Thanksgiving may be known for turkey, but Campbell’s latest research suggests the real stars of the holiday table are the dishes around it.

Campbell’s has released its fifth annual State of the Sides Report, finding that Americans are placing even more importance on the casseroles, potatoes, pasta and stuffing that define a holiday meal. Based on a survey of 5,017 U.S. adults who celebrate Thanksgiving, the 2026 report paints a familiar picture: tradition still matters, but home cooks are also looking for convenience and flexibility.

Sides Take the Spotlight

The appetite for side dishes is clear. Campbell’s reports that 80% of Americans enjoy cooking the sides more than the turkey, an 11-point increase from 2023. Meanwhile, 86% expect to serve at least four side dishes this Thanksgiving, with a median of five per table.

That enthusiasm is particularly strong among younger generations. Nearly two-thirds of Gen Z respondents, along with 56% of Millennials, said they would be happy eating an all-sides meal.

The nation’s top five Thanksgiving sides have remained consistent for the past three years, though their order has shifted slightly:

• Green bean casserole
• Macaroni and cheese
• Yams or sweet potatoes
• Mashed potatoes
• Stuffing or dressing

Campbell’s estimates those holiday menus will add up to roughly 749 million side dishes served nationwide.

Green Bean Casserole Holds Its Ground

Green bean casserole continues to stand out as one of the most emotionally connected dishes on the table. Sixty-seven percent of those surveyed said it reminds them of Thanksgivings past, and only 19% said they would alter its recipe—the lowest share among the top five sides.

The dish, developed more than 75 years ago in Campbell’s Test Kitchen by Dorcas Reilly, has stayed close to its original five-ingredient formula. Campbell’s says 69% of Americans believe it is best prepared with cream of mushroom or cream of celery soup, while 87% name Campbell’s Soup as their preferred option for making it.

The seasonal demand is substantial: Campbell’s sells nearly 40 million cans of Cream of Mushroom soup during the holiday period. Over the last five holiday seasons, the company says it has sold more than 308 million cans.

Mac and Cheese Brings Everyone Together

If green bean casserole is rooted in nostalgia, macaroni and cheese is positioned as the crowd-pleaser. Fifty-seven percent of respondents described it as the side dish everyone can agree on, and it remains Gen Z’s top side for the second consecutive year.

It is also a dish that rarely lingers. Forty-two percent said there are never leftovers when mac and cheese is served. For many cooks, simplicity is part of its appeal: 46% cited easy preparation as a reason for choosing it for a holiday meal.

Tradition, With Space for New Ideas

The report points to a holiday table that is both traditional and adaptable. Americans are holding onto family and cultural recipes while making room for new flavors, shortcuts and sources of inspiration—including AI-assisted meal planning.

For Campbell’s, the findings reinforce a simple conclusion: while holiday menus may evolve, sides remain the dishes that make the gathering feel complete.

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Campbell’s commissioned the survey in August and September 2026 through independent research organization Reputation Leaders. National results carry a margin of error of plus or minus 1.4 percentage points.

For more information and holiday recipe ideas, visit Campbell’s Sides Season.

Last Updated on November 3, 2026 by Daily News Staff

A Fresh Twist on Holiday Gathering and Gifting

(Feature Impact) The holiday season is a beautiful time of gathering with loved ones, making memories, giving gifts and sharing the year’s bounty with one another.

Bring a little extra sunshine to the season by showcasing citrus fruits at your holiday table this year. This Florida Grapefruit and Apple Galette recipe combines creamy custard, tangy grapefruit and sweet apple slices in a flaky puff pastry crust for a uniquely flavorful dessert. As your friends and family come together to enjoy the merriment of the season, raise a toast with a colorful Holiday Citrus Sparkler Cocktail featuring fresh Florida Oranges.

If you’re looking for a thoughtful way to celebrate the people in your life whether they’re near or far, consider Florida Citrus Gifts, which are a fresh, flavorful source of vitamin C. You can choose from a variety of cheerful gift boxes and baskets filled with juicy, fresh-picked fruits – perfect for snacking or adding to delicious seasonal recipes – ready to brighten your loved ones’ days when they arrive on their doorsteps.

Find more holiday recipes and gift ideas at PickFLA.com.

