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Savory Dad’s Secret-Recipe Smoked Baked Beans Easy Homemade BBQ Side

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A smoky, sweet, and savory baked beans recipe slow-smoked and baked to perfection, perfect as a comforting BBQ side dish with rich homemade sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dry navy beans (or Great Northern beans), soaked overnight
  • 6 slices smoked bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons molasses
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • About 4 cups (950 ml) water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper

Instructions

  1. Rinse 1 pound of dry navy beans and soak them overnight in a large bowl with enough water to cover by at least 2 inches. For a quick soak, boil for 2 minutes then soak for 1 hour.
  2. Preheat your smoker or grill to about 225°F (107°C). Add preferred wood chips such as hickory or applewood.
  3. In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, cook 6 slices of chopped smoked bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove some rendered fat if excessive, leaving enough to sauté.
  4. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes. Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 3 tablespoons molasses, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, and salt to taste. Mix well.
  6. Drain soaked beans and add to the pot. Pour in about 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth, enough to cover beans by about an inch. Stir gently.
  7. Place the Dutch oven uncovered inside the smoker or on grill’s indirect heat zone. Smoke the beans for 1.5 to 2 hours, adding wood chips as needed to maintain smoke.
  8. After smoking, cover the pot with a lid or foil and transfer to a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C). Bake for about 2 hours, stirring once or twice to prevent sticking. Add water or broth if sauce dries out.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper if desired for heat.
  10. Let the beans rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to thicken the sauce and meld flavors.

Notes

Keep an eye on liquid level during baking to prevent drying out. Stir gently to keep beans whole. Hickory and applewood woods are preferred for balanced smoke. For vegetarian version, omit bacon and use smoked paprika and liquid smoke. Beans can be stored refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: smoked baked beans, BBQ side dish, homemade baked beans, smoked bacon beans, slow cooked beans, easy BBQ recipe, family recipe

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/savory-dads-secret-recipe-smoked-baked-beans-easy-homemade-bbq-side/