Pit Beans

Pit Beans are the ultimate BBQ side dish—rich, smoky, and packed with sweet and tangy flavor. Whether you’re dishing them up with brisket, ribs, or pulled pork, these beans soak up all the goodness of the pit and deliver a spoonful of comfort in every bite.

How to Make Pit Beans

Preparation

Preheat your smoker to 250°F. Drain your canned brown beans and add them to a steam table tray or foil roasting pan. Discard the liquid—they’ll get plenty of flavor from the good stuff. Add chopped onions, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, chopped bacon, and a generous helping of your favorite BBQ rub. Stir everything together until well combined.

Smoking the Beans

Place the tray of beans on the smoker uncovered. Let them soak in the smoke and stir them every hour to keep things moving and prevent burning at the edges. After about 3 hours, the sauce should thicken and the onions will be cooked through.

Holding the Beans

You can serve the beans immediately or cover them with foil and hold warm for up to 3 hours. They’re also perfect made ahead—just pop them in the fridge and reheat when it’s time to eat.

Serving

Grab a big spoon and let people scoop their own servings right from the pan. These beans go great with any smoked meat or work as a BBQ-style chili topper for taco salads.

Best Beer to Pair With Pit Beans

Brown Ale

Its roasted malt backbone matches the sweetness of the beans and enhances their smoky depth.

Amber Lager

Smooth and crisp, this balances out the richness of the dish without overpowering it.

Hazy IPA

A citrusy IPA adds a juicy, bitter contrast that works especially well if your beans lean on the sweeter side.