Thanksgiving is a time for family, gratitude, and, of course, food. Many of us look forward to the big meal all year long. But let’s be honest—some of the traditional dishes we serve during Thanksgiving aren’t as great as we make them out to be. In fact, a few are downright overrated. While I love the holiday and its spirit, there are certain foods that, in my opinion, just don’t live up to the hype. Here’s a look at some of the most overrated Thanksgiving meals.
Let’s start with the obvious: turkey. This bird is the centrepiece of nearly every Thanksgiving dinner, but does anyone really get excited about it? The truth is, turkey can be dry and bland, even when cooked perfectly. Sure, there are people who know how to make it taste good, but for many, it’s just a large, somewhat flavourless bird that takes hours to prepare. When you compare it to other meats like chicken, ham, or roast beef, turkey often falls short in terms of taste and texture.
Plus, the idea that you must have turkey just because its tradition seems a bit limiting. If you don’t actually enjoy eating it, why bother? There are so many other protein options that could make your Thanksgiving meal more enjoyable.
Secondly green beans, this is one dish that I’ve never really understood. A mix of green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and fried onions, green bean casserole feels like a mismatched combination. The green beans often end up soggy, and the cream sauce makes everything heavy without adding much flavour. It’s not a bad dish, but it’s not amazing either.
Green beans on their own can be tasty if prepared fresh and lightly seasoned but drowning them in a creamy sauce ruins their natural crispness. Despite being a staple on many Thanksgiving tables, it’s a dish I wouldn’t miss if it were left off the menu.
Thirdly, cranberry sauce is supposed to add a bit of tartness to balance out the richness of the other dishes. But let’s be real—who actually eats cranberry sauce? Whether it’s homemade or straight from the can, it often sits untouched on the table. The overly sweet, jelly-like consistency just doesn’t appeal to many people. For something that’s meant to complement the meal, cranberry sauce often feels like an afterthought. It’s one of those dishes we put out because we’re supposed to, but very few actually enjoy.
Fourth, sweet potatoes are lovely but turning them into a casserole topped with marshmallows seems unnecessary. The dish becomes overly sweet, more like a dessert than a side. While some people love the contrast of the sweet topping with the earthy flavour of sweet potatoes, others (myself included) find it too sugary to enjoy alongside savoury dishes. Sweet potatoes are already naturally sweet, so why add marshmallows and sugar? Roasting them with a bit of salt and olive oil is much more satisfying and lets the real taste of the vegetable shine through.
Lastly pumpkin pie, yes, I said it—pumpkin pie is overrated. Pumpkin itself doesn’t have a lot of flavour, so the pie relies heavily on spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to taste good. While some people love it, pumpkin pie often falls flat in comparison to other desserts like apple pie or pecan pie. For a dessert that’s supposed to be the grand finale of the Thanksgiving meal, pumpkin pie can feel a bit underwhelming. If you’re not a fan of the texture or the spiced flavour, there are plenty of other pies that could make your holiday sweeter.
Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to gather and share a meal with loved ones, but that doesn’t mean every traditional dish deserves its place at the table. While some may disagree, I believe that turkey, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, and pumpkin pie are all overrated. This year, why not try something new? You might discover a new favourite that adds more excitement to your holiday feast!
