Thanksgiving Meals From Around America

1. Manicotti - New York & New Jersey

imagesource/saveurNew Jersey and New York happen to have very large populations of Italian Americans and in these households, before Thanksgiving turkey is served, you may find servings of Manicotti, a ricotta-stuffed crepe pasta, topped with marinara sauce.

2. Fried Turkey - Texas

imagesource/twitterFrying Turkey is a notoriously dangerous activity according to State Farm and Texas is the worst offender when it comes to turkey-frying accidents. Nonetheless, this continues to be a popular Thanksgiving delicacy in this Southern state!

3. Clam or Oyster Stuffing - New England

imagesource/twitterIn New England, the stuffing is sometimes made with clams or oysters instead of breadcrumbs. On the side you'll often find creamed onion made with pearl onions and heavy cream. Considering this is a side dish, it can be pretty filling.

4. Frog Eye Salad - The Southwest and West

imagesource/twitterFrog eye salad sounds like one of the weird delicacies that nobody actually eats, but for the people in the West and Southwest regions, this sweet, fruity pasta salad is made from pasta, pineapples, mandarin, oranges, cool whips and marshmallow topping.

5. Pumpkin Empanadas - New Mexico and Arizona

imagesource/twitterPumpkin empanadas are the perfect American dish with Mexican roots. Whenever you're in New Mexico or other Southwestern states for Thanksgiving, you may find these on the table, served with gravy, stuffing and spicy Turkey. That added bit of spice brings out the Mexican in the meal!

6. Leftovers in Crescent Rolls - Utah

imagesource/delishYou can't go wrong with a crescent roll recipe, whether you've got last minute guests or feeling uninspired and need something fast and easy to make, crescent rolls come to the rescue! You can literally wrap any bit of your leftovers up, savoury or sweet.

7. Cheesy Mashed Potatoes - Wisconsin

imagesource/twitterWhen in Wisconsin, you MUST try their state famous cheddar cheese mashed potato dish which has become a traditional dish over the Thanksgiving holidays. The state that's known for it's cheese and dairy products have found a way to utilise them on the biggest holiday of the year.

8. Hasty Pudding - New England

imagesource/twitterThis extremely tasty, yet simple dessert is made with cornmeal, molasses, brown sugar and spices and it's usually topped with a huge lump of whipped cream or scooped ice cream. Popular around the New England region, this pudding is left for the end of the Thanksgiving meal.

9. Sausage Balls - Tennessee

imagesource/twitterIf you're wondering what a sausage ball is, here's the answer: golden bites of pork sausage, cheddar and Bisquick. Savoury and cheesy, this holiday appetizer is popular in many Tennessean households and is usually made up the night before the big Thanksgiving meal.

10. Sourdough Stuffing - California

imagesource/twitterAnyone who follows the Kardashians on Instagram will have seen this dish served in their extravagant table spread. There are many variations of the California-based sourdough stuffing recipe, some of which served with turkey sausage or fresh oysters, while other are served with artichoke or kale.

11. Pecan Pie - Georgia

imagesource/twitterThe crunchy, gooey pecan pie is often found on tables in Georgia on Thanksgiving, made with nuts, corn syrup and butter, this Southern staple can also be served next to a form of Peach pie. Because what Georgian Thanksgiving holiday meal can be served without at least one Georgian peach?

12. Sweet Potato Pie - The South

imagesource/twitterThe strongest Thanksgiving traditions usually tend to come from the South of the country. The people in the South pride themselves on unique dishes like sweet potato pie instead of the typical pumpkin pie - no shade Maryland!

13. Wild Rice Casserole - Minnesota and the Midwest

imagesource/twitterUsually served on the side or stuffed inside the Turkey, Wild-rice casserole is usually found in Minnesota or Wisconsin. But what is actually in it, you ask? Well, the casserole is made up from mushrooms, pecans and onions but there are different variations out there.

14. Mushroom Gravy - The Pacific Northwest

imagesource/twitterMushrooms are a very popular ingredient in Northwestern Thanksgiving meals, whether they're in a gravy form or on the side. Mushroom gravy is found on most Northwestern plates, often served with the Turkey, with oyster dressing and fresh vegetables like Brussels sprouts.

15. Okinawan - Hawaii

imagesource/twitterWhen you're in Hawaii, potatoes are purple. Okinawan sweet potatoes are sweet and slightly nutty and can be served mashed, baked or just on their own so you've probably guessed that they're a popular Thanksgiving ingredient in Hawaii.

