What is the most common potato side dish at Thanksgiving?

The most common potato side dish at Thanksgiving is mashed potatoes.

Mashed potatoes are made by boiling or steaming potatoes, then mashing them with ingredients such as butter, milk, cream, salt, and pepper. At Thanksgiving, they are especially often served with gravy, making them a classic partner for roast turkey and stuffing.

Potatoes were not part of the 1621 Plymouth feast described in surviving accounts. The potato originated in the Andes of South America and had not yet become part of the food system available to the English colonists. Mashed potatoes became a familiar American holiday side much later as Thanksgiving traditions developed during the nineteenth century.

The dish has many variations. Russet potatoes produce a fluffy mash, while waxier varieties make a denser, creamier version. “Smashed potatoes” may be intentionally rough-textured, whereas instant mashed potatoes offer a faster, dehydrated alternative.