12 Most Popular Thanksgiving Dishes in America
Everything You Need to Know + The Easiest, Crowd-Pleasing Recipes for 2025
Thanksgiving dinner is the Super Bowl of home cooking. According to the National Turkey Federation, 88% of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving, and the average family prepares 10–12 different dishes. Here’s your ultimate guide to the dishes that actually show up on 9 out of 10 tables, plus the easiest, most-loved versions that won’t keep you in the kitchen all day.
| Rank | Dish | % of Tables | Why It’s Loved | Easiest & Most Popular 2025 Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Roast Turkey | 92% | The undisputed star of the show | Dry-brine + spatchcock (flatten the bird). Cuts cooking time in half, guarantees crispy skin and juicy meat. Butter + herb rub under the skin = 10 minutes of work. |
| 2 | Mashed Potatoes & Gravy | 89% | Pure comfort in every bite | Instant Pot mashed potatoes (Yukon Gold, heavy cream, roasted garlic) + make-ahead gravy using turkey wings the day before. Zero stress. |
| 3 | Stuffing / Dressing | 88% | The side people fight over seconds of | One-pan sausage & sage stuffing baked outside the bird (safer + crispier). Use store-bought bread cubes and chicken stock — ready in 45 minutes. |
| 4 | Gravy | 85% | The glue that holds the plate together | Cheater’s gravy: turkey drippings + store-bought stock + a stick of butter + Wondra flour. Foolproof, silky, no lumps. |
| 5 | Cranberry Sauce | 79% | Sweet-tart balance to all the richness | 3-ingredient stove-top sauce (fresh cranberries, orange juice, sugar). Takes 10 minutes and beats the can ridges every time. |
| 6 | Green Bean Casserole | 74% | Retro comfort invented by Campbell’s in 1955 | Classic with a 2025 upgrade: add bacon or mushrooms, top with extra crispy onions. Use fresh or frozen beans — still takes only 35 minutes. |
| 7 | Sweet Potato Casserole | 68% | The North vs. South marshmallow debate | Make-ahead brown sugar streusel version (no marshmallows, universally loved). Can be prepped 2 days ahead and baked day-of. |
| 8 | Dinner Rolls | 67% | Warm, buttery carb heaven | King’s Hawaiian + brush with garlic-herb butter. Zero effort, everyone thinks you’re a baker. Alternative: Rhodes frozen dough — rise and bake. |
| 9 | Mac and Cheese | 61% | Officially the fastest-rising Thanksgiving dish | One-pot baked mac (Velveeta + sharp cheddar + evaporated milk). Creamy, kid-approved, reheats perfectly. |
| 10 | Pumpkin Pie | 59% | The only dessert that feels mandatory | Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie (the back-of-the-can recipe) with a store-bought crust. Add a dollop of cinnamon whipped cream and call it gourmet. |
| 11 | Corn (creamed, casserole, or roasted) | 54% | Simple, sweet, nostalgic | Honey-butter skillet corn (frozen corn + butter + honey + cream cheese). 10 minutes on the stove. |
| 12 | Pecan Pie | 47% | The Southern takeover is complete | Karo syrup classic or the viral chocolate bourbon pecan pie that disappears first. |
Bonus Rising Stars in 2025
- Roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon & balsamic (the “healthy” side that actually gets eaten)
- Jalapeño cornbread (spicy twist on tradition)
- Deviled eggs (Southern tables refuse to start without them)
- Charcuterie board as an appetizer (keeps hungry relatives away from the kitchen)
The Easiest Full Thanksgiving Menu (Under 3 Hours Active Work)
Do these in order and you’ll look like a pro:
- Two days before: Dry-brine turkey + make cranberry sauce + assemble sweet potato casserole.
- Day before: Make gravy base + chop veggies for stuffing + bake pecan pie.
- Thanksgiving morning: Spatchcock turkey goes in oven → make mashed potatoes in Instant Pot → assemble green bean casserole → bake stuffing & mac and cheese while turkey rests.
- Last 20 minutes: Warm rolls, reheat everything else, carve turkey.
Total hands-on time: about 2.5 hours spread over 3 days.
Pro Tips That Save Sanity
- Buy two smaller turkeys (10–12 lbs each) instead of one giant one — cooks faster, more crispy skin.
- Use disposable aluminum pans for sides — less cleanup.
- Put out a “help yourself” snack board at 2 p.m. so no one asks “when’s dinner?” every 10 minutes.
- Make a double batch of gravy — leftovers on mashed potatoes the next day are life-changing.
The One Dish You Should Never Skip (According to Actual Families)
Mashed potatoes. In a 2024 Instacart survey, it beat turkey as the dish people would be most upset to miss.
There you have it — the 12 dishes that define Thanksgiving, plus the easiest ways to nail them without losing your mind.
Cite this article
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Martin, L. & Arquette, E.. (2025, November 28). 12 Most Popular Thanksgiving Dishes in America. Coursepivot.com. https://coursepivot.com/blog/12-most-popular-thanksgiving-dishes-in-america/
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