Apple Bourbon BBQ Beans Recipe
Baked Beans are the go-to side dish served with all types of BBQ – but this Apple Bourbon BBQ Beans takes it to a new level. It would be hard to pick out my favorite recipe for baked beans, but this one here is high up on the list. I use fresh apples and just a touch of bourbon to kick up the flavor in these beans, and of course, I’m cooking them in some smoke to give them extra special flavor.
Start off by chopping 6 strips of thick sliced bacon and placing it in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Cook the bacon just long enough to render the fat. Leave 1 Tablespoon of bacon fat in the sauté pan and add 1 diced medium size onion.
Cook the onion for 2-3 minutes until it begins to soften and add 2-3 diced jalapeno peppers (red and green) and 3 cloves of minced garlic. Continue to cook for a couple minutes and add diced apples (3 medium size gala apples). Season the mixture with a pinch of Killer Hogs AP Rub (or salt & pepper) and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes before adding ½ cup of brown sugar.
Stir the apple mixture to melt the sugar and add a good shot of Four Roses bourbon. Let the mixture continue to cook until the liquid reduces by half. The total cook time is about 15-20 minutes.
In a large dutch oven, add 2 cans of your favorite style baked beans (I use 28oz cans of Bush’s homestyle). Spoon the apple mixture into the dutch oven along with 1lb of left over pulled pork and the bacon.
Give the mixture a quick stir and add: 1 Tablespoon of Dijon Mustard, 1 cup of bbq sauce (Killer Hogs The BBQ Sauce), and ½ cup of brown sugar. Fold the beans with a large spoon and season with 3 Tablespoons of BBQ Rub (Killer Hogs The BBQ Rub) and 1 Tablespoon of AP Rub.
Fire up the smoker, I’m using my Big Green Egg, and bring the temp up to 300⁰. Just before placing the beans on the pit add a chunk of cherry wood for smoke. Cook the beans uncovered for 2 hours stirring occasionally and remove them from the pit once most of the moisture has been absorbed.
These Apple Bourbon BBQ Beans are sweet and smoky with just a touch of heat from the peppers. The bourbon gives it a nice caramel-like note without being too strong; and don’t worry the alcohol cooks off so it’s kid friendly. Give this recipe a try the next time you’re planning a BBQ.
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Apple Bourbon BBQ Beans Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Cans Baked Beans (28oz ea)
- 3 Gala Apples diced
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 jalapeno peppers seeded and chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 6 slices of thick cut bacon, chopped
- 1lb pulled pork
- 8oz Killer Hogs The BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup brown sugar (divided)
- 2oz Four Roses Bourbon
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard
- 3 Tablespoons Killer Hogs The BBQ Rub
- 1 Tablespoon Killer Hogs AP Rub
Instructions
- Prepare Big Green Egg or other grill for indirect cooking. Maintain grill temp of 300⁰. Add cherry wood chunks to hot coals for smoke.
- Cook bacon for 8 minutes in a large sauté pan until fat renders but bacon is still soft not crispy. Drain the bacon on paper towel. Reserve 1 TBS of bacon grease for sautéing.
- Add onion to pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the jalapeno and garlic and continue to sauté for 2 minutes. Add the diced apple and season with a pinch of AP rub. Cook the apple mixture for 2-3 minutes and add ½ cup of brown sugar. Stir to combine then add the bourbon. Reduce the liquid by half then transfer to a small bowl.
- Pour the beans into a dutch oven iron pot. Add the apple mixture, pulled pork, bacon, BBQ Sauce, Dijon Mustard, remaining brown sugar, and seasonings. Stir to combine and place uncovered on the bbq grill.
- Cook beans for 2 hours stirring occasionally and serve.
Apple Bourbon BBQ BeansHave a Question About This Recipe?
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MR come up with a home made smoked summer sausage recipes please! Thanks B Bell Mo.
Let me know!
Malcom I see you call the Dutch Oven Large, could tell me what size like in Quarts hate to buy one and find out it is too large or too small, thank you just love your recipes, want to try the Apple Bourbon BBQ Beans, HUGO
It’s a 5quart cast iron
Did you peel the apples first?
I did – but you can leave them on
Malcom I don’t have a cast Iron Dutch oven. Can I use a steel pan or rectangle Tray. I have some Aluminum Turkey Trays. Would that work?
Thank-you
Yum. gonna try this one for the tailgate. Guess I will be forced to fix some pulled pork to add to the recipe…. oh Darn!!!!!!
Crazy good. Next level! Thank you so much for sharing!!
Best Beans Ever!! Followed the recipe to the letter three weeks ago and am still getting compliments!
★★★★★
This is a killer recipe. Beat bbq beans I’ve ever had. Usually there are lots of bbq beans left over after a party, not this time. Everyone went ga-ga over these.
★★★★★
I tossed all of my other smoked bbq bean recipes in the shredder after having these.
★★★★★
I think the scaling on this recipe is wrong. X6 says 8 cans at 84oz each. That’s a whopping 504 oz when the x1 scale uses 2 28 oz cans or 56 oz.
That should be 12 28oz cans or 336 oz
Crowd pleaser on guys poker night.
“Dont ever make these again, it was like crack after a few beers!”
★★★★★
Having Christmas Dinner on Dec 10th for my wife’s sister who married a chap in Nfld. Canada.
Thought I’d have a side of your BGE Bourbon Beans. My son-in-laws will be over the moon. Smoked Turkey as well as smoked Squash, twice baked potatoes with pulled pork, cranberry sauce, dressing, etc.
Thanks for all you share,
God bless you and Family,
Fred Nelson