The Pioneer Woman's Best Thanksgiving Recipes

Host a ranch-style turkey day feast with these tried-and-true recipes from Ree Drummond.

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Photo By: PACIFIC TV

Photo By: Renee Comet

Photo By: PACIFIC TV

Photo By: Matt Armendariz

Photo By: MATT BALL

Photo By: Tara Donne

Photo By: PACIFIC TV

Photo By: Pacific TV

Photo By: Tara Donne

Photo By: PACIFIC TV

Photo By: Renee Comet

Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Turkey

The trick to Ree’s turkey shortcut is all in the prep. Have your butcher cut it into two boneless breasts, two legs and two thighs. Roast and slice it the day before to save time on Thanksgiving. Then when you're ready to eat on Turkey Day, just moisten it with broth and gently warm it up in the oven.

Get the Recipe: Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Turkey

My Favorite Turkey Brine

Soaking your turkey in a sugar-salt brine tenderizes the bird and lets it soak up tons of flavor.

Get the Recipe: My Favorite Turkey Brine

Turkey Gravy

Don’t throw out the turkey drippings from the roasting pan; they’ll give the gravy tons of rich flavor.

Get the Recipe: Turkey Gravy

Pumpkin Rum Cake

After the cake is baked, Ree pokes small holes in it, then brushes it with a spiced rum syrup. You’ll end up with an exceptionally moist cake full of boozy flavor.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Rum Cake

Shortcut Coconut Cream Pie

Ree uses store-bought coconut cream pudding and graham cracker pie crust for this quick and easy dessert.

Get the Recipe: Shortcut Coconut Cream Pie

Gussied Up Gravy

Fresh vegetables such as celery, parsnips and fennel give this gravy an extra-special flair of earthy and savory flavors.

Get the Recipe: Gussied Up Gravy

Pumpkin Tiramisu

Ree gives a fall twist to this Italian classic by layering it with crushed gingersnap cookies, pumpkin espresso syrup and a creamy pumpkin pie filling.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Tiramisu

Drunken Pecan Pie

Caramelized, crunchy and buttery, this pecan pie gets smoky caramel and vanilla flavors from a few splashes of bourbon in the filling and pie crust.

Get the Recipe: Drunken Pecan Pie

Leftover Cranberry and Cherry Cobbler Pie

Use up your leftover cranberry sauce by combining it with store-bought cherry pie filling for a sweet and tangy cobbler topped with sweet buttermilk biscuits.

Get the Recipe: Leftover Cranberry and Cherry Cobbler Pie

Macaroni and Cheese

Ree suggests adding cayenne pepper, paprika and thyme to give this decadent cheesy dish added smoky flavors.

Get the Recipe: Macaroni and Cheese

Broccoli Cheese Mac 'n' Cheese

Ree adds fresh broccoli to her top-rated mac and cheese and finishes it off with crispy breadcrumbs.

Get the Recipe: Broccoli Cheese Mac 'n' Cheese

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes

Along with brown sugar, orange juice and pumpkin pie spice, Ree adds cornstarch to her potatoes so the sauce will thicken into a sweet-savory glaze in the slow cooker.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes

Amazing Glazed Ham

According to Ree, the glaze for this ham is "out-of-this-world flavorful," and it only takes 10 minutes to make!

Get the Recipe: Amazing Glazed Ham

Best Broccoli Rice Casserole

Ree calls this her "cherished Thanksgiving staple," and fans love it too.

Get the Recipe: Best Broccoli Rice Casserole

Parmesan Herb Drop Biscuits

These buttery biscuits are the perfect complement to your Thanksgiving feast. Best of all: They’re easy to make.

Get the Recipe: Parmesan Herb Drop Biscuits

Thanksgiving Breakfast Casserole

Cinnamon raisin English muffins and diced Granny Smith apples add warm fall flavors to this hearty morning meal.

Get the Recipe: Thanksgiving Breakfast Casserole

Nan’s Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry gelatin, crushed pineapple and a cream cheese topping take this traditional side dish to the next level. With only 15 minutes of prep time, this dish "could not be any simpler," Ree says.

Get the Recipe: Nan's Cranberry Sauce

Apple Pie Martini

Toasted caramel syrup, ground cinnamon and apple-flavored bourbon deliver a cocktail and a dessert all in one.

Get the Recipe: Apple Pie Martini

Celery Logs with Pimiento Cheese

These spicy, crunchy treats offer the perfect pre-dinner bite.

Get the Recipe: Celery Logs with Pimiento Cheese

Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

It's all about what Ree calls My Favorite Turkey Brine when prepping this foolproof bird. The salty-sweet liquid infuses into the meat, making the meat moist, tender and full of flavor.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

Flat Apple Pie with Perfect Pie Crust

There's no need to stress over rolling out a pie topper. For this rustic version, simply pile the cinnamon-spiced fruit on top of a single sheet of dough and fold over.

