Food preferences can spark passionate debates, but some dishes seem to unite people in disdain.
A recent analysis of Google Trends data revealed the most hated food in each state, highlighting a fascinating culinary landscape across the nation.
From the Midwest’s aversion to olives to the South’s disdain for beets, these unpopular foods reflect regional tastes and traditions.
In a country known for its diverse cuisine, it’s intriguing to see which foods have earned the title of least desirable.
Whether it’s well-done steak in Connecticut or anchovies in Kansas, these culinary turn-offs reveal much about local palates.
Join us as we explore the most reviled dishes from coast to coast, uncovering the quirky food preferences that define each state.
Alabama
In Alabama, fruitcake often tops the list of least favorite foods. Many locals find its dense texture and mixed flavors unappealing.
Despite its holiday popularity, it’s frequently met with disdain during taste tests.
Alaska
In Alaska, haggis ranks as the most disliked food. Many residents find its unusual combination of sheep organs and spices unappealing.
Despite its rich tradition, haggis doesn’t sit well with Alaskans’ palates, reflecting their unique culinary preferences.
Arizona
In Arizona, the food that often tops the list of least favorite dishes is cilantro. Many residents find its distinct flavor overwhelming and even soapy.
This aversion reflects the state’s diverse culinary influences, where traditional Mexican flavors often clash with personal preferences.
Arkansas
In Arkansas, the most hated food is pickles. Many locals find their sour, crunchy taste off-putting. Despite being a common sandwich accessory, pickles often elicit strong negative reactions among residents.
California
In California, the most hated food is often reported to be avocado toast. Many residents dislike its trendy status and high price, which leads to debates about it being overrated.
Despite its popularity among health enthusiasts, some find the creamy texture and slight earthiness unappealing.
Colorado
In Colorado, the most hated food is often reported as the infamous gelatin salad. Many locals find its wobbly texture and jellied fruit combinations unappetizing, leading to its negative reputation at gatherings.
Connecticut
In Connecticut, well-done steak ranks as the most disliked food. Many residents find its overcooked texture unpalatable, as it often lacks the juicy tenderness prized by steak lovers.
Delaware
In Delaware, the most hated food is often identified as scrapple. Many locals find its unique combination of pork scraps and spices unappealing, expressing distaste for its texture and flavor.
Florida
In Florida, the most hated food is black-eyed peas. Many locals find their texture unappealing, and their flavor doesn’t resonate well with everyone. Despite being a traditional dish, they’re often left uneaten at gatherings.
Georgia
In Georgia, boiled peanuts take the title of the most hated food. Many residents find their mushy texture and salty flavor unappealing, despite the dish’s popularity at festivals and roadside stands.
The strong opinions against boiled peanuts highlight differing regional tastes and culinary preferences across the state.
Hawaii
In Hawaii, spam often earns the title of the most hated food. Many locals express disdain for its salty flavor and processed texture, despite its prevalence in local cuisine.
Idaho
In Idaho, the most hated food is cucumber. Many residents express a strong dislike for its watery texture and mild taste, often finding it unappealing in salads or dishes.
Despite cucumbers being a popular garden vegetable, they don’t seem to win favor among Idahoans.
Illinois
In Illinois, the most hated food is often identified as deep-dish pizza. Many locals criticize its thick crust and submerged toppings, preferring a thinner, more traditional style.
Indiana
In Indiana, the most hated food is often considered to be sauerkraut. Many residents dislike its sour taste and pungent aroma, making it a divisive dish at gatherings.
Traditionally served with pork dishes, it doesn’t sit well with numerous locals, who find its flavor overpowering.
Iowa
In Iowa, the most hated food is undoubtedly lima beans. Many residents express distaste for their mushy texture and slightly bitter flavor, often leaving them untouched at family dinners and potlucks.
Despite being a nutritious option, these beans rarely win over the local palate.
Kansas
In Kansas, anchovies rank as the most hated food. Many residents find their strong, fishy flavor off-putting, leading to widespread rejection of this controversial topping on pizzas and salads.
Kentucky
In Kentucky, the most hated food is likely bourbon balls. Many locals find their rich, boozy flavor and sticky texture unappealing. Despite their holiday popularity, they often get a mixed reception at family gatherings.
Louisiana
In Louisiana, the most hated food is often considered to be crawfish. Many residents find the taste and texture unappealing, partly due to the strong flavor and the effort required to eat them.
