Thanksgiving is a great time of year for those with a big appetite, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with loading up on all the fixings when Thanksgiving dinner is served. The holiday offers a chance for family and friends to get together and enjoy the company of each other before the hectic holiday season starts. So, what are the most popular side dishes for those in our state on Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving Food and Traditions in Pennsylvania and the U.S.
According to Britannica, Thanksgiving Day is an “annual national holiday in the United States and Canada celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year.” Britannica adds, “The American holiday is particularly rich in legend and symbolism, and the traditional fare of the Thanksgiving meal typically includes turkey, bread stuffing, potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie.”
So, yes, while Thanksgiving is about being grateful, often to God, for what has been given to you, it’s also about the grub. In Campbell’s “State of the Sides” report, the American food company dishes on the top five sides in each state for Thanksgiving, pun intended.
“For generations, Campbell’s has been at the center of holiday traditions and tables, bringing flavor to family tables across the country,” Marci Raible, vice president, integrated marketing for Campbell’s, said in a statement. “As we celebrate the third year of our State of the Sides Report, it’s clear that side dishes are the cornerstone of holiday meals and memories—and Campbell’s is an essential ingredient in creating these beloved dishes.”
In the report, which came out in 2024, Campbell says that more than 55% of people “would rather pile their plates with side dishes than the turkey itself, reaffirming that sides are the true star of the meal.” Campbell adds that “60% find more joy in cooking the sides than preparing the bird. Sides are where creativity shines, making them the heart of the holiday kitchen.”
Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.