Smoked Baked Beans

5 from 1 vote

Smoked baked beans are a classic BBQ side dish that's perfect for any occasion. They're hearty, flavorful, and can be made ahead of time. These smoky, sweet, and hearty beans are great hot or cold.

Prep Time20

Cook Time2 30

Total Time2 50

Course: Grilling, Main Dishes, Side Dishes

Cuisine: American, American Southern

Servings:

Calories: 142kcal

Author: Kelly Bloom

Equipment

Grill or Smoker
9 inch Round Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients

1 lb pinto beans dry or canned
4 oz bacon 6 slices
1 onion diced
1 bell pepper diced
1 small jalapeno cored and minced
¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup barbecue sauce your favorite
½ cup water
2 tablespoon mustard any type
2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cook the dry pinto beans in your Instant Pot covered in water on high pressure for 45 minutes, then drain after a natural release. Or, use 4 cans of drained, cooked Pinto beans.
1 lb pinto beans
Using a cast iron skillet, saute the bacon until almost crisp, reserving one strip of uncooked bacon to cut and top the baked beans before final cooking.
4 oz bacon
Lower heat to medium, and add the diced onion, diced green bell pepper, and minced jalapeno to the cast iron skillet. Cook until the peppers brighten in color, onions fragrant, and softening, about 4 - 5 minutes.
1 onion, 1 bell pepper, 1 small jalapeno
Add the cooked pinto beans to the skillet of bacon, onions, and peppers.
Stir in the brown sugar, barbecue sauce, water, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt to blend all ingredients.
¼ cup brown sugar, ½ cup barbecue sauce, ½ cup water, 2 tbsp mustard, 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt
Preheat your conventional oven to 225 F, or preheat your Traeger smoker grill to 225 F, with the lid down.
Cut the last piece of uncooked bacon into 1" bits and scatter over the top of the skillet filled with the beans and sauce mixture.
Bake in the oven or smoker for 2 - 3 hours, or until the beans are tender and the sauce has thickened.
Remove from oven or smoker and serve hot or cold!

Notes

Quality Bacon: Use a good quality bacon. It adds essential flavor and smokiness to the beans.
Tender, Not Mushy: Aim for tender beans that still hold their shape. "Low and slow" cooking is key to achieving this perfect texture.
Ample Smoke Time: Smoke the beans for at least 2 hours. This duration is crucial for developing that characteristic smoky flavor.
Slow Cooker Option: If preferred, you can also make these beans in a slow cooker on the low setting for about 8 hours.

Nutrition