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A Thanksgiving dinner spread

Let’s be honest: as much as Thanksgiving is about gratitude, it’s also very much about the food.

As someone who comes from a big family, our Thanksgiving spread is equally hefty. So much so that my mother advised us to skip lunch to prepare for the early dinner. To prepare something so considerable takes an equally tremendous amount of time. While my mom takes the most weighty task of cooking the famous Thanksgiving turkey, she divides the other tasks among my siblings and me. Every year we settle on the same iconic side dishes: Sweet potato marshmallow casserole, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, and broccoli casserole. Annually, my siblings and I rotate around who cooks which dish, and each year I also try to gaslight my siblings into saying it’s my turn to cook the sweet potato marshmallow casserole, due to it being my favorite dish in the whole spread. Even if they catch me every year or two, I definitely don’t mind assisting my mom in the kitchen with the other dishes, with each bringing its own unique taste to the table.

Everyone has their own unique Thanksgiving dinner spreads and some are still trying to figure out which dishes will be staples in their meal plan. As someone who experienced many different versions of families’ iconic dishes, whether at a grandparent’s or aunt’s, I’ve come to a pretty clear conclusion on which dishes will make even the pickiest eaters’ mouths water.

1: Sweet potato marshmallow casserole

After talking to a handful of other students and sampling extended family spreads, I’ve come to the conclusion that my favorite Thanksgiving staple is not so common in other people’s households. As heartbreaking as that was to realize, I know it’s now my job to inform people of its mouth-watering qualities. As the name implies, the casserole’s main ingredient is sweet potatoes. Yet, once it’s paired with gooey marshmallows and cozy pecans, this casserole is fall rolled into one delicious casserole dish. Every year my siblings and I find ourselves fighting for that last taste of the sweet potato marshmallow casserole. It’s sweet, savory, and everything you could want in a casserole.

2: Mashed potatoes

Yes, they’re basic, but they’re a staple for a reason. Whether paired with gravy or served plain, mashed potatoes are a crowd favorite. In my opinion, they’re one of the most versatile dishes on the table. You can mix them with any other food or if you’re feeling brave you can scoop them into your roll alongside other Thanksgiving samples to make a sandwich dripping with flavor. Both the pickiest and most adventurous mouths in your family will agree that mashed potatoes are a must-have. They’re creamy, soft, simple, and savory. And If you have the grit the peel all the potatoes needed, it’s an otherwise simple dish.

3: Cranberry sauce (fresh)

After being a guest at many different Thanksgiving dinners, I’ve seen firsthand the many different ways that cranberry sauce can be prepared. At my annual Thanksgiving dinner in my own house, the majority of my family has always been partial to canned cranberry sauce. Maybe it’s because my mother had it every year as a child, or that it has a jello-like texture, but they love it. I, on the other hand, am not a fan. Not of the taste particularly, but the strange gummy texture and ugly shaloop sound it makes as it slowly slides out of the can in one grotesque chunk. Yes, canned cranberry sauce is just plain gross. Yet cranberry sauce can still make the top 3 if done right. 

Along with the crusty canned sauce, my mom prepares a fresh sauce with fresh cranberries, orange juice, sugar, and all the other noteworthy ingredients in her famed instant pot. With every spoonful, the sauce adds a burst of flavor, no matter the way you tend to eat it. I confess I’ve been guilty of eating it plain with a spoon. It’s just that good.

4: Broccoli Casserole

Turkey can’t be the only keynote food at the meal, other filling options are needed. Enter, broccoli casserole. Baked broccoli smothered in a creamy cheesy sauce, topped with buttery crackers. I realize broccoli is a vegetable, and I know some people avoid veggies like the plague, so not everyone is going to love it. But good food doesn’t mean everyone has to love it. Otherwise, it can’t be truly special, can it?

When I was younger the only time I’d eat broccoli casserole was when my mom made me take a “polite bite.” Now as my taste buds have matured, I find myself with two large scoops of casserole crammed between my turkey and potatoes. And I’ve always gone back for warm, savory seconds.

5. Stuffing

When someone thinks of Thanksgiving food they think of turkey and stuffing. They are the originals for a reason. When the stuffing is fresh out of the bird, warm and juicy, just dripping with flavor, who can say no? With bread, celery, and seasoning, stuffing is so simply delicious. 

Every year my mother makes two batches of stuffing, one baked inside the bird, and another cold and fresh. Even though I prefer the batch straight from the bird, once that bowl runs out, I won’t turn down the other stuffing if it comes my way. Simple and seasonal, stuffing is a Thanksgiving necessity.