Camila McConaughey’s Viral Tequila Pie Crust Is Shaking Up Thanksgiving Baking

Camila McConaughey is officially a pumpkin-pie believer, and it all comes down to one unexpected ingredient: tequila. In a new Instagram post, Camila revealed that she has never been a pumpkin-pie person… until chef and cookbook author Marie Saba created a version just for her. The twist? The pie crust is made with Pantalones Organic Tequila, the spirit Camila co-founded with husband Matthew McConaughey. The subtle splash of tequila replaces traditional water, creating a crust that’s lighter, flakier, and far more flavorful than the classic. Now, Camila McConaughey is calling herself a pumpkin-pie convert, and fans are taking note.

According to Camila, Marie Saba took it as a personal challenge when she learned Camila didn’t like pumpkin pie. The result was Marie’s Very Best Pumpkin Pie, a silky, gently spiced filling baked inside a tequila-kissed crust that completely transformed Camila’s opinion of the Thanksgiving staple.

The recipe starts with cooking the filling on the stovetop, intensifying the pumpkin flavor and helping the custard set up perfectly once baked. When paired with that ultra-flaky tequila crust, the dessert becomes equal parts nostalgic and new.

It may be meant for Thanksgiving, but Camila says it’s a pie you’ll “crave again on cozy weekends all season long.”

Camila McConaughey’s boozy pumpkin pie didn’t just convert her, but it sent her entire comments section into a frenzy. Within hours, fans were practically chanting for the recipe, asking her to drop the full instructions ASAP. One follower raved, “Love her pies!! This is awesome,” while another said they could practically taste it through the screen: “I can almost smell it!”

Even chef Marie Saba, the culinary mastermind behind the recipe, jumped into the conversation, writing, “So fun!! Loved baking together @camilamcconaughey. Hope y’all’s have a wonderful Thanksgiving!”

With the secret out and the tequila-spiked crust going viral, fans begged Camila to share every detail so they could recreate the now-famous pie at home.

For bakers eager to recreate Camila’s newfound favorite dessert, Saba shared the full recipe for the signature crust. The secret is swapping in Pantalones Tequila for part of the liquid, which helps create tender layers and a deeper, more complex flavor.

• 1¼ cup all-purpose flour (plus extra for rolling)
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp Kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 2 tbsp Pantalones Tequila
• 3 tbsp cold water

1. Add flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder to a food processor and pulse to combine.
2. Add cold butter and pulse about 10 times until the mixture resembles pea- and walnut-sized crumbs.
3. Add tequila and water, then pulse 6–8 times. The dough should be crumbly but hold when squeezed.
4. Transfer dough onto plastic wrap, shape into a disc, and chill for at least 1 hour (or up to 48 hours).
5. When ready to roll, let dough rest 5–10 minutes at room temperature.
6. Flour your surface and roll the dough into a circle, rotating ¼ turn between rolls.
7. Fit into a pie plate, tuck excess dough into an even edge, and crimp decoratively.
8. Freeze up to one month, then fill and bake straight from frozen.
9. Once filled with Marie’s gently spiced stovetop pumpkin custard, the tequila crust bakes into a golden, melt-in-your-mouth shell that elevates every slice.

Of course, the unexpected star of Camila McConaughey’s pumpkin pie is the same tequila she co-founded with husband Matthew McConaughey: Pantalones Organic Tequila, the couple’s playful, cheeky spirits brand that prides itself on great taste without taking itself too seriously.

Pantalones launched in 2023 with a bold mission “to make tequila fun again.” The branding leans into humor, cowboy cool, and classic McConaughey swagger, pairing organic agave with a vibe that’s equal parts Texas charm and Hollywood wink. The brand quickly took off thanks to its clean flavor profile, smooth enough for sipping but adaptable enough to sneak into everything from cocktails to, apparently, holiday pie crusts.

Camila McConaughey has been increasingly showcasing new ways to use the tequila outside the bar cart, but this pumpkin pie may be its biggest breakout moment yet. According to Marie Saba’s recipe, swapping water for Pantalones adds brightness, flakiness, and a subtle warmth that sets the crust apart from anything store-bought.