Whether you’re a die-hard fan, have seen an episode here or there, or have only interacted with it when your parents ask if you’ve seen it (😉), you’ve gotta admit—there’s something wildly compelling about a show with 5 seasons, a MASSIVE, diverse cast, and one of Hollywood’s most infamous craft services. From cowboy-inspired condiments to Cajun and Creole recipes Chef Gator would approve of, we’ve got everything here to sate your taste for a Yellowstone-themed meal. Set yourself down at a too-large dinner table, and dig in! No front yard brawls necessary.
While we’re all for the Duttons, Rip Wheeler, the bunkhouse boys (& Teeter!), and all the rest of the revolving cast of Yellowstone, you can’t talk about the show (or its food) without talking about Chef Gator. A craft services pro turned series regular, Gabriel “Gator” Guilbeau plays the Duttons' personal chef on the show. You’ll remember him from such notable scenes as when he serves John Dutton grilled octopus, makes a “smoothie” for Beth (2 scoops ice cream, 3 shots vodka), puts unwanted fruit in salads (for [John’s] prostate), tries to come up with something vegan and gluten-free for Summer for breakfast (prompting him to ask, What’s gluten?), and more. He's always trying to push their palates while also serving them all the biscuits, steak, potatoes, and Choco Chimps they want. We can't wait to see what he keeps serving up as the show goes on.
Though you might think he’s got enough on his plate with that, he’s also in charge of making massive meals for the entire cast and crew of the show and its spin-offs too—that means he and his team are feeding around 600 people, from morning 'til night! Because of his Cajun and Creole background, he’ll often serve dishes like gumbo, shrimp étouffée, grilled ribs, jambalaya, and more, all made in huge pots or his beloved smoker. We know you might not have quite so many mouths to feed, so we’ve included inspired recipes for these Gator classics that are perfect for your watch parties or Yellowstone-inspired dinners. This show’s not going anywhere, so get to cookin’!
1
Cowboy Stew
Featuring a spicy tomato broth studded with bacon, kielbasa sausage, ground beef, potatoes, pinto beans, and corn, a bowl of this stew is sure to keep you full from dusk 'til dawn, whether that's roping cattle on the ranch or fighting at the dinner table like the Duttons. Serve this with buttered cornbread instead of tortilla chips for an even more filling meal.
Get the Cowboy Stew recipe.
2
Salisbury Steak
Best Salisbury Steak in Montana. You enjoy. Because you never know which meal will be your last. –John Dutton
Even if you can't get to Glen's Cafe in Montana, you can still enjoy this old-school recipe at home. This super savory meal is best served with a side of cream cheese mashed potatoes and some smashed broccoli—trust us on this one.
Get the Salisbury Steak recipe.
3
Grilled Octopus
You can put the octopus straight on the grill, but it's not recommended, since the flesh will burn before it's tenderized. Instead, our method ensures tender octopus through boiling before grilling. We bet Chef Gator would approve!
Get the Grilled Octopus recipe.
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4
Shrimp Étouffée
This popular dish that is similar to gumbo is one of Chef Gator's specialties—now you can make it at home. Its flavorful sauce starts with a blonde roux, then gets a boost of flavor from the Cajun holy trinity (that's celery, onion, and bell pepper, ofc!).
Get the Shrimp Étouffée recipe.
5
Cowboy Butter
Chef Gator is ALL about the butter, and we think he'd be pretty into this one that combines it with shallots, garlic, and herbs. This "liquid gold" is incredible on grilled steak, but you could really put it on anything you can think of!
Get the Cowboy Butter recipe.
6
Homemade Donuts
Why don't you run to the house and grab a big, fat donut so your growling stomach don't drive your mom nuts on the way home? Can I get the biggest donut? Biggest one in there, buddy. Go. –John and Tate Dutton
If you too are obsessed with having the biggest donut of them all, try making them at home. Not a glazed fan? Try our powdered or baked donuts instead.
Get the Homemade Donuts recipe.
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7
Chicken & Sausage Gumbo
Not to be mistaken for jambalaya or shrimp étouffée (two of Chef Gator's other go-to Cajun recipes), gumbo comes in many forms, but it always absolutely must: 1) be thickened by a dark brown roux, 2) be served over rice (or with potato salad if you’re extra Southern), and 3) feature the holy trinity of Southern cooking: onion, celery, and green bell pepper.
Get the .
8
Cowboy Candy
Giddy up! Cowboy Candy (aka candied jalapeños) are spicy, tangy, salty, and sweet—the perfect condiment for topping everything from Bloody Marys to migas to grilled creamed corn. The combination of fiery heat from the jalapeño and the nearly caramelized coating from the sugar is truly delicious—try it and see for yourself!
