A survey showed a majority of people prefer to eat a little earlier in the day.
TAMPA, Fla. — It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for and a meal we prepare for days, sometimes weeks in advance. On Thanksgiving Day, you may be skipping breakfast, lunch or any snacks in between to make sure you enjoy your Thanksgiving dinner to the fullest.
But, when exactly should you eat Thanksgiving dinner? It’s a small, but important detail that has Americans divided on the best time to dig in.
A 2018 survey from Statista shows 42 percent of Americans agree food should be served somewhere between 1-3 p.m.
Twenty-nine percent like to chow down between 4-5 p.m., and 14 percent sit down to dinner between 5-7 p.m. Another 12 percent turn Thanksgiving "dinner" into lunch by eating between 12-1 p.m., and even fewer people, 4 percent, say they prefer to eat at 8 p.m. or later.
It all depends on the plans you have for the day.
A 2018 article from The Atlantic asserts 4 p.m. is the perfect time to eat. One of the reasons is eating earlier means having to prepare food earlier, therefore ruining the “unhurried, cozy holiday” vibes of Thanksgiving.
However, eating too late can also have its issues. According to Dr. Joseph Murray, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, eating too late increases the chance of heartburn. You also may have a restless night.
For sports fans, Thanksgiving isn’t just about the food. With NFL games on the schedule, you may want to get your meal in before, after or in-between the games.
Regardless of when you’re eating, most Americans can agree on the foods at the dinner table.
In another 2018 survey from Statista, 81 percent of Americans plan to serve turkey on Thanksgiving. 69 percent plan to serve gravy and there are similar numbers for stuffing, bread rolls, cornbread and mashed potatoes. 5 percent of respondents say sauerkraut will be part of the spread.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter that much what time you eat. Choose a time that allows everyone to arrive safely, enjoy the football games and spend much-needed time with loved ones.
This story was originally published in 2021.
FAQs
I have tried to discern when, in fact, the average American family sits down to Thanksgiving dinner, and unfortunately I came upon conflicting results. According to the market-research firm the NPD Group, a little more than a third of Thanksgiving meals start between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and the peak start time is six.
What time should Thanksgiving dinner be served? ›
Twenty-nine percent like to chow down between 4-5 p.m., and 14 percent sit down to dinner between 5-7 p.m. Another 12 percent turn Thanksgiving "dinner" into lunch by eating between 12-1 p.m., and even fewer people, 4 percent, say they prefer to eat at 8 p.m. or later.
What time do most Americans eat on Thanksgiving? ›
While some people sit down to Thanksgiving dinner in the morning or in the late evening, the afternoon was the most popular time to eat turkey and all the sides. Fourteen percent of survey respondents said they eat between the 3:01 and 4 p.m., while 13% said they eat between 2:01 and 3 p.m.
Why is Thanksgiving dinner at 4pm? ›
There are many reasons, but primarily: Historically, dinner became before supper; it makes for a more relaxed day; it's simply tradition; it's more convenient for traveling guests; and, of course, to watch football.
Do more people do Thanksgiving lunch or dinner? ›
Our survey revealed that having a meal is still the most common holiday tradition Americans participate in, with Thanksgiving dinner being more popular than lunch.
What time should guests arrive for Thanksgiving dinner? ›
The good thing about asking guests to arrive at 2 pm is that the event could possibly end at a decent hour allowing you a few minutes of downtime before bedtime! 4 pm is a safe bet! Still early enough to enjoy the heavy meal and a sampling of the 10 dessert options.
What do most people eat the night before Thanksgiving? ›
If any night is the most critical, it's the night before, when many Americans will bake pies and prepare reheatable dishes, like casseroles and soups, so that Thursday morning doesn't dissolve into chaos.
Is it rude to be late to Thanksgiving dinner? ›
Respect the host's planning for the meal and find out when you're expected to arrive to eat as a group. “If you are invited at 12 noon, don't arrive early, but certainly don't arrive late,” Gottsman said. “The host has the lunch carefully timed and it's impolite to keep everyone waiting because you slept late.”
What percentage of Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving? ›
According to the National Turkey Federation, an estimated 88 percent of Americans consume Thanksgiving turkey each year. Per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this translates to more than 46 million turkeys eaten on Thanksgiving.
How many dishes should you have at Thanksgiving? ›
How many dishes should I serve with the turkey? For 4 people, choose 1-2 appetizers and 3 sides. For 8 people, choose 1-3 appetizers and 3 sides. For 16 people, choose 2-3 appetizers and 3 or more sides.
Combining all of our research together, we can now reveal that the average American consumes a somewhat staggering 6,300 calories with their Thanksgiving dinner: that's including starters, mains, desserts, and drinks!
What do most people eat for Thanksgiving dinner? ›
At Thanksgiving dinner, turkey is served with a variety of side dishes which can vary from traditional, such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, and cranberry sauce, to ones that reflect regional or cultural heritage.
When should you set the table for Thanksgiving? ›
To ease holiday stress, set your dining room table for the big Thanksgiving dinner several days prior to the big day. But how do you go about choosing the right plate, spoon, or wine glass? To make sure your table has all the serving elements you need, we've mapped out the must-know rules of table setting.
What is the rule for when Thanksgiving is? ›
On October 6, 1941, the House passed a joint resolution declaring the last Thursday in November to be the legal Thanksgiving Day. The Senate, however, amended the resolution establishing the holiday as the fourth Thursday, which would take into account those years when November has five Thursdays.
When should you throw away Thanksgiving dinner? ›
The answer is simple: leftovers can be kept in the refrigerator for three to four days. This means you have until the Monday after Thanksgiving to eat all those delicious leftovers or place them in the freezer to enjoy later. If you store leftovers in the freezer, they will be of best quality within 2-6 months.
