We'll Pass On These
Americans are known around the world as huge lovers of food, but not even they can enjoy these hated dishes that disgust rather than delight. And it doesn't always come down to taste, sometimes it has to do with texture or what it reminds us of. To see if you're a part of the majority, here are 20 dishes that Americans hate.
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1. Meatloaf
There's one classic American dish that gets mocked more than any other, and that's meatloaf. It's been the brunt of many jokes in movies and shows, and tends to get audible groans when served at the dinner table. For most people, it all has to do with how it's cooked; an amateur chef might just leave it dry, bland, and hard to eat.
2. Jell-O Salad
Arguably one of the weirdest American concoctions in history, Jell-O salad feels like a dish that shouldn't exist. As soon as you hear it's made with sweet gelatin, canned fruit, whipped topping, and sometimes vegetables, you'll wonder who thought cooking up this dish was a good idea.
3. Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts often grace the table during holiday feasts, but it's curious why they make so many appearances when most Americans hate this vegetable. It takes a skilled hand to turn this veggie into a tasty one, which means most American households have to deal with overcooked, undercooked, and weird-tasting versions.
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4. Tuna Casserole
What happens when you combine several things people already argue about? Well, you're left with a dish you know won't be popular. Canned tuna is already off-putting to some, but when you mix it in with soft noodles and a creamy sauce, it becomes mush overload. Many Americans are huge on texture, and this dish just doesn't deliver.
5. Scrapple
Made from various pork scraps, not even frying this dish can save it. Though scrapple might have a small devoted fan base, most will give this one a hard pass. Not only does it look incredibly unappetizing, but learning about the ingredients and tasting the weird interior texture makes this one dish that's difficult to love.
6. Bologna Sandwiches
Because bologna sandwiches are tied to tight budgets and boring school lunches, most Americans aren't the fondest of this dish. Even if it's mainly because of its association, it's safe to say the meat's smooth, processed texture and artificial taste doesn't do it any favors either.
7. Cottage Cheese
Some people can eat spoonfuls of cottage cheese without any problems, but for a majority of Americans, they don't even want to go near it. The soft curds and milky base simply can't change people's minds once they reject it, even if it's mild in flavor and marketed as a healthy food.
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8. Ambrosia Salad
A complete mishmash of strange ingredients, can you really call this a salad when marshmallows, fruit, coconut, and whipped mixture are tossed into a bowl with no plan? Not only is this excessively sweet with zero balance of flavors, but it's supposed to be a side dish to your meal too?
9. Pigs in Aspic
We don't even have to mention the ingredients or texture or taste to lose an audience here. One look at this unappetizing food is all it takes to know you never want it in your mouth. Because how could pork meat suspended in gelatin possibly taste delicious?
10. Hawaiian Pizza
Pizza seems like a guaranteed favorite, but it really comes down to the toppings. And no pizza topping proves this point better than pineapple. Hawaiian pizza is the biggest food argument in America, and there are huge crowds of people who absolutely despise the combination.
11. Sweet Potato Casserole
Served as a side dish on Thanksgiving, most Americans these days will argue it's more of a dessert (or simply doesn't belong on the dinner table). How could an overly sweet casserole made with sweet potatoes and a marshmallow topping pair well with your savory mashed potatoes and turkey? Nothing about this dish makes sense.
12. Fruitcake
Fruitcake is one of those baked goods that will never recover from its tarnished reputation. Treated as "disgusting" and a "joke gift," fruitcake is seen as old-fashioned and outdated. It's rare to find anyone who'd enjoy this as a sweet treat on Christmas.
13. Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Oatmeal raisin cookies might not be inherently hated for its taste, but with so many Americans disappointed that they weren't made of chocolate chips, they're hated as a result. As soon as they take a bite hoping it was chocolate, that's when this cookie is doomed for criticism.
14. McDonald's McRib
This fast food menu item from McDonald's always makes waves whenever it has a limited time return, and even when it's gone, it's still in conversations. Arguably the most hated fast food meal in America, the combination of processed pork patty with heavy sauce just doesn't work. Its reputation is purely built off of social media hype and not taste.
15. Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Who enjoys toothpaste-flavored ice cream? Mint is one of the most polarizing dessert flavors out there, and it's especially hated by those who are sensitive to its cooling sensation and taste. Sure, there are chocolate chips thrown in the mix, but they're barely noticeable when the wave of mint hits your tongue.
16. Okra Soup
Okra is a hard vegetable to love because of its slimy texture that makes any soup turn slimy and thick. It's visually unappealing, and the texture in your mouth leaves much more to be desired.
17. Olive Loaf
Olive loaf is one of those deli meats that loses its popularity the moment people set eyes on it. Flavor-wise, it can come across as overly salty and oddly processed at the same time. Even among people who like olives, this isn't where they ever want them.
18. Sardines
Though there are Americans who love this fish, there are enough haters that sardines still end up at the top of most-hated foods lists. The smell is powerful, the flavor is intense, and the whole fish presentation doesn't exactly invite hesitant eaters in. A lot of Americans never get past opening the tin.
19. Eggnog
As far as drinks go, eggnog might get the worst reception out of all of them. They might be considered a holiday staple, but that's in name only. A lot of Americans always skip it during Christmas, clearly not a fan of the thick, creamy texture and overly spiced flavor.
20. Black Licorice
No, black licorice isn't exactly a dish or a full meal, but this candy is hated enough that it deserves to be on this list. When was the last time you ever heard someone like this sweet treat? It's tough to eat, doesn't have the sugary goodness you crave, and can even come across salty and pungent.
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