The turkey gets the centerpiece platter. The side dishes get the negotiations.
Who is bringing the macaroni and cheese? Is anyone making the sweet potatoes? And can the person responsible for the stuffing please make enough for leftovers?
For a holiday built around a roast bird, much of the anticipation can live in the smaller dishes around it.
A new Campbell’s survey gives that familiar kitchen scene a number: 80% of surveyed adults who celebrate Thanksgiving said they enjoy cooking the sides more than the turkey.
That is an 11-percentage-point increase from 2023, according to the company’s 2026 State of the Sides Report.
It does not mean turkey has lost its place. It suggests that, for many respondents, preparing the supporting dishes is the more enjoyable part of putting dinner together.
The Pleasure Is in the Preparation
The findings come from Campbell’s fifth annual State of the Sides Report, released October 27.
Campbell’s commissioned the survey, which Reputation Leaders conducted in August and September. It included 5,017 U.S. adults ages 18 and older who celebrate Thanksgiving.
The company-sponsored survey asked Thanksgiving celebrators about their cooking preferences and holiday menus.
Respondents were asked whether they enjoy the cooking, not whether turkey tastes good or belongs on the menu.
Someone can take pride in roasting the bird and still prefer assembling a casserole.
For a cook, the attraction might be the familiar rhythm of a family recipe or the chance to try a different version of an old favorite. A pan of dressing can carry expectations that have nothing to do with its position beside the turkey.
Five Favorites Keep Their Place
The report identifies the same five leading sides that have appeared in its lineup for three consecutive years, although their rankings have shifted:
- Green bean casserole
- Macaroni and cheese
- Yams or sweet potatoes
- Mashed potatoes
- Stuffing or dressing
As USA Today reported in its coverage of the findings, the list combines dishes tied to holiday memories with dishes respondents describe as crowd-pleasers.
Green bean casserole stands out on the nostalgia measure. In the report, 67% said it reminded them of Thanksgivings past. Just 19% said they would change the recipe, the lowest figure among the five leading sides.
It shows how strongly some respondents connect the dish with what they remember.
At a family gathering, that preference can be easy to recognize. A new dish may receive a warm welcome, while a small change to an expected favorite becomes the subject of dinner conversation.
A Familiar Casserole With a Long History
Campbell’s dates its green bean casserole recipe to 1955 and credits its test kitchen with the creation. The company’s report identifies Dorcas Reilly as its creator.
That history helps explain why the dish can feel familiar across generations.
Some households keep a handwritten recipe. Others follow the instructions they have used for years. Still others make a version that bears only a passing resemblance to the original.
A recipe may begin in a test kitchen. What happens afterward belongs to the people who keep making it.
For one family, the casserole might be the dish a grandparent always brought. For another, it might be the first contribution a younger relative learned to make. The ingredients can be familiar while the memories attached to them are entirely personal.
Macaroni and Cheese Has Its Own Following
Macaroni and cheese led among Gen Z respondents for the second year running.
The report also found that 57% described it as a dish everyone could agree on, while 42% said they never had macaroni-and-cheese leftovers.
Convenience is another part of its appeal: 46% cited easy preparation as a reason they choose macaroni and cheese for the holiday.
Easy does not necessarily mean unimportant. When several dishes need attention at once, a dependable recipe can be a welcome help.
For a host, the useful question may be less about which dish looks most impressive and more about which one guests will actually want another spoonful of.
It is also the kind of decision that can simplify a crowded menu. A dish people look forward to does not need an elaborate introduction when it reaches the table.
Some Would Happily Skip the Centerpiece
On Campbell’s Sides Season report page, 46% of respondents said they would be happy with a meal made entirely of sides.
That figure rose to 65% among Gen Z respondents and 56% among millennials.
A substantial share of respondents can imagine enjoying Thanksgiving without a centerpiece roast.
The wider menu remains generous. According to the report, 86% planned to serve at least four sides, with a median of five.
Campbell’s estimated that would amount to approximately 749 million side dishes nationwide. That is the company’s projection, not a count of meals already served.
With several dishes sharing the table, guests have more than one way to build a plate around their favorites. The person waiting for the stuffing and the person looking forward to sweet potatoes can both find what they came for.
Building a Meal People Look Forward To
For hosts, the findings offer a conversation starter rather than a set of instructions.
Ask guests which dish matters most to them. The answer may help determine what stays on the menu and what can change.
Sharing responsibility can also give familiar dishes a clear owner. One person brings the dressing they are known for. Another takes care of the casserole. Someone else tries something new.
There is no need to treat the survey’s top five as a required shopping list. A family’s favorite may not appear anywhere in the report.
The value is in noticing what people anticipate, especially when planning starts to feel like a checklist.
A simple question in the family group chat can help: “What is the one dish you hope we are making?” It gives guests a chance to name what matters before the shopping and preparation begin.
The Supporting Dishes Have Their Own Stories
The turkey may anchor the menu, but the sides give guests plenty to look forward to.
Before deciding how much to cook, ask which dish someone would truly miss. The answer might be a casserole, a pan of dressing, or a recipe that never appears on a national favorites list.
If you could give one side dish the centerpiece spot this Thanksgiving, which would you choose, and whose recipe would you want on the table?
