By Anne Jolly

As Thanksgiving approaches, you might be thinking about the classic dishes on holiday tables across America – turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. But if you happen to celebrate Thanksgiving in a different part of the country, you might be surprised by the distinctive flavors and ingredients that make their way onto the holiday table.

From coastal seafood specialties to heartland comfort foods, each area of the country has its own favorites that are a must for Thanksgiving dinner. Let’s explore some mouthwatering alternatives to the standard turkey and stuffing that might inspire you to shake up your Thanksgiving menu this year.

Pumpkin empanadas in Santa Fe

If you are in Santa Fe for Thanksgiving, you might enjoy pumpkin empanadas as part of your feast. These hand-held pastries are filled with spiced pumpkin and dusted with cinnamon sugar.

They’re a fusion of traditional American pumpkin pie and Mexican empanadas. This dish reflects New Mexico’s unique blend of Native American, Spanish and Mexican influences.

Fluff salad in Minnesota

In Minnesota, you’ll encounter an unusual salad: A sweet fluff salad featuring marshmallows. This dessert salad adds a delightful contrast to the savory dishes typically found on the holiday table.

“If it has marshmallows in it, it’s probably a salad and meant to be eaten with the rest of dinner and not as a dessert,” Michelle Price, from the blog Honest and Truly, says. “As a kid, that was the one meal where you never had to ask me twice to eat my salad.”

This quirky salad reflects the Midwestern fondness for sweet, creamy dishes. The sweetness makes it a popular holiday tradition among kids and adults.

Pecan pie in the South

Forget pumpkin pie; your Southern Thanksgiving isn’t complete without a slice of pecan pie. This sweet treat features a gooey filling of corn syrup, eggs, sugar and butter, topped with a layer of pecans.

The nuts create a satisfying crunch contrasting the soft, caramelized interior. Pecan trees are native to the South, making this pie a regional specialty. Many families have their own twists on the classic recipe, like adding bourbon or chocolate chips.

Dungeness crab in Oregon and Washington

In the Pacific Northwest, you likely find Dungeness crab on the Thanksgiving menu. Named after a town on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, this sweet, tender crab is a regional delicacy.

The crab is simply steamed or made into crab cakes. The season for Dungeness crab opens around Thanksgiving, making it a timely addition to holiday feasts. Its delicate flavor pairs well with the richer dishes on the table.

Manicotti in New York and New Jersey

Italian-American households across New York and New Jersey serve manicotti alongside turkey. These large pasta tubes are stuffed with ricotta cheese and topped with tomato sauce, a nod to the region’s strong Italian heritage.

Including pasta at Thanksgiving is a way for these families to blend their cultural traditions with the American holiday. The hearty, cheesy dish provides a comforting contrast to traditional Thanksgiving flavors.

Clam chowder in New England

You’ll find this creamy seafood soup on many New England Thanksgiving tables. Rich with clams, potatoes and often bacon, it’s a warming start to the feast. From Bagels and Lasagna, Leah Ingram reminisces, “Whenever we would spend Thanksgiving in Maine with my grandparents, we would always have a course with New England clam chowder.”

The chowder’s velvety texture comes from a milk or cream base, making it distinct from tomato-based Manhattan clam chowder. New Englanders take pride in their chowder, which reflects the region’s strong maritime culture.

Frog eye salad in Wyoming and Idaho

Don’t worry; this dish, popular in western states like Wyoming and Idaho, does not involve frogs. Frog eye salad is a sweet pasta salad made with small, round acini di pepe pasta, whipped topping, fruit and marshmallows.

The pasta’s small, round shape is said to resemble frog eyes, hence the quirky name. This unique side dish adds a touch of fun to a Thanksgiving spread and is often a hit with kids.

Sugar cream pie in Indiana

Sugar cream pie, also known as Hoosier pie, is an Indiana staple. Its silky smooth custard filling is made from cream, sugar, flour and vanilla. The simplicity of the ingredients reflects its origins as a desperation pie, made when fresh fruit wasn’t available.

