There are certain sides that belong at just about every backyard barbecue, and a big pan of baked beans is definitely one of them. These Southern Style BBQ Baked Beans take the classic cookout favorite and load it up with pulled pork, brown sugar, BBQ sauce, onion, and plenty of savory seasoning before letting everything cook low and slow on the pellet grill.

The result is a thick, smoky pan of beans with plenty of sweet and savory BBQ flavor. Serve them alongside ribs, chicken, burgers, or pulled pork, and you've got a side that's worthy of anything coming off the pit.

Southern Style BBQ Baked Beans | Heath Riles BBQ

This recipe starts with three cans of Bush's Baked Beans, but we're definitely not stopping there. A few simple additions turn those canned beans into a hearty homemade-style BBQ side.

First, we add a heaping tablespoon of Bear & Burton's W Sauce for an extra layer of savory flavor. A couple of squirts of mustard and Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce bring that familiar BBQ flavor to the mix.

Then comes one of my favorite additions: 1½ cups of pulled pork. If you need some for this recipe, make a batch of our Sweet BBQ Pork Butts and save some of that pulled pork for your beans.

A full cup of brown sugar adds sweetness, Heath Riles BBQ Competition BBQ Rub adds another layer of BBQ flavor, and a diced white onion rounds everything out.

Once everything is mixed together, the beans go onto the Yoder for about three hours. That long cook gives them time to pick up smoke while reducing the liquid until you get that thick Southern-style consistency.

Why This Recipe Works

The best baked beans have a balance of sweet, savory, smoky, and tangy flavors, and this recipe hits all four.

The baked beans provide the familiar base, while the brown sugar and Sweet BBQ Sauce reinforce their sweetness. Mustard provides some tang to keep everything balanced, and W Sauce adds another savory element in the background.

Then you've got the pulled pork.

Adding 1½ cups of pulled pork makes these beans heartier and gives them a true barbecue flavor. It's also a great way to use leftover pork from another cook instead of letting it go to waste.

The other key is giving the beans enough time on the smoker. You're not simply heating the ingredients through. The goal is to let some of that excess liquid cook away so the finished beans stay where they belong on the plate instead of running into everything else.

That's why this recipe cooks for about three hours. Depending on your preferred consistency, you may need a little more or a little less time.

The Ingredients

Bush's Baked Beans form the base of the recipe. You'll need three cans for a big pan that's perfect for feeding a family or serving at a cookout.
Bear & Burton's W Sauce adds savory depth. The recipe uses about one heaping tablespoon.
Mustard adds a little acidity and tang to balance all the sweetness. A couple of squirts is all you need.
Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce adds another layer of sweet and smoky barbecue flavor.
Pulled Pork makes these beans extra hearty. The recipe uses 1½ cups, making this the perfect excuse to save a little pork from your last cook.
Brown Sugar brings classic Southern baked bean sweetness. A full cup goes into the pan.
Heath Riles BBQ Competition BBQ Rub adds another layer of seasoning and helps tie the beans into the rest of your BBQ spread.
White Onion adds texture and savory flavor as it softens during the long cook. You'll need one medium onion, diced.

Pellet Grill Setup

For this recipe, we're cooking on a Yoder YS640S YFi Pellet Grill.

Once your beans are mixed and transferred to a Disposable Aluminum Pan, place the pan on the top rack of the Yoder.

That placement is intentional. We want the heat rolling across the top of the pan while the uncovered beans have plenty of opportunity to pick up good smoke.

The transcript doesn't specify an exact grill temperature for this cook, so rather than guessing, focus on the approximately three-hour cooking time and the final consistency of the beans.

The Process

Mix the Beans

Add three cans of Bush's Baked Beans to your Yeti Rambler Bowl or another large mixing bowl.

Add a heaping tablespoon of Bear & Burton's W Sauce, followed by a couple of squirts of mustard and your Sweet BBQ Sauce.

Next, add 1½ cups pulled pork and 1 cup brown sugar. Season the mixture with Heath Riles BBQ Competition BBQ Rub, then add 1 medium diced white onion.

