Smoked Baked Beans

We love using our smoker to make our favorite side dishes! Baked Beans are a must anytime we are hosting a family gathering. They pair perfectly with our Grilled Avocado Burger, Smoked Meatballs and Smoked Hot Dogs.

Every bite is full of sweet and smoky flavors because of the simple spices, crispy bacon and BBQ sauce. Make this simple BBQ Side dish the next time you are hosting a backyard BBQ and everyone will rave with the delicious twist on a classic recipe.

Why You’ll Love Smoked Baked Beans

• Simple Ingredients – Turn canned beans into a Show Stopper side dish that everyone will love by adding simple spices, bacon, and BBQ Sauce.
• Easy to Make – Everything is smoked in one pan and the smoker does all the work. This makes for an easy cleanup!
• Rich, Smoky Flavor – The infusion of smoke flavor from the wood and spices gives the beans amazing flavor that traditional baked beans simply can’t duplicate.

Ingredients

• Bacon – Cut thick-cut bacon in half. Choose your favorite brand or flavor
• Small Onion and Green Bell Pepper – Finely chop vegetable ahead of time
• Baked Beans – Use any brand or flavor that you prefer. We like using Bush’s Baked Beans
• Barbecue Sauce – Use store bought or make my Ketchup based BBQ Sauce
• Brown Sugar – Adds a hint of sweetness. Learn to make How to Make Brown Sugar. Feel free to substitute with molasses or maple syrup
• Dijon Mustard – If you are out, you can substitute with yellow mustard
• Garlic Powder – Substitute with Minced Garlic Cloves if you are out

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

Equipment & Wood Choices

• Make these baked beans in a Pellet Smoker, Wood Smoker, or Offset Smoker
• Choose your favorite wood chips. We recommend Cherry or Hickory Wood Chips for a smokey flavor or Apple for a sweeter variation.
• We prefer a Cast Iron Skillet to make beans in. But you can also use a disposable aluminum pan for easy cleanup.

How to Make Smoked Baked Beans

• Step 1 – Preheat the smoker to 250 degrees F.  

Step 2 – Preheat a cast iron skillet in the smoker. Cook the bacon strips in the skillet for 3-4 minutes per side until the bacon is cooked through but not crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan to a plate lined with a paper towel. 

Step 3 – Add the diced onions and green bell peppers to the skillet with the bacon grease and sauté them for 3-5 minutes until tender and the onions are translucent.  

Step 4 – Add in all the remaining ingredients and carefully stir to combine them all together. 

Step 5 – Top the mixture with the chopped bacon pieces. 

• Step 6 – Smoke the beans for 2-3 hours, stirring every hour, until the mixture is thick and saucy. 
• Step 7 – Remove the beans from the smoker, allow them to cool slightly and then they are ready to serve and enjoy!

Variations and Additions

• Spicy Beans – If you prefer more spice in your beans, you can use a jalapenos pepper (deseeded and diced) instead of the bell pepper in this recipe. 
• Grape Jelly – For a hint of sweetness, stir in ¼ cup of grape jelly to the bean mixture.
• Sausage – For a meaty variation, slice smoke sausage and add to the beans. Cooked ground beef would also be a delicious addition.
• Additions – Add in 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or worcestershire sauce for a delicious addition

Baked Beans in the Oven

If you don’t have a pellet grill or an electric smoker, you can still make these baked beans with tons of flavor.

• Cook bacon in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop
• Combine the ingredients in the skillet and stir to mix everything together
• Place in a preheated oven at 350 degrees. Bake for about 45-60 minutes.

For a complete recipe, see Baked Beans Recipe. If you prefer you can also make Easy Crockpot Baked Beans Recipe or Instant Pot Baked Beans Recipe for another easy variation.

Serving Suggestions

Smoked Baked Beans is the ultimate BBQ Side Dish that we love to serve anytime we make smoked and grilled recipes. Try it these family favorites when you make Smoked Bacon Baked Beans.

• Smoked Brisket
• Smoked Chicken Legs
• Onion Smash Burgers
• Grilled Pork Steak
• Smoked Pork Ribs

Storage and Reheating Tips

• Storing. Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezer. Once the baked beans have cooled, place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
• Reheating. Reheat the leftovers in the oven in a baking dish. Preheat oven to 300 degrees, cover baking dish and reheat for about 15-20 minutes. You can also reheat an individual serving in the microwave.