The Least Popular Thanksgiving Foods, Ranked (2024)

The list might surprise you

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We all have preferences when it comes to the classic Thanksgiving spread, but turkey?! Ya’ll don’t like turkey?

The vacationer conducted a survey of 1,003 Americans over the age of eighteen and asked what traditional Thanksgiving food he or she disliked the most.

Here’s the breakdown:

  1. Cranberry Sauce — 30.51%
  2. Turkey — 29.11%
  3. Green Bean Casserole — 27.52%
  4. Ham — 26.72%
  5. Coleslaw — 25.32%
  6. Sweet Potatoes or Yams — 25.12%
  7. Stuffing/Dressing. — 22.33%
  8. Pumpkin Pie. — 21.44%
  9. Carrots. — 16.95%
  10. Mashed Potatoes. — 15.45%
  11. Corn. — 14.36%
  12. Macaroni and Cheese. — 14.36%
  13. Apple Pie. — 12.86%

None of these. I like them all. — 16.55%

Cranberry sauce claimed the winning slot as the least preferred dish on the Thanksgiving dinner table, with 30.51 percent saying they could do without it. As much as we’re pained to say this, it’s not totally shocking, as cranberry sauce can be polarizing.

But we didn’t expect the overwhelming amount of votes for turkey. The Middle Atlantic region had the most people who didn’t like the dish – 47 percent. Even more surprising is that overall, 30 percent of all the participants dislike turkey. That means three out of ten people don’t enjoy the prototypical Thanksgiving main course.

So we collected a few main course alternatives to make sure no one has to order a pizza come Thanksgiving (Unless that’s your jam – no judgment!)

Turkey Alternatives

Roasted Red Pepper & Ricotta-Stuffed Chicken Roulades

The creamy ricotta cheese in this dish adds decadence to these no-fuss, rolled-up chicken breasts. We love the smooth cauliflower purée and a buttery, lemony sauce. For extra color, garnish with finely chopped fresh parsley or oregano.

Prosciutto-Wrapped Pork Loin with Cherry Cranberry Pan Sauce

This dish is just as show-stopping as a Thanksgiving dinner. The pork loin pops with flavor with zesty garlic-sage rub and prosciutto. Not to mention the sweet cherry cranberry sauce, totally appropriate for the holidays.

Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash with Walnuts & Cranberries

If you’re looking for a plant-based alternative to turkey, try this acorn squash. Subtly sweet and nutty with cranberries and walnuts but hearty with a big scoop of quinoa stuffed in the center.

What About Inflation?

The Vacationer conducted several more surveys centered around the holidays, one asking participants if high levels of inflation are affecting Thanksgiving plans this year. The results are as follows:

  • Yes, because of increased food costs. — 24.73%
  • Yes, because of increased travel costs due to gas prices or higher airfare. — 16.75%
  • Yes, because of both increased food costs and increased travel costs. — 25.02%
  • No. — 33.50%

Again, the Middle Atlantic region saw the highest percentages of this survey, with 77.45 percent of people within the area saying that high levels of inflation were a concern.If you’re part of this percentage, read our cost-conscious tips to a budget-friendly holiday meal.

The Least Popular Thanksgiving Foods, Ranked (2024)

FAQs

The Least Popular Thanksgiving Foods, Ranked? ›

In a survey of over 1,000 Americans, cranberry sauce remains the most-disliked Thanksgiving dish in 2023. The survey released this month was conducted as part of SurveyMonkey's 2023 Holiday Travel Survey on behalf of The Vacationer. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans surveyed said they dislike cranberry sauce.

What is the least popular Thanksgiving food? ›

In a survey of over 1,000 Americans, cranberry sauce remains the most-disliked Thanksgiving dish in 2023. The survey released this month was conducted as part of SurveyMonkey's 2023 Holiday Travel Survey on behalf of The Vacationer. Nearly 1 in 3 Americans surveyed said they dislike cranberry sauce.

