Poll: What’s the best Thanksgiving Food?

Mason Dean and Regan Orlando

November 19, 2023

As Thanksgiving is approaches, the GH Falcon surveyed the Green Hope community for their favorite traditional foods for this holiday.

After a survey of over 175 Green Hope students and staff, mashed potatoes are the clear favorite, followed by mac & cheese. (Mason Dean)

1. Mashed potatoes

Coming in first place, the Green Hope staff and students ranked mashed potatoes as the best Thanksgiving food. There are many different add-ins to mashed potatoes making them a diverse food. Some people said they put gravy on top and others said they would mix their turkey into the mashed potatoes for additional flavor. As the favorite, they earned 37 out of 176 votes

Bread rolls and mac & cheese are two of the most popular Thanksgiving dishes. (Regan Orlando)

2. Mac & cheese

While some don’t consider mac & cheese to be a Thanksgiving food, it is a very popular side dish coming in second place. There are various ways to cook and serve mac & cheese with every family having their own traditions surrounding this food. It is a forgotten side dish although once it is made, people tend to enjoy it.

3. Bread rolls

As a staple for many holidays, rolls are simple but delicious. During Thanksgiving, they are especially popular as they can be paired with just about anything. Many people add gravy and mashed potatoes on top of the bread to soften it up. A typical meal is turkey sandwiches, making the rolls a crucial part of the traditional food.

4. Turkey or ham

Protein is a key part of all well balanced meals, although sometimes it is an afterthought. Ranking in fourth place, ham and turkey got 26 votes. The majority of people think of turkey when they think of Thanksgiving. However, for some people in the Green Hope community, ham takes the spotlight as the main dish.

5. Pie

Pie is widely recognized as the official dessert of Thanksgiving. With many options ranging from pumpkin to pecan, there is a flavor for everyone. Some people choose to make their pies and others eat store bought, depending on the level of cooking to be done. Pumpkin pie is often a popular choice as it reminds most people of fall.

Thanksgiving dinner may look different in different homes, but many favorites remain the same. (Y-Nhu Do)

6. Stuffing

While stuffing is in sixth place, it is still regarded as a necessity for a Thanksgiving meal. There are many possible ways to make stuffing, depending on the desired flavor. Even though some people dislike stuffing, it will always be found on a Thanksgiving table right next to the turkey.

7. Cranberry Sauce

Although considered a classic for a Thanksgiving meal, many people overlook this sauce as it was ranked last place. Cranberry sauce is typically added on top of foods that are thought to be less flavorful. A common use for this dish is on top of turkey sandwiches to take away from the usual dryness turkey is known for.

About the Contributors

Mason Dean, Sports Editor

Mason is a senior at Green Hope and this is his second year on the staff. He loves sports and is on the varsity baseball and basketball teams here at Green Hope. Mason has a knack for math and history. Outside of school, he plays on a club baseball team and spends time with his 2 dogs, Margo and Olaf. While on break, Mason loves to travel to new places with his family. Next year he will play baseball at Fordham in the Bronx.

Regan Orlando, Student Life Editor

Regan Orlando is a senior at Green Hope and has been a part of the GH Falcon staff for two years. She has a spark of interest in writing which led to her passion for journalism. Starting from when she was 12 years old, Regan wrote for her neighborhood paper. As this journey continues she is a published writer and advances at her favorite subject, English. She is also the vice president of the Quill & Scroll Honors society. In Regan’s free time, you will find her enjoying reading or working out at the gym. If she is lucky, she would be tanning on the beach. She can't wait for her future ahead and plans on majoring in journalism.

Y-Nhu Do, Student Life Editor

Y-Nhu is a senior at Green Hope High School, and was born in Cary, NC. She lives with her family, which includes her two brothers. Y-Nhu is hopeful that she will have a dog join the family one day. She has traveled throughout the United States, including California, Virginia, and Maine, but she finds that she enjoys the beach the most. Although an enthusiastic English, Creative Writing and Speech student, she aspires to study accounting in the future. In her free time, you can find her playing beach volleyball, (which she intends to play in college at the University of Southern Mississippi), listening to the latest pop music, or binging her favorite comedy and action films. This year, she looks forward to meeting new friends, enjoying senior year and playing more volleyball.

The GH Falcon

Poll: What’s the best Thanksgiving Food?

The GH Falcon

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