16. Macaroni Cheese - The South

imagesource/twitterAnother Southern Thanksgiving dish is Macaroni cheese which you may find with Okra pickles, cornbread and sweet potatoes with marshmallow topping. This Southern meal tends to be served with a mound of green veg. This traditional dish can be found on other tables across the country, but you'll usually always find it in states like Texas.

17. Pinwheels - Kansas

imagesource/twitterWhat are Pinwheels you ask? When you're over in Kansas, the land of sunflowers, you may notice the ham and cheese stuffed pastries, served as appetizers. Kansas is keen on pinwheels and some homes add their own little twist to these tasty little Thanksgiving snacks.

18. Key Lime Pie - Florida

imagesource/twitterFlorida's special Key Lime pie has of course made it's way onto the traditional Floridian Thanksgiving table. As well as this popular Floridian pie, many Southeastern states celebrate their cajun roots on Thanksgiving with dishes like Gumbo, Crawfish, Deviled eggs and Fried Oysters.

19. Chowder - Massachusetts

imagesource/twitterWhen I think of Chowder, Clams automatically come to mind. However, in this Northern state, Cheesy corn Chowder is often used the day after Thanksgiving, when the leftovers get eaten up. All the left over Turkey gets soaked in the Chowder before being stuffed in a bread roll.

20. Crab Cakes - Maryland

imagesource/twitterCrab cakes trace back to Native American cooking in the Chesapeake Bay region. Infact, the first official recipe for crab cakes appeared in a cookbook in the 1930s names "Baltimore Crab Cakes." Another popular Thanksgiving side dish in this region is Corn on the Cob.

21. Chilli - Michigan

imagesource/twitterMidwesterners are good at many things, but one thing they really excel at is making that perfect pot of chilli. Now chilli can be eaten all year round, but many families like to eat their favorite pot of chilli while watching the Thanksgiving Day Lions game.

22. Fruit & Veg Salad - California

imagesource/twitterHealth conscious Californians often prefer their Turkey grilled instead of baked or fried (booooooooring!) and served with local wine along with this salad. This Thanksgiving salad is made with bright, fresh citrus and vegetables served with the main meal or as a light starter.

23. Green Bean Casserole - Midwest

imagesource/twitterGreen-bean casserole is often found on many Thanksgiving plates, but you'll mainly find it in the centre of the country. Midwesterners consider this to be an important part of Thanksgiving - made from canned cream of mushroom soup, fried onions and green beans, this dish is a Thanksgiving staple.

24. Glazed Ham - Colorado

imagesource/twitterColoradans often opt for glazed ham over the classic turkey main. Some love it with pineapple, some glaze it with a spiced rum honey glaze and others like to have it as well as turkey. There's no discriminating, plus it means there's plenty of leftovers.

25. Chicken and Dumplings - Kentucky

imagesource/twitterTurkey may not be a favourite in Kentucky households, this time of the year, families tend to be looking for a tasty chicken and dumplings recipe. Cooked in a slow cooker this comfort food is eaten with biscuits that are baked along with the chicken mixture.

26. Sauerkraut - Maryland

imagesource/twitterIt isn't a Thanksgiving in Baltimore without Sauerkraut on the table. What might seem a bit of an odd tradition to some, this side dish is extremely popular with the large German-American population of Eastern state of Maryland.

27. Pull Apart Bread - Rhode Island

imagesource/twitterNow, Thanksgiving stuffing is something that a lot of Americans eat, whether its cooked with pumpkin, veg, turkey, chicken, you name it, its a popular dish. But if you're smart enough, you'll turn your left over stuffing into Monkey Bread which Rhode Island residents eat as a sticky, pull apart loaf.

28. Corn Pudding - Indiana

imagesource/twitterThis Southern side is guaranteed to fill some bellies. Made from creamed corn, butter and heavy cream amongst other ingredients, this casserole is a staple at any Thanksgiving dinner. Perfect served with a Brown sugar glazed Ham or Roast Turkey.

29. Turkey Spaghetti - Arkansas

imagesource/delishAnother slightly odd Texan staple is their famed barbecue brisket which locals have no issue adding as much meat in as possible. Thanksgiving is a meat eaters perfect holiday after all, isn't it and this chicken spaghetti can be added to the Thanksgiving meal or made the day after with all the leftovers.

30. Cranberry Relish - The Northeast

imagesource/twitterCranberry relish or sauce seems like a universal Thanksgiving food but homemade sweetened cranberry relish seasoned with orange zest comes from the Northeastern region of the country. This region also loves sausage and pumpkin pie.