Barbecue Baked Beans Pit Beans

Smoky, sweet, and absolutely irresistible, these Barbecue Baked Beans, also known as Pit Beans, are the ultimate side dish for your backyard barbecue or potluck gathering. Featuring a blend of tender navy beans and rich pork and beans, this recipe is elevated with the bold flavors of barbecue sauce, molasses, and smoked paprika, while hints of apple cider vinegar and cayenne add a tangy kick and subtle heat. The dish starts with crispy, thick-cut bacon and sautéed onions for a savory foundation, which is slow-baked to perfection for a luscious, caramelized finish. Ready in just over 90 minutes, this crowd-pleasing dish is perfect for pairing with grilled meats or enjoying on its own. Whether served alongside ribs, burgers, or cornbread, these baked beans are a smoky, saucy, and satisfying addition to any meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:90 mins

Total Time:105 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 6 slices Thick-cut bacon
• 1 large (diced) Yellow onion
• 3 minced Garlic cloves
• 3 15-oz cans (drained and rinsed) Canned navy beans
• 1 15-oz can Canned pork and beans
• 1 cup Barbecue sauce
• 0.5 cup Ketchup
• 0.25 cup Brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons Molasses
• 1 tablespoon Apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Dry mustard powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne pepper (optional)
• 0.5 cup Water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).

Step 2

In a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon, crumble it, and set it aside. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan.

Step 3

Add the diced onion to the pan and sauté until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute until fragrant.

Step 4

Stir in the navy beans and pork and beans, mixing to coat them in the onion and garlic mixture.

Step 5

In a separate bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, smoked paprika, mustard powder, ground black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Pour this sauce mixture into the pan with the beans.

Step 6

Add the water and stir everything until evenly combined.

Step 7

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the top.

Step 8

Cover the skillet or Dutch oven with a lid or aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven.

Step 9

Bake the beans for 75 minutes, stirring once halfway through the cooking time.

Step 10

Remove the lid or foil for the last 10-15 minutes of baking for a slightly caramelized top.

Step 11

Carefully remove the dish from the oven and let the beans cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2578.6 grams (2578.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3950

Total Fat 49.10g	63%
Saturated Fat 17.10g	86%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.30g
Cholesterol 73mg	24%
Sodium 10640mg	463%
Total Carbohydrate 718.70g	261%
Dietary Fiber 110.80g	396%
Total Sugars 244.80g
Protein 174.90g	350%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1448mg	111%
Iron 41mg	229%
Potassium 9681mg	206%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 11.0%

Protein: 17.4%

Carbs: 71.6%