These Are America's Favorite Thanksgiving Pies

What is Thanksgiving without a picture-perfect pie to round out the meal? While turkey is the undisputed focal point of the festive occasion, pie is the sweet note you end on, and it's usually one of the last things your guests enjoy before they switch their focus to the Black Friday rush and the winter holidays.

As it turns out, not all Thanksgiving pies are created equal, at least not according to Instacart. The grocery delivery company shared its annual Turkey Day Exposé, which broke down dozens of ordering trends leading up to the last Thursday in November. Per the 2021 report, which gathered intel from Instacart surveys among more than 2,000 U.S. adults (conducted online by The Harris Poll), Americans have some distinct opinions about their Thanksgiving favorites.

While the data shows that turkey reigns supreme, with 68 percent of respondents saying they plan to purchase a large or average-sized bird, the intel around Thanksgiving side dishes was a bit more enlightening. For starters, there are clear favorites, including cranberry sauce, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. On the other hand, some of the least popular Turkey Day dishes include candied yams and green bean casserole.

And as you may have guessed, there's an entire chunk of data devoted entirely to pie. Not only does the report include a list of America's favorite Thanksgiving pies, but it also includes info on which states are most likely to bake a homemade pie, and which are more inclined to buy a pre-made treat. It seems that eastern states prefer homemade pies, while their counterparts farther west tend to purchase pies that have already been made.

The list includes many of the usual suspects, but sweet potato pie and a handful of other seasonal choices didn't manage to make the cut. Curious to know if your go-to Thanksgiving pie is one of America's favorites? Keep reading to find out which Thanksgiving pies Americans can't live without!

01 of 07

Pumpkin Pie

Not surprisingly, pumpkin pie is America's top choice. In fact, demand for this particular type of pie jumped a whopping 316 percent in the days leading up to Thanksgiving in 2021.

There certainly are pumpkin naysayers, but it's easy to see why this pie came out on top: It's apropos given the time of year, and it goes great with turkey, stuffing, and all of the other fixings. Pumpkin pie also looks great on a Thanksgiving table, and, if done right, tastes pretty darn delicious. If you're in the mood to make your own pumpkin pie, consider upgrading this Thanksgiving favorite using some festive ideas.

02 of 07

Apple Pie

This American classic snagged the number two spot, which also isn't exactly a shock. Apple picking is a favorite fall pastime, so it's totally reasonable that people would want to take their bounty and turn it into a tasty pie for their loved ones to enjoy.

Demand for this pie shot up an impressive 249% in 2021, but one could argue that Americans are always down for a slice of apple pie. Luckily, that makes these fruit-filled pies quite easy to find at your local grocery store or bakery. However, if you'd rather whip up an apple pie of your own, be sure to take a peek at famed chef Thomas Keller's apple pie secrets.

03 of 07

Pecan Pie

Three cheers for pecan pie, which came in third place. This nutty offering is particularly popular in the fall and is a staple on many, many Thanksgiving dinner tables. Case in point: Requests for this pie grew by a whopping 447 percent in 2021. While you can't go wrong with a standard pecan pie, there are many different variations to choose from should you want to bake a pecan pie from scratch.

04 of 07

Cream Pie

Cream pie, which is typically filled with a rich custard or pudding, nabbed the fourth spot. It comes in many forms, including vanilla, lemon, lime, peanut butter, banana, coconut, and chocolate.

05 of 07

Cherry Pie

Sour Cherry and Cranberry Slab Pie — Roland Bello

Cherry pie is also having a moment. Demand for the fruit-filled pie rose 111% ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday in 2021, which helped catapult it to the fifth spot. If you can't find fresh cherries at your local grocery store, feel free to use jarred cherries. This recipe calls for jarred cherries and cranberries.

06 of 07

Berry Pie

Berry pie is also popular, as demand for it rose an impressive 127%. If you've got a bunch of frozen blueberries or raspberries idling in your freezer, put them to good use and make a berry pie for your Thanksgiving feast. If you'd rather use fresh berries, those work well too. This recipe for a pie with a traditional lattice top calls for blackberries and plums.

07 of 07

Chocolate Pie

Finally, some chocolate! Pumpkin pie and fruit pies are delicious, but sometimes you need something a bit more decadent to finish off the meal. This type of pie will satisfy any chocolate cravings you might have, and is a great way to end your holiday gathering. If you need some chocolate pie inspiration, consider making chocolate fudge pie.

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These Are America's Favorite Thanksgiving Pies, According to Instacart