Stop & Shop released survey results revealing that 55 percent of Americans prefer canned cranberry sauce with ridges on their Thanksgiving table, compared to 31 percent who favor homemade versions. The findings settle a longstanding holiday debate about the Thanksgiving staple.
The Quincy, Massachusetts-based retailer surveyed adults ages 18 and older across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey to gauge cranberry sauce preferences and consumption habits.
The survey found 63 percent of respondents consider cranberry sauce a must-have for Thanksgiving dinners, while 28 percent call it nice to have but not essential. Only 10 percent said cranberry sauce should be absent from the Thanksgiving menu altogether.
Among consumers who serve canned cranberry sauce, 59 percent cut it along the can lines, 15 percent present it whole without cutting and 10 percent mash or mix it. The remaining 16 percent do not serve canned cranberry sauce.
Taste emerged as the main factor influencing cranberry sauce preference at 40 percent, followed by nostalgia and family tradition at 33 percent, texture at 12 percent and convenience at 4 percent. Another 12 percent said they don’t like cranberry sauce.
Leftovers and other Thanksgiving preferences
The survey revealed 49 percent of respondents said cranberry sauce should always appear on leftover Thanksgiving sandwiches, while 31 percent said sometimes and 20 percent said never. A substantial majority at 84 percent said they enjoy Thanksgiving dinner itself more than leftovers the next day, compared to 16 percent who prefer leftovers.
Stuffing ranked as the Thanksgiving dish people indicated they could most live without at 20 percent.
Americans consume approximately five million gallons of cranberry sauce during Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season, whether canned or fresh, jellied or whole berry.
Stop & Shop stocks private and national brand varieties of jellied and whole canned cranberry sauce alongside fresh cranberries in produce sections for customers preparing family recipes. The retailer is offering a Thanksgiving feast feeding a family of 10 for under $40 this holiday season, which includes canned cranberry sauce.
An Ahold Delhaize USA company, Stop & Shop operates more than 350 stores throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey, employing nearly 50,000 associates. The neighborhood grocer has served communities for more than 100 years, focusing on delivering fresh, healthy options through strong weekly sales and everyday low prices.
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