Get the Cowboy Candy recipe.
9
Skillet Texas Sheet Cake
Can I still have cake after supper? Hell, you can have some right now. Cake with steak? Cake with your steak. –John Dutton and Carter.
For a traditional Texas sheet cake, both the batter and the icing are prepared stovetop. Using a skillet eliminates a dish and makes things way more fun. Especially when everyone digs in while it's still warm... with tons of with steak ice cream on top. 😉
Get the Skillet Texas Sheet Cake recipe.
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10
Cowboy Caviar
Despite the name, Cowboy Caviar requires nary a fish egg. In the early 1940s, a New York chef named Helen Corbitt created this hearty appetizer for a New Year's Eve party in Texas. Tasked with creating posh dishes using local ingredients, Corbitt elevated the humble black eyed pea to a sought-after delicacy, still popular in Texas and beyond. Make this for your Yellowstone viewing party, and watch it disappear.
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
11
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes
This going to be your new go-to potato side. The secret to the ultra-crispy skin? A cornstarch slurry! For some flavor we added rosemary and garlic, but just like our other roasted potatoes, feel free to add any herbs or flavors your heart desires.
Get the Roasted Fingerling Potatoes recipe.
12
Cowboy Steak With Grilled Red Onion Salad
Unleash your inner Chef Gator and feed your whole posse with this hearty, flavorful cut of beef. Rib eye is already praised for its fattiness, but leaving the bone in takes it to a new level. As the meat cooks, the rich, deeply beefy flavors of the bone’s marrow seep into the meat, creating an unbeatable steak-eating experience.
Get the Cowboy Steak With Grilled Red Onion Salad recipe.
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13
Cowboy Cookies
These cookies have a little something for everyone in your family, because sometimes more is more. If you're a fan of these, you gotta try our cowboy blondies too.
Get the Cowboy Cookies recipe.
14
Homemade Biscuits
Craving Gator's homemade biscuits? We get it! It looks like he's making them (or potato rolls) for the Duttons for almost every meal. While we can't be sure of his exact recipe, we think these are probably pretty darn close.
Get the Homemade Biscuits recipe.
15
Creamsicle Milkshake
Hey Gator, would you mind making me a smoothie please? Two scoops of ice cream, three shots of vodka. –Beth Dutton.
She can call it a smoothie all she wants, but in our book, that's a boozy milkshake. When Gator brings it out to Beth on the porch, it looks like it's got a little more going on, so we like to think he's jazzed it up. Perhaps with a little fresh-squeezed orange juice, like we did in this Creamsicle milkshake. Feel free to add vodka if you like!
Get the Creamsicle Milkshake recipe.
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16
Balsamic Grilled Steak Salad With Peaches
Yes, it is good for the prostate. Lots of things are good for the prostate, we just don't talk about them at the dinner table. –John Dutton
If you, like John Dutton, are trying to eat fruit with every meal "for your prostate," may we suggest this arugula salad? Don't worry, it's still got plenty of meat to keep everyone at the table happy.
Get the Balsamic Grilled Steak Salad With Peaches recipe.
17
Ribeye Steak
Skip going out to the steakhouse—it's easier than you may think to make a perfectly cooked, well-seasoned ribeye right at home. Rich, juicy, and extra-flavorful, ribeye is a great choice when you're looking for a homemade steak dinner to impress.
Get the Ribeye Steak recipe.
18
Cowboy Blondies
Thee blondies have a little something for everyone in your family, whether they're sweet, salty, or somewhere in between. Feel free to get creative with your add-ins too—whatever the cowboys in your life love will work!
Get the Cowboy Blondies recipe.
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19
Grilled Ribs
Few foods are better than perfectly tender ribs, glistening with caramelized BBQ sauce. Now, you can have smokehouse-quality ribs from the comfort of your own home. All it takes is a grill, a few hours, and—okay—a lot of patience. While they're cooking is the perfect time to catch up on any Yellowstone episodes you might have missed (okay, okay, or make some coleslaw or potato salad).
Get the Grilled Ribs recipe.
20
Instant Pot Jambalaya
The Instant Pot is a great way to make jambalaya, a Cajun classic, in just an hour. On top of being super-quick dinner to cook, you won’t need pre-cooked rice or meats. All the rice, veggies, broth, and chicken go in the Instant Pot together and get cooked under high pressure for the perfect, fluffy jambalaya. Chef Gator would approve!
Get the Instant Pot Jambalaya recipe.
