The Most Popular Thanksgiving Side Dish in North Carolina

As Thanksgiving approaches, many people 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.

Which Thanksgiving side do you prefer? While they did not have data on their relative popularity, Campbell's discovered that stuffing/ dressing ranked as North Carolina's favorite side dish.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.