Smoky baked beans with bacon in a disposable aluminum pan, seasoned with Smokin' Ray's Original All Purpose Seasoning

Recipe · Side Dish

Smokin' Ray's Crowd-Pleasin' Beans

Name: Smokin' Ray's Crowd-Pleasin' Beans
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 2 h 50 min
Yield: 14-18 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 (15 oz) cans Pork & Beans; 4 (15 oz) cans Dark Red Kidney Beans, drained; 1 pound thick-cut bacon, chopped; 1 medium yellow onion, diced; 1 1/2 cups your favorite barbecue sauce; 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar; 1/4 cup yellow mustard; 1/2 cup ketchup; 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce; 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar; 5 tablespoons Smokin' Ray's Original All Purpose Seasoning

The side dish that disappears before the meat.

Prep20 min

Cook2½–3 hr

Serves14-18

Great barbecue deserves a great side dish. These smoky, savory baked beans are loaded with bacon, balanced with just the right amount of sweetness, finished with a splash of apple cider vinegar for the perfect flavor balance, and seasoned with Smokin' Ray's Original All Purpose Seasoning.

Whether you're serving brisket, ribs, pulled pork, burgers, or hot dogs, these beans are guaranteed to keep everyone coming back for another scoop.

Step 1

Ingredients

• 4 (15 oz) cans Pork & Beans
• 4 (15 oz) cans Dark Red Kidney Beans, drained
• 1 pound thick-cut bacon, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1½ cups your favorite barbecue sauce
• ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup yellow mustard
• ½ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar
• 5 tablespoons Smokin' Ray's Original All Purpose Seasoning

Step 2

Directions

Cook the bacon until almost crisp. Remove the bacon and reserve about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease.
Sauté the diced onion in the bacon grease until softened.
In a large disposable aluminum pan or baking dish, combine the Pork & Beans, drained kidney beans, bacon, onions, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and Smokin' Ray's Original All Purpose Seasoning.
Stir thoroughly until everything is evenly combined.
Cover and refrigerate overnight if possible. This allows the flavors to fully develop before cooking.

Smoker Method

Smoke uncovered at 250°F for 2½ to 3 hours, stirring once or twice during the cook, until the sauce has thickened and the beans have developed a rich smoky flavor.

Oven Method

Bake uncovered at 350°F for 1½ to 2 hours, stirring once or twice, until the beans are hot, thick, bubbly, and lightly caramelized around the edges.

Ray's Tips
Making these the day before gives the flavors time to come together and makes them even better.
If the beans seem a little too saucy before cooking, don't worry. They'll thicken as they cook.
If you prefer a heartier bean-to-sauce ratio, add an extra drained can of kidney beans before cooking.
Taste before serving. If you feel like they're missing "something," don't reach for more seasoning first. A small splash of apple cider vinegar can brighten the entire dish and bring all the flavors together without making the beans taste like vinegar.