RECIPES: Texas-Style Baked Beans
From the fire to the table, here’s a recipe that can be done over an open flame or in a conventional oven.
1 h 25 min
25 min
1 h
Texas-style baked beans are sure to be a hit at your next outdoor cookout. Even if you don't have a smoker, they'll turn out great, but if you do have access to a good hickory or pecan fire, take advantage. For a real Texas experience, use a bottle of Lone Star beer to make the beans and indulge in one yourself as they're cooking.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter, or as needed
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium red onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced, or more to taste
1 pound bacon, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
3 medium jalapeno peppers, minced, or to taste
1 cup beer, or more to taste
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 cup brown sugar
¼ cup molasses
6 cups cooked pinto beans
1 pinch garlic salt, or to taste
cracked black pepper to taste
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon butter.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onion and garlic in hot oil until onion begins to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Add bacon, bell pepper, and jalapeños; cook and stir until bacon is browned, 7 to 10 minutes.
Stir beer, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and molasses together in a large bowl. Stir in pinto beans, bacon-onion mixture, garlic salt, and pepper. Pour bean mixture into the prepared baking dish.
Bake in the preheated oven until bubbling and browned, about 45 minutes.
Tips
To bake beans on a wood smoker, preheat the smoker to between 250 and 275 degrees F (120 and 135 degrees C). Pour bean mixture into a greased 9x13-inch foil pan. Cook in the smoker for 30 minutes. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and continue cooking for 2 to 3 hours. Uncover and transfer beans to an oven preheated to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 10 minutes to brown the beans.
