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The Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dish in Pennsylvania

Author Kayla Morgan

As Thanksgiving approaches, Americans are getting their Thanksgiving menus ready. Campbell’s is back again, settling the holiday debate: which is better – turkey or sides? This year, the brand released its Campbell’s State of the Sides report, a food-focused trend report that dives into the top side dishes in every state. They used consumer data with representation from all 50 states to determine which state loves which side the most.

Through a consumer survey and primary research, Campbell’s confirmed that 67 percent of respondents prefer sides to their holiday entrée. They also found that over half of the U.S. would be content with only sides on their holiday plate.

Pennsylvania’s Top Side Dish

Which style of mashed potatoes do you prefer? Smooth or chunky? While they did not have data on their relative popularity, Campbell’s discovered that mashed potatoes rank as Pennsylvania’s favorite side dish. This observation could be linked to the fact that 40 percent of the participants in the study expressed a preference for side dishes with creamy textures.

The top five most popular holiday side dishes include mashed potatoes, stuffing/dressing, mac & cheese, yams/ sweet potatoes, and green bean casserole.

Cambells State of the Sides map showing which top side dish choices of each state

Photo Courtesy by Campbell’s

Also found in the study is that Americans will not cut back when it comes to side dishes on their holiday table. 90 percent of consumers plan to serve the same number or more sides this season. According to the study, on average, Americans serve five side dishes on their Thanksgiving table each year.

Unique Twist on Sides

Additionally, an increasing number of people are interested in bringing their cultural influences to the Thanksgiving table. The study reveals that 66 percent of Americans see side dishes to showcase their cultural heritage during Thanksgiving. Interestingly, 63 percent of respondents prefer to serve Thanksgiving side dishes that reflect their cultural background. Interestingly, the study also highlights the presence of dishes from various countries and cultures at Thanksgiving tables, including Colombia, the Dominican Republic, China, Cuba, Ethiopia, Germany, and France, in addition to the United States.

Spice Up Your Friendsgiving: 5 Themes to Amp Up Your Gathering

Right after Halloween, Thanksgiving arrives on the scene. Many people opt to come together with family during Thanksgiving. Yet, for those who cannot or simply prefer not to. do that,  can celebrate with Friendsgiving. It closely mirrors Thanksgiving but with a more compact guest list. It’s an occasion for gathering with your dearest friends, all leading up to the Thanksgiving festivities.

True to its name, this unofficial holiday blends “Thanksgiving” and “Friends,” offering you the chance to be in the company of cherished friends who feel like family. It gives you the freedom to extend invitations exclusively to those you genuinely appreciate and enjoy conversing with.

Some credit the influential television show Friends with inspiring the idea of spending the holiday with friends. Another theory proposes that in 2011, an advertising campaign by Baileys Irish Cream liqueur introduced the term, propelling the trend further.

Unlike Thanksgiving, which has an official date, Friendsgiving doesn’t have a fixed day. Many people tend to host it before the actual Thanksgiving Day if they plan to spend the holiday with their family. Alternatively, some might simply adopt Thanksgiving itself, renaming it Friendsgiving when celebrating with a group of friends.

When it comes to the menu, it can range from a classic Thanksgiving potluck to a more distinctive selection featuring the personal favorites of those in attendance. In a Reddit thread, someone shared their Friendsgiving menu, which featured a Mexican-inspired feast. “For our Friendsgiving we do Mexican. Pineapple chicken and shredded beef tacos. Lime sour cream, rice, corn bread, queso, guac and assorted salsas. Margaritas and Jell-O shots,” they wrote.

While the Thanksgiving season often evokes memories of family traditions, Friendsgiving provides an opportunity to establish new traditions with those close to you. Over the years, Friendsgiving has become an annual tradition for many. If you’re hosting a Friendsgiving gathering, you can enhance the event by incorporating a theme.

Take a look at some Friendsgiving themes that would make for a fun holiday event.

  • Pajama Friendsgiving

    Reach out to your friends and let them know you’re planning a Friendsgiving pajama get-together. Invite them to join in wearing their preferred pajamas, and you can make plans for the evening as it unfolds. Best of all, there’s no need to stress about dressing up for an elegant dinner.

    Cute young woman in pajamas and in sweater with a deer standing with christmas present boxes and having fun on blue background.

    ruslanshramko/ Getty Images

  • Pie Party

    You can host a Friendsgiving event with a pie-themed twist. Set a guideline where each guest brings their best homemade pie, whether it’s pecan, pumpkin, apple, sweet potato, or any other variety. To add an extra element of fun, you might even consider arranging a pie-making competition, complete with a prize for the winner. Make sure to have some props on hand to enhance the overall experience.

    Happy African American mature woman carrying Thanksgiving pie while serving food to her family in dining room and looking at camera.

    Drazen Zigic/ Getty Images

  • Name Potluck

    Elevate your Friendsgiving potluck gathering by suggesting that each guest contribute a dish starting with the same letter as their first or last name. This fun and inventive twist ensures a unique meal you won’t come across elsewhere. Offering an unconventional and exciting experience.

  • Board Night

    The options are endless when it comes to serving trays and a touch of creativity, whether it’s the timeless charcuterie board featuring brie, elegant crackers, and jams, or the trending butter board. On social media, you’ll find countless instances of people rallying their friends to each bring their own unique board creation. The best part is you don’t have to cook if it’s not your thing. Some have even crafted boards featuring items like McDonald’s or donut holes.

  • Disney Inspired

    You and your guests can bring the enchanting dishes from Disney’s animated films to life in your own kitchen. Try your hand at crafting Tiana’s beignets from The Princess and the Frog, or making Snow White’s gooseberry pie, Aurora’s birthday cake, and others. Alternatively, you can draw inspiration from a variety of movies or TV shows to fashion a unique menu for your Friendsgiving gathering.

Kayla is the midday host on Detroit’s 105.1 The Bounce. She started her career in radio back in 2016 as an intern at another Detroit station and worked her way here. She's made stops in Knoxville, TN, Omaha, Ne and other places before returning to Detroit. She’s done almost everything in radio from promotions to web, creating content on social media, you name it. She’s a true Michigander, born and raised. So, you can catch her camping or vacationing up north to exploring the downtown Detroit or maybe even catching a sports game. During her free time, Kayla enjoys watching movies, roller-skating, crafting, and music festivals. She and her husband together dip into many of the great things Michigan has to offer. Together they also like to travel. A few hobbies of hers include wine and beer tastings, crafting, hiking, roller skating, movies, home improvement projects, gardening, and festivals. She’s always looking to take on more local events happening in the community. She loves connecting with the community. When writing, Kayla covers topics including lifestyle, pop culture, trending stories, hacks, and urban culture.

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