Americans have been celebrating Thanksgiving for centuries, and each year the feast gets a little bit bigger. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce… it all sounds pretty good, right? But what do you really know about common food preferences for this traditional holiday meal? Here are 5 surprising Thanksgiving dinner trends that you may not have known!
5 Unexpected Thanksgiving Dinner Trends
According to Campbell’s State of the Sides report, 66% of Americans prefer sides to their holiday entrée. Here are five surprising facts about what goes into making Thanksgiving dinner for millions of people across the country.
1. Americans are not skimping on sides: According to the survey, 69% of respondents plan to buy the same or smaller turkey, with 52% of those planning to go smaller to save money. Instead, they appear to be loading up on all the fixings, sides included.
2. Popular holiday sides: The survey found the top five most popular holiday side dishes include mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, stuffing and mac and cheese. So if you’re looking to impress your guests, these are some good dishes to consider.
3. Traditions are being tweaked: While nearly half of respondents said they’ll be sticking to tried-and-true recipes this holiday season, 54% of consumers also said they plan to try new recipes. This could be due in part to the fact that nearly one-third of respondents said they’ll be cooking for fewer people than usual.
4. You need bigger plates: An overwhelming 73% of respondents complained about running out of space on their plates during Thanksgiving dinner. Perhaps this is because the average person consumes about 3,000 calories during a traditional Thanksgiving feast—more than what’s recommended for an entire day!
5. Lunch or dinner?: Surprisingly, most people actually eat a Thanksgiving lunch. The most popular times for eating are between noon and 3 pm. So if you find yourself getting hangry in the afternoon on Thanksgiving Day, there’s a good chance it’s because everyone else is too if that large turkey dinner isn’t happening until later in the evening.
When it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, it’s all about the sides! Potatoes, casseroles and stuffing seem to be crowd favorites, and there’s always room for trying something new—just maybe not on your already full plate. Whether you’re cooking for a small group or large gathering this year, one thing is certain: America loves its Thanksgiving feast!
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