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–+ servings
Overhead view of smoked baked beans in a large cast-iron skillet with a wooden spoon.

Smoked Baked Beans

easyhealthyrecipes.com/smoked-baked-beans/
Pinto, great northern, and kidney beans are paired with bacon, onion and a delicious sweet and savory homemade sauce before being smoked for 1 ½ hours.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 1 hour 45 minutes
Total: 2 hours
Recipe makes approximately 8 servings

Equipment Needed

  • fine mesh strainer or colander
  • large cast iron skillet
  • Wooden spoon
  • 2 small bowls
  • paper towel
  • whisk
  • smoker

Ingredients Needed

For the Baked Beans

  • 5-6 slices bacon (chopped)
  • 1 medium yellow onion (finely chopped, about 1 cup)
  • 2-3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 15-ounce cans pinto beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 15-ounce can great northern beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 15-ounce can kidney beans (or navy beans, drained and rinsed)

For the Sauce

  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • ¼ packed cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt (more or less to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper (more or less to taste)
  • ½ cup water (plus more as needed)

Instructions

  • Set smoker to 250℉ to preheat.
  • In small bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients until combined. Set aside.
  • Add chopped bacon to cast iron skillet, and cook on medium high heat, stirring often until almost crispy.
  • Line small bowl or plate with paper towels. Once bacon is cooked, remove from skillet with wooden spoon and place on top of paper towels. Set aside.
  • Reduce heat to medium, then add chopped onions, and cook until translucent, stirring often, about 6-7 minutes.
  • Once onions are softened, add minced garlic and tomato paste. Mix tomato paste with onions, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes stirring constantly.
  • Add bacon back to skillet, then add rinsed and drained beans. Then add sauce and stir together to combine. Remove from heat.
  • Transfer skillet to smoker, and smoke for 1 ½ hours, stirring halfway thru.
  • Carefully remove skillet from smoker, stir baked beans. Optional: for more saucy beans, add ½ to 1 cup of warm water to skillet and stir to combined. Serve warm with sides of choice.

Recipe Notes

  • Make it Gluten Free: use gluten-free Worcestershire sauce. 
  • Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days.

Nutrition Info (Approximate)

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 406kcal | Protein: 21g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Total Carbs: 68g | Fiber: 18g | Sugar: 14g | Net Carbs: 50g | Vitamin C: 6mg | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 409mg | Potassium: 1138mg | Calcium: 131mg | Iron: 6mg