Ingredients:

  • 56 oz canned pork and beans
  • 0.5 lb thick-cut bacon, diced
  • 0.5 cup Kansas City style BBQ sauce
  • 0.25 cup molasses
  • 0.5 cup dark brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp BBQ dry rub

Instructions:

  1. Sauté the diced bacon in a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat until it starts to render its fat and turn golden.
  2. Add the diced yellow onion and green bell pepper to the skillet, cooking until the onion is translucent and the edges of the pepper are slightly charred.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for approximately 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Combine the sautéed aromatics and bacon with the canned beans, BBQ sauce, molasses, dark brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, yellow mustard, and BBQ dry rub in the skillet or a disposable aluminum pan.
  5. Preheat your smoker or pellet grill to 250°F using hickory, oak, or apple wood.
  6. Place the bean mixture uncovered in the smoker and cook for 3 hours, allowing the liquid to evaporate and the smoke to penetrate the sauce.
  7. Stir occasionally to incorporate the smoke lacquer until the sauce reaches a thick, tacky consistency.