This Is the #1 Thanksgiving Side Dish, According to a New Survey—Do You Agree?

The time has come to begin planning our Thanksgiving menus well in advance of the holiday. While the turkey often takes the spotlight at the dinner table, it is not necessarily the dish that excites us the most.

A recent report by Campbell’s highlights this sentiment among Americans. When surveyed, 5,000 individuals revealed some insightful statistics regarding their preferences for holiday side dishes. Notably, 60% of respondents expressed a greater enjoyment in preparing sides compared to the turkey, 55% indicated a preference for sides over the main protein, and 38% stated they would choose to eat only sides rather than the turkey.

With this context, one may wonder which Thanksgiving side dish holds the title of most beloved. The report provides clarity, revealing a consensus across various generations.

The Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dish, According to Americans

The top contender for the best Thanksgiving side dish, which should not be overlooked this year, is stuffing. Known regionally as dressing, stuffing garnered the majority of votes from Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers alike, surpassing mashed potatoes, which was the favorite in last year’s report. For those interested, sweet potatoes ranked third, green bean casserole fourth, and macaroni and cheese fifth.

What is it about stuffing that makes it so cherished? It may be its rarity, as it is often prepared only once a year, or its delightful ability to utilize leftover bread, or perhaps its compatibility when reheated alongside turkey or ham. For our associate food editor, Alex Loh, it is the comforting nature of stuffing that evokes fond memories.

“If you presented me with a plate solely filled with stuffing, I would be overjoyed,” Loh remarks. “I appreciate that it essentially constitutes a complete meal within a single, comforting casserole dish. I enjoy all varieties of stuffing, from homemade cornbread to the Pepperidge Farm herb stuffing that my mother would enhance with sausage. One year, when I was unable to celebrate Thanksgiving at home, my mother prepared stuffing for me in January, and it was simply delightful.”