Smoked Baked Beans Recipe (Pellet Grill Baked Beans)
Smoked baked beans are a crowd favorite! Big enough to share but good enough you will want to keep it to yourself, this smoked beans recipe uses only one pan making cleanup a breeze. Make it on your pellet grill, other smoker, or adapt it for the oven… smoked baked beans are versatile.
Canned Beans Vs. Dry Beans (Beans From Scratch) For Smoking
This recipe uses canned beans for several reasons. Canned baked beans are pre-cooked, deleting an extra step and a lot of extra time. They already have a subtle flavor that lends nicely to this recipe! If you are considering starting your beans from scratch, check out this easy instant pot navy beans recipe.
Tips + Tricks
- If your smoked beans are too runny, consider making a cornstarch slurry to thicken them. Cornstarch Slurry: Combine 1/2 cup cold water + 1 tablespoon of cornstarch. Mix until no lumps remain. Add to your beans and stir well. Cook for an additional 10 minutes to help thicken. *It is important to note that the beans will naturally thicken as they cool.
- Make the beans ahead of time and keep them refrigerated for 2-3 days before serving.
- Speed up the baked beans by turning the smoker up to 350°F. Cook for 2 hours, stirring after 1 hour.
Key Ingredients + Equipment
Baked Beans: Canned beans are used in this recipe to bump up the simplicity. You can use dried beans but they will take extra soaking and prep time.
Bacon: I choose thick cut bacon for this recipe, don’t be afraid to include fatty pieces. The bacon fat adds to the flavor of these smoked baked beans. Consider topping your smoked beans with bacon before placing them on the grill. Make sure that they are pre cooked but not crispy before garnishing the beans with them.
Onion + Pepper: Finely dice the onions and bell peppers. Omit if you aren’t a fan of either or. If you like a little heat, consider adding 1-2 jalapeno peppers to the mix. You can use dehydrated peppers if you rehydrate them before!
Garlic: Fresh is best but if you only have dried garlic powder, use 1/8-1/4 teaspoon.
Barbecue Sauce– choose your favorite bbq sauce for this recipe.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar gives the perfect tang to this smoked baked beans recipe. Use lemon juice or apple juice if you don’t have this ingredient!
Worcestershire Sauce
Dijon Mustard or Dried Mustard: If using dried mustard powder, use only 2 teaspoons.
Brown Sugar: Use brown sugar if you prefer a more sweet tasting smoked bean recipe. Consider mixing all other ingredients and adding sugar to taste. I love adding the 1/4 cup!
Molasses
Steak Seasoning: In Canada, we love Montreal Steak Spice! Use your favorite steak seasoning.
Optional Add Ins: 1 can of corn, 1 can of black beans, canned pineapple, leftover smoked beef brisket, etc…
Best Pellets for Smoking Beans
These easy baked beans can handle almost any wood type. For a stronger smoke flavor, choose hickory or competition blend, for a more subtle smoke flavor, consider cherry wood or apple wood. Let the beans smoke and taste them after two hours to make sure that the smoky flavor is not overwhelming.
Exactly How To Make Smoked Baked Beans
Step 1. Preheat your smoker to 275°F.
Step 2. Dice bacon and place the bacon pieces in a large cast iron skillet or other heavy bottomed pan. Sauté in the skillet over medium heat until the fat starts to become translucent (not completely crispy and cooked.) Add diced onions, peppers, and garlic to the bacon. Continue to cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
Step 3. Add remaining ingredients including 3/4 cup barbecue sauce, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons Worchestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons molasses, 2 tablespoons steak seasoning (I use Montreal Steak Spice). Add 1/4 cup brown sugar if you would like more sweetness. Mix well.
Step 4. Place on the preheated smoker for 2.5 hours. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving (it will be LAVA hot). Enjoy!!
Batch + Storage + Reheating
Batch: This recipe yields approximately 7 cups of smoked baked beans (14 half-cup servings).
Storage: Store smoked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Reheat smoked baked beans in a sauce pan over low heat for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Alternately, you can place the smoked beans back in your cast iron pan and put them back on your grill at 300°F for 15 minutes or until heated through.
What to Serve With Baked Beans
Baked beans are delicious with ANY recipe. Consider pairing them with another delicious smoked main entree to piggy back on the smoker pellets!
This Traeger pulled pork recipe is unbelievably tender and bursting with smokey flavor. It is juicy and smoked to perfection on your pellet grill or other type of smoker over indirect heat.
3-Step Smoked Tri Tip Roast Recipe
This smoked tri tip roast recipe is tender, juicy and full of flavour. With three simple steps it is EASY to achieve perfection. In just over two hours, you will have a tri tip that is juicier than many cuts of meat that are cooked for 12+ hours. Season, Smoke, Sear and have everyone coming back for seconds.
Traeger Smoked Pork Loin Recipe- 3 Steps
Learn how to cook a juicy Traeger pork loin in three easy steps. Season, Smoke, and Serve this flavorful loin roast for your family and guests today. Coat the roast in Traeger’s Pork & Poultry Rub or your favorite pork rub, set it, and forget it.
Smoked Baked Beans Printable Recipe Card
Smoked Baked Beans Recipe
Smoked baked beans are a crowd favorite! Big enough to share but good enough you will want to keep it to yourself, this smoked beans recipe uses only one pan making cleanup a breeze.
Ingredients
- 2 28oz cans baked beans
- 6 slices thick cut bacon
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
- 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced (optional)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard or 2 teaspoons dried mustard powder
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons steak seasoning (I use Montreal Steak Spice)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (optional for a more sweet bean dish)
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 275°F.
- Dice bacon and place it in a large cast iron skillet or other heavy bottomed pan. Sauté over medium heat until the fat starts to become translucent (not completely crispy and cooked.) Add diced onions, peppers, and garlic to the bacon. Continue to cook for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Add remaining ingredients including 3/4 cup barbecue sauce, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, 2 teaspoons Worchestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons molasses, 2 tablespoons steak seasoning (I use Montreal Steak Spice). Add 1/4 cup brown sugar if you would like more sweetness. Mix well.
- Place on the preheated smoker for 2.5 hours. Allow to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving (it will be LAVA hot). Enjoy!!
Notes
Make the beans ahead of time and keep them refrigerated for 2-3 days before serving.
Speed up the baked beans by turning the smoker up to 350°F. Cook for 2 hours, stirring after 1 hour.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 14 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 202Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 907mgCarbohydrates: 41gFiber: 5gSugar: 23gProtein: 8g
Smoked Baked Beans FAQ
Consider adding a few drops of liquid smoke to your baked beans to achieve a smoky flavor without using a smoker or other pellet grill.
Smoked baked beans can be kept in the fridge for around 3 days.
Low and slow is the key to thick and flavorful baked beans. Budget 2 1/2 hours to fully cook these pellet grill baked beans.
Yes! This recipe adds a lot of flavor, al dente bacon, and peppers and onions. They benefit from a long low and slow cooking process but are safe for consumption before the smoking process.
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