By Cheri Sicard
Will you be traveling in your RV this Thanksgiving season? If so, why not enjoy some regional Thanksgiving foods from the areas you visit?
Kyle, aka the Geography King, has compiled a list in the video below of the most popular regional Thanksgiving foods in the U.S. to help you plan your menu. Yes, some of the Thanksgiving foods we eat are the same, but there are some fun regional differences for adventurous eaters to explore.
Best regional Thanksgiving foods around the U.S.
The Southeast
• Macaroni and cheese: It might be optional in other areas of the country, but mac and cheese at Thanksgiving in the South is mandatory.
• Anything made with sweet potatoes: This can include side dishes and desserts like sweet potato pie.
• Anything with pecans: These tasty nuts might be sprinkled in salads, on side dishes, or baked into decadent desserts like pecan pie.
• Greens: Collards, mustard greens, turnip greens, etc., are all common on Southern Thanksgiving tables.
• Carrot souffles: Especially common in Louisiana, carrots are cooked with egg whites for sweet side dishes or desserts.
• Turkey spaghetti: You’ll find this dish more common closer to Texas.
• Kentucky Derby Pie: A nut-studded chocolate chip cookie pie, usually served warm.
• Peach Dump Cake: An easy-to-make peachy dessert typical throughout the South.
The Northeast
• Cranberry sauce: Optional in other areas but essential in the Northeast.
• Dishes made with butternut squash: You might find this popular Northeast ingredient in soups, side dishes, or casseroles.
• Indian pudding: An iconic cornmeal and molasses dessert.
• Shoofly pie: A sweet molasses pie common in the mid-Atlantic states.
• Concord grape pie: This unusual pie is most common in the Northeast states, although even there it is not all that common.
The Midwest
• Big hearty casseroles: These often come topped with puff pastry or with marshmallows.
• Wild rice casseroles: These are particularly popular in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
• Beer cheese dip: A popular Thanksgiving appetizer in Wisconsin.
• Scandinavian dishes: As this area has large Scandinavian populations, their traditional foods migrated to the Thanksgiving table.
• Dishes made with corn: Optional in other areas, but corn dishes in the Midwest are mandatory.
The Northwest
• Huckleberry pie: This delicious pie is found throughout the Northwest, even as far as Alaska.
• Smoked salmon dip: A popular seafood appetizer to serve before the big meal.
• Funeral potatoes: A cheesy hash brown-like casserole popular in Utah.
The Southwest
• Tamales: A popular dish to serve at all kinds of celebrations in the Southwest, including Thanksgiving.
• Red and green chile dishes: Especially in New Mexico, expect chiles to be incorporated into the meal.
Near the end of the video, Kyle discusses the regional differences in stuffings or dressings around the country. Find that at about the 9-minute mark.
NOTE: Unfortunately, this video must be watched on YouTube. (They have disabled sharing it on other websites. Sorry!)
Do you know of other popular regional Thanksgiving foods? Be sure to share them in the comments below.
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