Smoked baked beans are the perfect addition to any cookout, offering a unique blend of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors. This recipe elevates classic baked beans with a secret ingredient that will leave everyone asking for more. Easy to make and packed with bold flavors, these beans will become a staple at your barbecues and gatherings.
Smoked Baked Beans
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2 cans of baked beans
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 jalapenos, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite variety)
- 2 tablespoons grape jelly
- BBQ rub (to taste)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Smoked Baked Beans
1. Prepare the Beans
Start by opening two cans of baked beans and pouring them into a large mixing bowl. These beans will serve as the base of your recipe, providing that traditional baked bean flavor, but we’re about to take it to the next level with some creative additions.
2. Sweeten Things Up
Add half a cup of brown sugar to the beans. This gives the dish a rich sweetness that balances out the heat and tang from the other ingredients. Brown sugar also caramelizes beautifully when smoked, creating that delicious sticky texture that everyone loves.
3. Spice It Up
Dice two jalapenos and mince three cloves of garlic. These ingredients add a spicy kick and a depth of flavor that regular baked beans can’t achieve on their own. Jalapenos offer just the right amount of heat without overpowering the dish, while garlic brings a savory aroma that enhances the smoky flavor.
4. Add Mustard for Tang
A tablespoon of mustard adds a tangy bite that helps cut through the sweetness of the brown sugar and jelly. Mustard is a classic barbecue ingredient, and it pairs perfectly with the other flavors in this dish.
5. BBQ Sauce for Depth
Next, pour in about half a cup of your favorite BBQ sauce. Choose a sauce that complements the other ingredients—whether it’s sweet, spicy, or tangy, this sauce will add another layer of flavor that makes these beans stand out.
6. The Secret Ingredient: Grape Jelly
Here’s where the magic happens. Add two tablespoons of grape jelly. It might sound unusual, but trust the process—grape jelly brings a subtle sweetness that blends perfectly with the smoky and savory elements. It helps to balance out the spice from the jalapenos and the acidity from the mustard.
7. Sprinkle the BBQ Rub
To finish off the preparation, sprinkle your favorite BBQ rub over the beans. This rub will infuse the dish with smoky, savory, and slightly spicy flavors as it cooks, making each bite more flavorful than the last.
Smoking the Beans
1. Preheat Your Smoker
Set your smoker to 250°F (120°C). This temperature is ideal for allowing the beans to slowly absorb the smoky flavor without overcooking or drying out. The low and slow cooking method is what gives these beans their signature smoky taste.
2. Place the Beans on the Smoker
Once your smoker is ready, transfer the beans to a smoker-safe dish and place it on the grill grates. Make sure the beans are spread out evenly so they cook and absorb the smoke evenly.
3. Let Them Smoke
Allow the beans to smoke for about two hours. Every 20 to 30 minutes, give them a good stir to make sure all the ingredients are well-mixed and evenly smoked. This also ensures that the beans don’t dry out and that the flavors blend perfectly.
4. Finish and Serve
After two hours, your smoked baked beans should be bubbling and caramelized, with a rich, smoky aroma. Remove them from the smoker and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. These beans are perfect on their own, but they also make an amazing side dish for smoked meats like brisket, ribs, or pulled pork.
Tips for the Best Smoked Baked Beans
- Choose Your Beans Wisely: While canned baked beans are convenient, you can experiment with different types of beans for a more personalized touch. Navy beans or pinto beans work well if you want to start from scratch.
- Customize the Heat: If you like your beans extra spicy, leave the seeds in the jalapenos or add a splash of hot sauce. For a milder version, remove the seeds or use fewer jalapenos.
- Try Different BBQ Sauces: The BBQ sauce you choose will greatly influence the flavor of your beans. A sweeter sauce will enhance the jelly and brown sugar, while a spicier sauce will give the beans more heat.
- Smoked Bacon: For added richness, consider adding chopped smoked bacon to the beans before placing them in the smoker. The bacon will render its fat into the beans, adding another layer of smoky flavor.
Why These Smoked Baked Beans Stand Out
The combination of sweet, spicy, tangy, and smoky flavors is what makes this dish a crowd-pleaser. The grape jelly may seem like an unusual addition, but it’s the secret ingredient that brings everything together, adding a touch of sweetness that complements the heat from the jalapenos and the richness of the BBQ sauce. The two-hour smoking process infuses the beans with a depth of flavor you can’t achieve in a regular oven.
Perfect Pairings
Smoked baked beans are incredibly versatile and can be served alongside various BBQ dishes. Here are a few pairing suggestions:
- Smoked Brisket: The rich, fatty flavors of brisket complement the sweetness of the beans perfectly.
- Grilled Chicken: The tangy BBQ sauce on the chicken pairs well with the sweet and spicy beans.
- Pulled Pork: The soft, smoky pork contrasts beautifully with the hearty texture of the beans.
- Cornbread: A slice of warm cornbread helps to soak up all the delicious sauce from the beans, making it a perfect companion.
Final Thoughts
Smoked baked beans are more than just a side dish—they’re a flavor-packed experience that will impress everyone at your next cookout. The combination of brown sugar, jalapenos, garlic, mustard, BBQ sauce, and grape jelly creates a symphony of flavors that makes these beans unforgettable. Whether you’re new to smoking or a seasoned pitmaster, this recipe is simple to follow and guarantees crowd-pleasing results. Try them out at your next gathering and watch them disappear!
This is the ultimate recipe for Smoked Baked Beans—a side dish that’s sure to steal the show.