This humble dessert has been an Indiana tradition since the 1800s. It’s so beloved that in 2009, it became the state’s official pie. As Casey Rooney from Get on My Plate exclaims, “There’s no holiday table without a sugar cream pie!”

Sauerkraut in Baltimore

You might be surprised to find sauerkraut at a Baltimore Thanksgiving, but it’s a long-standing tradition. This tangy fermented cabbage dish reflects the city’s German heritage and is served alongside the turkey as a condiment.

The custom dates back to the 19th century when Baltimore had a large German immigrant population. Today, this unique regional twist adds a zesty contrast to the usual Thanksgiving fare.

Funeral potatoes in Utah

Despite the somber name, funeral potatoes are a popular Thanksgiving side in Utah. This cheesy potato casserole topped with crunchy cornflakes appears at many holiday gatherings.

The dish gets its name because it is a go-to casserole for post-funeral luncheons. But its comfort food status makes it a staple at all gatherings, including Thanksgiving.

Grape pie in Upstate New York

In the Finger Lakes region of New York, you’ll encounter the unusual grape pie. This sweet-tart dessert made from local Concord grapes celebrates the area’s vineyards. The filling is similar to a blueberry pie but with a distinct grape flavor.

Grape pie season peaks in fall, making it a perfect addition to the Thanksgiving feast. It’s a labor-intensive dish since the grapes must be individually seeded, but locals swear it’s worth the effort.

Gumbo in New Orleans

Gumbo, a hearty and flavorful stew, is a quintessential New Orleans dish frequently appearing on Thanksgiving tables. It is made with a rich, dark roux along with different meats or seafood, vegetables and Creole seasonings.

The inclusion of gumbo reflects the city’s deep culinary roots and the importance of family traditions. Each family commonly has a cherished gumbo recipe passed down through generations.

Summing up

This Thanksgiving, celebrate the diversity of America by including regional favorites alongside classic dishes like turkey and green bean casserole. Exploring regional flavors will remind everyone of the melting pot that is America. You might just discover a new favorite that becomes a beloved part of your own family’s Thanksgiving tradition.

Anne Jolly is the creator of the food blog Upstate Ramblings. She loves cooking, especially for the holidays.

By Jessica Haggard

Thanksgiving faux pas can easily derail what should be a joyful celebration with loved ones. From overlooked dietary needs to unannounced dishes and lingering too long, these missteps can create awkward moments or unnecessary stress for hosts and guests alike.

Avoiding Thanksgiving blunders is simple with a little planning, communication and mindfulness. Here are common mistakes people make during Thanksgiving gatherings and how to avoid them.

Forgetting to accommodate dietary restrictions

Even with all the effort that goes into Thanksgiving planning, one common mistake is overlooking dietary needs and food allergies, leaving some guests with few options. As Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju from Urban Farmie notes, “It’s surprising how often vegetarians or people with food allergies are left with very few options.”

Despite Thanksgiving’s focus on bringing people together around a meal, “it’s easy to miss the mark if someone feels left out,” especially when hosts forget to check in about preferences beforehand. Luckily, the solution is quite easy.

A little extra effort, like offering diverse dishes and labeling allergens, can make a huge difference. Shruthi explains, “A quick check-in and some variety ensures everyone feels included and welcome.” After all, the real spirit of Thanksgiving is creating an environment where everyone at the table feels appreciated.

Bringing unannounced dishes

Thanksgiving can quickly go off track when a guest shows up with an unexpected dish – like an anchovy casserole intended as a new tradition . While creativity in the kitchen is welcome, this holiday revolves around comforting and familiar flavors. Bold additions may not hit the right note with everyone, especially if someone else is hosting.

Unplanned dishes can also create practical challenges. They may duplicate items already on the table or disrupt the carefully planned portions and timing. Some dishes might also risk introducing allergens or dietary conflicts that make guests uncomfortable.

To avoid these issues, it’s best to coordinate with the host before bringing any contributions. A quick check helps ensure the dish fits the meal’s theme and complements the rest of the spread. Crowd-pleasers like pull-apart bread, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie are safer options that appeal to most guests.

