Yes, there’s nothing more iconic than a Thanksgiving turkey, but a newly released report by Campbell’s shows more people than ever are in it for the side dishes.
The Campbell’s State of the Sides 2025 report is the fourth of its kind and is unequivocal in its findings: nearly two-thirds of people — 63% — prefer the sides to the bird.
That’s up from 56% in last year’s report.
Other top-line stats:
- 47% of people say they’d be happy with a Thanksgiving plate of sides with no entree
- 66% enjoy cooking the sides more than the turkey
- 85% say leftovers are one of the best parts of Thanksgiving
But all that is preamble to the meat of the report, which is what sides are preferred in each state.
Massachusetts is well within the largest flock — the vast majority of U.S. states prefer stuffing, known elsewhere as “dressing.” Forty-two states, including Massachusetts, chose that as number 1.
That was also Massachusetts’ top choice in 2024.
Second and third place also held steady, with number 2 being mashed potatoes and that Massachusetts staple, cranberry sauce, holding third.
It got more interesting at this point in the list.
In 2024, fourth place was held by “root vegetable dish” and then fifth was “sweet potatoes.” Neither of those sides made the top five this year.
Both were topped by a growing favorite across the U.S.: mac and cheese.
“Climbing the ranks, Mac & Cheese is the official #1 side for Gen Z,” the report claimed. “Comforting, yet customizable, half of Americans say Mac & Cheese allows them to get creative in the kitchen with other cheese or add ons.”
Mac & cheese bumped up to fourth place across the country and was fourth in Massachusetts as well. Fifth place in Massachusetts was held by the fairly vague “snackable sides,” which was represented in Campbell’s image with a plate of crudité.
Nationwide the top sides were the following:
- Stuffing/dressing
- Mashed potatoes
- Sweet potatoes
- Mac & cheese
- Green bean casserole
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