What is the most disliked traditional Thanksgiving food? ›

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Cranberry sauce is the most disliked Thanksgiving food dish for Americans, according to a survey done by The Vacationer.

Which food was not served at Thanksgiving? ›

For one thing, macaroni and cheese is definitely not a traditional Thanksgiving food, nor did the Pilgrims and Wampanoag have oven-safe dishes for baking green-bean casseroles. Or marshmallows.

What is the least popular food? ›

“While the list of divisive foods is long, let's focus on the top three hated foods—anchovies, black licorice, and oysters—and what makes each seemingly controversial for American palates.

What is the least favorite thing about Thanksgiving? ›

25 reasons Thanksgiving is our least favorite holiday
  • The history is messed up. ...
  • Chicken is way better than turkey. ...
  • There's a lot of food waste. ...
  • Black Friday is insane. ...
  • You're forced to watch football. ...
  • You get interrogated by family at the dinner table. ...
  • Someone is bound to try to drag you along to a turkey trot.
Nov 2, 2018

What food was missing from the first Thanksgiving? ›

It is also worth noting what was not present at the first Thanksgiving feast. There were no cloudlike heaps of mashed potatoes, since white potatoes had not yet crossed over from South America. There was no gravy either, since the colonists didn't yet have mills to produce flour.

How much did Thanksgiving cost in 1950? ›

Here's what a Thanksgiving meal cost the year you were born
YearTotal meal cost:Inflation adjusted cost:
1949$5.62$45.43
1950$5.91$47.25
1951$6.48$48.49
1952$6.52$47.82
68 more rows
Nov 21, 2018

What was the original Thanksgiving? ›

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists from England and the Native American Wampanoag people shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states.

What do people not eat on Thanksgiving? ›

13 Most Hated Thanksgiving Foods
  • Cranberry Sauce // 31.49%
  • Sweet Potatoes or Yams // 29.22%
  • Green Bean Casserole // 28.04%
  • Turkey // 27.74%
  • Stuffing/Dressing // 26.75%
  • Ham // 25.57%
  • Coleslaw // 25.57%
  • Pumpkin Pie // 24.28%
Nov 14, 2023

Is it OK to eat bad on Thanksgiving? ›

"It is absolutely no big deal," she says. "I can promise one day of more indulgent eating is not going to result in lasting weight gain (or) derail any progress that you've made." There are, however, unhealthy behaviors that are common around this time of year that may fall into the category of disordered eating.

What is the most unhealthy dish? ›

Worst Restaurant Meals
  • Ham and Cheese Omelet. 1/15. The Count: Approximately 512 calories, 37 grams of fat, 1,277 milligrams of sodium. ...
  • Chicken and Waffles. 2/15. ...
  • Bacon Double Cheeseburger. 3/15. ...
  • Baby Back Ribs (Full Rack) 4/15. ...
  • Chicken Alfredo. 5/15. ...
  • Pepperoni Stromboli. 6/15. ...
  • General Tso's Chicken. 7/15. ...
  • Beef Chimichangas. 8/15.
Mar 16, 2024

What is the most controversial food on Thanksgiving? ›

Sweet potatoes cause a fair amount of arguing. Do you top sweet potatoes with marshmallows or do you prepare them as a savory dish? On the one hand, sweet potatoes are, well, sweet. It might make sense to lean into that sweetness and make a dessert that highlights that quality rather than tries to hide it.

What are 5 traditional Thanksgiving foods? ›

Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer. The classic Thanksgiving dinner includes old-time favorites that never change: turkey, gravy, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and pie.

What is the cheapest meat for Thanksgiving? ›

Inexpensive Cuts of Meat for Your Holiday Meals
  • Beef Brisket and Chuck Roast.
  • Ground Beef.
  • Pork Shoulder or Pork Butt.
  • Chicken Legs and Thighs.
Dec 19, 2023

How many people don't like turkey? ›

About 1 in 10 adults under 45 don't like the big bird at all.

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