Anyone smoke beans?

[Boosted98gsx]

I kinda want to try to make some cold smoked molasses enhanced beans, but I don't know where to start. What kind of beans should I use? Pinto's?

[Quarlow]

Many guys have made smoked beans. Some have even just used canned beans which I am going to try soon. I guess you could use whatever beans you like to make baked beans with. Someone will be along that really knows what they are talking about.

[hal4uk]

I just use Bush's Best Baked Beans and doctor them...

I chop bacon and render it down in a pot, add chopped onions and green peppers, and simmer till onions are "clear".
I add this mix to the beans along with brown sugar, spices (usually chili powder, onion, garlic, some cajun seasoning) and a little L&P and tabasco.

You could cold smoke first, but I just hot smoke 'em.
The reason I render the bacon (and simmer the onions and peppers in the fat) is that it can take too long to break down while smoking (or baking, whatever).  If you cook the beans too long they will shrivel and be "not so good".  You can cook grean beans "all day", but baked beans don't necessarily get better with cook time --- You wanna pull 'em at the sweet spot (sometime before they shrivel).

[Smokin Soon]

In the winter, I do quite a few bean dishes in a slow cooker using leftover smoked meats. I found that beans will suck up smoke flavor from the meat like a sponge. I really would not want any more smoke flavor.

[RossP]

We loved smoked baked beans, I use canned beans, and then add a few things like molasas, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard and a few spices. I hot smoke the beans with messy wood for a couple of hours. They are always better a day or two later.

Ross

[lumpy]

Here is my smoked bean recipe

Baked Beans

Use regular Bush beans with
Layer of mustard, brown sugar, minced onions, molasses
And smoked bacon chunks

Smoke in apple/maple for 2 hours at 200 F.


Lumpy

[KyNola]

OK, I'll be the guy to ask "why do you want to cold smoke beans"?  Not saying there is anything in particular wrong with it, just don't see an advantage of it.

[Caneyscud]

 I don't like them as sweet as others.  Sweet is good for desserts!  So mine are a little more savory.

Big can of good baked beans - not pork-n-beans
2 or 3 cans of "no bean" chili - don't need more beans
CYM - sometimes some dijon
Sauted onions
3 or 4 cans of those diced green chilis
handful or two or three of crumbled bacon,
granulated garlic
diced jalapenos or hot sauce
some of the rub used on the meat. 
Instant coffee crystals


Adaptations - Guinness or some other type of alcohol
chili powder
Worcestershire sauce

[watchdog56]

Made these a couple of times and they were great.
May 8 2010. Made beans along with prime rib. Put in foil pan on rack under prime rib.
6-8 strips of bacon cut into 1/2 squares
1/2 medium onion,diced
1/2 bell pepper,diced
1-55 ounce can of Bush's original Baked beans
1-8 ounce can of pineapple chunks,drained
1 cup brown sugar,packed
1 cup ketchup
1/2 TBsp dry ground mustard

Saute bacon in fry pan until crispy,remove and saute onion,bell pepper until tender. In a large
mixing bowl combine beans,pineapple,brown sugar,ketchup and dry mustard. Stir in bacon pieces and
vegetables. Pour into pan and mix. If it looks dry add more ketchup 1/4 cup at time. PLace in smoker
for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Temp must reach 160 or place in oven and bake for 1 hour. Beans were excellent.