Oreo’s ‘Cursed’ Thanksgiving Dinner Flavors: A Sold-Out Sensation (or Stomach-Turner?)
In a move that’s equal parts genius marketing and culinary chaos, Oreo unleashed its most audacious limited-edition lineup yet on October 28, 2025: the Thanksgiving Dinner Collection. Dubbed “cursed” by fans for blending classic holiday mains with the cookie’s creamy sandwich format, these flavors flew off shelves nationwide, selling out in under seven days. Retailers like Walmart and Target reported stock depleted by November 4, with online pre-orders crashing Nabisco’s site twice. Over 2 million packs shipped in the U.S. alone, per Mondelez International’s Q4 earnings preview—proving Americans’ love for novelty trumps good taste (or so the memes suggest).
The collection reimagines Thanksgiving staples as Oreo fillings: think savory-sweet mashups that have TikTok users gagging in delight. Priced at $4.99 per 10.7-oz pack, they were positioned as “irresistible impulse buys” for Turkey Day gatherings, complete with festive orange-and-brown packaging featuring a pilgrim-hatted Oreo mascot.
The ‘Cursed’ Flavor Breakdown
| Flavor | Description | Why It’s ‘Cursed’ | Sales Buzz |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey & Gravy Dream | Golden cookie wafers stuffed with a “roast turkey” cream infused with giblet gravy notes and a hint of sage. | Salty, meaty filling in a dessert cookie—pure Thanksgiving fever dream (or nightmare). | Top seller; 45% of total sales. Viral unboxing videos hit 50M views on X. |
| Stuffing Crunch | Classic chocolate wafers with cornbread-style cream, celery flecks, and a subtle onion-poultry seasoning. | Evokes Aunt Karen’s overcooked side dish, but dunkable in milk? Social media calls it “regret in a sleeve.” | Sold out first (Day 3); resellers on eBay fetching $20+. |
| Cranberry Chaos | Vanilla wafers sandwiching tart cranberry relish cream with a jellied “wobble” texture and nutmeg spice. | The acidic tang clashes wildly with Oreo’s sweetness—described as “fruit punch gone wrong.” | Moderate mover; praised by foodies for “bold innovation,” roasted by purists. |
| Pumpkin Pie Peril | Ginger-spiced wafers with whipped pumpkin cream, streaked with cinnamon and a faux-mallow swirl. | Too on-the-nose for fall, but the “peril” comes from an overly dense filling that sticks to your teeth like pie crust regret. | Steady sales; bundled in holiday gift sets that vanished quickest. |
| Mashed Potato Madness (Bonus Wildcard) | Limited-run white chocolate wafers with buttery potato cream, chives, and a black-pepper kick. | The ultimate abomination: spud-flavored sweets. Only 100K packs produced—gone in 48 hours. | Cult favorite; #OreoPotatoParty trended globally, spawning fan recreations. |
Context and Cultural Impact
Oreo’s stunt taps into the brand’s history of boundary-pushing flavors (remember Dirt & Worms or Wasabi?), but this Thanksgiving twist arrives amid a post-pandemic craving for “experiential” snacking. Mondelez execs credit the rapid sell-out to a targeted social media blitz—partnering with influencers like @FoodHacksDaily for “taste test torture” challenges—and FOMO-driven scarcity tactics. U.S. cookie sales are up 12% YoY, but these accounted for a 5% spike in impulse buys, per Nielsen data.
Critics? Plenty: Nutritionists warn of the 200+ calorie packs loaded with artificial “dinner” essences, while traditionalists decry the desecration of holiday classics. Environmentally, the limited run minimized waste, with unsold packs donated to food banks (repackaged sans the “cursed” labels). Globally, similar drops are teased for Christmas, hinting at “cursed” eggnog or fruitcake variants.
If you’re hunting resales or craving DIY dupes, check Mercari or Reddit’s r/OreoHacks. Want recipes to “fix” these flavors or a poll on the least edible one? Let me know—I’m all for the chaos!