For the Foodies: The Eight Best and Worst Thanksgiving Foods, Ranked
November 26, 2021
- Pumpkin Pie
Starting off with the worst Thanksgiving dish, we have pumpkin pie. Where to start? Pumpkin pie typically has a soggy crust and mushy filling that already looks unappetizing given its color. Adding a dollop of whipped cream and a million spices does nothing to mask the taste of a melted pumpkin Yankee Candle. Usually, pumpkin-flavored foods taste good (pumpkin Oreos, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin seeds), but pumpkin pie stands as the single most repulsive Thanksgiving dish.
- Butternut Squash Soup
For starters, the thought of soup itself is nauseating. Apologies to all soup lovers, but who really wants to eat mashed-up squash? Not only does the soup have an awkward texture to it, but if one really wants butternut squash, just eat it in regular form. A word of advice: roast some butternut squash in the oven instead.
- Cornbread
Cornbread. Need I say more? The name itself sounds unappetizing: cornbread. My family loves cornbread and makes it a staple at our Thanksgiving dinners. Although some may say it makes a nice, light side dish to pair with all the other heavy, more delicious Thanksgiving staples, I think not. Cornbread can easily be replaced with some yummy Hawaiian rolls or crescent rolls instead.
- Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole has a bad reputation when in reality it tastes quite good! Usually, green bean casserole would be the dish with the most leftovers at the table, but as one gets older, I think it becomes easier to appreciate the dish more if made right.
- Mashed Potatoes
A Thanksgiving classic, you cannot go wrong with a bowl of mashed potatoes at the dinner table. Everyone looks forward to the mouth-watering, creamy and light whipped texture of this Thanksgiving staple.
- Sweet Potatoes and Marshmallows
Whoever came up with the idea of putting sweet potatoes and marshmallows together did something right. This combination of sweetness balances out the savory side of the typical Thanksgiving dishes. The dish itself is also incredibly easy to make in case you forget you had to bring something to the Thanksgiving feast.
- Turkey
Thanksgiving dinner revolves around turkey. At least in my family, all the dads hover around the turkey making sure it is cut and cooked perfectly — it is a whole production. Whether cooked or baked, everyone wants seconds of turkey.
- Cranberry Relish
Cranberry relish: the holy grail. Cranberry relish goes with anything and everything. My family makes cranberry-orange relish with fresh cranberries, whole oranges and honey. A delightful combination of sweet and sour makes the relish taste great with turkey and any other Thanksgiving side.