Looking for a super flavorful BBQ side dish? Then this recipe for smoked baked beans is for you! This fantastic bean dish is filled with delicious ingredients and then cooked low and slow to perfection.

This smoky Southern classic makes the perfect BBQ side dish for brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken, sausages, and hamburgers! We start this recipe on the stovetop, assemble it, and take it to the pellet grill.

Equipment

The beauty of smoked baked beans is that they can be made on a pellet grill (Traeger, Pit Boss, Camp Chef, etc.), kamado grill, or electric smoker alongside smaller proteins like chicken or ribs. For larger items like pork shoulders, add these baked beans right when you take the it out of the smoker. This way, you’ll have time to rest the pork for an additional 60-90 minutes before the beans are done. There really is nothing better than perfect timing, and these smoked baked beans will provide you with that option.

Best wood for smoked baked beans?

• Use cherry or pecan wood pellets, chips or wood chunks for this recipe. However, you can use a milder wood like apple or a more robust wood like hickory. Feel free to mix and match as well.
• Other equipment: We used a 12″ cast-iron pan for this dish; however, if you do not have one, you can use a disposable aluminum pan instead.

Ingredients

• Baked beans: 55 ounces total (sub with pinto beans or kidney beans)
• BBQ sauce: Bottled or homemade barbecue sauce, or use one of our delicious BBQ sauce recipes for these smoked baked beans!
• Ketchup
• Molasses (sub with pure maple syrup)
• Dr. Pepper: or an equivalent
• Brown sugar (dark brown sugar for a bit of sweetness)
• BBQ Rub: Use your favorite bottled rub or use my Kansas City Rub recipe
• Meat: Usually, BBQ baked beans are made with bacon. However, you can use different meats like, beef brisket burnt ends, pork brisket, smoked sausage, pork belly, and smoked turkey. I used some delicious smoked rib scrap burnt ends for this recipe.
• Yellow Onion: Substitute with a small white or red onion
• Garlic
• Olive oil

How to make Pellet Grill Baked Beans

Stovetop to Smoker

• Preheat smoker for 250 degrees F.
• Gather your smoked baked beans ingredients: Combine the BBQ sauce, ketchup, molasses, Dr. Pepper, brown sugar, and BBQ rub in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside.
• Onion and garlic: On your stove top, heat oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook for 2 minutes, then cook the garlic for 30 seconds.
• Remaining ingredients: Stir in the baked beans, BBQ sauce mixture, and meat (brisket, steak, ribs, etc.) to the bean mixture. Remove skillet from stove.
• Into the smoker: Set the skillet in the smoker, close the lid, and cook the baked beans for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Baked beans recipe variations

• Spice it up! Add a little kick to your smoked baked beans with diced jalapeno peppers or Hatch chilies.  
• Vegetarian option. Remove the meat and use vegetarian beans. You can also use navy beans or black beans in this recipe.
• Make it savory. Add a tablespoon of yellow, stone-ground, or Dijon mustard to create a savory base for your beans.
• Other proteins. No BBQ leftovers, no worries. Use cooked ground beef, cubed ham, sliced hot dogs, or chopped crisp slices of bacon.
• Add a boozy kick to these smoked baked beans. Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of bourbon to the sauce mixture. Start with 1 tablespoon, and adjust from there.

Serving Smoked Baked Beans

Smoked baked beans typically thicken as they cook, resulting in a side dish rich in color and with a delicious smoky flavor. Below are some suggestions for resting and keeping them warm during a cookout.

• Remove the beans from your smoker, and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving. They will be super hot, so resting them is important!
• For longer service, place the smoked beans into a slow-cooker and set it on warm.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover smoked baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in a microwave oven. Freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag for up to 3 months.

More recipes to try!

Delicious Smoker Recipes

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Smoked Baked Beans

These smoked baked beans are a delicious twist on a classic favorite! This recipe combines tender beans with a sweet and savory sauce and optional smoked meat. It's hearty, delicious, and easy!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American BBQ

Keyword baked beans, pellet grill baked beans, pellet grill recipes, smoked baked beans

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 hours hours

Total Time 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings 8 Servings

Calories 208kcal

Ingredients

• 1 55 ounce can of baked beans
• 1-1 1/2 cups burnt ends brisket, pork belly, turkey, steak, etc.
• 3/4 cup BBQ sauce bottled or homemade
• 2/3 cup Dr. Pepper or equivalent
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 1/2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon BBQ rub bottled or homemade
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

• Preheat your grill or smoker for 250 degrees F. Add your choice of wood.
• Combine BBQ sauce, ketchup, molasses, Dr. pepper, brown sugar, and BBQ rub in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• Stovetop: In a 12-inch cast-iron skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Cook the onions until translucent, about 2 minutes. Then, add garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
• Add baked beans, barbecue sauce mixture, chopped meat, and stir through.
• Place the entire pan into your smoker, close the lid, and let it cook for 2 hours. Beans will thicken and take on a darker color when done.
• Remove pan from the smoker, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before serving.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months in vacuum-sealed bags.

Nutrition

Serving: 8g | Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 143IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 2mg

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