Forget traditional baked beans—these **Florida Smoked BBQ Beans** are rich, smoky, and loaded with protein. Featuring **bacon, sausage, kielbasa**, and **FL Gulf BBQ**, this recipe is more like a BBQ stew than a side dish. Thick, sweet, and slightly spicy, it’s perfect as a cookout side or a meal on its own!
Minimal prep, deep flavor, and smoked to perfection—guaranteed to steal the show at your next BBQ or family gathering.
Yields: 8-10 Servings | Prep Time: 25 Minutes | Total Time: 3 Hours
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. bacon (or pork belly/brisket)
1 lb. ground sausage
½ link smoked kielbasa, diced (optional)
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 yellow onion, diced
1 can kidney beans (15.5 oz, drained)
3 cans pinto beans (15.5 oz, drained)
1 can black beans (15.5 oz, drained)
1 lager beer
1 cup ketchup
5 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp dry mustard
6 tbsp FL Gulf BBQ
¾ cup maple syrup
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tbsp pepper sauce (Tabasco Chipotle recommended)
1 | Chop bacon into squares, season with **1 tbsp FL Gulf BBQ**, and sauté until just crispy (5-7 min). Remove and set aside.
2 | Cook **diced onion** in the bacon fat until translucent (about 5 min). Set aside.
3 | Drain bacon fat, reserving **6 tbsp**.
4 | Use **3 tbsp bacon fat** to brown **ground sausage, garlic, and 1 tbsp FL Gulf BBQ** (about 7 min). Set aside.
5 | Use remaining **3 tbsp bacon fat** to brown **kielbasa with 1 tbsp FL Gulf BBQ** for 5 min. Set aside.
6 | In a saucepan, combine **ketchup, vinegar, dry mustard, maple syrup, brown sugar, 3-4 oz beer, pepper sauce, and 1 tbsp FL Gulf BBQ**. Simmer, then remove from heat.
7 | In a large aluminum pan, mix **all beans, meats, and sauce** thoroughly.
8 | Preheat smoker to **225°F**.
9 | Smoke uncovered for **1-1.5 hours**, stirring occasionally for smoke infusion.
10 | Increase smoker to **350°F**.
11 | Check liquid level, add more beer if needed, stir. Cover and cook **another hour** to desired consistency.
**Pro Tip:** Adjust beer or cook time for thicker or looser beans.
12 | Once thick and rich, pull from smoker and cool slightly.
13 | Serve and enjoy!
💣 Pro Tips for Killer Smoked BBQ Beans:- Layer Your Meats: Bacon, sausage, and kielbasa create unbeatable flavor depth.
- Don’t Skip the Smoke: The smoker adds richness you can’t replicate in the oven.
- Consistency is Key: Add beer as needed to control the final texture—thick is best!
- Loaded with Protein: Bacon, sausage, and kielbasa make this a meal, not just a side.
- Sweet, Spicy, and Smoky: FL Gulf BBQ seasoning and maple syrup balance perfectly.
- Perfect BBQ Side: Stands strong next to ribs, brisket, or pulled pork—OR enjoy solo.