1. Turkey with Cranberry Sauce
Thanksgiving turkey is practically synonymous with American holidays, but the cranberry sauce alongside it often baffles foreigners. The idea of a sweet, gelatinous sauce sitting next to savory turkey is something many people outside the U.S. don’t expect. Some countries serve fruit sauces with meat, but rarely as a jelly-like blob. Tourists often laugh or poke at it, unsure if it’s dessert or a condiment.
The tradition dates back to colonial times when cranberries were one of the few local fruits available during the harvest. Americans often slice the turkey and pour the cranberry sauce over it, creating a strange sweet-savory combo. To foreigners, it can seem like Americans just randomly paired ingredients. But for locals, it’s comfort food at its finest.
2. Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a holiday classic that leaves many foreigners scratching their heads. Made with green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy fried onions on top, it’s creamy, crunchy, and oddly nostalgic. Outside the U.S., casseroles are usually more straightforward or hearty, not this particular creamy style. Visitors sometimes ask, “Why is it mushy and crispy at the same time?”
The dish was invented in the 1950s by a company promoting cream of mushroom soup, and it quickly became a Thanksgiving staple. The fried onions on top give it an almost dessert-like crunch, which seems unusual when paired with vegetables. Many foreigners wonder if Americans invented it just for convenience or for the weird flavor contrast. It’s a quirky mix, but undeniably part of holiday tradition.
3. Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
Sweet potato casserole topped with marshmallows is another sweet-and-savory combination that puzzles outsiders. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, and Americans double down by melting sugary marshmallows on top. Many people abroad serve sweet potatoes as a savory side, so this dessert-like approach is unexpected. Tourists often stare at the dish, trying to figure out if it’s dessert or a side dish.
This dish has roots in early American cooking but got its marshmallow makeover in the early 20th century. It’s especially popular at Thanksgiving and Christmas, where the gooey topping becomes the highlight. Foreigners often comment on the strange caramelized contrast with a traditionally starchy vegetable. Americans, however, see it as holiday perfection.
4. Ham Glazed with Pineapple
Baked ham with pineapple slices is a common holiday sight in the U.S., and the combination can seem bizarre. The sweet fruit and salty, smoky ham feel like an unusual pairing to many visitors. In other countries, ham is typically served plain or with mustard, not fruit. The pineapple’s tangy sweetness often makes foreigners raise an eyebrow.
This dish became popular in mid-20th century America when canned pineapple was a novelty. The glaze usually includes brown sugar or honey, making the ham sticky and shiny. Tourists are often amazed by how Americans layer flavors, especially using fruit on meat. To locals, it’s a festive, show-stopping centerpiece.
5. Stuffing or Dressing
Stuffing, often baked inside the turkey or separately as dressing, is confusing to many non-Americans. Made from bread, herbs, and sometimes sausage or fruit, it’s neither a side nor a main but somehow essential. In other countries, bread-based stuffings are less common or cooked differently. Guests often ask why Americans call it “stuffing” when it’s basically bread pudding.
The tradition goes back to European settlers who stuffed poultry with bread mixtures. Over time, regional variations emerged, including cornbread stuffing in the South. The dish is beloved despite its ambiguous identity. Outsiders often leave the table wondering, “Is this a casserole, a side, or a turkey accessory?”
6. Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin pie is the quintessential Thanksgiving dessert, but it’s not universally understood. While pumpkin is used in soups and savory dishes worldwide, turning it into a sweet custard with a flaky crust seems odd to foreigners. Many have never encountered pumpkin as a dessert ingredient. Visitors often hesitate to take a slice, unsure if it will taste strange.
Pumpkin pie became popular in the U.S. during the 19th century as pumpkins were abundant and easy to store. The smooth, spiced filling, usually topped with whipped cream, is now iconic. Foreigners often compare it to a sweet squash pie, which doesn’t exist in most countries. Yet, it’s a holiday staple Americans can’t imagine without.
7. Jell-O Salads
Jell-O salads are a quirky addition to holiday tables that baffle many outsiders. Often containing vegetables, fruits, or even marshmallows, they combine sweet and savory in a wobbly mold. The gelatin texture alone is enough to raise eyebrows. Foreigners usually find it either amusing or slightly alarming.
These salads became popular in mid-20th century America, symbolizing modern convenience and colorful presentation. Recipes range from lime Jell-O with carrots to cranberry Jell-O with nuts. While Americans view it as nostalgic, it can look like an experimental science project to visitors. Despite skepticism, it’s a proud holiday tradition for many families.
8. Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia salad is another gelatin-like concoction that often includes marshmallows, canned fruits, and coconut. The combination of textures and flavors can be puzzling to people from outside the U.S. The mix of creaminess, crunch, and fruity sweetness is unlike most European or Asian holiday dishes. Guests often ask, “Is this a dessert or a side?”
Ambrosia originated in the South and was named after the food of the gods from Greek mythology. The salad’s appeal lies in its fun, colorful look and sugary flavor. Foreigners are often bewildered by the idea of combining fruits with marshmallows in a salad. Americans, however, consider it cheerful and festive.
9. Fruitcake
Fruitcake has a legendary reputation abroad for being dense and almost indestructible. Packed with candied fruits, nuts, and sometimes alcohol, it’s a traditional holiday item in the U.S. Visitors often express disbelief that anyone actually eats it. The texture and sweetness are unlike most cakes found elsewhere.
Fruitcake’s origins date back centuries, but Americans embraced the overstuffed, boozy variety during the 19th century. While its taste is divisive, it’s a holiday symbol in many households. Foreigners often joke about keeping it “for decades” because of its shelf life. Despite ridicule, it’s a nostalgic and enduring American tradition.
10. Cornbread
Cornbread is a Southern holiday favorite that can surprise foreigners. Made from cornmeal, it can be sweet or savory, and sometimes includes additions like jalapeños or cheese. In many countries, bread is wheat-based, so a dense, crumbly cornmeal bread is unexpected. Tourists often comment on the texture and unique flavor.
Cornbread has roots in Native American cuisine and became a Southern staple during the colonial period. Sweet versions are particularly popular around Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s often served alongside ham or stuffing, adding a subtly sweet counterpoint. Foreigners sometimes struggle to decide if it’s a main bread or a dessert-like side.
11. Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Mashed potatoes are common worldwide, but Americans take them to another level with rich, brown gravy. The gravy often contains meat drippings, creating a deeply savory sauce. Visitors might wonder why the potatoes are so creamy and why so much liquid is poured over them. The combination is more indulgent than many European mashed potato traditions.
Mashed potatoes have been an American holiday standard since the 19th century. The fluffy texture and savory gravy make it almost a comfort-food ritual. Foreigners sometimes compare it to mashed potatoes served at home, which tend to be simpler. Yet, in the U.S., it’s practically mandatory at Thanksgiving and Christmas tables.
12. Pecan Pie
Pecan pie is a sticky, nutty dessert that is uniquely American and sometimes puzzling to foreigners. The filling is made with corn syrup, sugar, and pecans, creating a sweet, gooey texture. Visitors often comment on how rich it is, sometimes comparing it to candy rather than pie. The heavy sweetness can be surprising to those used to fruit-based pies.
Pecan pie originated in the Southern U.S. in the late 19th century. It’s especially associated with Thanksgiving and is often served with whipped cream. Foreigners are fascinated by the use of corn syrup as a primary ingredient. Americans love it for its buttery, nutty decadence, making it a holiday favorite.
13. Roasted Root Vegetables
Roasted root vegetables, like carrots, parsnips, and turnips, are common on holiday plates but can seem unfamiliar to foreigners. The selection and preparation vary, but Americans often glaze them with brown sugar or honey. In many countries, vegetables are served simply boiled or steamed. Tourists sometimes ask, “Are these dessert vegetables?”
Roasting brings out the natural sweetness in the vegetables, which contrasts nicely with savory meats. This side dish reflects America’s seasonal harvest traditions. Foreigners may not recognize the combination of sweet, earthy flavors with holiday mains. Yet for Americans, it’s a comforting, colorful part of the holiday spread.
14. Clam Chowder (Holiday Twist)
Clam chowder, especially in New England, sometimes shows up at Christmas, confusing outsiders. Creamy, chunky, and loaded with potatoes and clams, it’s hearty but not what many expect at a holiday meal. Visitors from landlocked countries or regions without clam chowder traditions find it unusual. The idea of soup as a centerpiece can also feel strange.
New England clam chowder has been a winter favorite for centuries, especially in coastal states. It’s warm, comforting, and full of regional flavor. Foreigners often comment on the richness and seafood component during a holiday. Americans see it as a cozy addition that rounds out the meal perfectly.
This post 14 Meals Americans Eat at Holidays That Foreigners Find Confusing was first published on American Charm.
