As Thanksgiving break wrapped up, students and their families celebrated “Turkey day.” Preparing a stereotypical Thanksgiving meal often takes many hours, along with much dedication and patience. Everyone’s Thanksgiving meal differs, but I am ranking this famous feast’s crucial components. The foods in consideration are turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. This list is subjective, so don’t let it stop you from filling your plate with your favorites this holiday season.

7. Mashed potatoes 

This famous side dish comes in last on my list. Mashed potatoes are a mixed bag; most people either love them or hate them. I hate them. The unsettling texture and taste keep them off my plate on Thanksgiving and year-round. They don’t take very long to make, but I will not dedicate my time to such a dish. 

6. Stuffing 

I don’t hate stuffing. It is a solid and reliable piece of the meal.

 It is also easily accessible — most local supermarkets carry pre-made stuffing year-round, or you could take your time to make it from scratch. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t look appealing, so it rarely makes it onto my plate. You won’t see me try stuffing on Thanksgiving, which is why it is pretty low on my list. 

5. Green beans

Green beans are one of the better green vegetables, in my opinion. They are extremely enjoyable when they are cooked properly and juicy with some crunch. The only reason they come in lower on my list is because of the strength of the playing field on to the next.

4. Cranberry sauce 

This may be a hot take, but cranberry sauce takes the fourth spot on my list. When good, the sauce almost feels like a dessert. Good turkey with delicious gravy dipped in some sweet, tart cranberry sauce is unbelievable. I genuinely believe that if any cranberry sauce hater tries cranberry with their turkey, they will immediately become a fan and will be ashamed that they missed out for so long. 

3. Dinner rolls

Not too much to say about this one. The soft and pillowy dinner rolls come in third on my list. I am a strong fan of bread before meals, but it’s different when they are on a fully loaded Thanksgiving plate. Combined with soft and salty butter, rolls can be a game changer. 

2. Turkey 

One word: Iconic. The turkey is the main character of Thanksgiving, and for good reason. A simple turkey cooked to perfection is one of the most enjoyable things about the holiday. The only reason it’s not topping the list is because of the time required to make the dish. It is an all-day commitment. Some families even choose another meat to replace turkey on Thanksgiving. In and out of the oven countless times, just for it to either be delicious or come out dry. A good gravy adds another dimension to the bird, which is absolutely delicious.   

1. Pumpkin pie 

This iconic dessert is a favorite for me. A good pumpkin pie is a perfect combination of sweet and creamy, and adding a fresh crunchy crust is a must. Delicious to pair with a side of any fruit or a scoop of ice cream, it’s not too heavy and is a perfect palate cleanser at the end of a long meal. They say, “it’s not how you start a game, it’s how you finish it,” and that is exactly the role that pumpkin pie plays on Thanksgiving.