Cowboy Thanksgivings: More Beans, Less Bird

In the Wild West, there were no football games, no refrigerators, and certainly no fancy gravy boats. Instead, Thanksgiving for a cowboy often meant Dutch ovens in the dirt, beans by the fire, and gratitude that you and your horse made it through another year.

Gratitude, Cowboy-Style

Cowboys weren’t known for long speeches, but they understood gratitude. Things they might be thankful for:

A horse that stayed sure-footed.

Their saddle and bedroll.

Dry socks and boots that hadn’t worn through.

A cook who didn’t burn the biscuits.

Another sunrise on the trail.

Did Cowboys Even Celebrate 

Thanksgiving during 

the Wild West Era?

Thanksgiving didn’t become an official national holiday until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a day of thanks in the middle of the Civil War.

For most cowboys, it was just another day of dust, sore muscles, hard tack and beans. But on a ranch or in town, they might have a hearty dinner.

Frontier Feasts

Turkeys weren’t always around depending on the region. Venison, rabbit, or prairie chicken were easily hunted. On cattle ranches, beef sometimes stole the show.

Beans, sourdough cornbread, and potatoes were common.

Frontier families relied on root veggies like turnips and carrots, or dried beans and peas from the summer’s harvest.

If flour and sugar were on hand, Dutch oven pies made with dried apples or pumpkins were a treat. One cowboy trick was soaking dried fruit in whiskey before baking—both dessert and drink in one slice.

And don’t forget the cowboy coffee. Strong enough to “float a horseshoe.”

Kicking up their heels

Barns, churches, and saloons doubled as dining halls. After eating, musicians might grab their fiddles or harmonicas, people square danced, and many a man told tall tales.

What are you thankful for? 

Feel free to add your comments.

I am thankful I don’t live in the Wild West days. Cooking over a campfire every night? Hard pass. Grocery shopping is plenty of cardio.

I am thankful for my friends, family, and readers.

I am thankful for my health and a cozy place to hang my hat.

I wish everyone a blessed day.

Hugs,

Niki J. Mitchell