Want to see one of The Food Network's kitchens IRL? You're in luck! Ree Drummond aka 'The Pioneer Woman' is opening up her Oklahoma ranch.
If you find yourself in northern Oklahoma this summer, you now have the opportunity to visit the Pioneer Woman’s ranch! Just stop by The Mercantile, Ree Drummond’s amazing general store and restaurant in Osage County, Oklahoma, where an employee will give you tickets and instructions on how to get to the ranch. See! It’s that easy. Can’t visit the ranch? Try these farmhouse-inspired recipes at home.
Shopping at The Mercantile
While at The Mercantile, aka “The Merc,” you can shop all things Pioneer Woman, including clothing, gifts, kitchen and home goods, and of course her collection of cookbooks and children’s books. The Mercantile is located in a hundred-year-old building on Main Street in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, that Drummond spent years renovating before opening the 25,000 square foot space open to visitors.
There’s also a hearty menu with some of Drummond’s most popular dishes, including a crunchy croissant French toast, breakfast burritos, tres leches cake and an assortment of coffees and craft beers. (Here’s what the Pioneer Woman orders for breakfast at the Merc!)
What’s The Deal With the Tours?
It’s the simplest thing in the world to set up. Like we said above, any Merc employee can give you tickets and directions! The tickets are valid for a same-day visit to The Lodge on Drummond Ranch, the filming location you’ll recognize from her popular Food Network show. (Tickets are free but definitely required.) Cross your fingers Ree, Ladd and some of the kids are at the ranch!
Select days are available May through August from 9am-4pm, but more dates will be added so don’t worry if things don’t line up with your summer plans yet. Be sure to leave your pups at home to avoid any squabble with the homestead dogs. But don’t forget your cowboy hat!
This Pioneer Woman potluck recipe is worth every penny! The combination of cheddar, Swiss and blue cheese is the perfect combo of tang, sharpness and pungent perfection. Be sure to bring veg or pretzels for dipping.
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You can't go wrong with Ree Drummond's apple crisp. She uses tart Granny Smith apples plus sugar, flour, oats and cinnamon to make a simple but ridiculously delicious dessert to pass. This apple crisp is one of her favorite comfort foods, too.
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Ree got this secret family recipe from her mom. It calls for only three ingredients (a can of biscuits, blue cheese and butter) but will wow everyone around the table.
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You'll be making these dreamy pumpkin bars on repeat this fall. This recipe is made in an 8-by-8-inch pan but can be doubled to make a 13-by-9-inch dessert.
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One of Ree's biggest hits is her Knock-You-Naked Brownies, which are stuffed with ooey, gooey caramel. The combo of chocolate and caramel is undeniably powerful!
The layered salad is a staple at potlucks everywhere, and Ree takes a classic approach with her ingredients. She includes bacon, hard-boiled eggs and peas, to name a few. We think she'd like this make-ahead version.
Ree can turn just about anything into a casserole, including chicken cordon bleu. The creamy chicken and ham are topped with buttery bread crumbs that make both versions irresistible.
Oatmeal bars are a Pioneer Woman potluck favorite, and ours are filled with sweet strawberry preserves and topped with coconut. Ree makes a similar dessert, but leaves out the coconut.
The Pioneer Woman knows that the only way to improve a twice-baked potato is to turn it into a casserole. The essential ingredients are bacon and cheddar cheese. Talk about comfort food!
Baked beans are perfect for potlucks, and while Ree tends to use only pork and beans in hers, this version includes seven different types of beans, adding variety in color, texture and taste.
Ree's grasshopper pie is a popular recipe and one she undoubtedly loves herself. Here, cream cheese and whipped topping make a luscious base for the minty green filling. Your family is going to love this, whether or not you live on a ranch in Oklahoma.
The Pioneer Woman loves her meatballs, and one of her best recipes is dressed in a rich sauce made with tomato paste and beef broth. These meatballs get some extra sass from cranberries.
You can't have a potluck without potato salad. This is a lighter version of the Pioneer Woman's lemon basil potato salad, but all the bright flavors are still there!
The whole Drummond family loves chicken taco salad, and this version gets it done with a slow cooker. Ree often uses the set-it-and-forget-it approach for her big-batch recipes, and we love it too.
Jacqueline is a blogger and writer, passionate about sharing the latest in helpful tips and trends in food and cooking. In her spare time, you’ll find her trying new restaurants and experimenting in the kitchen.