This Beloved Thanksgiving Side Ranks No. 1 In 39 States

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, which means that it's almost time to set the family table and start feasting on the high-quality dishes that many wait all year for. But which holiday side dish reigns supreme? Campbell's Soups' annual State of the Sides Report has tracked the way tastes have evolved at turkey time for the last five years. For the third year in a row, most Americans polled adore the stuffing above all.

The classic marriage between bread, veggies, spices, and often broth drew plaudits by many approached by the soup giant, making it the most-loved side across 39 states. Of course, depending on the U.S. region you're from, you may know this dish better as "dressing" or "filling." Additionally, 80% of Americans admitted they prefer making the sides more than the turkey itself, with a whopping 39% noting that they wouldn't mind if their Thanksgiving was entirely turkey-free.

To get these figures, Campbell's poll ran in August and September 2026, surveying over 5,000 adults over 18 who celebrate Thanksgiving. At least 100 Americans from all 50 states were polled by the independent research organization that conducted the survey. And this wasn't the only interesting news to come out of the canvassing.

According to the report, 86% of Americans now offer more than four sides every Thanksgiving, which means there's more than just stuffing on their plate. In order of popularity, the top choices beyond stuffing include mashed potatoes, yams or sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and green bean casserole. Notably absent is cranberry sauce, considered by some to be the worst Thanksgiving side. Campbell's also reports that mac and cheese managed to dethrone stuffing as the most popular side dish in one particular age group: Gen Z.

This makes sense when you consider that, per the survey, a significant portion of those surveyed had leaned toward dairy-heavy tastes. Around 44% of Americans surveyed wanted creamier dishes, with 41% craving cheesier dishes. In another generation, mac and cheese may give stuffing a run for its money. Perhaps folks in this camp ought to learn to make the best Thanksgiving cheese board for their guests.

As for how folks prepare their stuffing and other holiday favorites, 77% of Gen Z respondents still use old family recipes, while TikTok and YouTube also serve as inspiration. In fact, 56% of respondents also enjoy making dishes that either reflect their culture or the region in which they live. That means that no matter which of our favorite Thanksgiving stuffing recipes they pick, it's likely to remind them of home — which is just what a good Thanksgiving side ought to do.