Thanksgiving dinner is supposed to bring everyone together, but the food can start some surprisingly passionate debates. One person insists that stuffing deserves the biggest serving. Another can’t understand why cranberry sauce is even on the table. And somewhere between the turkey and the pumpkin pie, a family tradition becomes a friendly argument.
The numbers tell an interesting story. According to Instacart’s 2024 Thanksgiving survey, 76% of baby boomers counted stuffing among their favorite holiday foods, while 21% of Gen Z listed it among their least favorites.
Meanwhile, Campbell’s 2026 State of the Sides Report found that 65% of Gen Z and 56% of millennials would happily eat a Thanksgiving meal consisting entirely of side dishes.
But not every holiday disagreement follows generational lines. Here are nine Thanksgiving foods that inspire different opinions, along with what the research actually reveals.
Stuffing: The Holiday Favorite With a Generational Divide
Few Thanksgiving dishes carry tradition quite like stuffing. Its familiar combination of bread and savory seasonings has earned a cherished place on many holiday tables.
But younger diners don’t necessarily share the same enthusiasm.
Instacart’s September 2024 Harris Poll, involving 2,077 American adults, found that 76% of boomers considered stuffing a Thanksgiving favorite.
By comparison, 21% of Gen Z respondents named it among their least favorite dishes.
That doesn’t mean most younger Americans dislike stuffing. It simply shows a measurable difference in enthusiasm.
Interestingly, Campbell’s 2026 research still places stuffing and dressing among America’s five leading Thanksgiving sides.
The tradition remains strong, even if not everyone reaches for seconds.
Turkey: Does the Main Attraction Still Need Center Stage?
For generations, Thanksgiving dinner has revolved around a beautifully roasted turkey.
But younger adults appear increasingly comfortable with a different kind of holiday plate.
Campbell’s 2026 survey of 5,017 Thanksgiving-celebrating adults found that 65% of Gen Z and 56% of millennials would be satisfied with an entirely side-dish meal. That doesn’t mean they dislike turkey.
In fact, Instacart’s 2024 survey found that 74% of Americans overall included turkey among their Thanksgiving favorites.
The distinction is important: being willing to eat a meal without turkey isn’t the same as rejecting it. Still, the numbers suggest that side dishes are becoming stars in their own right.
Cranberry Sauce: The Sweet-Tart Tradition That Divides Diners
Cranberry sauce can brighten a Thanksgiving plate. Its deep red color and sweet-tart flavor contrast with the meal’s savory dishes. Yet its popularity is far from universal.
Instacart’s 2024 survey found that 27% of respondents named cranberry sauce as one of their least favorite Thanksgiving dishes.
The debate even extends to how it should be served. According to Instacart’s 2021 Thanksgiving report, 37% preferred homemade cranberry sauce, while 35% favored the canned version.
Another 21% said they didn’t eat cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving.
Interestingly, among canned-sauce enthusiasts, 68% preferred serving it in the can’s familiar shape. Clearly, presentation can become part of the tradition.
Green Bean Casserole: A Classic With Loyal Fans and Critics
Green bean casserole can feel like a warm invitation to an old-fashioned Thanksgiving table. But not everyone welcomes it with equal excitement.
In Instacart’s 2021 survey, 25% of respondents identified green bean casserole among the worst Thanksgiving dishes. Yet the same casserole remains popular.
The company’s 2024 research found that 43% of respondents in both the South and Midwest included it among their favorites.
Campbell’s 2026 report also lists green bean casserole among the country’s five leading holiday sides.
These findings reveal a dish with committed supporters and detractors.
However, the available survey results don’t establish that younger generations dislike it more than boomers.
Candied Yams: When Thanksgiving Gets Extra Sweet
Candied yams blur the line between dinner and dessert. Their sweet preparation makes them a distinctive addition to the Thanksgiving table, although not everyone appreciates that character.
According to Instacart’s 2021 research, 27% of respondents identified candied yams among the worst Thanksgiving dishes.
