Luke Bryan Has the Most Unexpected—But Hilarious—Southern Holiday Tradition

In the South, holiday food traditions are practically sacred. From fried onion-topped green bean casserole to Martha Washington candies on the dessert tray, certain dishes define the season. Without them, the holiday just doesn’t feel complete.

But, leave it to Luke Bryan to put his own spin on things. When the Bryan family gets together for Christmas Eve, you won’t see a honey-glazed ham or buttery spoon bread on the table. Instead, you’ll be ladling up something a little less traditional and a lot more laid-back—but, in its own way, it’s still just as Southern as a deep-fried turkey.

Luke Bryan’s Christmas Eve Meal Tradition 

During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Bryan revealed how his unconventional Christmas Eve tradition came to be.

It started several years ago after feeling a bit burned out by the big Thanksgiving meal. The turkey, the gravy, the fixings—it felt like too much to do all over again the very next month. So, for the following Christmas Eve, he suggested ditching the festive spread for something a little less formal: chili dogs. The whole family was on board—and thus, the chili dog tradition was born.

According to Bryan, his mom takes chili dog prep very seriously, turning it into what he calls an “all-day event.” The mother-son duo spends the morning doing their “chili dog shopping” before diving into her signature recipe. 

Unfortunately, Bryan didn’t disclose the exact chili recipe (beans or no beans remains a mystery), but, we do know that in the country singer’s household, Southern cooking is taken very seriously, So, it’s a safe bet that this recipe is blue ribbon-worthy.

Now, in true Southern fashion, these aren’t just any chili dogs—they’re “scrambled dogs,” a special dish that hails from Columbus, Georgia. What‘s the distinction? These hot dogs are drenched in chili, then topped with an unexpected crunch: oyster crackers. Shredded cheese and pickles are optional but encouraged add-ons. And, according to Bryan, these dogs are so delicious, it’s “silly.”

Of course, no good holiday tradition is without its consequences. As Bryan joked, “The next morning, Christmas morning around the tree, you’re not happy about what happened.” But hey, that’s the beauty of tradition—it’s all about making it your own, whether that’s a beautifully roasted turkey or a plate of chili dogs that’ll keep you full till New Year’s.