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Time to settle the greatest food debate of the year! Join us as we count down our picks for the ultimate Thanksgiving dinner table ranking. Our list includes everything from disappointing appetizers to the most celebrated sides, mains, and desserts. Loosen those belts and prepare for some hot takes on holiday classics!
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00:00If you want, I can make you some macaroni and cheese for dinner.
00:03Well, as long as the pilgrims didn't eat it, then I'm in.
00:05Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're ranking all of the food on your Thanksgiving dinner table,
00:10including sides, desserts, and drinks.
00:13Let's dig in.
00:15I'm getting hungry.
00:17How about you, Marcus?
00:18Are you hungry?
00:20Yeah.
00:22Number 20. Salad.
00:24Salad? How do you make a salad?
00:26First, you throw in the whole head of lettuce.
00:28Even the hard-to-eat white part at the bottom?
00:30That's what the people want.
00:31We gotta start somewhere.
00:33And after salad, you can only go upwards.
00:36If you're wasting your precious stomach space on lettuce and tomatoes before the real feast has even begun,
00:41what are you doing?
00:42There's nothing wrong with a classic salad any other day of the year,
00:46but on Thanksgiving, it's just illogical.
00:48You know, if it was a regular salad, I wouldn't have said anything.
00:52But you had to have that big salad!
00:56Number 19. Jell-O.
00:58Maybe if it was the 1960s and you rolled up to your mom's house with a towering, fashionable Jell-O salad display,
01:05you might be the talk of the town.
01:07Jell-O is basically the opposite of what consumers are looking for right now.
01:11It looks artificial.
01:13Its ingredients are unrecognizable.
01:15But today, we are aghast at the possibility of anything gelatinous even approaching the driveway of our Thanksgiving dinner.
01:23Whether you're serving Jell-O as an appetizer or dessert, we are passing.
01:27Yep, there's always room for Jell-O.
01:34Joey, how do you make that dirty?
01:37Number 18. Green Bean Casserole.
01:39Green Bean Casserole.
01:41Diane. Petite and polite.
01:43This is arguably one of the most polarizing Thanksgiving side dishes of all time.
01:48Green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy onions are an unexpected mix.
01:53But if you ask us, this casserole consistently under-delivers.
01:56Your aunt may claim her recipe is the best.
02:00Just trust her.
02:01But odds are, we are all set on this dish after a few polite bites.
02:05See how bright green those green beans still are?
02:08And they're nice and tender, so you just get the best of both worlds.
02:13Number 17. Corn.
02:15Now that we've gotten some of the flops out of the way, let's talk about some real contenders.
02:19Corn, on or off the cob, we won't judge, is a Thanksgiving classic.
02:23This is going to be so good with my all-American grill and hamburgers.
02:27And instead of hot dogs, I'm going to do turkey sausages and homemade coleslaw and a surprise for dessert.
02:34It was shared at the very first U.S. Thanksgiving, after all.
02:37So it's only right to continue the tradition.
02:40However, we'll admit that unless it's prepared particularly well, it can be a bit of a lackluster veggie option.
02:47And you can also probably turn this creamed corn into a very nice corn pudding
02:51with the addition of egg and grated cheese.
02:54Number 16. Bread and Dinner Rolls.
02:57Speaking of plates that fade into the background of the cornucopia that is Thanksgiving dinner,
03:02we'd be remiss if we excluded bread from this rank.
03:05You'll find a bowl of rolls on just about every table.
03:08But unless you're making a midnight turkey sandwich, they are a staple but never the star.
03:13Except if they're popovers.
03:15In which case, give us 14 of them.
03:16Look at that.
03:19Mmm.
03:19Got a couple more here.
03:22Aren't they beautiful?
03:24These smell so good.
03:26Number 15. Stuffed Mushrooms.
03:29We have another appetizer, but one we're willing to budget some room for.
03:32This is really smelling like good stuffing.
03:35It's full of sausage and the garlic and scallions.
03:37And some mascarpone to make it nice and creamy and hold it together.
03:40There's a hundred ways to stuff a mushroom.
03:43That's the expression, right?
03:44But there's rarely a recipe that we haven't enjoyed.
03:47Plus, they're small enough to enjoy before dinner, without feeling like you'll need a nap before the next course.
03:53Any more stuffed mushrooms?
03:55Number 14. Wine.
03:57Of course, starting with Thanksgiving.
03:58Fine.
03:59A time for gratitude and also a time for wine.
04:04A good bottle is a crucial element to any successful family Thanksgiving dinner.
04:09The turkey's burnt?
04:10Pour another glass.
04:11Uncle George is loudly sharing some unsavory opinions?
04:15Time to crack open another bottle.
