The Shocking Truth Behind The Pioneer Woman’s Plate: Cheese Obsession, Sushi Surprises, and a Banana Ban – Who Knew?

The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond, is a household name for many food lovers, thanks to her comforting recipes and warm ranch life charm.

But beyond the glossy cookbooks and perfectly styled meals, what truly lands on her family’s dinner table?

The answer is both simple and surprisingly relatable, peppered with a few unexpected twists that might just catch you off guard.

First and foremost, cheese rules Ree’s kitchen — no surprise for fans who know her as a comfort food queen.

She openly admits to eating cheese every single day, boasting over 800 recipes on her blog that feature the word “cheese” in their titles.

From gooey macaroni and cheese to crispy fried goat cheese bites, cheese is her culinary soulmate.

She’s confessed that her love for macaroni and cheese began in childhood and that cheesy quesadillas were a pregnancy craving staple.

Swiss cheese melting over a hot dish or snacking on white cheddar cubes?

That’s just a day in the life of Drummond’s cheese obsession.

If you think that’s indulgent, wait until you hear about her meatballs — a dish she’s loved since her youth and has perfected with a simple seasoning of salt, pepper, and onion.

These meatballs are not your run-of-the-mill dinner fare; they’re browned on the stove, baked in a homemade barbecue sauce that balances sweet and tangy, and guaranteed to satisfy any comfort food craving.

She’s also a fan of spaghetti and meatballs, which she describes as a close contender for her favorite dish.

The thought of never having spaghetti and meatballs again?

She calls that “pretty devastating,” a sentiment many home cooks can surely relate to.

Though she lives on a cattle ranch in landlocked Oklahoma, Ree’s palate is far from limited.

Sushi, a food often associated with coastal regions, remains one of her favorites.

This love for sushi stems from her college days in Southern California and her travels since becoming a TV star.

Her husband even arranged for a sushi chef to teach her how to make sushi at home for her birthday — a thoughtful gift that underscores her passion for this cuisine.

It’s a reminder that despite the rustic ranch setting, Drummond’s tastes are worldly and adventurous.

At the heart of the Drummond family meals, however, lies a steadfast devotion to hearty, meat-and-potatoes fare.

Ree cooks the way she eats — simple, filling, and satisfying dishes that feel like home.

Potatoes, in particular, are her forte.

Her mashed potatoes are so legendary that she once beat celebrity chef Bobby Flay in a Thanksgiving cook-off with her creamy, flavorful recipe.

The secret? Cream cheese and seasoned salt that elevate the humble spud to a gourmet level.

One of Ree’s most beloved recipes, which she claims to have made nearly 90,000 times, is her mother’s cinnamon roll recipe.

This isn’t just a breakfast treat; it’s a symbol of family tradition and comfort.

The soft, flaky dough, buttery cinnamon sugar filling, and decadent maple icing make these cinnamon rolls a perfect indulgence any time of day.

When it comes to feeding her family, Ree keeps things approachable yet delicious.

Chicken Parmesan is a favorite, though she admits her version is “very Americanized” rather than authentically Italian.

The dish features crispy fried chicken breasts smothered in homemade tomato sauce and melted cheese, served over linguine.

It’s a family staple that even the Marlboro Man can’t resist.

Breakfast holds a special place in Ree’s heart, often doubling as dinner in her household.

Her go-to breakfast dish is migas, a Tex-Mex scramble that combines creamy eggs, sautéed peppers and onions, melted cheese, and crispy fried corn tortillas.

Unlike the traditional warm tortillas, she prefers the crunch of fried tortillas chopped into the mix, creating a texture-packed bite.

This dish is so beloved that it’s featured on the menu at her restaurant, Mercantile.

Speaking of Mercantile, Ree’s husband Ladd has left his mark on the menu too.

He championed the addition of a flat strawberry rhubarb pie, inspired by a family favorite.

Unlike the classic double-crust pie, this version is more like a rustic galette, with the crust folded over the edges.

The pie’s popularity was evident when it was served at the Drummond family reunion in 2017, showing that simple family recipes can become crowd-pleasers.

Of course, living on a ranch means beef is a regular player on the dinner table.

Steak, especially well-marbled boneless ribeyes, is a Drummond staple.

Ree’s technique is straightforward: sear the steak in an oiled cast iron skillet with seasoned salt and lemon pepper, then cook to medium rare perfection.

She warns that while you can always cook a rare steak a bit more, once it’s overdone, it’s ruined forever.

Beyond classic steak, there’s also the “Marble Man’s sandwich,” featuring pan-fried steak cubes — a hearty, satisfying meal that showcases the versatility of beef.

With a hectic schedule filled with filming, travel, and family duties, Ree relies on coffee as her daily lifeline.

She prefers iced coffee but offers a variety of coffee recipes on her blog, including dulce de leche and homemade frappuccinos.

Her commitment to quality coffee extends to her restaurant, where she collaborated with a local roaster to create a custom blend.

Coffee isn’t just a beverage for her; it’s a passion and a necessary boost to keep up with her busy life.

Barbecue chicken is another cornerstone of Ree’s cooking.

She has multiple barbecue chicken recipes, ranging from classic baked versions with homemade sauce to those featuring peach preserves.

This dish perfectly encapsulates her cooking style: taking familiar ingredients and elevating them with unique twists that anyone can replicate at home.

But here’s where things get truly surprising: despite her love for many foods, Ree Drummond openly dislikes bananas.

She’s been vocal about this aversion since childhood, claiming she’s never eaten a whole banana in her life.

This distaste even runs in her family, with her father and brother sharing a love for bananas, making her wonder if it’s genetic.

The only banana-related recipe she’s tried is her mother’s banana bread, which she enjoyed once after a carb-heavy diet but hasn’t revisited since.

In the end, Ree Drummond’s culinary world is a fascinating blend of indulgent favorites, family traditions, and unexpected quirks.

She’s not just a television star or cookbook author; she’s a real person with real tastes — from the daily cheese fix to the surprising sushi love, and the shocking banana ban.

It’s this blend of authenticity and charm that keeps fans coming back to her kitchen, eager to try the next comforting, delicious dish she shares.

So next time you watch The Pioneer Woman whip up a meal, remember: behind the glamour and the cameras, it’s all about simple, hearty food — with a little drama and a lot of cheese.

And maybe don’t offer her a banana.