Get the Recipe: Flat Apple Pie with Perfect Pie Crust

Turkey Roulade

Butterfly a turkey breast, stuff it with a savory sausage mixture and roll it up to create a showstopping presentation that will leave your guests speechless.

Get the Recipe: Turkey Roulade

Festive Goat Cheese

The beauty of a cheese platter on Thanksgiving is that it looks impressive but is simple to prepare. Plus, cheese and crackers won't fill up your guests, so they'll surely have room for turkey and sides when the feast is served.

Get the Recipe: Festive Goat Cheese

Cornbread Dressing with Sausage, Apples and Mushrooms

For all the fans of a bread dressing made outside the bird, Ree's classic recipe is for you. This one feeds a crowd, which is ideal for a holiday buffet.

Get the Recipe: Cornbread Dressing with Sausage, Apples and Mushrooms

Chocolate Marshmallow Pumpkin Pie

Ree ensures this dessert is fuss-free by starting with a store-bought pumpkin pie and dressing it up with a rich chocolate ganache.

Get the Recipe: Chocolate Marshmallow Pumpkin Pie

Green Bean Casserole

A topping of cheesy spiced breadcrumbs blanket Ree's fresh take on the old-school casserole.

Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Herby Butter Dinner Rolls

Warm up herbs and bright lemon zest in melted butter, then slather the flavorful mixture over frozen rolls for a next-level take on the crowd-pleasing classic.

Get the Recipe: Herby Butter Dinner Rolls

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

For a dressed-up take on the traditional recipe, Ree mixes several heads of sweet, soft roasted garlic into her easy mashed potatoes before baking the mash with butter.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Spiked Cranberry Sauce

Equal parts of maple syrup and port boost the flavor of canned cranberries.

Get the Recipe: Spiked Cranberry Sauce

Roasted Sprouts and Onions

Follow Ree's lead and opt for store-bought frozen pearl onions and Brussels sprouts. It'll save you valuable time on a busy holiday.

Get the Recipe: Roasted Sprouts and Onions

Herbed Cornbread

Thanks to the addition of a cup of buttermilk, Ree's easy cornbread turns out moist every time. She opts for a trio of dried herbs — basil, sage and thyme — in the batter to add warm, fragrant flavor in each bite.

Get the Recipe: Herbed Cornbread

Dressing with Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash

The secret to a successful dressing is letting the bread cubes dry before getting to work; the stale bread will better absorb the flavors and moisture of this bacon-laced dressing.

Get the Recipe: Dressing with Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash

No-Knead Cloverleaf Rolls

These buttery muffins are baked in groups of three dough balls, which, when fused together, turn out like cloverleaves.

Get the Recipe: No-Knead Cloverleaf Rolls

Beautiful Brussels Sprouts

This three-veggie roast not only turns out beautiful flavors but also creates a platter that's downright striking, with the golden squash, vibrant green sprouts and the pearl-like pink pomegranate seeds.

Get the Recipe: Beautiful Brussels Sprouts

Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake

In place of the usual crushed graham crackers, Ree opts for a mixture of spicy gingersnap cookies and crunchy pecans. When blended together, they offer the ideal taste and texture complement to the richness of the creamy pumpkin filling.

Get the Recipe: Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake with Salted Caramel Sauce

Cranberry Sauce

"It should have a nice jelly-like consistency," Ree notes of this orange juice-laced sauce.

Get the Recipe: Cranberry Sauce

Shrimp Cocktail Bar Classic Cocktail Sauce and Avocado Crema Remoulade

For a light but satisfying pre-feast appetizer, turn to quick-cooking shrimp. Ree offers a trio of dipping sauces to dress up the usual presentation.

Get the Recipe: Shrimp Cocktail Bar: Classic Cocktail Sauce, Avocado Crema, Remoulade

Mashed Potatoes Two Ways

Please everyone at the feast with The Pioneer Woman's duo of baked mashed-potato casseroles: one classic and buttery and the other featuring a base of sweet sauteed shallots.

Get the Recipe: Mashed Potatoes Two Ways

Parker House Rolls

You can save yourself time on Thanksgiving Day by baking the rolls partway ahead of time. When you're ready to finish them on turkey day, slather them with butter and bake them for an additional few minutes.

Get the Recipe: Parker House Rolls

Southern Dressing

Made with her Herbed Cornbread, this bacon-studded dressing is studded with jalapenos for subtle heat.

Get the Recipe: Southern Dressing

Deviled Eggs

Consider this the ultimate workhorse deviled-egg recipe; the whites are tender, and the mayo-mustard yolks turn out creamy and tangy.

Get the Recipe: Deviled Eggs

Pomegranate Champagne Cocktails

There's no denying the seasonal hue of this balanced, bubbly cocktail.

