Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dishes Per State: Casseroles Lead The List
While turkey or ham is often the star of the Thanksgiving spread, the side dishes are not to be missed because they complete the whole holiday feast.
Based on a list shared by Google with USA Today, the most-searched Thanksgiving side dishes from Oct. 6 to Nov. 6 on the platform were a variety of potato dishes, salads and casseroles.
Green bean casserole topped the list as the most-searched side dish in 19 states: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin.
Per Martha Stewart, the green bean casserole became a holiday staple because it is "simple, inexpensive and could easily be made ahead of time." It's the reason why it's also nicknamed "jiffy casserole."
Next to the green bean casserole was the sweet potato casserole -- the most-searched Thanksgiving side dish in five states: Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, Oklahoma and West Virginia.
Another type of casserole was also popular in some states. In Alabama, Indiana and Nevada, the corn casserole was the most-searched Thanksgiving side dish.
In Georgia and Kentucky, most people searched for the recipe for broccoli casserole.
Southern Living describes casseroles as "perfect one-dish wonders" because they are quick and easy to do.
Meanwhile, other Thanksgiving side dish recipes that people searched for in other states include the bruschetta, stuffing recipe, twice-baked potatoes, cucumber salad, corn salad, homemade mac and cheese, cornbread, smoked mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, potato salad, gratin potatoes, roasted carrots and creamy polenta.
According to Stewart, Thanksgiving wouldn't be Thanksgiving without several dishes featuring potatoes, carrots, cornbread and salads. This is why she made different lists of simple side dishes that only take as little as 20 minutes to prepare.
Mashed agreed with Stewart's statement, saying, "A Thanksgiving meal wouldn't be a Thanksgiving meal without the sides."
The food publication noted that most side dishes were carried through traditions. But more than the actual side dishes themselves, the nostalgia of the meals brings in the Thanksgiving spirit.
