Thanksgiving dinner, a tradition as old as time. Nearly every family in America has some kind of Thanksgiving feast on the last Thursday in November filled with savory foods we look forward to all year long. With piles of turkey, mounds of mashed potatoes, swamps of corn, an ocean of casseroles, and other unique side dishes to enjoy, it’s difficult to narrow down a list of the best side dishes to serve on Thanksgiving. When it comes to choosing the most appetizing foods on the dinner table though, check out the Lancer Ledger’s top picks of the best food selections to grab and what you should leave on the table.

Let’s get some obvious ones out of the way. Mashed potatoes are a must have. No Thanksgiving dinner is complete without a good helping of savory mashed potatoes. Other notable favorites include turkey and ham to accompany your appetizers. 

Sophomore Angela Becker said it best, “[Mashed Potatoes] pair great with turkey.” 

Mashed potatoes are the backbone of the Thanksgiving dinner plate and give you something to pour all that gravy on. 

A more polarizing appetizer that some feasters stay away from is cranberry sauce, especially the jellied variety. If you’re among those who think cranberry sauce doesn’t go with the other dishes on your plate, just leave it for the family members who do enjoy a bit of sweetness to balance out the meal.

Another dish to stay away from is green bean casserole. According to Today.com, green bean casserole “came in second place [on the list of least favorite Thanksgiving foods] with 24% saying it was their least favorite dish.” 

If you are looking for a vegetable to eat during Thanksgiving, you are probably better off eating roasted green beans or some corn.   

Some dishes can vary wildly in flavor and appeal depending on the chef who prepared it. One of these such appetizers is stuffing. People are either die-hard stuffing fans or won’t touch it with a ten-foot poll. If you are on the fence about adding stuffing to your plate this Thanksgiving, then I would highly recommend adding this recipe to your Thanksgiving table from chef Laura Vitale. If the chef is less experienced, a foolproof recipe is the Stove Top instant stuffing which also comes in the cornbread variety to add a little southern comfort to your plate. 

One dessert that Thanksgiving enthusiasts are always very divided on is surprisingly pumpkin pie. Many people say that the taste and texture combine to make a dish that should not even be called a dessert. 

LRHS Media Specialist Ms. Kali Spolestra agreed saying, “If [pumpkin pie] was not there, I would not miss it.” 

However, other people say that the texture and taste combine in all the right ways to create a must-have Thanksgiving dessert. This year, pumpkin pie surpassed apple pie as the most researched pie according to USA Today. Research conducted by Instacart shows that sales of pumpkin pie last year made this pie the new favorite, upending the ever-popular apple pie. Studies show that in the south, sweet potato pie dominates the dessert table along with pecan pie, while chocolate cream pie is popular in the midwest. 

Art teacher Ms. Kory Mellon said that she makes her famous “healthy pumpkin pie” each year and that it is her favorite. 

If pumpkin pie is too much for your taste buds, then you can opt for the old, reliable dessert that needs no introduction- apple pie. Apple pie is a very versatile dessert that can be enhanced further with a little taste of ice cream. This scrumptious dessert also pairs well with other pies. It’s the ultimate dessert on Thanksgiving and beyond.

Art teacher Ms. Valerie Gawron said, “We usually have multiple apple pies, but my mom’s is the best. It’s extra cinnamon-y.” 

In the end, Thanksgiving is all about being with your family, giving thanks for what you have, and eating the foods that you enjoy. But this Thanksgiving, you will know which dishes to stay away from and which dishes you should give a second chance. Regardless of what’s on your plate, The Lancer Ledger wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving filled with all of your favorite foods and enjoyable company at your dinner table.