Handed-Down Appalachian Recipes You’ll Wish You Grew Up With!

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: canned lentils

Ground turkey reduces fat while canned lentils provide a vegetarian option.

bbq sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade barbecue sauce

💰Cheaper: ketchup

Homemade sauce can be lower in sugar, while ketchup is a budget-friendly alternative.

bacon

🥗Healthier: turkey bacon

💰Cheaper: smoked sausage

Turkey bacon is lower in fat; smoked sausage adds flavor at a lower cost.

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheese

💰Cheaper: processed cheese

Reduced-fat cheese lowers calories, while processed cheese is often less expensive.

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

In a large skillet, cook ground beef over medium heat until browned; drain excess fat.

Add chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet; sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Combine the cooked meat mixture with baked beans in a large mixing bowl.

Add BBQ sauce, brown sugar, mustard, black pepper, salt, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper; mix well.

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and spread evenly.

Top with crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar cheese.

Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted.

Drizzle with apple cider vinegar before serving.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens