Smoky Southern Pit Beans
Indulge in the rich, comforting flavors of Smoky Southern Pit Beans, a staple from my barbecue catering business that’s perfect for gatherings. Hearty and delicious, this dish is a delicious blend of beans, smoky bacon, and a sweet and tangy sauce that will make your taste buds dance. Whether served alongside grilled meats or as a standalone dish, these beans are sure to satisfy a crowd with their robust flavor and comforting texture. Prepare this dish in advance or right before serving for a delectable addition to your barbecue spread, potluck, or family gathering.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Apple-smoked bacon
1 lb (Thick cut, cooked until crispy and crumbled)
Onions
2 large (Medium diced)
Baked beans
1 (117 ounce) can (No preparation needed)
Dark red kidney beans
1 (108 ounce) can (Drained and rinsed)
Butter beans
2 (15 ounce) cans (No preparation needed)
Ketchup
1 cup (No preparation needed)
Dark brown sugar
1 cup (Packed)
Yellow mustard
1/2 cup (No preparation needed)
Cider vinegar
1/4 cup (No preparation needed)
Worcestershire sauce
1/8 cup (No preparation needed)
Barbecue sauce
1 cup (Your favorite brand, no preparation needed)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
On a sheet pan, bake the thick-cut apple-smoked bacon for approximately 20-25 minutes or until crispy. Once done, remove the bacon and set it aside to cool, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.
3
Using the same sheet pan, add the medium diced onions to the bacon drippings. Spread them out in a single layer and return the pan to the oven for about 5-7 minutes, or until the onions are translucent.
4
In a large aluminum roasting pan, combine the crumbled bacon, cooked onions, baked beans, dark red kidney beans (drained and rinsed), butter beans, ketchup, dark brown sugar, yellow mustard, cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and your favorite barbecue sauce.
5
Gently fold all the ingredients together to ensure even distribution.
6
Cover the roasting pan with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1.5 hours, removing the foil for the last 30 minutes to allow the top to caramelize and enhance the flavors.
7
Once baked, let it cool for a few minutes before serving, and enjoy the smoky, sweet goodness!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Smoky Southern Pit Beans?
Smoky Southern Pit Beans are a hearty and delicious blend of beans, smoky bacon, and a sweet and tangy sauce, originally developed for a barbecue catering business.
What kind of bacon is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for thick-cut apple-smoked bacon to provide a robust smoky flavor.
How do I prepare the bacon?
Bake the thick-cut bacon on a sheet pan at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes or until crispy, then crumble it into bite-sized pieces.
How are the onions cooked?
Medium diced onions are spread in bacon drippings on a sheet pan and baked for 5 to 7 minutes until they become translucent.
What types of beans are included in this dish?
The recipe uses a combination of baked beans, dark red kidney beans, and butter beans.
Do the kidney beans need special preparation?
Yes, the dark red kidney beans should be drained and rinsed before being added to the mixture.
What size can of baked beans is required?
You will need one 117-ounce can of baked beans for this recipe.
What is the total baking time for the beans?
The beans bake for a total of 1.5 hours in the oven.
At what temperature should the beans be baked?
The oven should be preheated and set to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Why is the foil removed during the last 30 minutes of baking?
Removing the foil for the final 30 minutes allows the top of the beans to caramelize and enhances the overall flavor profile.
What sweetener is used in the sauce?
One cup of packed dark brown sugar is used to sweeten the sauce.
What type of vinegar is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one-quarter cup of cider vinegar.
Can I use any type of mustard?
The recipe specifically recommends using yellow mustard.
How much barbecue sauce is needed?
One cup of your favorite barbecue sauce should be added to the mixture.
What is the purpose of adding Worcestershire sauce?
One-eighth cup of Worcestershire sauce is added to enhance the savory and tangy depth of the dish.
What kind of pan should I use to bake the beans?
A large aluminum roasting pan is ideal for mixing and baking this large batch of beans.
How many onions does the recipe require?
The recipe requires two large onions, medium diced.
How many cans of butter beans are needed?
You will need two 15-ounce cans of butter beans.
Can this recipe be prepared in advance?
Yes, you can prepare this dish in advance or right before serving, making it perfect for potlucks and gatherings.
Is this recipe suitable for a large crowd?
Absolutely, the large quantities of ingredients make it a staple for catering and large family gatherings.
How should the ingredients be mixed?
You should gently fold all the ingredients together in the roasting pan to ensure even distribution of the sauce and beans.
What is the suggested serving style?
These beans can be served as a side dish alongside grilled meats or even as a standalone dish.
Do I need to let the beans cool before serving?
The recipe suggests letting the beans cool for a few minutes after baking to allow the flavors to settle.
How many cans of kidney beans are used?
The recipe uses one 108-ounce can of dark red kidney beans.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
The dish features a robust flavor that is smoky, sweet, and tangy with a comforting, hearty texture.
How much ketchup is in the recipe?
One cup of ketchup is included in the sauce mixture.
How many total ingredients are used?
There are 11 primary ingredients used in this Smoky Southern Pit Beans recipe.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Is there any special preparation for the butter beans?
No special preparation is needed for the butter beans; they can be added directly to the mix.
What gives the beans their smoky goodness?
The combination of apple-smoked bacon and your favorite barbecue sauce provides the signature smoky flavor.