Smoked Baked Beans with Bacon
These smoked baked beans with bacon are a flavorful and hearty side dish, perfect for any barbecue or gathering. The smoky flavors combined with the sweetness of brown sugar and molasses create a delicious and satisfying dish.
Equipment
- Large skillet or Dutch oven
- Slotted spoon
- Disposable aluminum pan or oven-safe Dutch oven/baking dish
- Smoker
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3 (15-ounce) cans baked beans
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke optional
Instructions
Crisp the Bacon
- Cook diced bacon in a skillet until crispy, then remove bacon and reserve 2 tablespoons of fat.
Sauté Aromatics
- Sauté chopped onion in bacon fat until soft, then add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
Combine Ingredients
- Stir in drained baked beans, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika, then season with salt and pepper.
Prepare for Smoking
- Transfer the bean mixture to a disposable aluminum pan or an oven-safe Dutch oven/baking dish.
Smoke the Beans
- Preheat smoker to 225-250°F, place beans in smoker for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally until bubbly and thickened.
Add Final Bacon
- Stir in half of the reserved crispy bacon about 30 minutes before the beans are done.
Serve
- Remove from smoker, let rest, and garnish with remaining crispy bacon before serving.
Notes
For an extra smoky flavor, you can add half a teaspoon of liquid smoke along with the other ingredients. Adjust sweetness and seasoning to your preference prior to smoking.