Thanksgiving will be here before you know it! And many Americans are already starting to plan their holiday feast.
From the big turkey to the festive side dishes, there's a lot that goes into a good Thanksgiving menu. But what's your favorite part of the meal? A new survey just revealed an inside look at America's preferences for some of the most popular dishes on the Thanksgiving table. Spoiler alert: Cranberry sauce was not a favorite!
So, which one does reign supreme? 🤔
According to the survey, which was included in Butterball's Annual Togetherness Report, 51% of consumers consider turkey to be their favorite part of the meal. That might not come as a huge surprise considering turkey has long played a role in Thanksgiving history. In fact, out of the 1,500 U.S. adults who were surveyed, 87% said they planned on serving turkey this year and 74% said they would make it an oven-roasted turkey (rather than smoked or even deep fried). But how does the turkey stand up to other Thanksgiving sides on the table? Here's where things get a little more interesting…
The report showed that while turkey is clearly America's favorite, the ever-popular stuffing was not far behind. Thanksgiving stuffing (or dressing as some people call it) was favored by 44% of consumers followed by pie (32%), potatoes (27%), sweet potatoes (25%), and a tie for last place between mac and cheese and cranberry sauce (both at 18%).
Other key takeways from Butterball's report revealed that 98% of Americans expect inflation to impact their holiday plans. Yet despite the concern, consumers won't let that sway them from making their traditional holiday turkey. "It's clear people are committed to celebrating Thanksgiving with turkey at the center of the table again this year, despite outside influences, like inflation," said Rebecca Welch, director of retail and international brand management.
Still, even with inflation looming, people plan to gather in even bigger numbers for the holidays this year compared to the past four years. The average predicted gathering size is nine people in 2024, which is up from seven people in 2023. So, if you're hosting a crowd, you might want to consider big batch cooking or a Thanksgiving potluck to make the holidays easier.
And don't forget to give cranberry sauce a little love—it really can be a delicious part of the meal! 😉
Kara Zauberman is the Senior Editor of Content Strategy at The Pioneer Woman, covering stories ranging from food, lifestyle, news, and more. When she’s not writing and editing, you can find her seeking out new restaurants or cooking for friends and family.
