This Is the Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dish in Your State

Turkey is a given on the Thanksgiving table, but side dishes are often a point of contention. Some people swear by stuffing, others prefer a good green bean casserole, and a select few folks passionately argue in favor of canned cranberry sauce. And it’s not just individuals who have their favorites — some states show strong preferences for a particular Thanksgiving side. Using Google Trends analytics compiled in 2024, we’re able to see the most uniquely searched Thanksgiving side dishes by state. Here’s a look at the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes in all 50 U.S. states.

Casseroles

According to the Google Trends data, casseroles are far and away the most popular category of Thanksgiving side dishes in the country, a favorite in 25 of 50 states. However, the preferred type of casserole differs from state to state, ranging from green beans to corn to sweet potatoes.

Green bean is the most popular variety, with the search trend analytics revealing that green bean casserole is the favorite side dish in 15 states (though no word on whether they sprinkle crunchy fried onions on top). These states are:

• Alaska
• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• New York
• Ohio
• Oklahoma
• Vermont
• Washington 

Meanwhile, six states prefer sweet potato casserole above all else, though the presence of marshmallows — which Google also didn’t track — is an issue to be debated another day. The sweet potato list is:

• Florida
• New Jersey
• Missouri
• Pennsylvania
• Tennessee
• Wisconsin 

Last but not least, corn casserole is a favorite Thanksgiving side in four states: 

• Alabama
• Georgia
• Nevada
• Texas

Starches

For many Americans, it’s hard to imagine a Thanksgiving table without a starch to complement the turkey. It should probably come as no surprise that mashed potatoes are the most popular starch, though perhaps what is surprising is that the fluffy, gravy-covered spuds rank as the top Thanksgiving side choice in just five states. They are: 

• Maine
• Maryland
• Montana
• North Carolina
• Oregon 

Another favorite starchy side is baked mac and cheese, which is particularly popular among North Dakotans. It’s also worth noting that mac and cheese is the most popular side dish in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C. And then there’s Rhode Island, whose residents enjoy a unique favorite: pumpkin risotto.

Stuffing

For as much of a Thanksgiving staple as stuffing may be, it topped the list of favorite sides in only five states (and there’s no word on whether they prefer instant stuffing or stuffing cooked inside the turkey). The stuffing-loving states were: 

• Arizona
• California
• Massachusetts
• New Mexico
• West Virginia

Vegetables

For some states, it’s all about the vegetables, whether they’ve been roasted, sautéed, or coated in a delicious glaze. Speaking of the latter preparation, glazed carrots are favored in Arkansas, while Utahns specifically enjoy carrots coated in balsamic glaze. Wyomingites, on the other hand, prefer roasted carrots coated with ginger and garlic.

Two states favor corn above all else. Iowa is one of them, which makes perfect sense given its reputation as one of the country’s leading corn producers. Nutmeggers — residents of Connecticut — also searched for corn more than any other Thanksgiving side dish. 

Outliers in the vegetable category include roasted brussels sprouts (No. 1 in New Hampshire), bacon-wrapped green beans (South Carolina), and stuffed mushrooms (South Dakota).

Other Thanksgiving Sides

Lastly, five states have a favorite Thanksgiving side dish that doesn’t neatly fall into one of the categories above. 

One of these sides is deviled eggs, a favorite among residents of Minnesota and Virginia. Meanwhile, Delawareans have a specific fondness for brie mini tarts — those tiny puff pastries filled with gooey brie and topped with jam. Louisianans love a good fruit salad, and Nebraska’s most beloved side is ramen noodle salad. While it’s not your typical Thanksgiving fare, this crunchy and refreshing dish mixes ramen noodles, coleslaw, onions, almonds, seeds, and dressing.