Florida Grapefruit and Apple Galette

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 12

• 3       tablespoons custard powder
  
• 3       tablespoons sugar, divided
  
• 3/4    cup, plus 1 1/2 tablespoons, milk
  
• 1/3    cup, plus 1 1/2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed Florida Grapefruit juice
  
• 1       roll puff pastry, about 11 ounces
  
• 1       egg, beaten
  
• 4       Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced
  
• 1       Florida Grapefruit, zest only

1. Preheat oven to 340 F.
2. To make custard: Place custard powder and 2 tablespoons sugar in jug with milk then stir until fully dissolved. Add grapefruit juice and stir.
3. Transfer mixture to microwave and heat 3 minutes, stopping every minute to stir, until custard is thick and smooth.
4. Roll out puff pastry and use sharp knife to score 1-centimeter border around edge.
5. Transfer pastry sheet to nonstick baking tray lined with parchment paper. Brush edges with beaten egg and sprinkle with 1/2 tablespoon sugar for crispy, caramelized finish.
6. To assemble galette: Spread custard evenly over pastry, staying within border. Layer sliced apples on top to fully cover custard. Finish by lightly sprinkling remaining sugar over apples.
7. Bake 25 minutes, or until pastry is golden and crisp.
8. Just before serving, zest fresh grapefruit over galette.

Holiday Citrus Sparkler Cocktail

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

Orange Simple Syrup:

• 1       cup superfine sugar
  
• 1       cup hot water
  
• 1       Florida Orange, zest only (no pith)

Cocktail:

• 1       ounce freshly squeezed Florida Orange juice
  
• 1       ounce pomegranate juice
  
• 1 1/4 ounces vodka or gin
  
• 1/2    ounce lime juice
  
• 1/2    ounce orange simple syrup
  
•          ice, divided
  
• 1       ounce club soda, chilled
  
• 1       Florida Orange slice
  
• 1       tablespoon pomegranate seeds
  
• fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)

1. To make simple syrup: In saucepan, combine sugar, hot water and orange zest; heat 3-5 minutes until sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside and let cool.
2. To make cocktail: In cocktail shaker, combine orange juice, pomegranate juice, vodka or gin, lime juice and orange simple syrup. Add ice, shake and strain into tall glass over fresh ice. Top with club soda.
3. Garnish with orange slice, pomegranate seeds and fresh rosemary sprigs, if desired.

SOURCE:

Florida Department of Citrus

Transform Leftover Halloween Candy Into Creative Brownies

(Feature Impact) Once all the trick-or-treaters have filled their pumpkin totes and the porch lights have turned off, many American households are stocked with an abundance of sweet treats in the aftermath of a successful Halloween. Make them even sweeter by using those chocolates and cookies as decorations on a tray of brownies to share with family, friends or coworkers.

Chocolatey treats work best for this recipe but the specifics are up to you. Whether you use one kind of candy for the whole tray, decorate each section with a different variety, combine them all for a flavor explosion or let the kids decide, this is a fun way to enjoy the sugary bounty. Avoid using gummy, chalky or hard candy.

You’ll add most of the candy to the top of the brownies after baking, but you can also toss a few pieces into the bottom of the pan before pouring in the batter if you’d like some extra surprises in each bite.

Find more seasonal recipe inspiration at Culinary.net.

Leftover Halloween Candy Brownies

Recipe adapted from Sarah’s Day Off
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Servings: 9

• 2       cups leftover Halloween candy, chopped
  
•          nonstick cooking spray
  
• 6       ounces bittersweet baking chocolate, broken into pieces
  
• 10     tablespoons unsalted butter
  
• 3       large eggs, at room temperature
  
• 1       cup light brown sugar
  
• 1/2    cup granulated sugar
  
• 1/2    teaspoon kosher salt
  
• 1       teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  
• 1/2    cup all-purpose flour
  
• 1/4    cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder

1. Transfer chopped candy pieces to container and freeze.
2. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease 8-inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray, line with parchment paper and grease again.
3. In small saucepan, add baking chocolate pieces and butter. Melt slowly over low heat, stirring occasionally, until completely smooth.
4. Using stand or hand mixer on medium-high speed, beat eggs, brown sugar and granulated sugar 3 minutes.
5. Scrape down mixing bowl. Set speed to low and gently pour in melted chocolate and butter mixture. Increase speed to medium and beat until mixture is completely combined. Beat in salt and vanilla. Scrape down sides and bottom of bowl.
6. Using rubber spatula or spoon, gently fold in flour and cocoa powder until mixture is smooth. Transfer batter to prepared pan and spread evenly.
7. Bake 40-50 minutes, or until center is set. Immediately press frozen candies into top of brownies, arranging as desired.
8. Refrigerate pan 2 hours, or until cool, then slice into nine equal brownies.

Photo courtesy of Unsplash

SOURCE:

Culinary.net