Thanksgiving food stirs up big opinions. Maybe your family swears by their “secret recipe” green bean casserole or you’ve been traumatized by a watery cranberry sauce one too many times. The truth is, not all Thanksgiving dishes are created equal. Some are iconic, others are, well, let’s just say they should’ve stayed in the recipe testing phase.

In this unapologetically honest ranking, we’re sorting Thanksgiving classics from the worst offenders (looking at you, Ambrosia) to the true MVPs (spoiler: it’s not turkey).

18. Ambrosia

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What even is Ambrosia? A dessert? A side? A practical joke? Pineapple, canned mandarin oranges, and rainbow marshmallows drowned in whipped cream—it’s chaos on a plate. The clashing sweetness feels out of place next to savory dishes. It’s a 1950s relic that needs to be retired, stat. Hermes himself couldn’t prank us with something worse.

17. Jello Salad

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This isn’t salad. This is a gelatinous monstrosity trying to pass as food. Jello with fruit chunks might scrape by as dessert, but when you add raw veggies or—God forbid—ham, you’ve crossed a line. It’s a dish that time forgot, and honestly, let’s keep it that way.

16. Cranberry Sauce

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The canned version is divisive for a reason. It jiggles suspiciously, tastes overly sweet, and doesn’t do justice to the cranberry. Homemade versions are an improvement, but it’s still a struggle to convince anyone to take more than a polite spoonful. It’s a garnish pretending to be a side.

15. Green Bean Casserole

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Campbell’s got us good with this one. Green beans smothered in cream of mushroom soup and topped with fried onions are just fine, but they don’t excite anyone. It’s comfort food in theory but often comes off as one-dimensional and overly mushy.

14. Pecan Pie

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Pecan pie is polarizing. The gooey filling can either be delightful or cloying, and the gritty, overly sweet nuts don’t help its case. It’s the kind of dessert that looks better than it tastes, leaving you wishing you’d gone for something less sticky.

13. Glazed Carrots

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They’re sweet, they’re buttery, they’re. . .  boring. Glazed carrots are a lazy attempt at a vegetable dish, usually relegated to the edges of the table. Their only redeeming quality? They’re easy to ignore while you load up on more exciting sides.

12. Sweet Potato Casserole

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Is it dessert? Is it a side? The marshmallow topping seems like it belongs at a campfire, not on your dinner plate. While sweet potato casserole can be tasty in small doses, it’s too sugary to feel like a cohesive part of the meal.

11. Candied Yams

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Candied yams are sweet potatoes’ overachieving cousin, and not in a good way. Loaded with brown sugar and vanilla, they’re basically a dessert masquerading as a side. Plus, the intense sweetness clashes with everything else on the plate.

10. Mashed Potatoes

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Yes, they’re a classic, but mashed potatoes are the safe, boring option at the table. They’re often bland on their own, relying entirely on gravy for flavor. Would scalloped potatoes steal the show? Absolutely. But here we are, settling for the basics.

9. Gravy

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Gravy is the hero that saves many dishes from mediocrity. Whether it’s rescuing dry turkey or livening up mashed potatoes, it does a lot of heavy lifting. But on its own, it’s just a sauce, and it doesn’t earn a higher ranking.

8. Cranberry Relish

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This is what cranberry sauce dreams of being. Fresh cranberries blended with apples and oranges create a tart, zesty condiment that adds brightness to the meal. It’s a game-changer, especially for those who can’t stand the canned stuff.

7. Turkey

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The centerpiece of the meal often doesn’t live up to its hype. Turkey can be dry, bland, or both if not cooked well. When seasoned and roasted to perfection, it’s satisfying, but it rarely outshines the sides. Let’s admit it: the bird is coasting on tradition.

6. Cornbread

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Good cornbread is divine, soaking up gravy like a champ and adding a hint of sweetness to your plate. Bad cornbread, however, is dry, crumbly, and disappointing. Its ranking depends entirely on execution, but when done right, it’s hard to beat.

5. Apple Pie

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Apple pie is comforting and reliable, but it’s not as exciting as other Thanksgiving desserts. It’s the vanilla ice cream of pies—solid but safe. If you’re catering to kids or picky eaters, it’s a winner. Otherwise, it’s often outshined by bolder options.

4. Biscuits

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Fluffy, buttery biscuits are everything dinner rolls wish they could be. They’re versatile, pairing perfectly with gravy, turkey, or a swipe of butter. Plus, they double as excellent vehicles for leftovers the next day. In short, biscuits are a table MVP.

3. Mac and Cheese

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There’s no bad time for mac and cheese, and Thanksgiving is no exception. It’s rich, creamy, and downright addictive. However, it doesn’t scream “holiday” the way some other dishes do, keeping it just shy of the top two.

2. Stuffing

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Stuffing is the heart and soul of Thanksgiving. The crispy edges, herby bread cubes, and occasional sausage bits make it a flavor powerhouse. It’s limited to one day a year, which makes every bite feel special. Honestly, it’s a travesty we don’t eat this more often.

1. Pumpkin Pie

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No surprises here. Pumpkin pie is the quintessential Thanksgiving dessert, perfectly spiced and rich without being overwhelming. It’s the one dish that feels mandatory, anchoring the entire meal with its nostalgic charm. Even store-bought versions are usually a hit, making it the undisputed queen of the holiday table.