Mix everything thoroughly so the pork, onion, sauce, sugar, and seasoning are evenly distributed throughout the beans.

Transfer to the Pan

Pour the bean mixture into a Disposable Aluminum Pan and spread everything into an even layer.

Keeping the beans uncovered gives the smoke access to the surface while allowing excess moisture to gradually cook away.

Smoke the Beans

Place the uncovered pan on the top rack of the Yoder and let the beans cook for approximately 3 hours.

As they cook, you'll notice the surface darkening and taking on a smoky appearance. That's exactly what you're looking for.

Don't get too caught up in the clock, though. The real indicator is the consistency. Let the beans continue cooking until enough of the liquid has reduced that they're thick and saucy rather than watery. Depending on your smoker and how thick you like your beans, that may take a little more or a little less than three hours.

The Results

These Southern Style BBQ Baked Beans come off the Yoder thick, smoky, sweet, and loaded with classic barbecue flavor.

The brown sugar and Heath Riles BBQ Sweet BBQ Sauce give the beans plenty of sweetness, while the mustard and Bear & Burton’s W Sauce add enough tangy, savory flavor to keep everything balanced. The Competition BBQ Rub ties those flavors together, and the diced onion softens throughout the cook.

Then there’s the pulled pork. Adding 1½ cups turns a simple pan of baked beans into a hearty BBQ side with bits of smoked pork in every scoop.

The three-hour cook is also important for texture. Rather than serving watery beans that run across your plate, letting them cook uncovered gives some of that liquid time to reduce. The final result should be thick and saucy while still having plenty of moisture.

Perfect Pairings

Maple Bourbon Glazed Ribs – Sweet, sticky ribs and a scoop of smoky baked beans are about as classic as BBQ gets. The maple bourbon flavors work especially well with the brown sugar and Sweet BBQ Sauce in the beans.
Pellet Grill Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Carolina Slaw – Turn these beans into part of a complete BBQ plate with a pulled pork sandwich. The tangy Carolina slaw provides a fresh contrast to the rich, sweet beans.
Old School BBQ Chicken – Smoky BBQ chicken and Southern baked beans belong on the same plate. Add some coleslaw or cornbread and you've got a classic backyard meal.
Smash Burgers – Don't save these beans just for traditional barbecue. They make a great cookout side for crispy-edged smash burgers, too.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover baked beans in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.

When you're ready to reheat them, warm the beans slowly on the stovetop or in a covered baking dish. If they've thickened more than you'd like in the refrigerator, stir in a small splash of water or BBQ sauce as they warm.

These beans are also easy to make ahead. Prepare the mixture in advance, refrigerate it, then put it on the smoker when you're ready to cook. Just remember that starting with a cold pan of beans may increase the cooking time.

Tips for the Best Southern Style BBQ Baked Beans

Use leftover pulled pork. This recipe is an easy way to turn leftover BBQ into another dish. Save 1½ cups from your next pork butt and you've already got one of the best ingredients for these beans.
Leave the pan uncovered. The beans need time to pick up smoke and reduce, so don't cover the pan while it cooks.
Use the top rack. In the video, the pan goes onto the upper rack so the heat can roll across the top while the beans pick up smoke.
Cook to consistency, not just time. Three hours is the guideline, but the beans may need slightly more or less. Heath's goal is a thick consistency that doesn't send liquid running all over the plate.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for an easy side to round out your next backyard BBQ, these Southern Style BBQ Baked Beans deserve a spot on the menu.

Starting with canned baked beans keeps the prep simple, but adding pulled pork, brown sugar, Sweet BBQ Sauce, W Sauce, Competition BBQ Rub, mustard, and onion gives them plenty of homemade BBQ flavor.

The most important part is giving them time on the smoker. After about three hours, you'll have that smoky-looking top and the thick consistency you're looking for rather than a pan full of runny beans.

Whether you're serving ribs, pulled pork, chicken, or burgers, put a big scoop of these beans on the side and you've got yourself a Southern-style BBQ plate.