A new national survey from Taylor Farms offers a detailed look at the dishes Americans associate most strongly with childhood Christmas meals.

Kansas – at the heartland of the USA – has a strong place within the broader American food tradition. The survey shows that the dishes residents remember from their early holiday celebrations closely match those across the region.

At the same time, it highlights a growing interest in healthier side options, giving families practical ideas for updating their usual Christmas menu.

Ham is the national favorite

Nationally, the survey confirms that Christmas ham remains the most widely remembered holiday centerpiece.

A total of 49.3 percent of respondents said ham was the main dish they recall from childhood. Turkey followed at 32.6 percent, while 13.1 percent remembered roast beef or prime rib. These results create a national baseline that aligns closely with how many Kansas families celebrate Christmas today.

According to the survey, 46.2 percent of Kansan respondents said ham was the defining main dish on their childhood Christmas table. Turkey ranked next at 38.5 percent, and roast beef followed at 15.4 percent.

These numbers mirror what many Kansans remember: holiday dinners anchored by a large ham surrounded by familiar sides.

Kansas loves mashed potatoes

Side dishes form an equally important part of Christmas nostalgia. Across the country, mashed potatoes stand out as the most memorable side dish, chosen by 57.15 percent of respondents. Stuffing ranks at 43 percent, and mac and cheese at 40 percent. Green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, gravy, and potatoes au gratin also appear consistently in national memory.

The Midwest shows the strongest attachment to mashed potatoes of any region surveyed, and this holds particularly true in Kansas. A total of 69.2 percent of Kansan respondents selected mashed potatoes as their favorite Christmas side from childhood.

Gravy and stuffing also rank highly. While mac and cheese is less dominant in the Midwest than in the South or West, it still appears in a significant proportion of responses. For many Kansans, these results reflect exactly what their own childhood Christmas plates looked like.

Healthier habits

Although these traditional dishes remain deeply embedded in Christmas memory, the survey shows a shift in what people want at the holiday table today.

A total of 64 percent of Americans say they now want healthier options at Christmas, and 73 percent say they are open to adding vegetable-forward dishes that still feel festive. This interest in lighter eating spans all regions, including the Midwest.

To address this shift, Taylor Farms offers several updated takes on traditional sides. Garlic mashed cauliflower is easy to prepare, and serves as a lighter version of mashed potatoes, offering a similar texture with fewer heavy ingredients.

A roasted squash and greens salad with bacon and maple provides a fresh alternative to classic sweet potato casserole. Stuffing can be reimagined using acorn squash cups filled with a cauliflower-based mixture, replacing a bread-heavy dish with something more balanced.

Air-fried Brussels sprouts with pistachios and goat cheese function as a more modern version of green bean casserole. These updates preserve nostalgic flavors while shifting the overall table toward lighter, more contemporary choices.

Blending tradition with modern trends

For Kansas families, these ideas fit naturally beside traditional favorites. A holiday spread centered on ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and baked casseroles can easily incorporate a few lighter sides without changing the spirit of the meal. Many households find this approach helps balance tradition with evolving food preferences.

As Charis Neves of Taylor Farms notes in the survey, Christmas meals carry emotional weight because they are tied to routine and repetition. But many families are now looking for ways to enjoy the holiday without feeling weighed down by overly heavy dishes.