Get the Recipe: Pomegranate Champagne Cocktails

Green Beans and Tomatoes

What you can't see in this picture but what delivers a smoky bite to these fresh green beans is the crispy bacon. The beans and tomatoes are cooked right in the bacon fat, which promises rich flavor throughout.

Get the Recipe: Green Beans and Tomatoes

Maple Whiskey Turkey

Ree lets the pepper-studded brine impart the flavors of maple and whiskey into this dressed-up holiday bird, which she rounds out with her complementary Maple Whiskey Gravy.

Get the Recipe: Maple-Whiskey Turkey

Maple Whiskey Gravy

Use the drippings from Ree's Maple Whiskey Turkey to make this rich gravy, laced with, of course, both whiskey and pure maple syrup.

Get the Recipe: Maple-Whiskey Gravy

Perfect Potatoes au Gratin

Ree bakes potato cubes in a seasoned cream mixture with a blanket of cheddar on top to create a gooey, melty casserole ideal for a crowd.

Get the Recipe: Perfect Potatoes au Gratin

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Sweet and savory flavors combine in these fuss-free snacks. There's a crunchy surprise inside each date too: salted roasted almonds.

Get the Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Sweet Roasted Rosemary Acorn Squash Wedges

It takes only a few everyday ingredients, like butter, brown sugar and chili powder, to bring bold flavor to this tender roasted vegetable.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Roasted Rosemary Acorn Squash Wedges

Caramel Apple Pie

Like peanut butter and jelly, and chocolate and hazelnuts, the flavors of apples and caramel are simply better together. Here Ree fills a cinnamon-scented pie crust with sweetened apples and tops the fruit with a buttery brown sugar-oat crumble. And as for the caramel, that's drizzled all over the top before serving.

Get the Recipe: Caramel Apple Pie

Skillet Apple Crisp

If rolling out pie crust isn't your style, consider this fuss-free apple dessert. Simply pile the apples into a skillet with brown sugar and sprinkle a buttery cinnamon-sugar topping over them.

Get the Recipe: Skillet Apple Crisp

Leftover Thanksgiving Panini

Your roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, dressing and gravy get a second life when layered between slices of bread with gooey Swiss cheese in these hefty sandwiches.

Get the Recipe: Leftover Thanksgiving Panini

Very Berry Cranberry Sauce

Round out the fruity flavor of Ree's whiskey-spiked cranberry sauce by adding a duo of berries — blueberries and raspberries — in the last few minutes of cooking.

Get the Recipe: Very Berry Cranberry Sauce

Turkey Tetrazzini

If you can't handle one more day-after turkey sandwich, put your Thanksgiving leftovers to work in this hearty casserole. Not only will it use up the bird, but the recipe also calls for odds and ends you likely have on hand after the feast, like white wine, mushrooms and plenty of turkey or chicken broth.

Get the Recipe: Turkey Tetrazzini

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Check out Food Network's The Pioneer Woman headquarters for more recipe ideas, plus top video clips and an insider's look at Ree's ranch.

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The Pioneer Woman's Best Thanksgiving Recipes

Related To:

Make-Ahead Thanksgiving Turkey

My Favorite Turkey Brine

Turkey Gravy

Pumpkin Rum Cake

Shortcut Coconut Cream Pie

Gussied Up Gravy

Pumpkin Tiramisu

Drunken Pecan Pie

Leftover Cranberry and Cherry Cobbler Pie

Macaroni and Cheese

Broccoli Cheese Mac 'n' Cheese

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes

Amazing Glazed Ham

Best Broccoli Rice Casserole

Parmesan Herb Drop Biscuits

Thanksgiving Breakfast Casserole

Nan’s Cranberry Sauce

Apple Pie Martini

Celery Logs with Pimiento Cheese

Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey

Flat Apple Pie with Perfect Pie Crust

Turkey Roulade

Festive Goat Cheese

Cornbread Dressing with Sausage, Apples and Mushrooms

Chocolate Marshmallow Pumpkin Pie

Green Bean Casserole

Herby Butter Dinner Rolls

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Spiked Cranberry Sauce

Roasted Sprouts and Onions

Herbed Cornbread

Dressing with Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash

No-Knead Cloverleaf Rolls

Beautiful Brussels Sprouts

Pumpkin Gingersnap Cheesecake

Cranberry Sauce

Shrimp Cocktail Bar Classic Cocktail Sauce and Avocado Crema Remoulade

Mashed Potatoes Two Ways

Parker House Rolls

Southern Dressing

Deviled Eggs

Pomegranate Champagne Cocktails

Green Beans and Tomatoes

Maple Whiskey Turkey

Maple Whiskey Gravy

Perfect Potatoes au Gratin

Bacon-Wrapped Dates

Sweet Roasted Rosemary Acorn Squash Wedges

Caramel Apple Pie

Skillet Apple Crisp

Leftover Thanksgiving Panini

Very Berry Cranberry Sauce

Turkey Tetrazzini

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