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Smoking

Smoked Baked Beans

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After you try these Smoked Baked Beans, you will never want to return to regular baked beans from a can ever again! This recipe has the perfect balance of flavors. Just the right amount of spice. The right amount of sweetness. A wonderful tang from the bourbon and the vinegar, and don’t forget that lovely smoky flavor!

Side dishes are as important to your meal as are the main course. If you are looking for some other great side dish ideas, why not check out this amazing Grilled Romaine Lettuce recipe. Or, for something a little different, why not try this Smoked Scalloped Potatoes recipe!

Smoked Baked beans in a dark bowl with a spoon full of beans

There is nothing like making homemade smoked baked beans from scratch. The smoky flavor that is imparted by the smoker creates a flavor profile that is simply unmatched!

HELPFUL ITEMS FOR THIS RECIPE

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small portion from qualifying purchases at no extra charge to you.

Le Creuset Dutch Oven

Masterbuilt Digital Electric Smoker

Soup Bowls, Set of 6

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO MAKE Smoked Bake Beans?

Ingredients for smoked baked beans laid out in bowls on a wooden table.

INGREDIENTS

  • Bacon
  • Onion
  • Jalapeno peppers
  • Red bell pepper
  • Garlic
  • Pinto beans
  • Kidney beans
  • Apple juice
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Brown sugar
  • Bourbon
  • Brown mustard
  • Barbecue sauce
  • Maple syrup
  • Kosher salt
  • Fresh ground pepper
  • Chili powder

HOW TO MAKE Smoked Baked Beans

While you are preheating your smoker, heat your dutch oven over medium-high heat on a stovetop or side burner, add the chopped bacon, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is just crispy, about 5 – 7 minutes. Do not drain the bacon fat from the pan! Then add the chopped onions, jalapenos, and bell pepper and saute for 5 minutes.

In a large measuring cup or mixing bowl with a spout, combine the apple juice, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, bourbon, brown mustard, BBQ sauce, and maple syrup. Whisk everything together well until the brown sugar is dissolved in the liquid.

Next, rinse the canned pinto and kidney beans, then add them to the dutch oven. Stir to combine and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Then add the Kosher salt, fresh ground pepper, and chili powder.

Pot of baked beans mixed and ready to go into the smoker.

Now pour in the liquid and stir, making sure it is mixed well. Cover and bring to a slow, low boil. Once it is boiling, remove the lid and place the pot into the preheated smoker. I like to use hickory wood chips to smoke these baked beans. I think it imparts a great smoky flavor to the dish. You can use any wood you like; applewood chips are also a great flavor choice. I think it’s fun to play around with different woods when smoking.

Dutch oven, uncovered, full of baked beans smoking on the grill of the smoker.

Smoke the beans for 3 hours, stirring once or twice during the cooking time. You can prepare these fantastic smoked baked beans ahead of time. Simply reheat them on a cooktop or side burner before serving.

Serving your Smoked Baked Beans

Smoked Baked Beans in a Dutch oven ready to be served.

Obviously, these smoked baked beans are the perfect side for anything BBQ’ed. Whether you are serving pulled pork, chicken, or beef, there is nothing better than a bowl of smoked baked beans on the side!

Smoked baked beans served in a small bowl with a spoon in the bowl

Look at all the great ingredients in that bowl of smoked baked beans!

MAKING THIS RECIPE YOUR OWN

Smoked baked beans with a wooden spoon

As with any recipe I put up, I always encourage you to make it your own. If you like a little more umami flavor, add a tablespoon or 2 of Worcestershire sauce. If you want your smoked baked beans a little sweeter, add a couple of tablespoons of fancy molasses.

You don’t have to use canned beans. If you prefer to use dry beans, that works too. Just make sure that you soak them in water overnight before cooking them. It’s cheaper to use the dried beans versus the canned beans too!

If you are really into it, you can smoke your own pork belly and use it in your smoked baked beans; nothing better than that, I have to say!

Wooden spoon scooping up a spoonful of smoked baked beans

I think you need to make these for your next BBQ or picnic. You can thank me later!

Smoked baked beans in a Dutch oven ready to be served

Pin it HERE!!

This smoked baked bean recipe is so amazingly good you are never going to want canned baked beans again!

Pin it HERE!!

This smoked baked bean recipe is so amazingly good you are never going to want canned baked beans again!

Smoked Baked Beans

Ken Noland
This Smoked Baked Beans recipe is the perfect accompaniment to anything that you are BBQing, grilling, or smoking. The flavors are simply amazing!
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 3 hours hrs 15 minutes mins
Total Time 3 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
Course Smoking
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 592 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb bacon chopped
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 2 jalapeño peppers chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 cans of pinto beans 16oz
  • 2 cans of kidney beans 16oz
  • ¼ cup apple juice
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp bourbon
  • 2 tbsp brown mustard
  • 1 ½ cups BBQ sauce
  • ¼ cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsp Kosher Salt
  • 1 tsp fresh black pepper
  • 1 tsp chili powder

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your smoker to 180* for 15 minutes with the lid closed.
  • Drain and rinse the beans under cold water and set them aside.
  • Meanwhile, heat a dutch oven over high heat on a cooktop or your grill's side burner.
  • Add chopped bacon to the Dutch oven and cook until crisp, about 5-7 minutes. 
  • Lower the heat to medium/high. Add the chopped onion, jalapeno, and bell pepper. Saute for 5 minutes.
  • In a large bowl with a pour spout, combine apple juice, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, bourbon, brown mustard, bbq sauce, and maple syrup. Whisk to make sure it is mixed well.
  • Next, add the beans to the Dutch oven. Stir to combine. Cook for 5 minutes.
  • After 5 minutes, add salt, pepper, and chili powder to the Dutch oven and pour the liquid ingredients (from step 6) into the Dutch oven. Stir to combine. Cover and bring to a low boil.
  • Once boiling, remove the lid. Place into the preheated smoker uncovered.
  • Smoke for 3 hours. Stir once or twice throughout the cooking time.
  • Serve warm and enjoy!

Equipment

Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt., Cerise
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt., Cerise
Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker, 30", Black
Masterbuilt MB20071117 Digital Electric Smoker, 30″, Black
Soup Bowls, by Kook, Ceramic Make, Holds 24 Oz, perfect for cereal, desserts, salads, oatmeal, Set of 6, White.
Soup Bowls, by Kook, Ceramic Make, Holds 24 Oz, perfect for cereal, desserts, salads, oatmeal, Set of 6, White.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 592kcalCarbohydrates: 72gProtein: 28gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 56mgSodium: 1717mgFiber: 8gSugar: 43g
Nutrition calculation is an estimation only. If you need nutritional calculations for medical reasons, please use a source that you trust.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


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Hi, I’m Ken thanks for stopping by BBQing with the Nolands! I was born and raised in Western Canada. I grew up on the great wide open farmlands that produce some of the worlds’ best livestock and grains.
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