04:17More wine!
04:18More wine!
04:19More wine.
04:20The wine runs out?
04:22Alright, time for everyone to head home.
04:25We'll see you next year.
04:26Number 13. Ham.
04:27As I open the oven to reveal a gorgeous caramelized glazed ham.
04:33Oh my goodness, it's a thing of beauty.
04:36We'll be honest, we've never heard anyone utter the phrase,
04:39I'm so excited for Thanksgiving ham.
04:42But that's not to say that it doesn't end up in many spreads as an additional protein or alternative to turkey.
04:48And a nice slice of glazed ham never hurt anybody.
04:51It's a welcomed seasonal inclusion on our tables and dishes.
04:55What's that? You were supposed to get booze.
04:57Oh!
04:57This is ham.
04:59Soaked in rum.
05:01It is loaded with booze.
05:03God damn it, Frank.
05:04Eating your drinks?
05:06That is genius.
05:07How?
05:07Number 12. Carrots.
05:10This versatile vegetable definitely has its moment on Thanksgiving.
05:14A sweet, tasty carrot can be enjoyed by even the pickiest of eaters.
05:17Not to mention it adds a nice pop of color to what would otherwise be a dull dinner plate.
05:22Roasted or glazed, we are proud members of the Carrot Fan Club.
05:27When in my heart I know the magic is my love for you.
05:33Number 11. Macaroni and Cheese.
05:36While it may not make an appearance at every Thanksgiving feast,
05:40when it does, a good homemade mac and cheese is always a hit.
05:43That sound, you hear that.
05:48You know you got some good macaroni and cheese.
05:52Woo, look at this, y'all.
05:53The only issue we take with an ooey gooey mac is that we have to stop ourselves from filling up on too much of it.
06:00And what a beautiful dilemma that is, isn't it?
06:02Did you like the macaroni and cheese?
06:04Oh, yeah, it was great. You should be a chef.
06:07Okay.
06:07Number 10. Squash.
06:09Good gourd.
06:10An unexpected starch has entered the dinner lexicon.
06:13Mmm.
06:15These taste, uh, healthy.
06:18What's in them?
06:20Squash.
06:21Squash couldn't be a more apt side dish on Thanksgiving,
06:24especially when it's roasted and seasoned to perfection.
06:27You can't go wrong with any variety.
06:29Delicata, butternut, acorn, we are seated.
06:33But be sure to buy an extra squash to display decoratively on the table.
06:37It's all part of the experience.
06:39No, you don't get it.
06:41Don't clap for that.
06:42I can't have squash.
06:43I can't have flunk.
06:44Number 9. Cranberry sauce.
06:46Let me do something.
06:47Just not the turkey or the stuffing.
06:49Nothing high profile.
06:51Okay, let's do it.
06:52Oh, the cranberry sauce.
06:53It's easy to make and no one really cares about it.
06:55It might not always be the most elegant topping,
06:58especially if you're serving it straight from the can,
07:01but cranberry sauce is a definite taste of the holiday.
07:04That said, you are in for a true treat
07:07if anyone pulls up to your Thanksgiving dinner with a homemade bowl.
07:10It is tart, bright, and complements each dish on the table.
07:14Smells really, really good.
07:16Take all this stuff.
07:17I'm going to load it right on top.
07:20And wouldn't this be a great holiday gift to bring someone?
07:22Number 8. Any green vegetable.
07:25Unless you're under the age of 10,
07:27you should have learned to love your greens.
07:29We know we have.
07:30How'd you do that?
07:33Uh, workout, plenty of rest.
07:37You know, eat your green vegetables.
07:39Every home has a different signature veggie on Thanksgiving.
07:41Brussels sprouts, asparagus, even creamed spinach may make an appearance.
07:46No matter which you choose,
07:47a crispy, flavorful vegetable is a much-needed addition to any well-balanced plate.
07:52I would say, this isn't your grandmother's Brussels sprouts.
07:56This is a new age of Brussels sprouts.
07:59Mmm, they're so good.
08:01Number 7. Sweet Potatoes and Yams.
08:04Candy them or bake them with marshmallows on top,
08:07we are going for seconds and thirds.
08:09I think everyone comes to Thanksgiving dinner
08:13expecting my grandmother's sweet potato pie
08:15and her candy yams.
08:17That woman knows her way with sweet potatoes.
08:21The sweetness of this starchy side
08:22adds a signature warmth to the Thanksgiving spread.
08:25We won't be hearing any haters
08:26diss the sweet potato and marshmallow combo.
08:29You've got to taste it to understand it in all its glory.
08:32You want to put the marshmallows in concentric circles.
08:34No, Mon, you want to put them in concentric circles.
08:40I want to do this.
08:44Number 6. Cornbread.
08:47Remember when we said corn was underwhelming?
08:50Cornbread is its redemption arc.
08:52Will, do you mind passing this down to...
08:54Hey, no, hi, Will.
08:55Don't pass your cornbread to him.
08:57That's your cornbread.
08:58Ray, I'm a grown man.
08:59Technically, it's hardly a side dish,
09:01but to us, it is a showstopper.
09:04It's the perfect complement to each dish on the table.
09:07But honestly, we'd be happy with a pile of cornbread
09:09and a smear of butter alone.
09:11Okay.
09:12Cheers.
09:12All right.
09:16Mmm.
09:17Mmm.
09:17Number 5. Turkey.
09:19You may have anticipated the iconic Thanksgiving turkey
09:22to take the top spot on this rank.
09:24Well, think again.
09:25Let that rest, because the flavor will be 10 times more exciting
09:30once it's rested.
09:31While it may be the quintessential dish of the holiday,
09:34is it really the best part of your plate?
09:36A well-roasted turkey is certainly delicious,
09:39but where would it be without its accompanying sides
09:42to bolster its status?
09:43Get that off now.
09:45I can't.
09:45It's stuck.
09:47I don't care that that turkey has to feed 20 people
09:49at my parents' house,
09:49and they're not going to eat it off your head.
09:51Could you truly enjoy a slice of turkey
09:54without its partner in crime?
09:56Number 4. Gravy.
09:58This is, without a doubt,
09:59the glue of Thanksgiving dinner.
10:01I think people find this sometimes kind of stressful.
10:04Well, yeah, because they remember their mother's
10:05insipid white gravy that went over everything.
10:09Even if each of your side dishes is only so-so,
10:12a perfectly prepared gravy can instantly elevate
10:14your entire plate.
10:16And if your dish isn't totally smothered,
10:18we'd say you're doing it all wrong.
10:20We will go for a sale on the gravy boat
10:22any day of the week.
10:23So get on the boat!
10:26The gravy boat!
10:28Good night.
10:29And good gravy.
10:31Number 3.
10:32Mashed potatoes.
10:34Truthfully, any potato dish deserves this placement on the rank.
10:37We're looking at you, scalloped potatoes.
10:39Plenty of these creamy,
10:42over-the-top scalloped potatoes.
10:45And you want to get plenty of that top crust with that cheese.
10:50But a classic mash?
10:51Pile them up.
10:52We've got unlimited room on our plates,
10:55in our stomachs,
10:56and in our hearts.
10:57Pro tip.
10:58If you're in lull at dinner,
10:59make everyone go around and say their favorite potato preparation.
11:02That is how you get everyone talking.
11:05Mmm.
11:06It is.
11:06It's creamy and chunky.
11:09You can really taste a little sour cream.
11:11So good.
11:12Number 2.
11:13Pumpkin pie.
11:14A moment for all of the seasonal pies.
11:16Apple,
11:17pecan,
11:18sweet potato,
11:19even chocolate.
11:20But nothing caps off a perfect Thanksgiving celebration
11:23like a slice of a spiced pumpkin pie.
11:25Where's the mashed potatoes?
11:27Where's the cranberry sauce?
11:30Where's the pumpkin pie?
11:32While some folks may enjoy pumpkin pie year-round,
11:35we'd argue that this is the holiday
11:37where it truly has its time to shine.
11:39No matter how many plates of dinner we've devoured,
11:42we always have room for this perfect dessert.
11:44Just don't be stingy with the whipped cream.
11:46I'm gonna get this glorious,
11:49creamy marshmallow topping
11:51right on the pie.
11:52Before we continue,
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12:08Number 1.
12:09Stuffing.
12:10The moment we've all been waiting for.
12:13The peak Thanksgiving food.
12:15While many of these dishes
12:16are fan favorites all throughout the year,
12:18not one of them
12:19is more distinctly Thanksgiving
12:21than stuffing.
12:21Is that beautiful or what?
12:25And you can't tell this,
12:26but the surface of the bread
12:28is just as crisp as can be
12:30and then so soft underneath.
12:33We anticipate a healthy scoop
12:34of this juicy, crunchy,
12:36bread-based side every year.
12:38Whether you make it with sourdough
12:40or cornbread,
12:41vegetarian or sausage-filled,
12:43you better believe that tray
12:44will be empty by the end of the night.
12:46I'm Tommy Gobbler
12:47and I'm stuffed
12:49with Thanksgiving happiness.
12:51A gobble gobble!
12:52So which Thanksgiving dish
12:54are you most thankful for?
12:55Let us know in the comments.
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