The Best Smoked Baked Beans (Using Canned Baked Beans)

By James Kimble May 2, 2025 6 mins read 43 Views

Most people just crack open a can of baked beans, but heating them up on the smoker really takes the flavor up a notch.

I make these beans every time I have people over for barbecue. They’re easy to throw together and cook alongside whatever else is on the smoker. Plus, they’re filling and always a hit, even with picky kids.

Looking for a from-scratch version? Check out our homemade smoked baked beans recipe.

One reader, Tom, commented: “Made the smoked beans for a group gathering and had some jalapenos, poblano peppers, and hot Italian peppers sliced up to garnish with. The dish was a huge hit. I didn’t take any home, and it went great with the ribs we fixed. ★★★★★“

What you need for these Smoked Baked Beans

Baked Beans – You can use your favorite store-bought brand
Diced Onion
Diced Jalapeno – Gives a mild heat and a pop of freshness. For a milder option, you can substitute with diced bell pepper.
Mustard – A squeeze of yellow mustard adds tang and depth to balance the sweetness in the dish.
Grape Jelly – Sounds unusual, but it melts into the beans and creates a sweet, glossy sauce that pairs perfectly with smoke and spice.
Worcestershire Sauce
BBQ Rub – A good rub ties everything together. Use a store-bought blend or make a batch of our homemade rub to layer in those smoky, sweet flavors.

You’ll also need a cast-iron pan to smoke the beans in or an aluminum pan for easy cleanup. While you could make this recipe in the oven, I typically always have my pellet smoker going so it’s easy to throw it in along whatever else I’m smoking.

What else can you add to Smoked Baked Beans?

One of the best things about canned baked beans is how easy they are to customize. Whether you want to bulk them up or tweak the flavor, they’re super forgiving, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Here are some tried-and-true add-ins I’ve used over the years:

Smoked Sausage – Slice and add during the last 30 minutes. For extra flavor, grill the sausage next to the beans first.
Ground Beef – Brown and season it beforehand to turn your beans into a hearty main dish.
Bacon – Even if your beans already include some, adding extra never hurts. Cook it about three-quarters of the way before mixing it in to avoid sogginess.
Garlic – A few minced cloves add great depth. Toss it in raw, or sauté briefly if you want a mellower flavor.
BBQ Sauce – Adds richness and tang. Just go easy, it can thin the texture if you add too much.

How to make Smoked Baked Beans

1. Assemble the ingredients

The prep for this recipe couldn’t be easier. You simply dump everything into a pan.

I like to use disposable aluminum pans for this recipe because the sauce from the beans can be a bear to clean up on traditional cookware. If you prefer, you can use a cast-iron skillet or a baking dish, but get ready for an arm workout when it comes time to clean it.

Start by pouring both cans of baked beans into the bottom of the pan. Then, add the diced onions, diced jalapeno, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and grape jelly.

Yes, I said grape jelly, and trust me, it works. I picked up this trick from a buddy on the competition BBQ circuit who used it on his ribs. At first, I thought it sounded weird, but after tasting it, I was hooked. It adds a subtle sweetness that plays perfectly with smoke and spice. If you’ve ever had those crockpot party meatballs, you know the combo works.

Once all the ingredients are in the pan, sprinkle the BBQ seasoning over the top. There is no need to mix yet, I prefer to stir them after an hour on the smoker.

2. Smoking your beans

Like the prep, the cooking process for these beans is easy too! Remember that canned baked beans are already cooked, so you’re just heating them and adding smoke flavor at this point.

You can cook this recipe on any smoker or pellet grill. I cooked this batch on my Weber Searwood XL, but I’ve also done them on my offset smoker, kamado charcoal grills, and even my Weber kettle. You could also make them on a gas grill, but won’t get that smoky flavor.

Place the pan on the grates, and you’ll let them smoke for about one hour. Then you can use a large spoon to give them all a good mix to combine the ingredients.

Then, just let them smoke for about 30 more minutes until they’re just starting to get bubbly, and they’re ready to enjoy!

🔥 Times & Temps:

I’ve tested quite a few different temperatures when smoking baked beans (did I mention I make these a lot?)

For Best Results
- 250°F for 1.5 hours – allows beans to soak up plenty of smoke without burning.
Faster Option
- 300°F for 1 hour – quicker cook, but with less smoke flavor.
Avoid smoking over 300°F – higher temps can cause the beans to dry out or burn around the edges.

What to serve with Smoked Baked Beans?

Baked Beans are the perfect side dish for any barbecue meal, hence their popularity! They’re also a great side dish if you’re grilling up hot dogs and hamburgers because they come together so easily and taste great with everything.

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How to reheat Smoked Baked Beans

If your guests don’t finish the whole batch, no worries! This recipe is easy to reheat. It will stay good covered in the fridge for up to a week, and when you’re ready to reheat them, you can just throw the pan back on the smoker for about 30 minutes at 250°F until they’re warmed through.

If you don’t feel like hassling with the smoker, you can also add them to a pot on the stovetop and cook them on medium heat for 5-10 minutes.

I don’t recommend microwaving your baked beans because they don’t tend to heat evenly. If you absolutely must microwave them, you can do so on 50% power for 15-30 seconds increments, stirring in between, until they’re heated to your liking.

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I hope you enjoy these smoked baked beans as much as my family does! If you give this recipe a try, let us know how it turns out by leaving a rating and a comment below!