25 Most Popular Thanksgiving Dishes Ranked From Worst to Best

Bitter and watery when boiled, mashed turnips or rutabagas remain a fixture on traditional New England tables. Despite attempts to sweeten them with brown sugar and butter, they consistently rank as the holiday vegetable guests avoid most.

Popularized in the twentieth century, ambrosia combines canned mandarin oranges, pineapple, coconut flakes, and mini marshmallows in whipped topping. While nostalgic for some older relatives, younger dinner guests often find the dessert-like salad out of place on a savory holiday plate.

Few holiday sides ignite more controversy than the gelatinous cylinder of jellied cranberry sauce. Sliced into neat crimson discs displaying the imprint of the tin can, it remains beloved by purists for its nostalgic tang yet spurned by homemade relish enthusiasts.

Inherited from indigenous Narragansett cooking traditions, succotash is one of the earliest authentic Thanksgiving dishes. Combining sweet corn, lima beans, and diced red peppers, its starchy, mild flavor profile has largely been eclipsed by richer, butter-heavy casseroles.

Long criticized for bitter boiled preparations, modern Brussels sprouts have enjoyed a culinary revival through high-heat roasting with pancetta and hot honey. Still, the pungent cruciferous aroma means half the table eagerly serves themselves while the other half passes.

Often placed on the sideboard out of healthy obligation, a simple tossed salad with vinaigrette cuts through the rich gravies and butter-laden sides. While few guests declare it their holiday favorite, it remains a refreshing palate cleanser.

Butternut squash brings quintessential autumn character to the holiday dinner. Cubed and roasted until caramelized with olive oil, maple syrup, and herbs, its sweet earthiness complements poultry well, though it faces stiff competition from richer potato sides.

Tracing back to nineteenth-century coastal celebrations, oyster dressing combines fresh shucked oysters, crusty bread cubes, butter, celery, and savory broth. Celebrated across the Chesapeake Bay and Gulf Coast, its distinct briny richness is revered by seafood lovers but avoided by traditionalists.

Introduced by marshmallow marketers in the early 1900s, sweet potato casserole topped with gooey toasted marshmallows has become an enduring holiday staple. While kids and dessert lovers pile their plates high, savory purists often balk at candy-level sweetness next to gravy.

Sliced rounds of carrots glazed with melted butter, brown sugar, and a hint of ginger bring warmth and visual vibrancy to the table. Simple to execute and widely liked by both children and adults, they offer dependable comfort without stealing the spotlight.

Deeply entrenched in African American culinary heritage, sweet potato pie rivals pumpkin pie across the American South. Made with roasted sweet potatoes, evaporated milk, butter, and warm spices baked in a flaky crust, it delivers an earthy, custardy holiday dessert.

Made by stewing sweet yellow corn kernels in heavy cream, butter, and cream cheese, creamed corn is pure holiday indulgence. The milky natural sweetness pairs seamlessly alongside salty roast turkey, earning it a devoted following across the Midwest and South.

Fresh cranberries simmered with cane sugar, orange juice, and a splash of port wine create a shimmering, ruby-red sauce that bursts on the tongue. Providing vibrant acidity, it cuts through rich stuffing and gravy far better than canned jelly.

Crisped in bacon drippings inside a scorching cast iron skillet, golden cornbread is an essential Southern holiday centerpiece. Its crumbly texture and slight sweet-savory balance make it great for crumbling into dressing or swiping across gravy.

While pumpkin claims Thanksgiving fame, apple pie remains the quintessential American comfort dessert. Loaded with tender Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples tossed in cinnamon, sugar, and nutmeg, a warm slice served with vanilla ice cream is pure nostalgia.

Created by Campbell Soup test kitchen supervisor Dorcas Reilly in 1955, this six-ingredient bake became a national sensation. Combining tender cut green beans, cream of mushroom soup, soy sauce, and crispy fried onions, millions of American tables consider Thanksgiving incomplete without it.

Baked with cloves, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and honey, spiral-sliced bone-in ham provides savory, salty depth next to mild turkey meat. For large gatherings, having both ham and turkey ensures every guest leaves satisfied.

Born in the American South, pecan pie combines crunchy roasted pecans with a rich, buttery custard made from cane syrup or brown sugar. Its dense sweetness and toasted nutty aroma make it a must-have finale alongside a dollop of fresh cream.

Golden brown on the outside and airy within, hot yeast rolls straight from the oven are a universal favorite. Whether stuffed with turkey and cranberry sauce for makeshift mini sandwiches or used to sop up lingering gravy, an extra basket is always required.

No Thanksgiving conclusion feels complete without a wedge of spiced pumpkin pie. Scented with ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice baked into velvety custard, it represents the single most anticipated sweet finish of the holiday.

Firmly rooted in Southern and Black holiday traditions, baked macaroni and cheese has become a beloved fixture on tables nationwide. Made with a rich custard base of eggs, heavy cream, and multiple cheeses baked until bubbling with a browned crust, it regularly outperforms turkey.

Crafted by deglazing roasted turkey pan drippings with aromatics, flour, and stock, gravy is the essential sauce of Thanksgiving. Poured generously over turkey slices, stuffing mounds, and mashed potato craters, it rescues dry meat and unites every component.

Whether cooked inside the bird as stuffing or baked in a separate casserole as dressing, seasoned bread dressing is arguably the most anticipated savory dish on the table. Soaked in rich stock and aromatic herbs, its mix of soft interior and crunchy edges makes it legendary.

Consistently polling near the very top of national holiday food surveys, mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort essential. Whipped with heavy cream, roasted garlic, and melted butter until cloud-like and silky, they provide the canvas for hot turkey gravy.

Herb-butter rubbed and roasted until deeply golden brown with crisp skin and juicy breast meat, the holiday turkey is the historic star of Thanksgiving. Accompanied by pan gravy and stuffing, it anchors the feast and provides beloved leftovers for days.