Thanksgiving dinner is all about the sides, and a new report proves it. But which dish reigns supreme?
Hi, my name is Jen, and Thanksgiving is my Olympics. I’ve dry-brined, wet-brined, deep-fried, roasted and spatchcocked all manner of turkeys—and served them to small groups of five and massive gatherings of 25. And I’m here to say this dish can be a tough sell. The reason: It’s not easy to roast a whole bird so the dark meat is cooked through before the white is desert-dry. Sometimes gravy can save the day, but the truth is that most folks come to the Thanksgiving table for the sides.
I mean, who doesn’t love those delectable dishes you only get to indulge in once or twice a year? And now, there’s proof that Thanksgiving sides are the real scene-stealers on this beloved American holiday. The soup pros at Campbell’s have just released their fourth annual State of the Sides Report, revealing 2025’s top five side dishes and the most popular one in each state.
Sorry, turkey. The people have spoken, and sides are the kings of the holiday table. Read on to see if your favorite rules all.
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How did Campbell’s determine the most popular Thanksgiving side dish?
Campbell’s discovered America’s most popular Thanksgiving side dish by contracting with Reputation Leaders, an independent research firm, to poll 5,000 U.S. adults who celebrate turkey day. They surveyed 100 people ages 18 and over from each of the 50 states to learn which way they lean on various Thanksgiving foods.
The survey was conducted in July and August of this year, and the truth is, sides have never been more popular, with 63% preferring them to the main course. That’s up from 56% in 2024.
What is the No. 1 side dish on Thanksgiving?
Drumroll, please! The No. 1 side dish on Thanksgiving is … stuffing! Or perhaps you call it dressing? The difference here comes down to where you cook the dish. Stuffing is—just like it sounds—stuffed inside the turkey cavity, while dressing is baked in a separate casserole dish.
But no matter what you call it, this can’t-miss side took top honors in 2025, repeating its win from 2024. And it wasn’t even close. In a major stuffing landslide, an incredible 42 states ranked it their favorite dish. In fact, stuffing and dressing landed in the top three in all 50 states!
What other sides rounded out the top five?
All your Thanksgiving-table standouts are here, including an up-and-comer that’s making major moves. Curious what other sides rounded out the top five? Take a look—and check whether they’re on your menu this year.
2. Mashed potatoes: These yummy spuds have a lock on the second spot—just like last year—ranking No. 1 in nine states. In breaking news, taters became the new No. 1 in Indiana, Kansas, New Mexico and Washington, unseating stuffing.
3. Sweet potatoes: Bursting with flavor and bright orange in color, this tasty tuber holds steady in the third slot, as it did in 2024. Yams were also counted in this section, though they’re actually a different vegetable. Sweet potatoes are in the top three in 24 states.
4. Mac and cheese: Gooey and satisfying, mac and cheese is a newcomer to No. 4—it moved up from fifth, overtaking the green bean casserole. It’s not just for the kids’ table either—almost half the U.S. craves it at this holiday and all others.
5. Green bean casserole: Say it ain’t so! This classic casserole’s heyday may be over. The creamy-crunchy mixture slipped from fourth to fifth place this year, but green bean casserole still has its fans: Nearly half of us feel it’s the most iconic side, period.
What is the most popular side dish in every state?
As you’ll see below, stuffing rules the day in most parts of the country. And in a few states, folks just couldn’t decide on their faves, so you’ll see a tie in several spots.
- Alabama: Stuffing
- Alaska: Stuffing
- Arizona: Stuffing
- Arkansas: Stuffing
- California: Stuffing
- Colorado: Stuffing
- Connecticut: Stuffing
- Delaware: Stuffing and mashed potatoes (tie)
- Florida: Mac and cheese
- Georgia: Stuffing
- Hawaii: Stuffing
- Idaho: Stuffing and mashed potatoes (tie)
- Illinois: Stuffing and mashed potatoes (tie)
- Indiana: Mashed potatoes
- Iowa: Mashed potatoes
- Kansas: Mashed potatoes
- Kentucky: Stuffing
- Louisiana: Stuffing
- Maine: Stuffing
- Maryland: Stuffing, sweet potatoes and mac and cheese (tie)
- Massachusetts: Stuffing
- Michigan: Stuffing
- Minnesota: Stuffing
- Mississippi: Stuffing
- Missouri: Stuffing
- Montana: Stuffing
- Nebraska: Stuffing
- Nevada: Stuffing
- New Hampshire: Stuffing
- New Jersey: Stuffing
- New Mexico: Mashed potatoes
- New York: Mac and cheese
- North Carolina: Stuffing
- North Dakota: Stuffing
- Ohio: Stuffing
- Oklahoma: Stuffing
- Oregon: Stuffing
- Pennsylvania: Stuffing
- Rhode Island: Stuffing
- South Carolina: Stuffing
- South Dakota: Stuffing
- Tennessee: Stuffing
- Texas: Stuffing
- Utah: Mashed potatoes
- Vermont: Stuffing
- Virginia: Stuffing
- Washington: Mashed potatoes
- West Virginia: Stuffing
- Wisconsin: Stuffing
- Wyoming: Stuffing
Were there any big regional differences?
One side, in particular, stands out here: mac and cheese. While it’s No. 1 in only two places (Florida and New York), it’s widely adored across the South and is actually in the top three in 19 states. Retro-chic green bean casserole hasn’t made it to No. 1 in a single spot yet, but it’s a big winner in the Midwest, with 61% reporting it has a place on their table. Overall, eight states put GBC in their top three, and 31 others have it in the top five.
As for mashed potatoes, a tried-and-true side dish if there ever were one, Western states Utah and New Mexico are its biggest fans, and 44 states put it in the top three. But its time in the limelight appears to be waning as three states (California, West Virginia and Wyoming) dropped the smooth, buttery spuds in favor of stuffing as their first choice.
What other surprises did the report uncover?
Plenty! Here’s more delicious data from the Campbell’s survey:
- Gen Z loves mac and cheese. Yup, this cohort is a big reason the dish has the highest year-over-year growth rate among sides, up 20% in 2025. But this kids-table staple is ripe for adult-style customization: 68% experiment with different cheeses, and more than half add a crunchy topping.
- Happy birthday, green bean casserole! The dish made with tender beans and a sprinkling of savory, crispy onions turns 70 this year and is the second most searched recipe three years in a row. Among its fans, 75% make it with a can of cream of mushroom soup.
- Getting there is half the battle. Making sides for Thanksgiving is one thing, but transporting them really weighs on us. One-third of respondents have spilled their side en route to the big dinner, and a quarter worry about the correct temperature on the way there.
- Fresh ideas are welcome. Traditional sides are preferred by 70% of Americans, but the same percentage will try new dishes—and a full third made something different last year. Want inspo? Trending flavors for adventurous 2025 cooks are honey, peppers and barbecue sauce.
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Sources:
- Campbell’s: “Campbell’s State of the Sides Report 2025”
- Campbell’s: “Campbell’s Declares It’s Officially Sides Season with 2025 State of the Sides Report and Limited-Edition Designer Drop”