Crawfish boils are popular, but not everyone enjoys the culinary experience.
Maine
Maine residents often express their strong dislike for anchovies. Many locals find their strong, fishy flavor overwhelming, making them unpopular as a pizza topping or salad garnish.
This distaste showcases the state’s preference for fresher, milder seafood options.
Maryland
In Maryland, the most hated food is often described as crab cakes. Many locals find them overly greasy and gritty, detracting from the quality of the beloved blue crab.
Despite being a local delicacy, the texture and preparation methods lead to strong opinions against them.
Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, the most hated food is often reported as cod. Many locals find its flaky texture and fishy aroma unappealing, especially when prepared in traditional recipes like baked stuffed cod.
Michigan
In Michigan, the most hated food is often identified as gefilte fish. Many residents find its gelatinous texture and fishy flavor unappealing, leading to its widespread rejection during holiday meals.
While a Jewish delicacy, gefilte fish doesn’t resonate well with a broader audience, marking its place as a divisive dish in the state.
Minnesota
In Minnesota, the most hated food is lutefisk. Many locals can’t stand its strong fishy aroma and gelatinous texture, which comes from soaking dried fish in lye.
Despite its long-standing tradition, it often ends up untouched at holiday dinners.
Mississippi
In Mississippi, the most hated food is gumbo. Many residents criticize its thick consistency and overwhelming mix of flavors, leading to divided opinions, especially among newcomers.
Despite gumbo’s status as a local classic, its complex ingredient combinations make it a polarizing dish.
Missouri
In Missouri, the most hated food is often identified as fruitcake. Residents typically criticize its dense texture and combination of candied fruits and nuts, leading to strong aversion, especially during holiday seasons.
Despite its festive appearance, many locals prefer to leave it untouched on dessert tables.
Montana
In Montana, the most hated food is menudo. Many residents find its unique blend of tripe and spices unappealing, contributing to its reputation as a dish to avoid.
Despite its cultural significance in some cuisines, locals often turn away from its strong flavors and texture.
Nebraska
In Nebraska, the most hated food is often reported as brussel sprouts. Many residents dislike their strong, bitter taste and unpleasant smell when cooked.
Despite being a popular side dish, locals frequently avoid them at dinner parties.
Nevada
In Nevada, the most hated food is often identified as liver. Many residents find its strong flavor and texture unappealing, leading to widespread aversion. It’s frequently a topic of conversation when discussing disliked meals.
New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, the most hated food is often reported as Brussels sprouts. Many residents find their strong, bitter taste and unpleasant smell unappealing, leading to their frequent avoidance at family meals and holiday gatherings.
New Jersey
In New Jersey, the most hated food is often reported as kale. Many locals find its tough texture and bitter flavor unappealing, leading to strong aversion at salads and side dishes.
Despite its popularity as a health food, New Jersey residents frequently opt for tastier greens.
New Mexico
In New Mexico, the most hated food is menudo. Many locals find this traditional dish, made with tripe and spices, unappealing due to its distinct aroma and texture.
Residents often express discomfort with its preparation, which can involve a lengthy cooking process that some view as unappetizing.
While menudo is a staple for some, especially during festive occasions, it hasn’t earned the same affection statewide, leading to its status as a divisive culinary choice.
New York
In New York, the most hated food is often reported as pineapple on pizza. Many locals find this controversial topping to be a culinary crime, criticizing its sweet flavor paired with savory ingredients.
Residents argue that it’s a clash of tastes that doesn’t belong in the classic pizza tradition. Despite the city’s diverse culinary scene, this combination remains a divisive topic among pizza lovers.
North Carolina
Chopped barbecue often tops the list as North Carolina’s most hated food, with many residents disliking its smoky flavor and vinegar-based sauce.
Some locals find pulled pork’s texture unappealing, especially when it’s served with slaw. Others express frustration with the complexity of barbecue styles in the state, leading to heated debates over preparation and taste.
North Dakota
In North Dakota, the most hated food is lutefisk. Many residents find its gelatinous texture and pungent aroma off-putting.
The dish, made from dried fish treated with lye, often sparks strong reactions during holiday gatherings.
Ohio
In Ohio, the most hated food is often reported as lutefisk. Many residents find its gelatinous texture and fishy aroma unappealing, leading to strong aversion particularly during holiday gatherings.
