The turkey is great and all, but when it comes to the Thanksgiving Day menu, nothing beats the sides, from the creamy goodness of mashed potatoes to the tartness of cranberry sauce. But what you’re serving as a Thanksgiving side dish may vary quite a bit, depending on what state you hail from. In fact, Google parsed out which recipes may land on your Thanksgiving table, based on what recipes everyone is searching for in each state.
So if you’re not hosting your own Thanksgiving, here’s a sneak peek at what you might expect on your dinner plate in a few days.
Casseroles Rule on Thanksgiving
What’s not to love about a casserole (especially when they can generally be made ahead and heated up on turkey day)? In fact, in half of the states, casseroles were the most-searched Thanksgiving side dishes. But the type of casserole differed, depending on the state.
Green bean casseroles were the most popular pick, with 15 states spread throughout the nation indulging in what’s traditionally a creamy, cheesy good time topped with crispy onions. (Though we like our bacon-filled green bean side dish, too!) It was especially big in the Midwest, with Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana among the green bean aficionados.
Next is sweet potato casserole, which six states preferred—including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri, Tennessee, and Florida. (Because, honestly, who can deny toasty marshmallows on Thanksgiving?)
Corn casserole was the most searched Thanksgiving side dish for four states scattered throughout the south and southwest— Georgia, Alabama, Texas, and Nevada.
People Love Stuffing (or Dressing)
Just like the long-standing soda/pop divide, people have different names for that starchy-veggie mix that traditionally was cooked inside the turkey (but now isn’t—for food safety reasons). Most of the states call it stuffing, but if you’re in the South, you’re more likely to call it dressing.
Residents of five states—including our most populous, California—were the most likely to seek out stuffing recipes, though two states have very particular requests. Massachusetts wants a good sourdough stuffing, while New Mexico prefers a pineapple stuffing. (Arizona and West Virginia were the other states that love a good stuffing.)
Starchy Sides Are Essential
Is it really Thanksgiving without mashed potatoes? Not according to the residents of five states— Maine, Maryland, North Carolina, Montana, and Oregon—who all made mashed potatoes their top side dish search term for Thanksgiving.
Mac and cheese was the top choice in Washington D.C. and North Dakota, while Nebraska and Rhode Island each got a little funky with their picks: ramen noodle salad and pumpkin risotto, respectively.
If It’s Veggies, It’s Probably Carrots
Seven states opted for veggies as their most-searched Thanksgiving side, with several carrot variations as the most popular pick. Utah loves balsamic glazed carrots, while Wyoming opts for ginger garlic roasted carrots, and Arkansas is all in on sweet and simple glazed carrots. Connecticut and Iowa both say yes to a simple corn side dish (though Iowa likes it roasted). New Hampshire is planning on roasted Brussels sprouts, and South Carolina is opting for bacon-wrapped green beans as their veggie side. And don’t sleep on South Dakota’s obsession with a vegetable dish that’s traditionally served as an appetizer: stuffed mushrooms.
Fun and Fancy Alternative Thanksgiving Sides
Every family has their own unique Thanksgiving traditions and holiday feast essentials (ours was cream cheese-stuffed celery on my aunt’s olives-and-crudité display), but some states opt for something that isn’t traditionally on the Thanksgiving side dish list.
Both Minnesota and Virginia favor deviled eggs as a side (or perhaps appetizer?) on Thanksgiving. Louisiana goes super healthy with fruit salad—unless, of course, the fruit salad recipe they’re seeking is that old-school sugar bomb featuring marshmallows, Cool Whip, and canned fruit. And Delaware takes us a little upscale, with brie mini tarts (perhaps with a tart cranberry dollop?) as a swanky addition to their Thanksgiving Day feast.