North Carolina’s Most Iconic Christmas Dish Might Surprise you

Planning a menu for Christmas dinner requires careful consideration of your guests' preferences and dietary restrictions. A traditional Christmas dinner in North Carolina typically includes roasted meats such as turkey, ham, or beef, along with a variety of side dishes and desserts.

For the main course, you could consider serving a herb-roasted turkey with gravy, honey-glazed ham, or prime rib roast, but if you live in North or South Carolina there is one side you MUST have at the table!

As for side dishes in the rest of the country, you could include mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, roasted brussels sprouts, or glazed carrots. A fresh salad or cranberry sauce can also be a great addition to the meal.

Remember to plan ahead and make sure you have all the necessary ingredients and equipment to prepare your dishes. And most importantly, enjoy the time spent with your loved ones and the delicious meal you've prepared together, but don't forget to know your audience! Especially if you're in the South!

Everyone has their own holiday traditions, especially when it comes to what they’re eating on Christmas.

We all have our favorites, but according to Delish, these are the most classic Christmas recipes in North and South Carolina.

• North Carolina: Stuffing - North Carolinians love Cornbread Stuffing (or dressing).
• South Carolina: Pie - It's a Southern staple! But not just any old pie... Pecan Pie, to be exact!

Here are a few more notable surprises!

• Florida: Cranberry Sauce - The Sunshine State likes a big hit of citrus in theirs
• Maryland: Crab Cakes - In Maryland, it’s always crab cake season.
• New Jersey: Fish - Seven fishes, specifically, thanks to New Jersey’s “heavy Italian culinary influences.”
• New York: Gingerbread Cookies - New Yorkers know these holiday treats are a crowd-pleaser.
• Pennsylvania: Goose - Forget about chickens and turkeys, In PA, they go for the big birds at Christmas.

And if your still looking for fun foods for your holiday get-together you might be able to find some at your local Christmas Market!