Thanksgiving turkey may get the biggest platter, the carving ceremony, and the most dramatic entrance to the dinner table. But when it comes to what Americans actually enjoy cooking, the bird has some serious competition.
According to Campbell’s 2026 State of the Sides Report, 80% of surveyed American adults who celebrate Thanksgiving enjoy cooking side dishes more than preparing the turkey. That’s an 11-percentage-point increase from 2023.
Before anyone declares turkey officially canceled, keep this distinction in mind. Americans aren’t necessarily abandoning their traditional centerpiece. They’re simply having more fun making the dishes that surround it.
With cheesy casseroles, buttery potatoes, and family-favorite recipes competing for attention, it’s easy to see why.
Thanksgiving Is Becoming a Celebration of Sides
For many households, Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without a crowded table. Turkey might take center stage, but the surrounding bowls and casserole dishes are where much of the excitement happens.
Campbell’s surveyed 5,017 U.S. adults who celebrate Thanksgiving between August and September 2026. Its findings suggest Americans are enthusiastic about preparing a generous selection of side dishes.
In fact, 86% of respondents planned to serve at least four sides, with the median at five.
That’s quite a lineup. Between chopping vegetables, making sauces, and juggling oven space, those side dishes can feel like a second Thanksgiving production.
But which ones deserve their place on the table? Several familiar favorites continue to stand out.
Mac and Cheese Is Winning Over Younger Thanksgiving Cooks
Forget the idea that macaroni and cheese belongs only at casual weeknight dinners. This creamy classic has earned a place alongside the traditional Thanksgiving dishes.
Campbell’s 2026 research identified mac and cheese as Gen Z’s favorite Thanksgiving side for the second consecutive year. The company also reported that 57% of respondents considered it a dish everyone could agree on.
Its appeal isn’t difficult to understand. You can prepare it on the stovetop, bake it until the top turns golden, or add a personal twist with different cheeses and seasonings.
For hosts already dealing with a packed oven, a stovetop version can be particularly convenient. It frees up valuable oven space for other dishes.
The practical trick is choosing your recipe before Thanksgiving morning. A stovetop version and a baked casserole require different prep plans, so decide which fits your kitchen setup best.
Related:9 Thanksgiving Side Dishes Americans Secretly Love More Than Turkey
Mashed Potatoes Still Have Serious Staying Power
A bowl of mashed potatoes feels wonderfully dependable. They don’t need elaborate decorations or surprising ingredients to earn compliments.
In YouGov’s 2025 Thanksgiving survey, 61% of U.S. adults said they expected to eat mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving.
Their versatility makes them especially useful for holiday hosts. Some families prefer them whipped until smooth, while others enjoy a slightly rustic texture with plenty of butter.
Here’s a practical advantage: you don’t have to make mashed potatoes entirely on Thanksgiving Day.
According to Serious Eats’ make-ahead mashed potato guide, you can start certain preparations a day ahead and finish with heated dairy before serving.
That means less last-minute peeling and mashing when guests arrive, and someone asks whether dinner is ready.
Stuffing Is Still a Holiday Heavyweight
Stuffing is another dish that refuses to leave the Thanksgiving menu. Whether your family calls it stuffing or dressing, it’s one of those dishes people often expect to see every November.
YouGov’s 2025 survey found that 61% of American adults expected to eat stuffing at Thanksgiving.
Stuffing’s beauty is how many ways you can customize it. Some recipes feature sausage and sage, while others rely on vegetables, herbs, and bread for their familiar flavor.
Preparing it in a separate casserole dish also gives hosts more control over their cooking schedule.
A classic sage-and-sausage version from Serious Eats allows the mixture to be assembled a day ahead.
That’s one less project to manage on Thanksgiving morning.
Sweet Potatoes Bring Something Different to the Table
Sweet potatoes fit into different Thanksgiving traditions. Some households roast them, others mash them, and many turn them into marshmallow-topped casseroles.
Campbell’s included yams and sweet potatoes among its recurring group of five favorite Thanksgiving sides.
There’s also a regional connection. YouGov’s 2025 survey found that 49% of Southern respondents expected to eat sweet potatoes, compared with 36% of respondents elsewhere.
For anyone planning a sweet potato casserole, preparing part of the dish ahead can be a game changer.
Some recipes let you make the sweet potato mixture ahead, leaving the final topping and baking for later. Just remember that different preparations have different storage and finishing instructions.
Green Bean Casserole Keeps Its Nostalgic Charm
Green bean casserole might not look like the fanciest dish on the Thanksgiving table, but it has something many elaborate recipes can’t manufacture: decades of family memories.
The dish dates back to 1955, when Campbell’s employee Dorcas Reilly developed the now-famous recipe.
Campbell’s 2026 research found that 67% of respondents associated green bean casserole with memories of previous Thanksgivings. Only 19% said they would change its recipe.
That’s a pretty convincing argument for leaving a familiar favorite alone.
The classic version combines green beans, condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, soy sauce, and crispy fried onions. Campbell’s lists its recipe at 10 minutes of preparation and 40 minutes total.
For busy cooks, that straightforward preparation is part of the appeal.
And if your oven schedule is already chaotic, some versions let you assemble the casserole up to 24 hours beforehand, then add the final onion topping later.
Could a Sides-Only Thanksgiving Actually Happen?
Here’s where the research gets particularly interesting.
Campbell’s found that 65% of Gen Z respondents and 56% of Millennials would be happy eating a Thanksgiving meal made entirely of side dishes.
That doesn’t mean those generations are planning to eliminate turkey. It simply shows they’re open to a holiday plate without a traditional centerpiece.
Meanwhile, turkey remains a major part of Thanksgiving plans. Butterball’s 2026 Togetherness Report found that 84% of surveyed Thanksgiving hosts planned to serve turkey.
So the bird isn’t disappearing anytime soon.
Instead, the findings point to a holiday where side dishes get plenty of attention without necessarily replacing the main event.
How to Make Thanksgiving Sides Without Kitchen Chaos
Loving side dishes is one thing. Making five while a turkey occupies the oven is another adventure entirely.
The easiest approach is to plan around your equipment rather than treating every recipe as a separate project.
Choose at least one dish that can be prepared on the stovetop. Consider assembling a casserole the day before, provided the recipe includes make-ahead instructions. Don’t overlook how much easier dinner becomes when someone else handles a side dish.
Butterball’s 2026 research found that 85% of hosts wanted guests to help, yet only 38% actually asked.
That’s a reminder that hosting doesn’t have to mean doing everything yourself.
Ultimately, Thanksgiving isn’t a competition between turkey and mashed potatoes. It’s about putting together a meal that feels right for the people sharing it.
And if the casserole dishes get more compliments than the turkey this year? Well, according to Campbell’s latest findings, the cooks might not be surprised.
Related: 10 Kitchen Countertop Mistakes Interior Designers Wish You’d Stop Making
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- Aldi prices its 2026 Thanksgiving dinner for 10 at under $39, with the 16-pound turkey arriving in stores Nov. 4
