With a few days away until Thanksgiving, many are already planning their menu, but people are eager to find out which side dish is preferred by each state.
When we think of Thanksgiving, a delicious turkey may be the star on the food table, but various dishes also often come to mind.
Savory dishes like mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese, to the sweet options like cranberry sauce and cornbread, are typically making their way as part of the festivities.
However, according to Nerdist, the most loved side dishes vary from one state to another. Data from Google Trends revealed that each state has a different preference.
Zippa, which is a career website, created a map showing the said data. They analyzed the trends last November to determine which of the 20 classic Thanksgiving sides they selected received the most searches in each state.
Topping the list of the most favorite side dishes across 10 different states is mashed potatoes, including California, Washington, Wisconsin, and Connecticut. Followed by macaroni and cheese, with votes coming from across seven different states, including Georgia and North and South Carolina.
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The rest of the states prefer side dishes that have lots of carbs and cheese. There were also three states that opt for vegetable-based sides. Other interesting finds based on the data are as follows:
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Maine prefers side salads, while most states want something with carbs.
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The Midwest enjoys casserole, especially green bean casserole.
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Alabama likes dressing, which they refer to as the southern people stuffing.
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New Hampshire has a fondness for cranberry sauce.
In case you want to serve these side dishes at your Thanksgiving party, here are several recipes you can try.
Mashed Potatoes
The ingredients will include five pounds of Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, three tablespoons of kosher salt, two sticks of unsalted butter, two cups of half-and-half, finely chopped fresh chives, and freshly ground black pepper.
Boil your potatoes without peeling them. Heat your butter and half-and-half, then add salt. Drain your potatoes and mash them using a potato masher or ricer. Add the hot butter to your mash and gently stir with a wooden spoon.
Once the butter is absorbed, add the hot half-and-half. Taste your mash and season with more salt as needed. Serve the dish topped with chopped chives as garnish.
Macaroni And Cheese
Another favorite side dish is macaroni and cheese, which needs ingredients like two cups of whole milk, one and quarter cups of water, one teaspoon of kosher salt, one pound of dry elbow macaroni, eight ounces of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, two tablespoons of unsalted butter, and freshly ground black pepper.
Using a large saucepan, mix your whole milk, water, and kosher salt. Let it boil over medium-high heat. Add the macaroni and let it simmer. Stir it frequently until the pasta is tender.
Meanwhile, start shredding your sharp cheddar cheese. Remove your saucepan from the heat, add the shredded cheese, and two tablespoons unsalted butter. Stir the mixture until the cheese melted and combined.
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