Classic Appalachian Main Dishes

🥘 1. Chicken & Slick Dumplings

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken (or 3 lbs thighs)
  • 10–12 cups water
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Dumplings

  • 2½ cups flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¾–1 cup cold water

Instructions

  1. Simmer chicken in water with salt and pepper 1½–2 hours.
  2. Remove, shred meat, return to broth.
  3. Mix flour + salt, add water to form stiff dough.
  4. Roll thin (1/8″), cut into strips.
  5. Drop into simmering broth, cook 20 minutes uncovered.
  6. Stir gently; broth thickens naturally.

🥣 2. Soup Beans & Cornbread

Ingredients

  • 1 lb dried pinto beans
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 small onion (optional)
  • 2 oz salt pork or ham hock
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Soak beans overnight (or quick soak 1 hour boil + 1 hour rest).
  2. Drain, add fresh water, onion, and pork.
  3. Simmer 2–3 hours until tender.
  4. Season to taste.
  5. Serve with hot cornbread and chopped raw onion.

🥔 3. Fried Potatoes with Onions

Ingredients

  • 4 russet potatoes, sliced thin
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • 3 tbsp bacon grease or oil
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat grease in cast-iron skillet.
  2. Add potatoes in a single layer.
  3. Cook medium heat, turning occasionally.
  4. Add onions halfway through.
  5. Cook until golden and crispy (20–25 minutes).

🐟 4. Salmon Patties

Ingredients

  • 1 (14–15 oz) can salmon (bones mashed in for calcium)
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup crushed saltines
  • 2 tbsp onion, minced
  • 2 tbsp cornmeal (optional)
  • Oil for frying

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients.
  2. Form into patties.
  3. Fry in skillet 3–4 minutes per side.
  4. Drain on paper towel.
  5. Serve with fried potatoes or beans.

🍖 5. Appalachian Meatloaf

Ingredients

  • 1½ lbs ground beef
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup crushed saltines
  • ½ cup milk
  • ¼ cup onion, chopped
  • ½ cup ketchup (divided)
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions

  1. Mix beef, egg, crackers, milk, onion, salt, pepper, and ¼ cup ketchup.
  2. Shape into loaf.
  3. Spread remaining ketchup on top.
  4. Bake at 350°F for 1 hour.
  5. Rest 10 minutes before slicing.

🌽 6. Cornbread & Buttermilk (Mountain Supper)

Cornbread Ingredients

  • 2 cups cornmeal
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 egg
  • 1½ cups buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp bacon grease

Instructions

  1. Preheat cast-iron skillet with grease at 425°F.
  2. Mix dry ingredients.
  3. Stir in egg + buttermilk.
  4. Pour into hot skillet.
  5. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden.

To Serve (Traditional Way)

  • Crumble cornbread into a bowl.
  • Pour cold buttermilk over top.
  • Eat with a spoon.