Baked Beans on the smoker is an easy side dish for all your spring and summer barbecues! Topped with bacon, this classic recipe is the BEST and is the perfect pair to any smoked meat.
Smoker recipes are an absolute must for spring and summer. A lot of people like to stick to smoking just meats on the smoker, but I love smoking side dishes. Some of the best smoker recipes are side dishes. Smoker side dishes are simply the best!
I don’t know about you, but when I go to a barbeque there is always a side of baked beans accompanying grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, ribs, and chicken. But have you ever made your baked beans in a smoker? The bacon-filled smoky taste that fills these baked beans is out of this world delicious!
Smoked Baked Beans Ingredients
This is a southern based recipe. My best friend’s grandmother has been making this recipe since the early 1980’s. Except she made these baked beans in the oven. I’ve turned this southern classic into a smoker recipe. The ingredients you need to make this dish are simple and gluten free.
- VanCamp’s Pork and Beans
- onion
- light brown sugar
- bacon
- mustard
- molasses
How to Make Smoked Baked Beans
This is the EASIEST recipe to make on the smoker. It literally takes 5 minutes to prep.
- The first thing you’ll do is add all the ingredients listed above into a big bowl and mix well to combine.
- From there, pour the bean mixture into a disposable aluminum pan.
- Chop all the bacon into 2 inch long pieces and lay on top of the baked beans.
- Place the aluminum pan in the smoker uncovered.
- Close the smoker and let the beans cook for 1.5 to 2 hours on 225 degrees.
- When you pull the baked beans out of the smoker, the bacon pieces should be cooked and be a golden brown around the edges. Stir the beans with a spoon so that the smoked bacon gets mixed in well with the beans.
Tips for Baked Beans on the Smoker
I have been smoking meats and side dishes for years and I’ve picked up some expert tips on smoking that I think will help you.
- Prepping the Smoker – I wrap my water bowl with aluminum foil before I add the water. I also add a Tablespoon of Liquid Smoke to my water to help contribute to the smoky flavor.
- Chips and Chunks – I prefer using chunks when I make smoker recipes. I always soak my chunks. I wrap the wood chunks in aluminum foil and poke holes in the top with a knife. The smoke pouch helps smoke release better which provides more smoky flavor. I love using apple chunks when smoking this recipe, but pecan chunks are great to use, as well.
- To Cover or Not Cover – When I smoke side dish recipes, it’s typically because I’m smoking some type of meat. I place the pan of baked beans on a rack directly under the smoking meat so that some of the drippings from the meat fall into the baked beans. This enhances the flavor of the baked beans.
- Low and Slow – I’m a believer of smoking on low and smoking slow. I smoke my baked beans for about 1.5 -2 hours on 225 degrees fahrenheit. If you need the beans to smoke faster, increase the heat to 250 degrees. They’ll be done in about 1.5 hours at this temperature.
Other Smoker Recipes
I have some AMAZING smoker recipes I just know you are going to love! Check out these favorites:
- Applewood Smoked Chicken
- Garlic and Herb Smoked Potatoes
- Smoked Brisket
- Smoked Cherry Tomatoes with Basil and Goat Cheese
Enjoy!
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Baked Beans on the smoker is an easy side dish for all your spring and summer barbecues! Topped with bacon, this classic recipe is the BEST and is the perfect pair to your smoked meat.
- 53 ounce can VanCamp's Pork and Beans
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar,
- 1/4 cup molasses
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons mustard
- 1 pack bacon
Mix all the ingredient into a large bowl and mix to combine.
Pour the baked beans into a disposable aluminum pan.
Chop all the bacon into 2 inch long pieces and lay on top of the baked beans mixture.
When the smoker is preheated to 225 degrees fahrenheit, place the aluminum pan in the smoker uncovered.
Close the smoker and let the baked beans cook for 1.5 to 2 hours.
When you pull the baked beans out of the smoker, the bacon pieces should be cooked and be a golden brown around the edges. Stir the beans with a spoon so that the smoked bacon gets mixed in well with the beans.
Serve immediately.
Oven Baked Method
If you want to make this recipe in the oven, follow these directions:
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Pour beans into a 9×13 Pyrex dish.
- Mix in brown sugar, molasses, onion and mustard and mix well.
- Cut bacon strips into 2″ pieces and place on top of the baked beans
- Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes.
Nice the bacon must makes these beans so tasty!!! Can’t wait to try them :)!
Yes- the bacon enhances the flavor!!