Thanksgiving is a beautiful time of year. The orange and brown leaves fill the ground with the cool breeze surrounding you, as the smell of delicious food that brings the family together fills the kitchen, creating the perfect mix of happiness.
Among all families, there is a constant and never consistent debate about what the best Thanksgiving food is, about what really warms your heart and gets you excited to see it on the table. This is my ranking of the best foods based on what I and most people in my household enjoy every year.
At the bottom of the list is a food that was good enough to make it but doesn’t stand out from the rest. Mashed potatoes. These creamy potatoes are a must-have accompaniment to everything on the Thanksgiving platter. Their smooth taste makes an interesting combination out of any Thanksgiving food imaginable. Mashed potatoes aren’t the best on their own; they only have one bland taste and need something from the rest of the plate to be a desirable Thanksgiving food.
At number four, we have pumpkin pie. Pumpkin pie is undoubtedly the top Thanksgiving dessert for me. The smooth and sweet filling, paired with the hard outside crust, leaves me considering another slice every time. This iconic pie is directly correlated with the fall season, making it perfect for the special occasion of Thanksgiving Day. However, as much as we may have wanted dessert to be dinner as kids, this is unfortunately not the case. Pumpkin pie is a delicious PIE, not a casserole.
At number three, Mac and Cheese. Becoming more popular in recent years as a Thanksgiving dish, homemade mac and cheese is something that should have always been a part of the tradition. One in three Americans sees mac and cheese as a consistent comfort food and as the best side dish. When putting together my extravagant Thanksgiving platter, a slight warmth fills my heart as I see the cheesy noodles sitting in the right corner. In a holiday where comfort and gratefulness are the two main goals, it feels special to me that I get to eat one of the foods that I grew up with my whole life. With Mac and Cheese being a relatively recent addition to the Thanksgiving dinner plate, it doesn’t have enough history with the holiday to qualify for the next two spots.
At number two, we have arguably the least appealing yet one of the most delicious Thanksgiving foods: stuffing. This mixture of mashed bread, spices, and vegetables has a flavor that surprises you the second you take that first bite. The perfect balance of saltiness and savory goodness truly captures the essence of Thanksgiving food. When I think of stuffing, fall football comes to mind, happy times spent with family. Stuffing has no downsides, except for its lack of protein. Everyone knows that a nutritious meal needs meat, which brings us to the top spot…
The best Thanksgiving food, a staple of the holiday, is turkey. The food that fills you up fast and puts you to sleep on the couch before you even have time to gather yourself. This bird has been the iconic symbol of the holiday since its establishment. With the consistent, tender yet savory flavor, it’s the perfect food to pair with all the rest. Bringing the whole meal together, perfectly representing the meaning of Thanksgiving.
Whether you agree with me or want absolutely nothing to do with me after hearing my opinion, there is one thing we can all agree on. Thanksgiving is an excellent time to reflect on our past, be grateful for what we possess, and spend time with everyone who truly means the world to us. And to that, I say: have a happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Enjoy some good food, take some time to relax, and be grateful for everything that has passed and the opportunities to come.
