Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and Americans are already preparing for elaborate dinners with family and friends.
Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for Americans, as evidenced by the abundance of turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, and other holiday favorites on our plates. Theres a reason why its most Americans second favorite holiday, according to The Harris Poll, trailing only Christmas.
Remember these seven astounding facts about the foods we eat on Thanksgiving when you go back for seconds. Advertisement.
Thanksgiving, the quintessential American holiday, is synonymous with a centerpiece dish: the mighty turkey. But with changing dietary trends and a growing awareness of animal welfare, one can’t help but wonder – how many turkeys will grace our tables this Thanksgiving?
A Tradition Enduring: Turkey’s Reign at the Thanksgiving Feast
Despite the rise of plant-based alternatives and a growing interest in non-traditional Thanksgiving fare, the turkey remains firmly entrenched as the star of the show. According to the National Turkey Federation, a whopping 88% of Americans indulge in turkey on Thanksgiving, translating to over 46 million birds devoured on this festive occasion.
Avian Influenza and Supply Chain Woes: A Brief Hiccup in Turkey Production
The year 2022 witnessed a slight dip in turkey production due to the avian influenza outbreak and supply chain disruptions. However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that the country still managed to produce over 5 billion pounds of turkey, with more than 4.8 billion pounds consumed domestically.
Good News for Gobblers: Turkey Prices Expected to Decrease This Year
While the 2022 Thanksgiving saw a slight increase in turkey prices, the good news for 2023 is a predicted decrease. The American Farm Bureau Federation reports that increased production is likely to bring down the cost of turkeys, making them more affordable for families across the nation.
A History Lesson: The Myth of the First Thanksgiving Turkey
While turkey is deeply ingrained in the Thanksgiving tradition, historical records suggest that it wasn’t the main course at the first Thanksgiving feast in 1621. The menu likely consisted of wild fowl, venison, and seafood, with turkey only becoming a Thanksgiving staple in the 19th century.
Thanksgiving 2023: When Will the Feast Begin?
Mark your calendars! Thanksgiving 2023 falls on Thursday, November 23rd. This date is determined by a law passed in 1941, ensuring that Thanksgiving always falls on the fourth Thursday of November, ranging from the 22nd to the 28th.
Beyond the Bird: Thanksgiving Feast Options for All
While turkey remains the traditional centerpiece, Thanksgiving celebrations are becoming increasingly inclusive, catering to diverse dietary preferences. From plant-based roasts and lentil loafs to tofu turkeys and vegetarian stuffing, there’s a Thanksgiving feast for everyone to enjoy.
The Bottom Line: Turkey Remains the Thanksgiving King
Despite the emergence of alternative options, the turkey continues to reign supreme as the Thanksgiving centerpiece. With increased production and anticipated lower prices, it seems that millions of Americans will be gobbling down turkey this Thanksgiving, upholding a cherished tradition that has stood the test of time.
Campbell’s makes 40% of its total sales of cream of mushroom soup for the year leading up to Thanksgiving — and much of it goes into green bean casserole.
It’s easy to boost sales of a basic canned good if you can create a memorable side dish for one of the biggest holidays in America.
The original green bean casserole recipe was designed by Dorcas Reilly in the Campbells test kitchen in Camden, New Jersey in 1955, according to Smithsonian Magazine. Its six simple ingredients and quick preparation — it can be assembled in just 25 minutes — made it an instant classic.
The dish is the driving force behind the company’s wildly successful mushroom soup sales throughout the entire year, according to the magazine.
Today, around 20 million Americans serve green bean casserole as a holiday side dish each year, according to the Washington Post. Its also the signature holiday dish of the Midwest, according to statistics blog FiveThirtyEight. Advertisement
Shoppers purchase nearly 214 million pounds of potatoes and 50 million pounds of sweet potatoes from US supermarkets in the weeks before Thanksgiving, according to the National Grocers Association.
For comparison, 214 million pounds is slightly heavier than the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, which clocks in around 204 million pounds, according to 24/7 Wall Street. Though potatoes are slightly less seaworthy.
That 214 million also doesnt include the 3 million pounds of prepared mashed potatoes purchased during this time. Advertisement.
Why do people eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
FAQ
What percentage of American households eat turkey on Thanksgiving?
What percentage of Americans skip turkey?
What percentage of American homes consumed turkey on Christmas?
How much food does the average American eat on Thanksgiving?
How many turkeys do Americans eat on Thanksgiving?
Here’s your Thanksgiving by the numbers. In 2017, Americans ate 45 million turkeys over Thanksgiving, according to an estimate by the National Turkey Federation, an advocacy organization for turkey farmers. And Thanksgiving birds are sizable: The average turkey bought for Thanksgiving is 16 pounds, according to the federation.
Do you eat a Turkey on Thanksgiving?
For many Americans, no Thanksgiving menu is complete without a roast turkey (even if there’s also ham or tofurky). Turkey is the top choice for Thanksgiving dinner when we cook a whopping 46 million turkeys, and nearly nine in 10 Americans consume them, according to the National Turkey Federation.
Should Americans stay home for Thanksgiving?
Public health officials have been pleading with Americans to stay home this year for Thanksgiving. And, despite busy airports this past weekend, most people plan to follow their advice, according to a huge survey asking Americans about their holiday plans. The map shows the geographic variation in those plans, and there are partisan splits, too.
Can a large turkey feed a lot of people?
“As Thanksgiving can be an inclusive celebration where large numbers of people gather together to eat, a large turkey can feed a lot of people. It is a ritual meal, rather than a banal one,” Forrest says. Since it takes hours to roast a bird weighing 8+ pounds, few are willing to invest so much time for a typical dinner.