Roast turkey
United States
The centrepiece of the meal, usually roasted and stuffed and sometimes deep-fried. About 40 million turkeys were eaten on Thanksgiving Day in 2019.
Source: Thanksgiving (United States).
Thanksgiving (United States) is Thursday 26 November 2026. Thanksgiving is the US federal holiday on the fourth Thursday of November, built around a large family dinner. The table is set with roast turkey, stuffing, mashed and sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and pie, with regional additions from the South and the Great Lakes.
Source: Thanksgiving (United States).
Also known as American Thanksgiving, Turkey Day.
What people eat for Thanksgiving (United States)
Mashed potatoes, stuffing and sweet potatoes
United States
The standard sides: mashed potatoes with gravy, stuffing and sweet potatoes, plus squash, corn and green beans.
Source: Thanksgiving (United States).
Cranberry sauce
United States
Cranberries cooked into a sauce, served alongside the turkey.
Source: Thanksgiving (United States).
Pumpkin pie
United States
The dessert most tied to the dinner, one of the New England harvest foods on the traditional menu.
Source: Thanksgiving (United States).
Pecan pie and macaroni and cheese
Southern United States
Southern additions to the Thanksgiving table: pecan pie for dessert and macaroni and cheese as a side.
Source: Thanksgiving (United States).
Wild rice stuffing
Great Lakes region
A regional stuffing made with wild rice, served at Thanksgiving in the Great Lakes states.
Source: Thanksgiving (United States).
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Thanksgiving (United States) dates
| Year | When |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thursday 26 November 2026 |
| 2027 | Thursday 25 November 2027 |
| 2028 | Thursday 23 November 2028 |
| 2029 | Thursday 22 November 2029 |
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