Smoked Baked Beans

These Smoked Baked Beans are rich, smoky, and perfectly sweet with a touch of tang. Cooked right in a cast iron skillet, they’re infused with the flavor of apple or cherry wood and loaded with bacon, jalapeños, and tender pork and beans.

Course Side

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Keyword baked beans, pork and beans, smoked recipes, smoked side dishes

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 2 45

Total Time 3

Servings

Calories 266kcal

Author Erin Dooner

Ingredients

8 ounces thick-cut bacon
1 cup diced yellow onion
2 jalapenos finely diced and seeds removed unless you want it spicy (the beans aren’t spicy without the seeds)
56 ounces canned pork and beans
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons molasses not blackstrap
2 teaspoons dry mustard

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Set your smoker to preheat at 250°F. Use a mild wood like apple, cherry or pecan.
In a 12" (30 cm) cast iron skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until it’s halfway done on both sides, about 4-7 minutes.
Once partially cooked, transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet, and when the bacon has cooled, chop it into bite-sized pieces.
In the bacon skillet with the bacon grease, add the diced onion and jalapenos, cooking at medium heat for about 5-7 minutes until they become soft and aromatic.
Stir in the pork and beans, brown sugar, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, molasses and mustard. Combine everything thoroughly and let the mixture simmer briefly, about 3 minutes.
Spread the cooked bacon pieces evenly on top of the beans.
Place the skillet in the smoker and let it cook for 2-3 hours, uncovered, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and allow the flavors to meld. The longer you smoke, the thicker the consistency.
Once the beans reach your desired consistency, carefully remove the dish from the smoker and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove or in the oven, adding a splash of water if the mixture becomes overly thick.

Notes

The nutrition information provided is calculated as a courtesy and is only an estimate. I am not a licensed nutritionist or dietitian. For the most accurate nutritional data, consult a professional or use your preferred calculator.
If you're gluten-free or dairy-free - pork and beans and ketchup are almost always gluten-free and dairy-free, but it’s always smart to double-check your pork and beans and ketchup labels just to be safe.

Nutrition