Neglecting to clean up before hosting

A messy house can quickly become a Thanksgiving disaster. Forgetting to tidy up before guests arrive makes it harder to set a welcoming tone. There’s no room for meal prep or serving dishes when the kitchen counters are cluttered. Guests might feel uncomfortable or stressed if they’re stepping over laundry or dodging clutter to find a seat at the table.

Hosting comes with the responsibility of creating an inviting environment, and cleanliness plays a big part in setting the mood. Don’t forget to clean up the carpet – stains or crumbs can make even a cozy space feel neglected and unwelcoming.

A clean, organized space not only shows respect for your guests but also helps everything run smoothly. It’s much easier to enjoy the meal when the host isn’t scrambling to find utensils, counter space or napkins at the last minute.

You don’t need to deep clean the entire house. Start with key areas: Clear the entryway for shoes and coats, tidy the bathroom and wipe down kitchen counters. A quick vacuum of the carpet will make the space look fresh and ready for guests. If time is tight, enlist family members to help or focus on essential areas guests will use.

Forgetting to taste dishes before serving

One food-related Thanksgiving faux pas that can lead to disappointment is forgetting to taste the dishes before they hit the table. Skipping this simple step can result in a less-than-perfect meal. With the hustle and bustle of preparing multiple dishes, it’s easy to assume everything is fine, but a quick taste test can save the day.

Dishes that are too bland or intense in flavor may leave guests unsatisfied, and adjustments can’t be made once the food is served. A little seasoning tweak beforehand can improve the entire meal and ensure everything is as delicious as it looks.

As you finish cooking each dish, take a moment to taste it and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Keeping a small spoon handy for quick taste tests can prevent a last-minute flavor failure. Alternatively, you can follow tried-and-tested holiday recipes like a cheese ball instead of eyeballing your measurements to make sure the flavor is just right.

Assuming you can take home leftovers

Thanksgiving leftovers are a treat, but assuming you can take some home without being invited is a common faux pas. Hosts may have plans for the food or want to distribute it evenly among guests. Helping yourself without asking can come off as inconsiderate.

If you’d like leftovers, politely say, “If you have extras, I’d love to take some!” Bringing your own containers shows thoughtfulness and saves the host from losing their Tupperware.

Showing up empty handed

Bringing unannounced dishes can be rude, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring something to the gathering. Thanksgiving is a communal holiday, and contributing something, even small, shows appreciation for the host’s hard work. Even if the host says, “Just bring yourself,” it’s always a nice gesture to arrive with something in hand.

A bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers or even an easy appetizer can go a long way in expressing gratitude. For guests who don’t cook, a thoughtful contribution like artisanal bread or store-bought treats is still appreciated.

Overstaying your welcome

Finally, here’s a faux pas that many people are guilty of. Thanksgiving gatherings are meant to be enjoyed, but lingering too long after the meal can unintentionally stress the host, especially if they’re tired or ready to wind down. Staying late when the cleanup begins or other guests leave can disrupt the host’s plans for the evening and make it harder for them to relax after a long day of hosting.

A good tip is to pay attention to cues – if the host starts cleaning or guests begin to leave, it’s a good time to wrap things up. A polite thank you shows appreciation without overstaying. If you want more time together, suggest meeting up again soon.

Try to keep these mistakes in mind this holiday season

Thanksgiving is about gathering, sharing good food and creating memories, but avoiding common faux pas helps create a smoother celebration. Overlooking dietary restrictions, bringing surprise dishes or overstaying can unintentionally disrupt the day. Thoughtful actions, like coordinating with the host, offering to help clean and waiting for an invite to take leftovers, show respect and consideration.

At its core, Thanksgiving is about gratitude for the meal and the effort behind it. A little preparation and mindfulness help create a joyful, harmonious celebration for everyone involved.

Jessica Haggard is dedicated to helping people cook easy everyday recipes focusing on nourishing foods. She helps people overcome food allergies and discover healthy recipes that make a difference in their health with gluten-free, low-carb and keto cooking at Primal Edge Health.