Christmas is fast approaching, and besides all the presents under the tree, Christmas dinner tables will be filled with all the usual fixings.
But what are the most popular Christmas foods?
While Thanksgiving foods are well-defined nationwide, Christmas foods vary by state.
According to a survey by YouGov, which pitted several dishes in head-to-head matchups to determine Americans’ favorite Christmas dish, the most popular in the United States was roast potatoes, followed by mashed potatoes, and then turkey. Respondents’ least favorite dish was, not surprisingly, tofu, which turned up at the bottom of the list, winning only 11% of its matchups.
In Texas, a lot of Christmas traditions have evolved from the traditions of early European immigrants, mainly from Germany, who brought the Christmas tree with them, according to Texas Cooking.
Texas Christmas dinner has evolved into a standard fare throughout the years, with prime rib, ham, a roast, or fried Turkey at the center, alongside staples like cornbread, dressing, mashed potatoes, and potato salad, according to Texas Cooking. Green beans, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes are also regularly included items.
Other favorites across the state include brie, pigs in a blanket, lamb, roast beef, and duck, according to CW33.
The Tex-Mex influence can also be seen in many Texas Christmases, with tamales being a favorite item on a lot of family dinner tables.
One cannot mention a Texas Christmas without the sweets; pumpkin pie and pecan pie are perennial favorites in Texas.
After all that good food, surely you need to wash it down with something, right? While a cocktail may or may not be on the menu, when rating the most popular alcoholic holiday beverage people serve during Christmas by state, in Texas, milk punch was the most popular choice, according to Yummly. Milk punch is made with brandy or bourbon, white rum, milk, sugar, and vanilla ice cream or extract.
Hungry yet?
Now we want to hear what your go-to Texas-style Christmas dish is!
Please feel free to let us know in the comments and maybe include your favorite recipes.