14 Unique Thanksgiving Dishes
Served Across the States

What's on the "typical" Thanksgiving Menu?

Depending on where you live, your Thanksgiving dinner might look a bit different from the standard menu. Typically, turkey is the most-served main dish across the states, though you can find ham on some tables in the South. Call it "dressing" or "stuffing," this side dish is one of the most popular served at Thanksgiving meals. Mashed potatoes are, of course, a must, as is pouring on the gravy, gravy, gravy. Greenbean casserole tops the charts as a family favorite. And you'll find some sort of cranberry sauce or relish included in most regional meals as well.

14 Unique Thanksgiving Dishes Popular in Specific States

Depending on whose table you're eating at this year, you might find paw paw pudding, cheesy mashed potatoes, a deep-fried turkey, or even pineapple pasta salad on the menu!

Alaska: Frog Eye Salad

Similar to the better-known Ambrosia salad, this dessert salad gets its unusual name from the small noodles mixed in that resemble frog eyes peeking through the marshmallows and creamy pineapple dressing.

Arkansas: White Gravy

Thanksgiving without gravy seems absurd. Some people use drippings and broth, some mushrooms and pepper. This traditional Southern recipe calls for milk, cream, and butter.

California: Sourdough Stuffing

San Fransisco is famous for its tangy sourdoughs, so it's no surprise that the bread appears at the Thanksgiving table in California.

Florida: Key Lime Pie

Thanksgiving and pie go hand in hand. Sure, you've seen your share of pumpkin, apple, pecan, and maybe even chocolate cream pie…But if you're in Florida for the holiday, don't be surprised to be served a slice of Key Lime pie!

Indiana: Persimmon Pudding

Heritage persimmon pudding recipes are a big deal in Indiana, especially around Thanksgiving. The most important thing across the board? The recipe must call for sweeter American persimmons and not a tangy Asian variety to stay true to its roots.

Louisiana: Cornbread Dressing

Debate calling it "dressing" or "stuffing" all you want, but next Thanksgiving you might consider adding cornbread dressing to your dinner menu. In Louisianna, it's typically made with butter, chopped celery, onions, eggs, chicken stock, and sage.

Maine: Lobster

While no one can say for sure whether was even on the menu back for the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621, historians surmise that the original guests probably indulged in lobster as it was readily available in the area. Today, it remains a tradition to serve lobster for the holiday meal!

Maryland: Sauerkraut 

A testament to Maryland's deep German heritage, it is by no means unusual to serve a side dish of sauerkraut on the Thanksgiving table.

Minnesota: Wild-Rice Casserole

You might find wild-rice casserole stuffed inside the turkey instead of bread in Minnesota! It's also a common side dish and is usually made with pecans for an extra nutty flavor.

North Carolina: Paw Paw Pudding

Did you know that the pawpaw is the largest edible fruit native to North America? The flavor of this unique fruit is often compared to bananas, but with hints of mango, vanilla, and citrus.

Oregon: Mushrooms

Mushrooms tend to be one of the most abundant ingredients in a Northwestern Thanksgiving, whether they come in gravy form or are sautèed as a side. Our favorite as Oregonians? Sauteed with butter and tarragon, of course!

Santa Fe, New Mexico: Pumpkin Empanadas

You might not find pumpkin pie on a table in New Mexico, but you're likely to find pumpkin empanadas, As part of a Mexican tradition,  pumpkin empanadas are made both on Thanksgiving and Christmas.  

Texas: Deep Fried Turkey

A Texas tradition, you can deep fry your turkey outside or pick one up from a local store that'll fry it for you. As long as you know what you're doing and stay away from flammable materials, this method creates one juicy Thanksgiving centerpiece.

Wisconsin: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes

Wisconsin. Cheesy goodness. Enough said.