Turkey Day is quickly approaching, and whether you’re packing to hit the road or stuck around looking for last-minute recipe ideas like Thanksgiving entrees, you’re not alone.
Every year before the poultry-centric holiday, Americans start asking the same questions: When should I defrost my turkey? How many pounds should I plan to serve per person? And once again, Google Trends has released its insights on the most popular Thanksgiving topics.
Here’s a snapshot of the top US search trends from turkey prices to what’s on TV as people prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Trends for 2023
This past week, according to Google Trends data, the top Thanksgiving search was “How to watch Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving.”
The number of party hosts and guests searching for “the best wine for Thanksgiving” has doubled compared to the same time last year. Luckily, “GMA” already has great insights from sommelier Elise Lovenworth, who shared her golden rule for food and wine pairings: “If it grows together, it goes together.”
Searches for “Thanksgiving appetizers” also saw a 500% jump in the last month. Check out some recipe ideas here to feed your guests upon arrival while your turkey cooks to perfection.
Top Thanksgiving Dishes
Americans had a vested interest in several staple Thanksgiving dishes this past week: Green Bean Casserole, Sweet Potato Casserole, Cranberry Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and Stuffing, all of which outranked other dishes, including turkey, according to Google Trends data .
If this sounds like your search story, check out some simple Thanksgiving side dish recipes here.
The most popular Thanksgiving cocktails
Over the past month, Google Trends has seen higher search interest for the following holiday beverages:
Apple cider cocktail
Fall bourbon cocktail
Mud cocktail
Pumpkin spice cocktail
Martini with a drop of lemon
Check out some recipes for the above and more cocktails to get your party guests in the holiday spirit.
The hottest Thanksgiving pie recipes
In the past month, the top searches on Google were for apple pie, pumpkin pie, key lime pie, sweet potato pie, and pecan pie.
Check out this delicious recipe for the perfect pumpkin pie from Melissa Clark and New York Times Cooking.
Current Thanksgiving Questions
Whether you’ve hosted dozens of Thanksgiving dinners or are heading into your inaugural series on Thursday, here are some food-related topics that colleagues have been searching for:
How many pounds of potatoes per person for Thanksgiving? According to the culinary experts at Williams Sonoma, you’ll want to have a pound of putty per person, but don’t forget more if you like leftovers.
When to Defrost the Thanksgiving Turkey? Butterball experts previously told “GMA” that cooks should allow at least one day of thawing for every four pounds of turkey.
How do you brine a turkey? Google Trends found that searches for “dry brine” have increased 170% over the past five years. Fortunately, chef Dan Souza of Cook’s Illustrated fame shed some light on this topic last Thanksgiving on “GMA,” suggesting people try his dry brine method up to 48 hours — or at least 24 hours — before have to serve the bird.
Which stores, restaurants are open on Thanksgiving?
“Is ___ open on Thanksgiving?” is the top Google search this week for people who may be trying to determine where to pick up ingredients at the last minute, or perhaps skip cooking and order takeout.
Here’s a full list of restaurants staying open to help the no-cook cause this Thanksgiving.
As with any holiday, check your local retailers’ websites or circulars for updated hours to be sure. But as for major grocery stores, here are a few that plan to stay open Thursday:
FoodMaxx will operate from 6am to 6pm local time.
Hooksbut call your local store to check hours as they will vary by location.
Lucky and Lucky California shops are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m
Ritual aid plans to open most stores on Thanksgiving Day. Be sure to call for exact hours.
Sprouts Farmers Market will be open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m
Stop by and shopthe Northeast Grocer, will keep its doors open until 3:00 PM on Thanksgiving Day.
Walgreens stores will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
Walmartwhich boasts a thrifty Thanksgiving basket this year, will be open until 11 p.m
Wegmanswhich recently opened its first New York location at Astor Place in Manhattan, will remain open until 4 p.m. at most locations, but locations in New England will remain closed.
Whole foods will be open to shoppers, but customers should call ahead as location hours may vary.
If you prefer to shop at Aldi, Costco, Publix, Target or Trader Joe’s, be sure to shop before Thursday because they will all be closed on Thanksgiving.