Campbell’s – America’s most famous soup brand – has released it’s annual State of the Sides Report.. It’s become a tradition of its own, even though the first edition only ap-peared in 2022. Nevertheless… The survey’s Holiday Feast findings are fascinating!
The Report is also a creative way of reminding you how essential Campbell’s products are to the ‘authentic’ preparation of so many of the classic Festive Feast side dishes Americans treasure.
Even invented some…
In it’s relentless drive to get us to serve more soup, Campbell’s actually invented some now-classic festive side presentations…
The the Cream of Mushroom soup recipe for Holiday Green Bean casserole, for instance. Or the Cheddar Cheese and Bacon soup solution to the Cheese Sauce requirement that’s part of many fest-ive sides, not the least of which include Aparagus and Broccoli. Not to mention it’s more-recently adopted role in the quick, easy prep of no-fail Creamy Mac and Cheese.
The real stars among Campell’s Test Kitchen summa cum laude graduates, though, are the youngest generation of nouveau sides, designed to appeal to Millennials and later generations looking for something amped-up with savoury and/or spicy edges. Consider adding a Savoury Sweet Potato Bacon Bake, Everything Bagel Seasoned Mashed Potatoes, or Creamy Brussels Sprouts with Bacon to your Yuletide table this year. Or bring all-American Corn Pudding into the 21st Century with this Baked Corn Casserole…
Surprising side-dish insights…
Some key findings of the State of the Sides (SOS) survey this year include:
- 60% of Americans say they enjoy preparing their sides more than they do cooking the perfect turkey.
- 56% say they prefer their fave sides over the turkey ‘main’ dish.
- 38% say, “they would be happy to fill their plate with JUST side dishes.”
Key specific sides trends revealed by the survey spotlighted:
- A majority of those asked in 45 (90%) of the US states chose stuffing/dressing as tier favourite side of all.
- Only 5 (10%) of the 50 states majority-voted for last year’s overall fave, Mashed Potatoes.
- 42% of those asked said they’d like to see more-creamy textured sides on the table this year.
- 38% said they want more cheesey-flavoured sides.
… And the overall Top 5 Turkey Feast Sides this holiday season were:
- Dressing/Stuffing
- Mashed Potatoes
- Sweet Potatoes
- Green Bean Casserole
- Mac and Cheese
My take
One SOS survey finding that particularly tweaked my curiosity was that Millennials and later-gener-ation respondents are still so ‘into’ the big Thanksgiving Family get-together. Almost 4 of every 10 (38%) of those who said they would be hosting a big Feast event (either traditional Thanksgiving or the newer, more inclusive ‘Friendsgiving’) said they were planning to put 7 or more sides on the table. Which puts them right up there with the most ardent celebrators of all age groups.
It was also surprising – giving the overall trends among the Top 5 sides, to see California – popularly considered one of the most food-forward states – among the tine minority that majority-voted for Mashed Potatoes over Dressing/Stuffing. Have they fallen behind the rest of America vis a vis festive feast trends? Or have they already seen, in their divinatory ‘crystal bowls’, some future development the masses have not yet tweaked to?
Nevertheless… The celebration billed as America’s Biggest Feast Day impends. Many serious hosts will already be finalizing their shopping, and starting their make-ahead routines. We hope everyone has a great Holiday chow-down that fulfills all their fondest expectations…
~ Maggie J.