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A serving of smoked baked beans with hearty bacon pieces mixed in.

Classic Smoked Baked Beans with Bacon

These classic smoked baked beans with bacon are a flavorful and hearty side dish, perfect for barbecues and potlucks. Slow-smoked to perfection, they offer a rich, smoky taste with a touch of sweetness.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound thick-cut bacon
  • 2-3 (15oz) canned baked beans Bush's recommended
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup dark molasses
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 jalapeño Optional: seeded and minced

Equipment

  • Dutch oven
  • Cast-iron skillet
  • Slotted spoon
  • Paper towels
  • Smoker

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Cook the bacon in a Dutch oven or cast-iron skillet until crispy, then remove it and reserve some bacon fat in the pot.
  2. Sauté the chopped onion in the bacon fat until translucent, then add minced garlic and optional jalapeño; cook until fragrant.
  3. Stir in ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika until well combined and gently simmering.
  4. Add the canned baked beans and most of the crumbled bacon to the sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
Smoking and Serving
  1. Transfer the Dutch oven to a preheated smoker and smoke at 250-275°F (120-135°C) for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
  2. Once done, remove the beans from the smoker, let them rest briefly, and garnish with the remaining crumbled bacon before serving.

Notes

For an extra kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper with the smoked paprika. Adjust the sweetness level to your preference by adding more or less brown sugar. These beans can also be cooked in a slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours if a smoker is not available, though they won't have the same smoky depth of flavor.