Thanksgiving – a time for gratitude, family, and, apparently, admitting that turkey might not be the feathered centerpiece we pretend to love. According to The Vacationer’s Thanksgiving Travel Survey [1], the main course might just be the least beloved guest at our holiday tables. Yes, turkey haters, it’s safe to come out of the oven-baked shadows.
Sides are stealing the show.
It turns out, turkey might not even be the main character of its own story. Campbell’s State of the Sides Report [2] confirms that a whopping 56% of Americans prefer side dishes over turkey.
Mashed potatoes, stuffing, and mac and cheese are the real stars, leaving the bird to play supporting actor. Maybe it’s time we admitted the truth: turkey is dry, bland, and mostly exists as an edible gravy sponge.
On a personal note, I like turkey well enough if it’s a gravy sponge like pointed to above. But I like it better cold and dipped in Miracle Whip the day after.
So if your Thanksgiving strategy involves skipping the turkey altogether for more mashed potatoes and cheesy delights, you’re not alone. It’s a rebellion against the status quo. And a delicious one at that.
Turkey: the dry truth.
Turkey’s unpopularity might also stem from its prep complexity i.e. brining, basting and babysitting the bird for hours. And then in the end, often, it’s a dry mess not worth all of the trouble. Even seasoned chefs struggle to make turkey truly worth the effort. So why not liberate ourselves and let those creamy, cheesy sides take center stage? Or swap out the turkey altogether and make lasagna, ham, or even pizza the star of the feast instead.