That was the highest figure among the disliked dishes reported in that survey. But there’s an interesting counterpoint.
Campbell’s 2026 report places the broader category of yams and sweet potatoes among America’s five leading Thanksgiving sides.
Those findings aren’t necessarily contradictory because candied yams and other sweet-potato preparations aren’t identical.
The research also doesn’t reveal whether younger or older diners account for most of the opposition.
Sweet Potato Casserole: The Marshmallow Debate Continues
Sweet potato casserole deserves its own place in the conversation because preparation can change the entire experience.
Some versions emphasize the sweet potatoes themselves. Others feature a generous marshmallow topping.
In Instacart’s 2021 Thanksgiving survey, 21% of respondents named sweet potato casserole as one of their least favorite dishes.
The same research found that 39% believed marshmallows definitely or probably belonged in Thanksgiving sweet-potato dishes. That’s a fascinating contrast: the topping clearly has supporters, but the casserole still attracts criticism.
The survey didn’t establish which generations preferred marshmallows.
So while the dish may spark a spirited family discussion, no verified national finding shows younger diners rejecting it.
Pecan Pie: A Regional Favorite That Isn’t Loved Everywhere
Pecan pie brings a distinctive combination of nuts, sweetness, and pastry to the holiday dessert table. But its appeal varies considerably depending on where people live.
Instacart’s 2024 research found that pecan pie was tied among the country’s least favorite Thanksgiving dishes. Yet in the South, 40% of respondents wanted it included on the dessert table.
Compare that with 24% in the Northeast, 26% in the Midwest, and 27% in the West.
Those figures reveal a bigger regional difference than a documented generational one.
Perhaps that explains why one household treats pecan pie as an essential Thanksgiving dessert while another prefers something entirely different.
Sometimes geography helps shape food traditions as much as family memories.
Gelatin Salads: A Vintage Tradition That Still Surprises
Gelatin salads might be among the most visually memorable dishes in American food history.
Bright colors, elaborate molds, and sometimes unexpected savory ingredients created presentations that look unusual to many modern readers.
The Smithsonian Libraries preserves General Foods’ 1963 cookbook Joys of Jell-O Gelatin Dessert.
Among its recipes is a remarkable creation called Ring-Around-the-Tuna.
The Smithsonian explains that sweet and savory molded gelatin salads became prominent during the mid-20th century. That historical evidence shows these dishes were actively promoted.
However, no verified national survey establishes that boomers still serve gelatin salads more frequently or that Gen Z generally rejects them.
Their place in Thanksgiving history is better documented than today’s generational preferences.
Giblet Gravy: A Traditional Recipe With a Distinctive Twist
Gravy often seems like the one Thanksgiving addition everyone can agree on.
But giblet gravy brings something different to the table.
Unlike a simple gravy made from turkey drippings, this preparation incorporates the bird’s neck and organs into the cooking process.
Betty Crocker’s giblet gravy recipe remains available, documenting a traditional approach using the turkey’s giblets, vegetables, broth, and drippings.
The recipe shows that the preparation still has a place in holiday cooking.
It doesn’t establish a generational divide.
This research includes no verified national survey showing that younger diners reject giblet gravy or that boomers overwhelmingly prefer it.
That makes it an interesting tradition to discuss, not a proven source of generational conflict.
The Thanksgiving Table Has More in Common Than You Think
Despite the disagreements over Thanksgiving food, the surveys reveal something surprisingly reassuring: different generations still share plenty of favorites.
Instacart’s 2024 findings showed that 69% of boomers and 67% of Gen Z included mashed potatoes among their Thanksgiving favorites.
And Campbell’s 2026 research found that 86% of Thanksgiving-celebrating Americans planned to serve at least four side dishes.
Perhaps that’s the beauty of Thanksgiving. Some people treasure familiar recipes, while others prefer different preparations or a plate filled with sides.
The turkey might anchor the table, but the variety around it gives everyone something to enjoy.
And if a little friendly disagreement over stuffing or cranberry sauce comes with the meal, that may be another tradition worth appreciating.
