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Thanksgiving is one of only 10 federal holidays in the US.

While some workers work holidays, the majority of workers can be thankful on Thanksgiving for a nice meal with their meals. This year, many businesses have announced they will not start Black Friday on Thursday- freeing more workers to enjoy a meal with their family.

It got us thinking, what foods will every one be eating? Are some states crazier for corn than others? Anyone cheesing out? We analyzed Google searches to determine each state’s favorite Thanksgiving side.

The results? Thanksgiving may be called Turkey Day, but maybe it should be called mashed potato day. Or mac ‘n cheese day.

MOST INTERESTING FINDINGS

• Mashed potatoes are the favorite of 10 states.
  
• Right behind mashed potatoes is mac n’ cheese-
• 7 states know that it’s not Thanksgiving without the cheesy, delicious dish.
  
• While most states are reaching for the carbs, Maine is all about that side salad.
  
• The south isn’t a casserole belt, but the
• Midwest can’t get enough – especially of green bean casserole
  
• Alabama doesn’t eat stuffing, they like “dressing” AKA southern people stuffing.
  
• Only New Hampshire is a big fan of cranberry sauce.
  
• Biscuits. Rolls. Crescent rolls. Forget, fancy sides, just toss some rolls in the oven.
  
• 47 states want their sides carby, cheesy, potato-y and delicious. Only 3 are reaching for veggies more.

Using Google Trends, we determined what Thanksgiving side each state eats a disproportionate amount of. We examined over 20 Thanksgiving classics. Some controversial decisions were made, including counting gravy as a side.

However, since it’s not a main dish and hopefully isn’t being consumed as a beverage, our hands were tied. Sorry if your family has an uncommon tradition of shrimp cocktails, Red Lobster Cheddar biscuits, or whatever oddity for Turkey day.

Your family is weird, and didn’t fall into our data. However, it should be a good representation on what most of us chow down on at Thanksgiving.

We looked at the month of November 2019 to determine what folks are searching for the most in each state. Traffic for most Thanksgiving sides sky rockets on Thanksgiving day (Turns out, when you’re googling “how to make mashed potatoes”, so it most of America.)

How this year changes (if it does) won’t be apparent until after Thanksgiving- and who wants to wait that long? Luckily, odds are good most of us will still be making mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, and other favorites this year– and probably in 2050, too.

Broccoli Casserole is my favorite. I introduced it to my in laws in WV a couple of years ago and they request I make it any time I go visit. The recipe I have is from one of my Grandmothers cookbooks from the 50's. I had to ask my mom what Oleo was (I use butter)

Louisiana Cornbread Dressing is excellent.

I inherited my Grandmother's peanut butter pie recipe and I've continued her tradition of making it every Thanksgiving.

As far as Thanksgiving cuisine, I find the canned cranberry glob to be disgusting. A few alternatives that still keep cranberries on the menu:

Last Thanksgiving, my hosts made cranberry-jalepeno relish and it was so delicious that I went to the store the next day, made it, and ate it all weekend.

Cranberry Stuffing. I found this back when I lived in Can-eh-duh 2014 to 2016 and it's remained on the menu.

To go with smoked turkeys we have:
Baked Mac and cheese
Green bean casserole
Candied yams
Yeast rolls
Mashed potatoes
Gravy
Carrots steamed soft with butter
Pumpkin pie and whipped cream
Sweet tea

I'm moving to AK!!!

So in Wyoming it’s “brown gravy.” What, like in a bowl, eaten with a spoon?

Oh where to start???

My old family recipe for stuffing is unbelievable. It is made with sausage and other key ingredients.

Our generation contributed a version of mashed potatoes that we first had on a rafting trip down the Grand Canyon about 15 years ago. Basically about half of it is made from cauliflower and tastes so good you can’t even tell it’s in there so I always have seconds!

Sausage stuffing is great and we always have it, but my absolute favorite is oyster stuffing.
Cranberries are a must with Thanksgiving. All the other dishes (besides the turkey, of course) are just fillers.

Stuffing / Dressing with lots of sage.
Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes (Candied)
Home made Gravy from turkey drippings
Rolls
Green bean casserole
Cranberry (Jelled)
Fruit cocktail salad
Pies 1 Sweet Potatoes, 1 Apple

Oh ya can't forget the Turkey

I'm perplexed by all the southern states with the Mac & Cheese. HUH?

With ribs, brisket, meatloaf even, Mac & Cheese is amazing. But with turkey and all the fixings? Does not compute to this Pennsylvania yankee.

To me, the must have starchy sides for Thanksgiving are: mashed potatoes, stuffing/filling/dressing (name varies by region) and sweet potatoes/yams

quote:

Originally posted by SSgt USMC/Vet:
Stuffing / Dressing with lots of sage.
Mashed Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes (Candied)
Home made Gravy from turkey drippings
Rolls
Green bean casserole
Cranberry (Jelled)
Fruit cocktail salad
Pies 1 Sweet Potatoes, 1 Apple

Oh ya can't forget the Turkey

This mirrors my favorite Thanksgiving dinner. We don't do the Sweet Potatoes and do a pasta salad. That and a pumpkin pie with whipped cream.
My wife makes the best sage stuffing and dressing from a family recipe that's been around for generations. I'm salivating right now just thinking about it.

Jim

My mother made a delicious cranberry salad for Thanksgiving dinner. Raw cranberries run through a hand cranked food grinder. Sugar, walnuts, grated orange peel. If there was anything else I’ve forgotten it.

My wife makes the garlic green beans and I make cranberry sauce (just a bit tart).

I made my first homemade mac and cheese a couple of years ago, the kids demand it now. Loosely followed The Lady's mac and cheese recipe by Paula Deen. I double it and use more sour cream, cheese and butter

https://www.pauladeen.com/reci...he-ladys-cheesy-mac/

This year the most desired item will be birthday cake even if I have to go buy it myself. .................... drill sgt.

I suppose I’m a bit odd. I loathe traditional thanksgiving food and always make a huge pan of home made ricotta and meat stuffed shells or a huge lasagna and home made mac & cheese so we can enjoy good food while we also eat the traditional stuff.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I'm perplexed by all the southern states with the Mac & Cheese. HUH?

Same here. We've never had mac and cheese for Thanksgiving. Or Christmas for that matter.

Cornbread dressing is a must. Along with mashed potatoes and homemade gravy. I make broccoli casserole instead of green bean casserole. We do have green beans, but they're served as a fresh side, not in a casserole.

My poor non-southern husband, who is an excellent cook, keeps trying to foist some weird mid-western version of dressing on the family. I don't know why he can't get with the program and admit the best dressing is made with cornbread and lots of sage.

Cornbread dressing is a must

Indiana is gonna smell like a gas pipeline burst.

Homemade mashed potatoes and roasted turkey gravy, homemade fresh green beans, carrot soufflé (don't scoff, it's better than sweet potato and just as sweet!), sage stuffing (blame Yankee parents!), deviled eggs, fresh cranberry sauce, pumpkin muffins, probably something else I'm forgetting.

Damn I'm hungry.

eta - my mom also used to serve these miniature spiced peaches. Whole peach that came in a jar complete with pit inside.

If anyone has a source for these (sliced not good!) please let me know. I've searched off and on and can't find them. Would buy some at most any price to aggravate my wife (long story) but I think they stopped selling them whole. Probably because people were choking on them!