popular thanksgiving side dishes, thanksgiving side dishes by state
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A Map Showing Preferred Thanksgiving Side Dishes By State Has Sparked Debate

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, but it seems like we are not quite ready to let go of maps of the United States representing contentious results.

Career website Zippia has a side gig in data analysis and decided to release a map showing what the most popular side dishes for Thanksgiving were by state.

“Using Google Trends, we determined what Thanksgiving side each state eats a disproportionate amount of,” they explain. “We examined over 20 Thanksgiving classics. Some controversial decisions were made, including counting gravy as a side.” That is controversial: gravy should be a main course!

Mashed potatoes took the lead by far, named as the most popular side dish in ten different states. Seven states celebrate mac and cheese every year, and in general, carbs ruled the country. Casseroles had many different variations according to regional preference, from green bean to sweet potato to whatever hashbrown casserole is—that was Alaska. They do things different up there. As long as there’s cheese and potatoes involved, it sounds pretty good. 

Here’s a breakdown of every state’s most popular Thanksgiving side:

Alabama – Dressing

Alaska – Hashbrown casserole

Arizona – Green bean casserole

Arkansas – White gravy

California – Mashed potatoes

Colorado – Mashed potatoes

Connecticut – Mashed potatoes

Delaware – Mac and cheese

District of Columbia – Mac and cheese

Florida – Sweet potato casserole

Georgia – Mac and cheese

Hawaii – Turkey gravy

Idaho – Green bean casserole

Illinois – Mashed potatoes

Indiana – Deviled eggs

Iowa – Corn

Kansas – Cream corn

Kentucky – Broccoli casserole

Louisiana – Cornbread dressing

Maine – Side salad

Maryland – Mac and cheese

Massachusetts – Stuffing

Michigan – Green bean casserole

Minnesota – Mashed potatoes

Mississippi – Baked sweet potatoes

Missouri – Rolls

Montana – Mashed potatoes

Nebraska – Green bean casserole

Nevada – Mashed potatoes

New Hampshire – Cranberry sauce

New Jersey – Stuffing

New Mexico – Green bean casserole

New York – Stuffing

North Carolina – Mac and cheese

North Dakota – Mashed potatoes

Ohio – Green bean casserole

Oklahoma – Rolls

Oregon – Biscuits

Pennsylvania – Stuffing

Rhode Island – Stuffing

South Carolina – Mac and cheese

South Dakota – Crescent rolls

Tennessee – Sweet potato casserole

Texas – Green bean casserole

Utah – Rolls

Vermont – Stuffing

Virginia – Mac and cheese

Washington – Mashed potatoes

West Virginia – Rolls

Wisconsin – Mashed potatoes

Wyoming – Brown gravy

Essentially, these results are based on what people are Googling how to cook the most in late November, so if your family uses a classic cookbook or grandma’s recipes, you will not be represented here.

Naturally, this made the map quite divisive:

 

Though some were pleased to see their favs getting the shout out they deserve:

https://twitter.com/mormonbeknowin/status/1325999782075232256

What no one entirely understands is why Maine went for “side salad” on Thanksgiving:

I definitely am wondering why they needed to Google how to make one so much. It’s not that complicated. Definitely not nearly as involved as making Deviled Eggs… and not nearly as worth it.

More interesting maps: