Thanksgiving 2025 is shaping up to be a mix of tradition, creativity, and practicality. According to a national survey by Savings.com, nearly 1 in 5 Americans plan to spend less on the holiday this year, trimming budgets so they can trim the turkey. That means fewer sides, cheaper ingredients, and sometimes voting dishes off the island that might not deserve a spot on your table. Find out which are the most hated Thanksgiving side dishes, so you can safely leave them off the menu this year.
Americans Are Cutting Costs, Not Celebrations
The survey of 2,502 Americans revealed that 19% plan to spend less this year than last. Families are cutting back strategically:
- 43% will prepare fewer side dishes or desserts.
- 38% will choose cheaper or generic ingredients.
- 17% plan potluck-style meals to share costs.
Even with inflation nudging grocery bills up by 25% over five years, Thanksgiving remains essential, and Americans are slimming down menus rather than guest lists.
The Thanksgiving Dishes That Deserve the Boot
Some classics are non-negotiable — turkey and mashed potatoes remain Thanksgiving essentials — but others have a surprising number of haters.
Green bean casserole emerges as the most hated dish, with 40% of survey respondents hoping it never makes another appearance (more for me). Reddit users agree: from soggy canned beans to cream-of-mushroom overload, the dish often inspires strong opinions. One Redditor recalled a family version with a pound of bacon baked with green beans, calling it “the most vile dish I’ve ever eaten.”
Other controversial dishes include:
- Cranberry sauce (35%) – that gelatinous, overly sweet side often sparks more groans than gratitude.
- Stuffing/dressing (29%) – some love it, others can’t stomach it.
- Sweet potatoes/yams (16%) – less divisive, but still unpopular with a notable portion of Americans.
What About Ambrosia Salad?
Reddit users had plenty to say about ambrosia salad, the classic fruit-and-whipped-cream concoction. Opinions range from “looks like someone threw up in a bowl” to “the ultimate sweet indulgence.” Some swear by the marshmallows-and-coconut version, while others prefer a “real whipped cream only” approach. The dish caused quite the commotion on Reddit, though, proving that the people in that thread weren’t included in the survey (alongside the uncalled-for green bean casserole slander).
More Thanksgiving Stories You Might Like
- I Make This Unusual Turkey Dish After Thanksgiving to Use Up Every Leftover Scrap — Don’t know what to do with all your extra Thanksgiving turkey? This leftover turkey carnitas recipe is way more interesting than a sandwich.
- Depression-Era Thanksgiving Recipes That Are Actually Delicious — Just because they’ve been around for almost a hundred years, doesn’t mean they aren’t worth a place on your holiday table.
- 12 Fast-Food Chains with Thanksgiving Menu Items Actually Worth Trying — Working this Thanksgiving or just don’t feel like cooking, these fast food Thanksgiving deals are a great way to get your fix for the holiday.
