Smoked Baked Beans
Smoked baked beans will enhance the classic flavors of baked beans. They are perfect for your next BBQ or backyard party.
Smoking is not just for meat. Side dishes and even desserts can benefit from smoking, adding a surprising flavor to traditional dishes.
What you need
- Canned beans or cooked beans: We like to use a variety of beans to add different textures and flavors.
- Bacon: Crispy bacon adds a great flavor to the beans.
- Onion: Yellow or white onions. We like sweet Vidalia onions.
- Garlic: garlic adds a robust and aromatic element to the dish.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar contributes sweetness and caramel-like flavor.
- Mustard: Dry mustard adds a tangy, mildly spicy kick.
- Apple cider vinegar: Vinegar gives baked beans a subtle tanginess and brightness.
- Salt and pepper: These seasonings bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.
How to make them
Brown the slices of bacon in a heavy bottom cast iron skillet on the stove over medium heat, or bake or air fry it until crispy.
Reserve some of the bacon fat.
Meanwhile, dice the onion.
Measure the apple cider. Add the spices and brown sugar to the vinegar.
Whisk the mixture together well.
Drain and rinse the butter beans, kidney beans, and baby limas. Add them to a casserole dish.
Open the B&Ms, but do not rinse them. Add them to the casserole.
Sauté the onions until translucent and lightly browned in some reserved bacon grease.
Add the onions, bacon, and vinegar mixture to the beans in the casserole.
Mix everything thoroughly.
Can be made to this step the day before smoking.
When you are ready to smoke the beans, set up the smoker with wood chips, pellets, or chunks and fill the water tray. Place beans on the rack and smoke at 225-250°F for 3-4 hours until they are hot and bubbly. You can cover the casserole with aluminum foil so they don’t get too smoky after a couple of hours, but it is not mandatory.
Pro tips for your success
- Choose the right wood: Mild woods work best, such as hickory or fruitwoods like pecan, apple, or cherry.
- Choose different types of beans: Besides those listed, you can switch it up using pinto beans, navy beans, or black beans. Basically, any beans will work.
- Use a disposable pan: Use a disposable aluminum pan to protect your casserole dishes and make cleanup easy.
- Don’t rush the smoking process: Low and slow is the key to achieving optimal flavor. Smoke the beans at a low temperature (around 225-250°F or 107-121°C) for a longer duration. This allows the beans to absorb the smokiness gradually.
- Customize the sweetness: Adjust the sweetness of the baked beans according to your taste preferences.
How to store leftovers
Let the beans cool to room temperature. Add them to an airtight container. Refrigerate for 3-4 days. Beans can also be packed in single-serve containers for about six months after freezing. Remember to label them with the date.
To reheat, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Reheat them in a saucepan on the stove over low heat or in the microwave until hot.
Note: The texture of the beans may change after freezing. They may get a bit mushy but will still have a great flavor.
What to Serve with Them
More Recipes to Smoke
- Smoked Baked Potatoes
- Smoked Chicken Legs
- Pork Loin
- Spare Ribs
- Short Ribs
- Pineapple
- Meatloaf
- Meatballs
- Whole Chicken
- Rabbit
- Pheasant
- How to Smoke Steak
- Smoked Sweet Potato
- Smoked Mac and Cheese
Helpful tools
This smoked baked beans recipe is a delicious twist on the classic picnic side dish.
Connect with us through our social media pages! Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter.
Please ask any questions or share your comments in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you.
I hope you enjoyed the recipe today.
Enjoy. And have fun cooking!
Smoked Baked Beans
Ingredients
- ½ pound bacon
- ¾ Spanish onion large
- 1 can B&M Baked Beans
- 1 can butter beans
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 can baby lima beans
- 1 cup cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon dry mustard
- 1½ teaspoons garlic, granulated
- 1 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Crisp bacon in heavy bottom frying pan.½ pound bacon
- Once crisp, remove to paper towels.
- Add diced onion to bacon grease in frying pan. Saute on low, turning occasionally, until lightly browned.¾ Spanish onion
- Drain and rinse butter, kidney and lima beans.1 can butter beans, 1 can kidney beans, 1 can baby lima beans
- Add all beans to large casserole.1 can B&M Baked Beans
- Add onions and chopped, crisp bacon to beans.
- Mix vinegar, spices and brown sugar well. Pour over beans. Mix well.1 cup cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon dry mustard, 1½ teaspoons garlic, granulated, 1 cup brown sugar
- Bake at 350°F for 30-45 minutes, until bubbly.
See all of my favorite tools and gift ideas on my New Amazon Store!Check out Binky’s Amazon Store!Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published July 8, 2023. Updated June 2, 2024.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you go to the link and purchase something at no additional cost to you. See FTC Disclosure here.
The flavour in these beans was incredible. Just the right amount of smokiness.
These were such a delicious side dish for our dinner tonight! Smoky, super flavorful and easy to make too!