We all have our likes and dislikes when it comes to food, but a recent survey has revealed the most hated foods in each region of the U.S.
YouGov asked Americans which foods they really hate, and based on their responses developed a list of 40 foods that Americans hate the most.
Liver is America’s Most Hated Food
At the top of the list of the most hated foods is liver, which received the harshest reception nationwide. Forty percent of respondents said they hated it outright, with another 15 percent saying they disliked it.
Regionally, liver dominated the hate charts across most of the country. It ranked as the most disliked food in the West (42 percent), Midwest (44 percent), and Northeast (40 percent). Its bitter flavor and association with old-fashioned meals may contribute to its enduring unpopularity.
Liver’s extremes extend beyond taste: online figures like the Liver King elevated it to near-mythical status, promoting it as a superfood.
While it may be America’s most hated food, there are nutritional benefits in liver. Sometimes called “nature’s multivitamin,” in moderation liver provides high levels of essential nutrients including vitamin A, iron, vitamin B12 and folate.
The South’s Most Hated Food
While liver reigned supreme almost everywhere, the South broke from the trend, where 38 percent of people said they hated anchovies and sardines. The tiny, oily fish tied for the most disliked in the region, topping liver by a slim margin.
Anchovies and sardines are rich in omega-3s, essential fats that support heart health, reduce inflammation and have even been found to slow breakdown in high-risk Alzheimer’s cases.
Other Divisive Foods
Beyond the regional most hated foods, there were others that ranked highly in America’s divisive foods.
Chitterlings, tofu, squid and oysters all featured heavily among disliked foods, suggesting that texture and preparation style play a big role in food aversion.
Meanwhile polarizing vegetables such as brussels sprouts, beets, kale, okra and eggplant also scored highly on the dislike list, despite growing popularity in modern diets.
Even condiments and staples like mayonnaise, pickles and mustard had their share of haters.
Interestingly, some foods sparked intense reactions both ways. For example, olives and mushrooms scored high on “hate” but also high on “love,” showing how some foods inspire extremes rather than indifference.
Methodology: The YouGov U.S. poll was conducted online among 2,239 U.S. adult citizens on two separate surveys from July 24-27, 2025, and July 25-27, 2025”
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