The Most Beloved Thanksgiving Food, Ranked

Choose the food you think is the most beloved!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 27, 2024 06:25
Around the table at Thanksgiving, discussions can often turn into debates about the best dishes. By ranking these beloved items, it becomes simpler to see which selections resonate most universally. This list is shaped by everyone’s preferences, offering a collective snapshot of what makes this holiday special to different people. The process here is straightforward yet crucial: your votes decide the standings. Each click brings clarity to the cultural favorites, reflecting broader tastes and traditions. As new votes are cast, the list updates live, providing an accurate depiction of current culinary trends and preferences within the Thanksgiving celebration.

What Is the Most Beloved Thanksgiving Food?

  1. 1
    88
    votes

    Turkey

    The centerpiece of most Thanksgiving meals, turkey is a large bird that is often roasted and served with various side dishes.
    • Preparation styles: Roasted, deep-fried, smoked
    • Common accompaniments: Gravy, stuffing
  2. 2
    48
    votes

    Mashed Potatoes

    A dish made by mashing boiled potatoes, often mixed with butter, milk, and seasonings. A staple side dish at many Thanksgiving dinners.
    • Common additions: Garlic, cheese, sour cream
  3. 3
    29
    votes

    Cranberry Sauce

    A sauce or relish made out of cranberries, commonly served as a condiment alongside Thanksgiving dinner.
    • Types: Jellied, whole berry
  4. 4
    28
    votes

    Stuffing

    A mixture of bread cubes, vegetables, herbs, and sometimes sausage or oysters, stuffing is cooked inside the turkey or baked as a separate dish.
    • Also known as: Dressing
    • Variations: Cornbread, oyster, sausage
  5. 5
    20
    votes

    Green Bean Casserole

    A casserole consisting of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and French fried onions, often served as a side dish for Thanksgiving.
    • Creator: Dorcas Reilly
  6. 6
    16
    votes

    Pumpkin Pie

    A sweet dessert pie made from pumpkin puree, typically seasoned with cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
    • Traditional holiday: Thanksgiving
  7. 7
    8
    votes

    Gravy

    A sauce made from the juices of meats that are cooked, often thickened with wheat flour or cornstarch for added texture.
    • Commonly served with: Turkey, mashed potatoes
  8. 8
    0
    votes

    Rolls/Bread

    Bread rolls are often served alongside Thanksgiving dinner, perfect for sopping up gravy or enjoying with butter.
    • Varieties: Dinner rolls, cornbread
  9. 9
    0
    votes

    Sweet Potatoes/Yams

    Often served as a casserole, mashed, or in pie form, sweet potatoes or yams are a sweet addition to the Thanksgiving meal.
    • Common preparations: Casserole with marshmallows, mashed, pie

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beloved Thanksgiving food. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or food is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 2426 views
  • 237 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each food once every 24 hours. The rank of each food is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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Additional Information

More about the Most Beloved Thanksgiving Food

Turkey
Rank #1 for the most beloved Thanksgiving food: Turkey (Source)
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and food. This holiday brings people together to share a meal and give thanks. The food served on this day has deep roots in history and tradition. Each dish has a story, passed down through generations.

The origins of Thanksgiving food date back to the early settlers. They celebrated their first harvest with a feast. They used what they had grown and hunted. Over time, these foods became staples of the holiday. Each region added its own twist, creating a diverse menu.

Cooking methods have changed over the years. Early settlers cooked over open fires. Today, ovens and stoves make the process easier. Despite these changes, the essence of the meal remains the same. It is about sharing and giving thanks.

Many families have their own recipes. These recipes are often guarded secrets, handed down from one generation to the next. They might tweak them, but the core ingredients stay the same. This creates a sense of continuity and connection to the past.

The preparation for the meal can take days. Families gather in the kitchen, each person with a task. Some chop vegetables, others mix ingredients. The kitchen fills with the aroma of spices and herbs. This preparation is as much a part of the tradition as the meal itself.

On Thanksgiving Day, the table is set with care. Each dish is placed with pride. The meal begins with a moment of gratitude. Each person shares what they are thankful for. This tradition reminds everyone of the true meaning of the holiday.

The meal itself is a feast for the senses. The colors, smells, and tastes create a memorable experience. Each bite brings a sense of comfort and joy. The food is more than just sustenance; it is a symbol of love and togetherness.

After the meal, families often relax and enjoy each other's company. They might play games, watch movies, or take a walk. The focus is on spending time together. The food has brought them together, but the connections they make are what truly matter.

Thanksgiving food is a blend of history, tradition, and family. It is a reminder of the past and a celebration of the present. Each dish tells a story, and each meal creates new memories. This is why it is so beloved. It is not just about the food itself, but what it represents.

As families gather each year, they continue to honor these traditions. They pass them on to the next generation, ensuring that the legacy lives on. This continuity is what makes Thanksgiving food so special. It is a thread that ties the past to the present and the future.

In this way, Thanksgiving food is more than just a meal. It is a celebration of history, family, and gratitude. It brings people together and creates lasting memories. This is the true essence of Thanksgiving.

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