides are a way to bring your cultural heritage to the Thanksgiving table.
- Almost six in 10 plan to celebrate Friendsgiving this year.
- Americans serve an average of five sides every Thanksgiving.
- As for the most popular side dishes, mashed potatoes have taken over the top spot, beating stuffing to be the most popular Thanksgiving side dish.
- Stuffing is now the second favorite side dish, followed by mac and cheese in third, with 27% of Americans saying it’s their favorite.
- Yams/sweet potatoes are number four and green bean casserole is also down a spot from last year to be fifth.
- A third of Americans are planning to add spicy ingredients to their Thanksgiving dinner this year.
- Another 20% want to incorporate new ingredients to their holiday meal, like cauliflower rice or non-dairy milk, and 18% also want to include more plant-based options.