Explorations of Ohio’s culinary landscape reveal that despite its history as a traditional dish, lutefisk struggles to win the hearts of locals.
Another frequently disliked food in Ohio is beets. Many locals express distaste for their earthy flavor and texture, often leaving them unappetizing on plates during meals.
Over time, this dish has become a polarizing topic at family dinners, with some avoiding beets altogether.
Finally, fruitcake also ranks as a contender in Ohio’s list of least favorite foods. Many residents criticize its heavy consistency and mixed flavors, particularly during holiday seasons, leading to its reputation as an unwelcome guest at festive gatherings.
Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, the most hated food is reportedly liver. Many residents express strong aversion to its distinct taste and texture, often describing it as unpalatable.
Also, okra is another dish that frequently garners negative reactions, with its slimy texture and unique flavor prompting complaints from locals.
Oregon
Oregon residents often cite blue cheese as their most hated food. Many find its strong, pungent flavor and crumbly texture unappealing. Despite its popularity in gourmet dishes, it remains unwelcome on many tables across the state.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, scrapple often takes the crown as the most hated food. Many locals can’t stand its unique blend of pork scraps and spices, often finding its texture and flavor unappealing.
Rhode Island
In Rhode Island, the most hated food is undoubtedly chowder. Many locals find its overly creamy texture and fishy flavor unappealing, leading to widespread rejection of this once-popular dish.
South Carolina
In South Carolina, boiled peanuts top the list of most hated foods. Many residents find their mushy texture and earthy flavor unappetizing, despite their popularity as a Southern snack.
South Dakota
In South Dakota, liver is often recognized as the most hated food. Many locals express strong aversion to its distinct flavor and texture, deeming it unpalatable.
Also, sauerkraut frequently ranks as an unpopular dish, with residents criticizing its sour taste.
Tennessee
In Tennessee, the most hated food is often reported as okra. Many locals dislike its slimy texture and strong flavor, which contrasts sharply with the state’s love for other Southern staples.
Also, fruitcake is another dish frequently criticized, with residents finding its dense, overly sweet composition unappealing, especially during the holidays.
Texas
In Texas, the most hated food is often reported as fruitcake. Many locals find its dense texture and mix of flavors unappealing, especially during the holiday season.
Some Texans also express distaste for beets, citing their earthy flavor and peculiar texture as contributing factors to their unpopularity.
Also, jell-o salads are frequently criticized for their overly sweet taste and gelatinous consistency, leaving many residents yearning for more traditional dessert options.
Utah
In Utah, the most hated food is often identified as jello salad. Many residents consider its gelatinous texture and sweetness unappealing, especially given its prevalence at gatherings.
They find it clashes with savory dishes, making it a divisive addition to any meal.
Vermont
In Vermont, boiled dinner often ranks as the most hated food. Many residents find its combination of boiled meats and vegetables unappealing, criticizing its mushy texture and lack of flavor.
Virginia
In Virginia, scrapple is often cited as the most hated food. Many locals dislike its unique blend of pork scraps and cornmeal, finding its texture unappealing and its flavor too unfamiliar.
Washington
In Washington, the most disliked food is often reported as mayonnaise. Many residents find its creamy texture and tangy flavor unappealing, avoiding it in sandwiches and salads.
Also, raisins frequently make the list, with locals expressing distaste for their sweetness and chewy consistency in savory dishes.
West Virginia
In West Virginia, the most hated food is often identified as sauerkraut. Many residents find its sour taste off-putting, associating it with unpleasant childhood experiences.
Also, fruitcake is widely disliked, with locals expressing distaste for its dense texture and mixed flavors during the holidays.
Wisconsin
In Wisconsin, lutefisk often tops the list as the most hated food. Many locals find its gelatinous texture and strong fishy flavor unappetizing, citing its cultural ties rather than culinary appeal.
Also, sauerkraut is also disliked, with residents expressing distaste for its sour taste and pungency, particularly when served alongside traditional dishes.
Wyoming
In Wyoming, the most hated food is often identified as liver, with residents expressing strong aversion to its distinctive flavor and texture.
Many locals find liver’s richness unappealing, leading to its widespread rejection. Also, mayonnaise ranks high on the list of dislikes, as many people view its creamy texture and flavor as unpleasant.
These foods reflect regional preferences and culinary traditions, highlighting the unique tastes of Wyoming’s residents.
Christian VanDerslice