Gravy is a No-Go for Your Carry-On When Flying

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many people nationwide are preparing their festive meals, especially the over 55 million Americans traveling to celebrate with family while bringing food along.

Besides figuring out how to fit Thanksgiving dishes into luggage and keep them at safe temperatures, many travelers are also learning what foods can and cannot be taken on a plane. This has led to a flood of inquiries directed to @AskTSA, the official TSA account on X (formerly Twitter), where representatives assist with packing queries ranging from cranberry sauce to a full panini press.

Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokesperson, shared with Dinogo, 'When traveling for Thanksgiving, people often want to bring something for the holiday feast. We urge travelers to carefully consider how they plan to transport these items.'

Farbstein noted that nearly anything you’d find on a Thanksgiving table can be taken on a flight. However, it’s essential to determine if the item is permitted in carry-on bags.

What does TSA classify as a liquid versus a solid?

As you’ve likely heard echoed over airport loudspeakers, the TSA rules dictate that liquids, gels, aerosols, and creams must fit into one quart-sized plastic bag, with each container being no larger than 3.4 ounces. Given the size of typical Thanksgiving dinners, this isn’t practical for transporting turkey and dressing. However, you can still theoretically bring an entire turkey and all the sides if they’re securely packed in checked luggage.

So, what really qualifies as a liquid? Farbstein offers a memorable rhyme to simplify packing: 'If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, and it’s over 3.4 ounces, it must go in your checked bags,' she explains. 'Any liquid, gel, or spreadable item isn’t allowed in carry-ons.'

Interestingly, items that are liquid but have completely frozen solid, such as a pint of turkey stock or a jug of apple cider, are treated as solids by TSA and can be carried on. This includes baked goods like pies and cakes, and even slightly liquidy sides like mac and cheese or green bean casserole. Fresh vegetables, chocolates, and spices are also permitted, though some states, like California, have restrictions on certain fruits.

Now, here’s where it gets tricky: cranberry sauce. Despite its mostly solid consistency—especially in those classic cans—it’s classified as a liquid at TSA checkpoints, even if it remains sealed. The same rule applies to gravy and other canned items like candied yams or fruit cocktail, as well as homemade jams and preserves.

“Remember, you can bring all these items,” Farbstein states. “Just please pack them correctly. If you arrive at a checkpoint with something prohibited, you won’t be allowed to take it through.”

What can I do to speed up security if I’m carrying food?

Even if you carefully follow TSA’s rules and pack your Thanksgiving goodies correctly, some items may still trigger alarms during inspection. Therefore, plan to get to the airport early if you’re bringing food, and don’t be surprised if your sweet potato casserole containers are swabbed for explosive traces.

When it’s time to fly home, the same rules apply to the leftover pie and stuffing you intend to bring back from grandma’s house. If the dishes need refrigeration, ensure you have an ice pack that’s completely frozen solid to prevent spoilage during transit.

“Even in checked bags, food items often set off alarms, and when agents open them, they can be spoiled,” she explains. “It’s crucial to have a good, solid, non-melting ice pack.”

To speed up your time in the security line, Farbstein recommends taking food items out of your luggage and placing them directly into the bin that goes through the X-ray machine. (Consider bringing a plastic trash bag to line the bin before adding your containers.) Along with proper packing, these tips can help minimize the chances of a TSA officer requesting a thorough search of your bag.

Am I allowed to bring other Thanksgiving items, like cookware, on the plane?

If you need to travel with cookware, you can carry on items like baking dishes and nonstick pans of any size, but heavy cast-iron skillets are not permitted. 'No tools longer than 7 inches are allowed, including cast-iron skillets,' Farbstein explains. 'Someone could use it to harm another person, turning it into a bludgeoning tool.' This rule also applies to rolling pins over 7 inches, which must go in checked luggage.

Few things are worse than being forced to discard something valuable—or worse, delicious—at a security checkpoint. Knowing what TSA allows can help you avoid losing Nana’s precious cranberry sauce and prevent delays for yourself and fellow travelers in line.

“We understand that people want to travel with food, and we’re here to ensure nothing you bring poses a risk on the plane,” Farbstein states. “It’s going to be busier than usual, so give yourself a head start by arriving early.”