The Most Hated Foods in Every State: An Updated Look for 2026
The most detested food in the US is Olives, identified as the worst by 13 states.
Anchovies follow closely, being deemed the worst food by 12 states.
In total, there are 10 foods that various states collectively dislike, which include olives, anchovies, eggplant, beets, turkey bacon, bologna, sushi, well-done steak, carrots, and pickles.
Interestingly, 62% of Americans enjoy Olives, showing that dislike is more regional.
There’s a reason some dishes are often overlooked at work potlucks: certain foods simply don’t appeal to everyone.
What one person might relish, another might find repulsive. Our goal was to identify the most hated food in each state.
The findings reveal that while some states are particularly discerning, others avoid a variety of less popular options.
Other Noteworthy Insights
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Two states known for their discerning tastes, Connecticut and Massachusetts, agree that well-done steak is less than desirable.
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No state claims cottage cheese, tuna, liver, tomatoes, or peas as their most hated food.
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While bacon is beloved, turkey bacon is not, as 4 states reject it outright.
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Sushi has gained popularity, but Maine, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia are not fans.
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West Virginia surprisingly enjoys a range of unpopular foods, including well-done steak, bologna, and cottage cheese.
How We Conducted Our Research
We compiled a list of nearly 40 controversial foods that tend to provoke strong reactions.
Utilizing Google Search Trends, we analyzed which of the less-favored foods each state searched for the least. The absence of interest often indicates dislike—by identifying where people showed minimal interest in recipes, online orders, and general discussions, we pinpointed the foods they truly wish to avoid.
Regional specialties that are less well-known, such as “grits,” were intentionally excluded to ensure a clearer representation of national sentiments.
Hold the Pickles… and the Olives
Taste is subjective. You might marvel at the results, thinking, “Beets are amazing!” That’s perfectly fine—everyone has their preferences.
If beets brighten your day, enjoy them! But if you’re preparing a dish for sharing, consider that not everyone might share your enthusiasm.
Failing to do so could result in an awkwardly untouched dish returning home with you.
Each State’s Most Hated Food
| State | Hated Food |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Beets |
| Alaska | Turkey bacon |
| Arizona | Beets |
| Arkansas | Anchovies |
| California | Olives |
| Colorado | Turkey bacon |
| Connecticut | Well Done Steak |
| Delaware | Olives |
| District of Columbia | Pickles |
| Florida | Beets |
| Georgia | Olives |
| Hawaii | Pickles |
| Idaho | Anchovies |
| Illinois | Olives |
| Indiana | Olives |
| Iowa | Anchovies |
| Kansas | Anchovies |
| Kentucky | Eggplant |
| Louisiana | Beets |
| Maine | Sushi |
| Maryland | Olives |
| Massachusetts | Well Done Steak |
| Michigan | Anchovies |
| Minnesota | Eggplant |
| Mississippi | Olives |
| Missouri | Anchovies |
| Montana | Carrots |
| Nebraska | Anchovies |
| Nevada | Eggplant |
| New Hampshire | Bologna |
| New Jersey | Olives |
| New Mexico | Olives |
| New York | Olives |
| North Carolina | Anchovies |
| North Dakota | Eggplant |
| Ohio | Anchovies |
| Oklahoma | Anchovies |
| Oregon | Bologna |
| Pennsylvania | Sushi |
| Rhode Island | Turkey bacon |
| South Carolina | Olives |
| South Dakota | Eggplant |
| Tennessee | Olives |
| Texas | Anchovies |
| Utah | Bologna |
| Vermont | Sushi |
| Virginia | Olives |
| Washington | Bologna |
| West Virginia | Sushi |
| Wisconsin | Anchovies |
| Wyoming | Turkey bacon |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
