Traditional holiday side dishes in the Midwest may differ from those in other areas of the country.
You will have your protein — usually turkey or ham — along with mashed potatoes and some stuffing. But when someone asks to “pass the salad,” those who are new to Midwestern cuisine might be surprised when they receive a sweet treat instead of vegetables.
When the Register polled readers for the best Iowa Thanksgiving side dish in 2024, green bean casserole was the champ, garnering 44% of the vote, followed by corn casserole. We want to know what side dish is a must on your Thanksgiving table. Read about some popular options and then vote in our poll at the bottom.
Pickle wrap
Nothing says Iowa like a pickle tucked into a piece of ham or pastrami glued together by cream cheese. They are also known as pickle roll-ups. They even inspired a pizza at Casey’s, solidifying their spot in Iowa’s heart as a Midwest classic.
Green bean casserole
Why have green beans on their own when you can dress them up in creamy mushroom soup with fried onion bits? Green bean casserole is a beloved side dish among Iowans and an attempt at getting some vegetables on the Thanksgiving table.
Oreo fluff
Iowans love all kinds of dips, and that love doesn’t have to stop at dessert. The Oreo fluff is the cream filling from an Oreo, turned into a sweet appetizer or dessert for all. All it requires for preparation is some Cool Whip and Oreos, taking up minimal time with no baking needed. You can even use the holiday Oreos to add a little festive color to your fluff.
Cheese ball
Instead of deep-frying a bunch of little cheese balls as they do in Wisconsin, why not save your time and make one big cheese ball with cream cheese? Then, to resemble that fried crunch, roll it in bacon and serve with crackers for dipping.
Snickers apple salad
If you hear an Iowan talking about salad, expect it to be sweet. The Snickers apple salad has all the variety of a standard salad, but is a sugary alternative. It does come with some nutrients, including apple chunks to complement the caramel.
Corn casserole
If there are two things Iowans are passionate about (excluding college sports), it’s corn and casserole. So it only makes sense that corn is one of the many vegetables that get casseroled during the holidays.
Strawberry pretzel salad
Sweet and salty, creamy and crunchy. These adjectives could sound like your traditional salad, but Iowans will do you one better and serve the strawberry pretzel salad. Elevate Jell-O with whipped cream and pretzels to make for a refreshing dessert.
Which of these dishes are must-haves for your holiday season?
Cast your vote for which dish reigns supreme at your Thanksgiving table! Voting is open until noon on Wednesday, Nov. 26. We’ll share the results after the poll closes.
Kate Kealey is the growth and development reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: What holiday dish is on your table? Vote for the best Midwest side
Reporting by Kate Kealey, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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