Ask a table of Americans what they would fight for at Thanksgiving, and the answer is rarely the turkey. It is the stuffing, and a new survey shows just how deep that loyalty runs.
Stuffing was named the most-loved side dish in 39 states, and it has now taken the top spot for the third year in a row. Some regions call it dressing, and some call it filling, but the love is the same.
The findings come from Campbell’s Soups’ annual State of the Sides Report, as covered by Tasting Table on October 27.
5,000 Adults, All 50 States, And One Clear Winner
The poll ran in August and September 2026. It surveyed more than 5,000 adults who celebrate Thanksgiving, with at least 100 Americans polled in every state by an independent research organization.
The report has tracked Thanksgiving side preferences for five years. That track record makes the pattern hard to dismiss, and stuffing keeps winning.
The Rest Of The Podium Is Pure Comfort
After stuffing, the most popular sides come in this order: mashed potatoes, yams or sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and green bean casserole.
Notice who is missing from the list. Cranberry sauce did not make the top group, and the article points to a separate survey in which some people named it their least favorite side.
That makes sense if you picture a plate at the end of the meal. The can-shaped jelly often stays untouched while the gravy-soaked stuffing is gone.
Gen Z Broke Ranks And Picked Mac And Cheese
Here is the twist. Among Gen Z respondents, macaroni and cheese beat stuffing as the most popular side.
The younger crowd also leans on family history. About 77% of Gen Z respondents use old family recipes, and TikTok and YouTube also inspire their cooking.
So the generation scrolling for ideas is also reaching for grandma’s recipe card. That is a lovely reminder that tradition survives when it is passed on.
Americans Say They Would Rather Cook The Sides Than The Turkey
The survey found that 80% of Americans prefer making the sides to making the turkey. That may surprise anyone who has watched a host hover over the oven door.
Another 39% said they would not mind a turkey-free Thanksgiving. The bird is still the headline act, but it has plenty of competition.
Sides take center stage in a big way, too. Some 86% of households offer more than four sides every Thanksgiving, which means the plate is crowded before the turkey even arrives.
Creamier And Cheesier Is Where The Trend Is Going
When asked what they want more of, 44% of Americans said creamier dishes, and 41% said cheesier ones. That helps explain the rise of macaroni and cheese on the holiday table.
Another 56% enjoy making dishes that reflect their culture or region. So the table is as much about heritage as it is about flavor.
How To Build A Side Dish Spread Everyone Loves
If you are planning a menu, the numbers point to a few smart moves. Start with the classic and add a crowd-pleaser.
- Make the stuffing the star. Use your own family recipe if you have one, and bake extra if you have a big group.
- Keep mashed potatoes simple and creamy. Warm the milk and butter before mixing in to avoid gluey potatoes.
- Add macaroni and cheese for the younger guests, and use a sharp cheese for more flavor.
- Offer cranberry sauce, but in a small dish. A little goes a long way.
- Count on more than four sides, because that is what most hosts serve.
Cooking Tips To Keep The Table Calm
With so many sides, timing becomes the real challenge. Make dishes ahead whenever you can, since stuffing, casseroles and macaroni and cheese reheat well.
Stuffing cooked inside a turkey must reach a safe internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why many cooks bake it in a separate dish. That also gives you a crisper top.
Finally, ask guests to bring a side. With 86% of tables already loaded, it helps to share the work and the fun.
Stuffing, Dressing Or Filling? Know Your Table’s Word
The naming debate is as lively as the eating. In some regions the dish is called stuffing, in others dressing, and in a few it is simply filling. Everyone is certain their word is the right one.
Whatever you call it, the base is the same: cubes of bread, onion, celery, butter and broth, seasoned with sage and thyme. The details are where families make it their own.
Some add sausage, oysters or apples. Others use cornbread, which is a Southern favorite. A few stir in chestnuts or dried cranberries for a sweet note against the savory broth.
A Few Tricks For Better Stuffing
Dry your bread cubes overnight or in a low oven so they soak up broth without turning to paste. Soft bread breaks down too fast.
Add broth a little at a time until the cubes are moist but not swimming. The goal is a tender center and a golden, crunchy top.
Make the base a day ahead and chill it, then bake it the day of the feast. This saves oven time when the bird is resting and the kitchen is crowded.
Leftover stuffing is a gift. Press it into a hot skillet for crispy patties, or pile it onto a turkey sandwich with a spoonful of cranberry sauce.
It looks like the only thing that will never go out of style at the Thanksgiving table is a warm scoop of the dish that started the survey in the first place.
More Stories You May Like
- Diner Calls The James In Downtown Geneva Illinois The Coziest Restaurant Around With Themed Dining Rooms Like A Historic Home And A Huge Outdoor Patio With A Bar
- New York Outpost Of A Michelin Famous Mexico City Taqueria Is Charging Up To $19 For A Single Taco And The Opening Has Not Gone Smoothly
- Golden Corral Admits Closures Are Running Higher Than Normal as the Buffet Chain Shrinks From 362 Locations in 2023 Down to 348 Last Year
