Healthy Ranch Beans {gluten free, low fat}

Let’s talk Ranch Beans…there are so many different variations, and some include chili powder and paprika, but this recipe adds meat and just a few simple ingredients you may already have in your fridge and pantry!

So what sparked this healthier take on ranch beans? Well, several years ago, I had a boyfriend whose mom was an amazing cook! One of her signature side dishes for cookouts and family get-togethers was her ranch beans. They were delicious and full of pork n beans, ground beef, and brown sugar. I still don’t know what had me craving these, but I reached out to her and asked for the recipe last week and she responded right away! I have never been so excited to make a side dish! Unfortunately, the canned pork n beans are NOT gluten free, according to their website, so I had to make a change there. And while I was making that change, I decided to make this recipe just a tad bit healthier to better fit my lifestyle. And they turned out AMAZING!

So here’s what you’ll need:

• 28 ounce can of Bush’s Original Baked Beans (do not drain)
• 1 pound lean ground turkey (93% lean)
• ½ cup chopped onion 
• 2 tablespoon maple syrup
• ½ cup ketchup
• ½ tablespoon yellow mustard
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 

Directions:

• Heat a medium skillet to medium-high heat and cook the ground turkey and onion together until the turkey is cooked through and no longer pink
• Stir in maple syrup, ketchup, mustard, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce
• Pour into greased 9x13 baking dish with beans and stir to combine
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes, uncovered

It’s seriously that simple! And these beans are loaded with flavor, healthy carbs, protein, and fiber! They are sure to be a crowd-pleaser at your next cookout!