The Best Barbecue Baked Beans

It's not a real barbecue until a dish of baked beans shows up! While there are many different versions and many different techniques, I'm here to tell you that these are the best. These are the tastiest, most satisfying, the easiest, and the meatiest. They not only make a great side dish, but if the budget's a little tight, these will absolutely work as a main course. Sprinkle the top with sliced green onion if you like.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 3 hr
• Total Time: 3 hr 15 mins
• Calories: 273 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons molasses
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 quarts water
• ½ cup ketchup
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 pound dried red beans
• ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 ½ pounds boneless pork shoulder, cut into 2-inch cubes (Optional)
• 2 ½ cups reserved bean cooking liquid

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2

Add dry beans to a bowl, cover with water, and let soak for 8 hours, or overnight.

Step 3

Drain beans and transfer to a large pot filled with 3 quarts of cold, fresh water. Add bay leaf, pork shoulder, and onion. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir. Skim off foam if desired. Let simmer until beans are just tender, about 1 hour.

Step 4

While beans simmer, combine barbecue sauce, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire, smoked paprika, cayenne, black pepper, kosher salt, and garlic powder in a bowl with a whisk. Set aside until needed.

Step 5

Transfer tender bean mixture to a deep, 15x10-inch baking dish using a spider strainer. Pour in barbecue sauce mixture and 2 ½ cups of the bean cooking liquid. Place bacon slices on top.

Step 6

Bake uncovered in the center of the preheated oven until the liquids have reduced into a thick sauce, 2 to 3 hours.