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A Definitive Ranking of Thanksgiving Side Dishes

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BU chapter.

Thanksgiving is perhaps the most underrated of all the commercialized holidays. This time of year is all Black Friday this and Black Friday that, and quite frankly IĀ am sick of it. So today, I am here to give Thanksgiving the attention it deserves. I am also talking about the most underrated part of Thanksgiving ā€“ the sides. The sides are the best part of the meal, and this is my definitive ranking of Thanksgiving sides.

Cranberry Sauce

This opinion is particularly controversial, I know, but cranberry sauce is the ultimate Thanksgiving side dish. It is the ultimate combination of sweet and tart, making it the perfect complement to the very salty flavors of the other items on this list. Nothing beats cranberry sauce, which I eat by the bowlful.

Biscuits

Biscuits are essentially just carbs incarnate, who canā€™t get on board with that? The only reason they donā€™t top this list is that my number one item blows everything else out of the water.

Vegetables

Year-round, I am constantly eating vegetables ā€“ my friends always ask me for salad advice, which I give with pleasure. Brussel sprouts and asparagus are my Thanksgiving vegetables of choice.

Stuffing

Stuffing is a solid Thanksgiving option, which is why itā€™s in the middle of the road on this list. It is tricky to get right, be it too soggy or too crispy, but when itā€™s good, boy, is it worth it.

Sweet Potatoes

While not as offensive as their mashed counterparts, sweet potatoes are just that ā€“ too sweet, especially with marshmallows baked on top. Iā€™ll save my sweet tooth until dessert, thanks.

Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are the worst way that potatoes can be prepared. Ground into a pulp, they lose all their flavor and integrity, which is why they have to come in at the bottom of my list.

Hopefully, I didnā€™t diss your favorite dishes too hard! To make up for it, hereā€™s the best way to reuse all your leftovers: put turkey, lettuce, cranberry sauce, and maybe a touch of mayo on Whole Foodsā€™ cranberry nut bread. Enjoy, and happy Thanksgiving!

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Mia is a sophomore Poli Sci student with a minor in Environmental Policy Analysis. When she's not studying in Mugar or biking down Comm Ave, you can find her drinking tea, wandering the city, orā ā€” most likelyā ā€” binging anime on her laptop.
Writers of the Boston University chapter of Her Campus.