About Me - Jeri Walker - Winding Creek Ranch

Simple Recipes and Big Flavors, From My Kitchen To Yours

Jeri Walker, food blogger and recipe creator at Winding Creek Ranch, testing a recipe in her Pit Boss pellet grill outside on her deck.

Hi! I'm Jeri!

The recipe developer, photographer, and voice behind Winding Creek Ranch, a food blog with over 510 easy and delicious recipes that make home cooking feel simple again. With more than 2.95 million page views and 1.79 million users in the past year, it has become a go-to resource for people looking for the best tried-and-true recipes made with real ingredients.

You're In The Right Place If You're Looking For...

Easy family dinners that come together fast.
Smoked, grilled, and air-fried recipes that actually work.
Homemade sauces, sides, and desserts to round out the meal.
Hearty breakfasts, fresh salads, and real-food basics.
Sourdough and homemade bread recipes that actually rise.
Easy canning recipes and freezer-friendly preserves for extended storage.
Appetizers and party snacks that are simple but crowd-pleasing.
Copycat recipes inspired by your favorite restaurants and cafés.
Beverage recipes - from cozy drinks to coffee shop favorites made at home.

Jeri Walker, the food blogger and recipe creator at Winding Creek Ranch, in her vehicle after picking up groceries.

Why Trust Me?

I have over 40 years of hands-on cooking experience and a background in teaching cooking skills to students in both elementary and high school. Every recipe on this site is developed and tested by me, often multiple times, so you can follow it with confidence, whether you're just starting out or you've been cooking for years.

I style, photograph, and film every recipe in my own kitchen - and if it's not a hit with my family, it doesn't get posted.

A Bit About Me

I live in the country on an old cattle ranch with my husband, Bill, and our oversized Saint Bernard lapdog, Daize (pronounced Daisy). She was a rescue dog we adopted one year after we said goodbye to our beloved Bruno.
I'm also a mom to three grown kids who still show up when there's food, especially anything smoked or sweet.
I have a massive backyard garden that keeps us stocked year-round. We grow vegetables and herbs in a greenhouse, and store our harvest in an old-school root cellar - it's like our own personal produce aisle, just with more dirt under our nails.
I'm currently obsessed with my air fryer, three pellet grills (yes, three - one lives in our motorhome), and my electric smoker.
Food has always been my thing. I LOVE reading cookbooks, flipping through recipe magazines, and watching cooking shows.
Once upon a time (okay, in my twenties), I ran a homemade perogy business with a friend.
One of my favorite things is recreating recipes from our travels - like that unforgettable seafood chowder in Tofino, street tacos from a Hawaiian food truck, or deep-dish pizza straight from Chicago.

Jeri and Bill Walker standing on a ferry traveling on the Pacific Ocean.

Exploring in British Columbia, Canada.

Jeri and Bill Walker standing on the beach in Maui, Hawaii.

Enjoying the sunset in Maui, Hawaii (My hair does not handle humidity, lol).

Jeri's daughter, Rosie, scooping up a piece of Chicago deep dish pizza at Giordanos in Chicago.

Deep dish pizza in Chicago.

Where It All Started

I started Winding Creek Ranch in early 2021 after years of Googling "easy dinner recipes" for my family. With a love for photography and a passion for food, launching a recipe blog was the next step. What began as a way to organize our favorite meals has become a full-time job - and a growing online community.

My mission is to provide easy-to-follow recipes that use simple, everyday ingredients while embracing the unique flavors that come with different seasons and special occasions.

With clear instructions and helpful tips, I'll guide you through each recipe step by step so you can confidently prepare delicious meals for yourself and your loved ones.

What You Can Expect Here...

You'll find recipes that are:

Quick to prep, with simple instructions
Made from everyday ingredients
Family-tested and picky-eater approved

👉 Try These Categories First:

Pellet Grill + Smoker Recipes - outdoor cooking made simple
Air Fryer Recipes - quick and easy meals
Dinner Recipes - many recipes can be made in under 30 minutes, and some in less than 15 minutes
Instant Pot Recipes - dinner in a flash
Beverage Recipes - coffee shop vibes, made at home
Dessert Recipes - everything from fruit crisps to cookies

Want to see ALL the recipes on the blog? Check out my Recipe Index - over 490 (and counting) easy and delicious tested recipes your family will love!

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Recognition + Media Mentions

📣 Featured Google Publisher - Google Publisher Stories

📣 Featured Foodie - Food Bloggers of Canada

🏆 Best Comfort Cuisine Family Recipe Blog - Global Business Awards 2024

🏆 Recipe Platform of the Year - Corporate LiveWire Global Awards 2024/2025

📣 Top 100 Food RSS Feeds - Ranked #120 by Feedspot

Podcast Appearances

🎙 Eat Like No One Else - It's Rhubarb Season

🎙 Eat Like No One Else - Why Dual Basket Air Fryers Are The Best

From Readers Like You

I have to say that of all the food bloggers I have followed over the years, you are hands down the best. Your expertise in all cooking methods - air fryer, grilling, and smoking - is crazy good!

- Michael

I really enjoy your recipes with your personal touch.

- Scott

Thank you for all the wonderful recipes, of all the recipes I follow yours is the very best. I love it 🥰

- Rhonda

FAQs

What's your cooking background?

I've been cooking for over 40 years, have taught cooking in elementary, junior high, and high school, and now I blog full-time. Everything I publish has been tested and approved by my family.

How do I find a specific recipe?

Use the search bar or browse the recipe index by category, ingredient, or name.

Contact

You can reach me by email at jeri@windingcreekranch.org or by message on Facebook or Instagram. You can also ask a question in any comment section below any recipe, and I will personally respond.

Thanks for stopping by - I'm so glad you're here. I can't wait to help you discover your new favorite recipe. Let's get cooking!

Love, Jeri ❤️