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Americans’ most disliked Thanksgiving foods might surprise you

Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are traditions for a reason, but do we really like them?
Updated Nov 11, 2024

Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are traditional Thanksgiving foods for a reason — they’re on everyone’s table and appear in every photo of the holiday meal.

But do we include them because we like them or because we think we’re supposed to have them?

In its 2024 Thanksgiving survey, the Vacationer asked 1,042 Americans ages 18 and older to pick their least favorite traditional holiday food from a list of 13 choices, plus “I like them all.” Respondents could make more than one choice.

Last year’s most disliked dish — cranberry sauce — dropped to the No. 5 spot, with 28.89% turning it down. However, the survey didn’t differentiate between homemade tart goodness and the gelatinous “treat” that slides out of a can (Don’t @ me).

Sweet potatoes or yams once again ranked No. 4, with 29.17% rejecting the root vegetables. At No. 3 was ham, with 31.67% saying “No thanks” to what is often a main dish at Easter and Christmas.

Nos. 1 and 2 go together like peanut butter and jelly (which weren’t on the list).

The second most disliked traditional holiday food was stuffing/dressing, with 32.05% of respondents nixing the main attraction’s go-to side dish.

You might have already figured it out, but the No. 1 answer was the big bird itself — turkey, with 34.84% of the votes.

Our picks this week

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is your No. 1 source for things to do, see, make, buy and eat through the holidays. Here are our recommendations:

LISTEN: What’s on Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens’ holiday playlist?

DRINK: Here’s the holiday spirit Atlanta’s sipping this Christmas

DO: Seven places to show off your ice skating moves in and around Atlanta

VISIT: Full AJC holiday guide for things to do, buy and enjoy

For our full coverage of holiday events around metro Atlanta, check out the AJC’s Things to Do page.

The remaining choices finished:

6. Green bean casserole: 22.94%

7. Mashed potatoes: 22.17%

8. Coleslaw: 22.17%

9. Pumpkin pie: 21.50%

10. Carrots: 16.31%

11. Macaroni and cheese: 15.93%

12. Corn: 14.68%

13. Apple pie: 13.72%

None of these. I like them all: 12.38%

Maybe this is the year for pizza and wings instead of turkey and dressing.

About the Author

Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.

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