The big staple of the thanksgiving holiday in many people’s eyes is the food. There’s no denying how ubiquitous turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes are with the holiday. Here’s the thing though. Some of this food is really good, and some of it, really isn’t. So that’s what I’m here to do today, is to give you the definitive ranking of the popular thanksgiving items, from worst to best from this girl’s humble opinion. Also if I miss any food, I’m sorry, I’m only one girl, who can only eat so much ;).
Stuffing
I’m getting what I believe to be the most unpopular opinion out of the way by saying I personally cannot stand stuffing. It tastes gross, chalky, and any flavor that can be accrued from this dish is absolutely rank! I could never keep it down whenever I was younger, and in recent years I’ve never even bothered to put it on my plate. Try to be better stuffing. Try to be better.
Cranberry Sauce
Another thanksgiving staple, but a contentious one. I think I’m personally fine with a little bit of this fruity treat, but too many times I get seeds stuck in my teeth, and my mouth is left with a somewhat bitter aftertaste. Maybe I’ve just been spoiled by the fact that my family usually makes cranberry mousse instead, but this dish usually leaves a lot to be desired at my thanksgiving table.
Mashed Potatoes
A dish that I always forget to include in the conversation about thanksgiving food, but can you blame me? This dish, while most of the time good, leaves so much to be desired, and usually has to be paired with gravy which while good, I think just makes the overall idea of having mashed potatoes at the table a weak one. Honestly I think this might be the more controversial pick, but I honestly can’t be forced to care that much about it. Just a meh food.
Turkey
Turkey is the perfect middle ground for food in the thanksgiving dichotomy. It’s always there, and it usually is what’s going to fill you up the most. It’s simple, and effective. If you want to get really technical, I’ve always been a particular fan of the legs themselves, mostly cause I feel like you get the most meat from that area, but I think as an overall package it’s very serviceable in what it does, even if it’s not the thing you completely load your plate with.
Mac and Cheese
My family has never really been the type to have mac and cheese for the big thanksgiving feast, but I do think it’s something worth talking about. There’s never a time when I’m not stacking it onto my plate when it’s offered. It’s a simple addition to the feast, and if made well enough can stand out as one of the stars of the meal.
Pumpkin Pie
Sure this is technically desert and not an actual part of the meal, but who doesn’t love a good piece of pumpkin pie! There’s nothing more perfect to tail end the season of fall than a sweet pumpkin pie! While it’s certainly not my favorite kind of pie (cranberry if you must know), I do think this pie stands above some of its contemporaries and really shines as something you have to save room for when you’re finished with dinner.
Corn
Now this section is more of a grab bag for all the different types of corn foods available at the meal, whether that be corn casserole, cornbread (our family’s preferred choice), corn on the cob, or just plain corn, you can’t go wrong with this food. It might seem like a copout compared to some of the other examples on this list, but it’s just such a versatile food, and on top of that I think all of the options are good eating, so it’s up there on the list.
Rolls
These little appetizers are a guilty pleasure of mine. They’re so easy to eat, and don’t usually feel that filling, so you feel perfectly fine gorging down on like three or five before any of the other food is even ready. The King’s Hawaiian rolls especially are delish and something my family always tries to grab for the season. They’re not my absolute favorite just because they’re such a basic food, but I think they’re very good on their own.
Deviled Eggs
Similarly to the rolls mentioned above, I can eat four or five of these suckers before even thinking of saving room for the food on the way. I know they’re a very divisive food, but I do think they are the perfect appetizer to have out before all the real eating can begin. Sort of a pre game to thanksgiving if you will.
Green Bean Casserole
We’ve made it to what I would call, the holy grail of the thanksgiving meal. The thing I’m above all else putting on my plate. Nothing beats that perfect blend between the creamy sauce, crunchy fried onions, and hearty green beans. It’s just this perfect blend that welcomes the taste buds in my mouth every fall season, and I don’t know what I would do if it wasn’t at the thanksgiving meal. It is, definitively, the best Thanksgiving food out there (In my opinion).