Shannon Dell - The Takeout

Location

Tennessee

School

Georgia Southern University

Expertise

Appalachian Granny Recipes, Experimental Sauces, Foodways & Folklore

Shannon doesn't shy away from the more obscure food stories, having covered a range of topics from spit-fermented beer to highway-flattened fauna.
Born and raised in the American South, she's a hype girl for hot sauce and will gladly tell you about the many health benefits of dousing your plate in it.
She has some serious opinions when it comes to cucumbers and why some people are genetically wired to hate them.

Experience

Shannon is a Tennessee-based writer who has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, BBC Travel, and Atlas Obscura. While her writing is mostly travel-focused, she believes the best way to connect to a culture is through the stomach, having learned to bake sand bread in the Sahara desert, experienced the reverence of a toastmaster at a Georgian supra, and uncovered the secret ingredient to longevity from an Italian nonna (hint: it's Prosecco first thing in the morning). She likes food that makes her sweat, dusty diners with a story, and stirring the pot between two Southerners arguing over whose hometown has the better barbecue.

The Takeout Editorial Policies

The Takeout’s industry-leading editorial coverage is the result of collaboration between writers and editors with a wide array of experience and expertise in the world of food and drink. Every article is fact-checked by our team of editors to ensure accuracy. Outside experts are also consulted to help deliver factual, up-to-date information.

Our mission is to both inform and entertain our readers, telling them everything they want to know (and more) about food. We strive to always provide a well-rounded reading experience, bringing both the biggest food news of the day and a break from the news. Additional information on our editorial process available here.

Stories By Shannon Dell

Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

What Makes Canning Salt So Different From Table Salt?

Can you swap table salt for canning salt? Learn the surprising reason pickling purists say 'no' and how to substitute with something more suitable.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

The Tangy Sauce You're Missing For The Absolute Best Egg Salad

Egg salad has so many great uses for such a simple recipe. However, this ingredient swap is an unbelievable upgrade on a tried-and-true classic.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

Elevate Frozen Pizza To Restaurant Quality With One Ingredient

Frozen pizza has to be the best easy weeknight meal. If you're looking for a way to make store-bought pizza even better, try adding this ingredient.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

Save Leftover Orange Peels To Make Your Next Secret Weapon Ingredient

Don't throw out your orange peels! Trust us, next time you're in the kitchen, they can be your tasty secret ingredient for a wide array of delicious recipes.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

The Booze You Should Be Adding To Coleslaw

If you want to elevate your coleslaw game, then simply throw in this one boozy ingredient. Trust us, it'll only enhance your creamy bowl of slaw.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

How To Tell If Your Paneer Is Fake

Who doesn't love a nice steaming hot bowl of paneer curry? As delicious as paneer can be, however, it's always important to remember how to spot the fake stuff.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

Here's The Best Way To Clean That Dirty Gas Stove Top

Having trouble wiping down that dirty gas stove top? Here are a few simple tricks that will make your time in the kitchen much, much easier.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

The Simple Favor You Should Always Ask Your Fishmonger To Do

Buying seafood really isn't that difficult. But if you aren't already aware, you can ask the fishmonger for this simple favor to save you time and stress.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Fast Food

Fast Food By Shannon Dell

The Only 2 US States Without A Single Popeyes Location

Who doesn't love a crispy basket of Popeyes fried chicken? Well, in the United States, there's exactly two states that seem to not care for the franchise.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

What Makes Denver Steaks So Marbled?

Denver steaks are some of the best cuts a beef lover can ask for, especially since they are so incredibly marbled compared to other cuts. But why is that?
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

You Need To Start Grilling Your Pickles

If you're a pickle lover like so many others, then seriously consider throwing them on the grill. Trust us, grilling pickles only enhances their flavor.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

Move Over Bread Bowls, There's A Better Edible Vessel For Soup

Skip the carbs from a bread bowl and enhance the flavor and presentation by serving your soup or stew in this creative, edible alternative.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

Does Lemon Juice Ever Expire?

Lemon juice is one of those perishable items that make people wonder how to determine whether or not it has expired, or if it even can.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Grocery

Grocery By Shannon Dell

The Type Of Canned Vegetables You Should Avoid

Canned vegetables are a great way to add more nutrients to your diet, but when you're at the grocery store, you need to check the labels for this ingredient.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

If You're Not Using Your Instant Pot When Making Casseroles, You're Missing Out

Casseroles are a great way to satiate appetites and share gratitude, but you don't need to bake them in the oven. Try an Instant Pot for convenience and ease.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

Use Canned Biscuits For The Easiest Mini French Dip Sandwiches

French dip sandwiches make for a great weeknight meal. This hack makes them even easier to throw together thanks to its use of canned biscuits.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

Avoid Certain Types Of Skillets For The Best Caramelized Onions

If you haven't been able to perfect your caramelized onions no matter what you try, then you could be picking the wrong pan to get the job done right.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Fast Food

Fast Food By Shannon Dell

Here's The Fast Food Joint With The Superior Sweet Tea

Sweet tea is something that if it's not good, you're better off with water. See which fast food joint we think has the absolute best, runners up, and the flop.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

Can You Freeze Leftover Guacamole?

Next time you find yourself with a big bowl of leftover guacamole, you're probably going to be wondering if that delicious bowl of green is freezable.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Drinks

Drinks By Shannon Dell

For The Best Root Beer Floats, Prep Your Glass The Right Way

If you want to make the best possible root beer float, you need to look beyond the ice cream and root beer. Prepping your glass the right way is important.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Restaurants

Restaurants By Shannon Dell

Pizza Hut 'Classics' Are The Dose Of Nostalgia We Desperately Need

Nostalgic for the Pizza Huts of your youth? There are Pizza Hut "Classic" locations scattered all over the U.S. that do things the old-fashioned way.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

PSA: You Should Throw Snack Crackers In The Smoker

Crackers might be the last thing you'd imagine trying to throw into the smoker, but the crunchy, salty bites truly benefit from some time in there.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Restaurants

Restaurants By Shannon Dell

The Proper Way To Order A Philly Cheesesteak

When you roll up to Philly, you don't want to be the rube of the group. See how you can order a signature city cheesesteak, just like the locals do.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

Your Next Bologna Sandwich Is Begging To Be Fried

Don't write off this sometimes struggle meal of the South. A fried bologna sandwich pays out serious flavor dividends and is dead simple to make.
By Shannon Dell Read More
History

History By Shannon Dell

Jimmy John's Almost Sold A Completely Different Type Of Food

Jimmy John's might've been known for an entirely different operation, an entirely different food if things had gone another way when it was being conceived.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

You Don't Need Ground Beef In Your Chili When Sirloin Steak Exists

While you may be more likely to need a toothpick after, that's no reason not to swap out ground chuck for sirloin steak in your next batch of chili.
By Shannon Dell Read More
Cook

Cook By Shannon Dell

The Pre-Made Ingredient You Need For Easier Guacamole

When you need some fresh guac, you need it ASAP. This easy shopping hack will make save you time and effort when the (tortilla) chips are down.
By Shannon Dell Read More

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