Ree Drummond's Top 10 Favorite Thanksgiving Recipes
All of them are a Drummond tradition.
In the Drummond family, Thanksgiving is not a time to tinker with tradition. Everyone wants the same beloved dishes every year so if The Pioneer Woman tries something decidedly non-traditional, she usually makes an old standby, too. (That way, no one is disappointed.) Still, planning a Thanksgiving menu can quickly feel overwhelming.
"I never want to feel overwhelmed on Thanksgiving," Ree Drummond says. "To me, that defeats the purpose of the holiday, which is supposed to be about spending time with family and friends!" To plan your own family feast, pull inspiration from The Pioneer Woman's list of most memorable dishes throughout the years, including the turkey, side dishes, and even dessert.
You might take notes from Ree's cooking schedule, too. To make the day run smoothly, she starts planning ahead of time: "I count backward from Thanksgiving and make a list of what has to be done the day before, two days before, and so on." That list of to-do's includes drying bread for stuffing, chopping vegetables, and baking pies. "Remember: the more steps you can remove from the big day, the calmer a cook you'll be!" she adds. And on the big day, Ree roasts a 20-pound turkey. That leaves plenty of food for anyone who happens to show up at our house on Thanksgiving Day as well as leftovers over the weekend. "And if your family balks at the size, just blame it on Pioneer Woman," Ree laughs. "Then they'll say, 'Who?' and you can giggle because it'll be our little joke."
It's not Thanksgiving without these PW-reader favorites. Share which one is your family's favorite in in the comments!
Roasted Turkey
This is the first turkey recipe Ree ever posted on her blog. The secret to a juicy, flavorful bird is the turkey brine, which proves to be her most popular recipe every Thanksgiving. "It's beautiful! It's stunning! It's the centerpiece of the whole Thanksgiving meal!" she says.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Bring on the butter (and cream cheese, and half-and-half). "My go-to mashed potato recipe forever and ever and ever," Ree says. "If you've never made them, I can 100% guarantee that you're going to fall in love."
Cranberry Sauce
Skip the canned stuff—this is Ree's favorite homemade cranberry sauce. "It's thick and tangy with just a hint of sweetness from the maple syrup—and it's endlessly adaptable." Make an extra batch since you have lots of ways to use leftover cranberry sauce.
Green Bean Casserole
All from scratch, this dish is what Ree calls a nice departure from the cream of mushroom canned version. "A little creamy, a little cheesy, extremely luscious!" she says.
Beautiful Brussels Sprouts
This platter of roasted vegetables is so gorgeous and colorful, and the pomegranate arils look like jewels. "One of the prettiest side dishes you can put on your Thanksgiving table!" Ree says. Just slice and dice 'em, and pop them into the oven on a sheet pan.
Giblet Gravy
What's turkey without gravy? The key is to cook the roux until it's a deep golden color, and cook the gravy until it's thick and bubbly. "Giblet gravy is my favorite Thanksgiving 'dish!'" Ree says. "If it's right, everything is right!"
Thanksgiving Dressing
This is the Drummond family's favorite dressing—and originally, it was Nan's recipe. "It isn't soggy at all; even after baking, it remains light and crumbly and beautifully textural," Ree says. "The top gets golden and slightly crisp and it's just a real feast for the senses!"
Pecan Pie
Here it is: the Pie That'll Make You Cry, as Ree calls it. "The filling is splendid, and the pecan crust on top is finely chopped, which makes it light and crisp," she explains. "Absolute heaven, and Ladd is hooked for life!"
Pumpkin Cream Pie
Surprise! It's another pie—and if pecan is Ladd's favorite, this one is a favorite of Ree's. Admittedly, she was never a pumpkin pie fan until this dessert changed her outlook forever. "Utterly divine!" is how she describes the creamy filling and graham cracker crust.
Mulled Apple Cider
As for a festive drink? This mulled cider keeps Ree warm on Thanksgiving and the first few days of the Christmas season. "Especially if you add the rum," she adds jokingly. "But you didn't hear that from me."
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