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pot of smoked baked beans with serving spoon
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5 stars from 3 reviews

Smoked Baked Beans Recipe with Root Beer + Video

Smoked Baked Beans is the perfect side dish for weeknight meals or backyard barbecues. Make this smoked beans recipe using any smoker!
Author: Donna Elick
Servings: 8
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 56 ounces Bush's baked beans 2 28-ounce cans (or 4 (15.5-ounce) cans)
  • 28 ounces kidney beans 2 14-ounce cans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce I used KC Masterpiece
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 7 ounce can fire-roasted diced chiles (I used Macayo’s)
  • 1 cup A&W root beer
  • 1 pound regular cut bacon cooked and chopped (1/2-3/4” pieces)

Instructions

  • Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Choose your favorite wood, I am using my favorite blend of oak, maple and hickory on my pellet smoker.
  • Combine the ingredients in a cast iron pan or aluminum pan (I used a 9x12-half steam table pan) , whatever you prefer to cook on your smoker with.
  • Place your pan on your smoker. Keep in mind the closer to the heat source, the faster they will cook. I like to keep my beans closer to the heat source when possible.
  • Smoke for 3 hours, gently stirring every hour, or until the sauce has thickened and the beans are heated through. If the sauce gets too thick, you can stir in some more root beer to thin it out.

Video

Notes

I prefer my bacon to be cooked but not crispy. To bake bacon: lay slices of bacon on a foil-lined baking pan. Place the pan in the cold oven, turn the heat to 400°F and bake for 8-10 minutes. The length of time will vary based on the thickness of your bacon (thick-cut takes longer). Chop up the cooked bacon and refrigerate until ready to use.
This recipe can be prepared in a slow cooker but will not have that smoked flavor, HIGH for 3 hours or LOW for 6 hours.
You can bake this recipe in the oven but it will not have that smoked flavor, 400°F for 55-60 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days.
To freeze, let beans come to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container. Will keep for 2-3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 678cal | Carbohydrates: 89g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 51mg | Sodium: 1671mg | Sugar: 22g | Fiber: 19g | Calcium: 164mg | Iron: 7mg