Written by Melissa Li:
This Thanksgiving many around me had the classic all-american turkey, however others I know had alternatives. Some kept it classic with a Costco rotisserie chicken, and others relied on sides. We all know that even though the turkey is known to be the “main” dish, sides are truly the star. Which brings me to my main question: Which side dish is the best?
Mac and Cheese
Let’s start off with mac and cheese. Cheesy, soft, smooth, with a couple crispy pieces of cheese, the easiest, yet perfect side. You can’t go wrong with a classic mac and cheese. The variety of cheese you could use: pepper jack, cheddar, mozzarella, etc. So many options led to so many favors. There’s such a large variety and it’s so simple! Could mac and cheese be the best side?
Mash Potatoes
Some may disagree and argue that mash potatoes are the best sides. Soft, buttery, and melts in your mouth. I mean what can’t a potato do? You can add cheese, gravy, bacon, or even use it as a dip. My favorite way to eat mash potatoes is to bake them first, and then mash them with the skin (don’t knock it until you try it). Mash potatoes always add a sense of warmth to your meal!
Cranberry Sauce
Now, if we are really going minimalist let’s talk about the underrated sweet, chunky yet silky, cranberry sauce. Cranberry sauce offers the perfect sweet and savory mixture that you crave on Thanksgiving. After you’ve gotten your Thanksgiving plate, you walk over to the gravy bowl that’s filled with cranberry sauce, and you drizzle a little on your overflowing plate, then you start to dig in. Every bit is filled with a little bit of sweetness that brings the whole meal together.
Pecan Pie
Since we are on the sweet spectrum of food could pecan pie be the best side? Each bite consists of the crunchy caramelized pecans with the soft filling in the middle of the pie, ending off with the soft crunch of the crust. Some will say, this argument could be a little controversial, considering some are allergic to pecans. Although with that allergy, a true opinion can’t be formed!
Before you come to me for not mentioning your favorite side, this data was simply obtained according to the popular vote on the internet. Each side consists of positives and negatives, so is there truly a “best” side?