Pellet Grill Baked Beans – Derrick Riches

Looking for a super flavorful BBQ side dish? Then this recipe for pellet grill baked beans is for you! These flavorful smoked baked beans dish is filled with delicious ingredients and then cooked to perfection.

This smoky Southern classic makes the perfect BBQ side dish for brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken, sausages, and hamburgers! We start this recipe on the stovetop, assemble it, and take it to the pellet grill.

How easy is it to cook baked beans on a pellet grill?

It’s easy! The beauty of smoked baked beans is that they can be made on a pellet grill (Traeger, Pit Boss, Camp Chef, etc.) alongside your main protein. If you’re already cooking a rack of ribs, add these baked beans to the smoker during the last hour minutes of cooking time. This way, you’ll have time to rest the ribs (or other low and slow meat) for an additional 30-45 minutes before the beans are done. There really is nothing better than perfect timing, and these pellet grill baked beans will give you that option.

What are the best wood pellets for smoked baked beans?

• We recommend using cherry or pecan wood pellets, chips or wood chunks for this recipe. However, you can use a milder wood like apple or a more robust wood like hickory. Feel free to mix and match as well.
• Other equipment: We used a 12″ cast-iron pan for this dish; however, if you do not have one, you can use a disposable aluminum pan instead. 

Ingredients for Pellet Grill Baked Beans:

• 1 can of baked beans: 55 ounces total (sub with pinto beans or kidney beans)
• BBQ sauce: Bottled or homemade barbecue sauce, or use one of our delicious BBQ sauce recipes for these smoked baked beans!
• Ketchup
• Molasses (sub with pure maple syrup)
• Dr. Pepper: or an equivalent
• Brown sugar (dark brown sugar for a bit of sweetness)
• BBQ Rub: Use your favorite bottled rub or use my Kansas City Rub recipe
• Meat: Usually, BBQ baked beans are made with bacon. However, you can use different meats like, beef brisket burnt ends, pork brisket, smoked sausage, pork belly, and smoked turkey. I used some delicious smoked rib scrap burnt ends for this recipe.
• Yellow Onion: Substitute with a small white or red onion
• Garlic
• Olive oil

How to make Pellet Grill Baked Beans:

Preheat your smoker for 250 degrees F.

• Gather your ingredients for smoked baked beans. Combine the BBQ sauce, ketchup, molasses, Dr. Pepper, brown sugar, and BBQ rub in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside.
• Next, heat the oil in your cast-iron skillet. Add the onions to the pan and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes. Next, add the minced garlic, and continue cooking for 30 seconds. 
• Add the baked beans to the pan and pour the BBQ sauce mixture over them.
• Stir in your choice of meat (brisket, steak, ribs, etc.) to the bean mixture..
• Take the entire pan out to the smoker. Set it into your pellet smoker, close the lid, and let the baked beans cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours at 250 degrees F.

Baked beans recipe variations

• Spice it up! Add a little kick to your pellet grill baked beans with diced jalapeno peppers or Hatch chilies.  
• Vegetarian option. Remove the meat and use vegetarian beans. You can also use navy beans or black beans in this recipe.
• Make it savory. Add a tablespoon of yellow, stone-ground, or Dijon mustard to create a savory base for your beans.
• Other proteins. No BBQ leftovers, no worries. Use cooked ground beef, cubed ham, sliced hot dogs, or chopped crisp slices of bacon.
• Add a boozy kick to these smoked baked beans. Stir in 1-2 tablespoons of bourbon to the sauce mixture. We recommend starting with 1 tablespoon, give it a taste, and adjust from there.

Serving Baked Beans

• These smoked baked beans will thicken as they cook. They will have a rich color and a delicious smoky flavor. Remove the beans from your smoker, and let them rest for 10 minutes. Serve these baked beans you would any side dish at a BBQ. 
• If making ahead of time, place the smoked beans into a slow-cooker and set it on warm.
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Storing Leftovers

Store leftover smoked baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in a microwave oven. Freeze in a vacuum-sealed bag for up to 3 months. 

More recipes to try!

Delicious Pellet Grill Recipes


• 1 55 ounce can of baked beans
• 1-1 1/2 cups burnt ends brisket, pork belly, turkey, etc.
• 3/4 cup BBQ sauce bottled or homemade
• 2/3 cup Dr. Pepper or equivalent
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 medium yellow onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 1/2 tablespoons molasses
• 1 tablespoon BBQ rub bottled or homemade
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Preheat your pellet grill or smoker for 250 degrees F. Add your choice of wood.

• Combine BBQ sauce, ketchup, molasses, Dr. pepper, brown sugar, and BBQ rub in a medium bowl. Set aside.

• Heat olive oil in a 12-inch cast-iron skillet. Cook onions and garlic until translucent over medium heat.

• Add baked beans to the pan, then pour barbecue mixture over the top. Add your meat, and stir through.

• Place the entire pan into your smoker, close the lid, and let it cook for 2 hours.

• Beans will thicken a bit and take on a darker color when done.

• Remove pan from the smoker, and let it sit for 15 minutes before serving.

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months in vacuum-sealed bags.
Serving: 8g | Calories: 208kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 410mg | Potassium: 354mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 143IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 2mg
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