Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching! So you’ve got to get the meal plans up and ready! But have you ever wondered why we eat certain foods on Thanksgiving? Why are mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and casseroles considered some of the staples of this holiday? Well, you’re in luck because here is your guide to the history of classic Thanksgiving dishes!

Photo credit: Better Homes & Gardens

First and foremost, turkey. Why is it that this is the most well known symbol of Thanksgiving?

According to Texas A&M Today there is no actual confirmation that turkey was on the menu at the first Thanksgiving in 1621. Modern Thanksgiving traditions and food items did not become holiday staples until the mid-19th century. A possible reason for the turkey’s popularity is that a roasted turkey makes a perfect table centerpiece. Even if you don’t eat turkey on Thanksgiving, you most likely have said the term: “Turkey Day” a few times.

Photo credit: Once Upon a Chef

Secondly, mashed potatoes. Everyone seems to love them, but why?

Sarah Josepha Hale, a writer, wrote about Thanksgiving recipes in 1827. Mental Floss stated that among these recipes that were published in her novel, Northwood, was mashed potatoes. Ever since, they’ve been customary at most tables during this holiday!

Photo credit: Love and Lemons

Additionally, stuffing. Do you even know what stuffing is?

Apparently, stuffing is used to “stuff” the turkey to keep it moist when roasting (this is news to me). I’ve never experienced that because my family usually just eats it. Either way, it’s a part of the stereotypical Thanksgiving meal. Mental Floss also stated that the first Thanksgiving attendees probably did have some variant of stuffing but it was a more “rustic” version. 

Photo credit: Small Town Woman

Next, any and all casseroles. Grandma seems to make them around this time of year, but did you ever ask her about where her recipes came from?

All casseroles are more modern dishes, so it definitely wasn’t part of the original Thanksgiving. The main casserole thought of in relation to this holiday is green bean casserole. This didn’t exist until 1955 when Dorcas Reilly created the recipe when working at Campbell’s Soup Company. After that, green bean casserole skyrocketed to fame and has remained a part of the Thanksgiving meal. 

Photo credit: Serious Eats

Finally, cranberry sauce. Do you just eat it or put it on a roll? 

According to Mental Floss, once again, this holiday staple was not in the first Thanksgiving. This is because the colonists didn’t have the means to sweeten the cranberries to the tartness level that we know today. But once people started to experiment with different fruits, they discovered that cranberries were delicious!  

No matter where these dishes originated, most are excited to feast on them this coming Thursday! So Happy Thanksgiving!