My smoked baked beans recipe is a must-have side dish at every BBQ get-together. I first heard the award-winning version from the wife of an uber-famous pitmaster during a book signing near Lake Austin, where we traded secrets about slow-smoked, sweetened, beef bacon-loaded beans. Now, anytime I smoke meat on my pellet smoker, I’m preparing this rich, smoky flavour dish my friends beg me to make over and over again.
This perfect blend of sweet, heat, and brown sugar is adapted from The Woman and uses jalapenos, peppered beef bacon, and real wood smoke. I cook it at 225 or 250 degrees F using hard or fruit woods, but it’s also great in the oven; whether you’re a lover of regular or fantasies of bean varieties, this easy, authentic BBQ recipe brings the ideal balance, no matter your smoker, pan, or method.
For another side that complements BBQ beautifully, try our Smoked Bacon Mac and Cheese—it’s rich, creamy, and smoked to perfection.
Why This Smoked Baked Beans Recipe Works
- Based on my best friend’s grandmother’s 1980s oven recipe, now altered for the smoker.
- Takes just 5 minutes to prep but delivers bold smoked bean flavour.
- A southern-style crowd favourite at every cookout I host.
Ingredients for Smoker Baked Beans (Halal Version)
- Use four cans (21 oz) of original baked beans or any halal-certified bean variety.
- Add 1 tsp each of onion powder, chilli powder, garlic powder, and your favourite BBQ rub.
- Mix in 1 tbsp minced garlic, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, and 1 cup each of ketchup and BBQ sauce.
- Stir in 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp molasses, and 3/4 cup of your preferred BBQ sauce.
- Include eight strips of chopped beef bacon, six slices of halal peppered beef or turkey beef bacon, yellow onion, chopped onion, three jalapenos, or one green pepper for less heat.
- To make this delicious recipe, add 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, and ingredients you already own, need, or choose.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Smoked Baked Beans
Prep the Smoked Baked Beans
I begin this easy dish by cooking beef bacon in the oven at 400 degrees for 25–30 minutes on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Then, I chop a small onion, green bell pepper, and the cooked beef bacon into small pieces. In a smoker-safe dish, I spray cooking spray and mix in four cans of original baked beans, chopped onion, chopped green pepper, 1 cup ketchup, BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, and eight strips of cooked chopped beef bacon.
How to Smoke Baked Beans
For the perfect top layer, I cut chunks of beef bacon into squares and cook them just until they start crisping. I keep them crispy and place them on top of the beans, using beef bacon fat to saute veggies for rich flavour. While that cook, I start my pellet grill, fill it with wood chips, and allow the smoker to warm up fully.
Cook Smoked Baked Beans
This is one of the best side dishes in my kitchen because it’s so easy and made with simple pantry ingredients. Unlike dry beans, this skips the long process, giving me the speed and flexibility I need. With ketchup, brown sugar, yellow mustard powder, and BBQ sauce, it delivers that classic depth without going overboard.
How To Make Baked Beans a Main Dish
I turn this into a main dish by adding five sliced hot dogs, well seared in a large cast iron skillet, giving it a nostalgic frank and beans vibe from the Civil War era. Sometimes, I toss in leftover chopped brisket or smoked turkey to enrich the bean mixture. I either preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 1 hour 30 minutes or smoke at 250 degrees for 3–5 hours until cooked to my liking.
Now That You Have All Your Ingredients Assembled
Once all the ingredients are assembled, I fire up my favourite smoker and preheat to 250 degrees F, usually with pecan or other hardwood. In a 12-inch cast iron skillet, I cook onions and jalapenos in beef bacon grease for 3–5 minutes, letting the fat render. Then I stir in entire cans of beans, top with beef bacon slices, place it in the smoker, close the lid, smoke for 3 hours, then remove, cool, and use it right in the serving dish—it’s the true shining star of my kitchen.
Variations & Flavor Boosts for Canned Beans
When I want to upgrade the flavour of canned beans, I enjoy experimenting with things like jalapeno, brown sugar, ketchup, pineapple, garlic, and a bit of apple cider vinegar or maple syrup. Adding barbecue sauce, red onion, a teaspoon of liquid smoke, and chopped jalapeno seeds gives a bold mix of heat and onion flavour that’s perfect for any BBQ.
For another smoky favorite, you’ll love these Jalapeño Popper Burger.
To keep it lighter, I use beef bacon for lower fat and cook the beans in a cast iron skillet or a disposable aluminium pan if I’m smoking outdoors. A spoonful of 1 tablespoon barbecue sauce always adds that final extra zest. This recipe is so flexible that it never feels the same twice—and that’s what makes it exciting.
How Long to Smoke Baked Beans
I usually smoke baked beans for about 3 hours in a smoker set at a steady 250 degrees F. The time may vary slightly depending on how long the beef bacon takes to cook through, but 3 hours is a decent gauge for this recipe.
Expert Tips for Smoked Baked Beans
- Use canned beans for an easy shortcut—it saves hours compared to soaking beans from scratch.
- Cook in a cast iron skillet to keep it a one-pan dish with simple clean-up, even for slightly acidic beans.
- Go low and slow at 225°F or 250°F for 2 hours or more to build rich smoke flavour without burning the sugar.
- Add one tablespoon of Liquid Smoke to the water pan, or use wood chips for an extra smoky flavour.
- For crispiness, broil the beans for 2–3 minutes at the end and let drippings from smoking meat enhance the taste.
Serve Smoked Baked Beans
Looking to round out your plate? These Chopped Chicken Bacon Ranch Subs or Grilled Steak Pinwheels are perfect mains to pair with smoked beans.
FAQs
- How long can you smoke canned baked beans?
You can smoke canned baked beans for 2 to 3 hours at 225°F–250°F for the best flavour and texture. - What is the best-smoked meat for beans?
Brisket pulled beef or smoked beef bacon work great—they add deep, smoky flavour without overpowering the beans. - What is the best way to eat baked beans?
Serve them hot as a BBQ side, over rice, or with grilled meat for a complete, hearty meal. - Do baked beans need to be cooked?
Canned baked beans are pre-cooked, so you only need to heat them—smoking enhances the flavour.
Smoked Baked Beans
Equipment
- Pellet smoker or oven
- Cast iron skillet (12-inch recommended)
- Sheet pan
- Parchment paper
- Smoker-safe baking dish or disposable aluminum pan
- Knife and cutting board
- Tongs or spatula
- Measuring spoons and cups
Ingredients
- 4 cans 21 oz each original baked beans (or any halal-certified variety)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp BBQ rub
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp molasses
- 3/4 cup BBQ sauce additional, based on preference
- 8 strips chopped beef bacon
- 6 slices halal peppered beef bacon or turkey beef bacon
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 chopped onion additional if needed
- 3 jalapenos or 1 green pepper for less heat
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F and cook beef bacon on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper for 25–30 minutes until slightly crispy.
- Chop cooked bacon, onion, and green pepper into small pieces.
- In a smoker-safe dish, mix baked beans, chopped onion, green pepper, ketchup, BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, and cooked beef bacon.
- In a skillet, sauté jalapenos and onions in bacon grease for 3–5 minutes for rich flavor.
- Top the bean mixture with bacon chunks, then place the dish in a preheated smoker at 250°F.
- Smoke for 3 hours, then let rest for 10–15 minutes before serving.