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Bourbon Baked Beans

A Great BBQ Sidedish

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I fell in love with Bourbon Baked Beans the first time I laid eyes on the name. Can you possibly go wrong if you cook something with Bourbon? Nuh Uh! And baked beans are no exception. I have to give credit where credit is due, I found this recipe on Amazing Ribs, which is a great website on BBQ cooking.

First off, this isn't like baked beans out of a can. While I can't argue that those can taste wonderful, you're lucky if you find a teeny weeny little piece of bacon fat in them. I sometimes think they put that in there just to fool us. They can't possibly be cooked the way I'm gonna show you here. There is definitely going to be some stuff in these. And based on my wife's reaction, you're gonna love it!

Now, these are going to be sweet, so if you don't like them that way, then you'll have to try some recipe I'm not going to share, because I like bourbon baked beans sweet - and with a little heat, if you know what I mean.

Bourbon Baked Beans Recipe

First off, do this on your smoker not in the oven. And if you're cooking ribs, or pork butts, stick them on the lower rack so all that pork goodness drips right into the beans. That may turn off all you vegans in San Francisco, but I couldn't care less what you think! I'll have a big smile on my face thinking about your bourbon Tofu beans with tofu drippings ;)

Bourbon Baked Beans Ingredients

Here's what you're gonna need...

6 strips of thick cut bacon
2 medium onions - chopped
1 red bell pepper - chopped
1 jalapẽno - chopped. More heat, more peppers
1 can of red kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can of white kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
1/2 cup of raisins - I use golden raisins
3/4 cup of Kansas City style BBQ Sauce
4 tablespoons of molassses
1/4 cup (or more) of Kentucky Bourbon
2 teaspoons of dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1 bay leaf

Cooking Bourbon Baked Beans

I started on the stove top using a 2 quart pot. Here is what you need to do. Cook the bacon in the pot. We're trying to get the bacon fat, not completely cook the bacon, so when side one begins to brown, flip it until side two is slightly browned.

Bourbon Baked Beans Bacon

Next, pour off the bacon fat into a safe container and leave about 2 tablespoons to cook the onions and peppers in. Cook the onions and peppers until they wilt. Then add the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.

Bourbon Baked Beans Vegetables

Bourbon Baked Beans Mixed

Get your smoker going at about 250° F. You can cook these on the stove if you want, but I prefer doing it the BBQ way. The first time I did them alone for about 2 hours, but the best way to do this is beneath some ribs or a pork butt so the Bourbon Baked Beans take on the drippings mixed with the rub from whatever you're cooking. Sounds disgustingly good. Sorry left coasters ;)

You'll want to stir this occasionally so it doesn't burn and stick to the bottom of the pot. Make sure the bay leaf stays mixed in the middle somewhere. When you're done, make sure you remove the bay leave, though.

Bourbon Baked Beans Finished

Bourbon Baked Beans are a great side dish for any BBQ recipe. I've cooked it with ribs and with pork butts and got rave reviews. I think you and your friends are going to like them too.