Dr Pepper Baked Beans

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Dr Pepper Baked Beans are a sweet, tangy, smoky side dish made for a barbecue spread. Bacon and a rich, glossy sauce give them enough heft to hold their own beside smoked meats.

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Dr Pepper is poured from a bottle into a foil tray of baked beans.

The beans spend time uncovered at the start to pick up smoke, then finish uncovered again so the sauce can reduce to the right consistency.

Why This Recipe Works

Lightly draining the beans gives the sauce room to concentrate without starting too loose, while still retaining enough liquid for a cohesive finish. Covering the pan during the middle of the cook limits evaporation as the onion softens and the flavors meld.

Yellow mustard is squeezed onto baked beans in an aluminum tray, with ketchup visible on top.

Ingredients

3 cans (28 ounces each) baked beans, lightly drained
1 pound bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
1 medium white onion, diced finely
12 ounces Dr Pepper
¾ cup barbecue sauce
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup ketchup
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon coarse black pepper

Brown sugar is sprinkled over baked beans in a foil tray.

How to Make It

Preheat the smoker to 275°F. Add the baked beans to an aluminum half pan. Add the chopped bacon, raw diced onion, Dr Pepper, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper.

Stir everything together until well combined. Place the pan in the smoker uncovered and smoke for 1 hour to allow the beans to pick up plenty of smoke flavor.

A foil tray of baked beans sits on a grill.

Stir the beans, cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil, and continue cooking for 1 to 1 ½ hours. Remove the foil, stir the beans, and cook uncovered for another 30 minutes, or until they're thick, hot, and glossy.

A foil tray of baked beans in sauce sits on a barbecue grill.

Tips and Variations

Stir gently, especially near the end, so the sauce combines without breaking up the beans unnecessarily. Stop cooking when the beans are suspended in a shiny, thickened sauce; extended heat can make canned beans overly soft.

A spoonful of Dr Pepper baked beans is held over a pan, with sauce dripping back into the beans.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Dr Pepper Baked Beans cook in the smoker?

Cook them at 275°F for about 2 ½ to 3 hours total: 1 hour uncovered, 1 to 1 ½ hours covered, then about 30 minutes uncovered.

Why are the beans cooked uncovered first?

The beans cook uncovered for the first hour so they can pick up plenty of smoke flavor.

When should I cover the baked beans?

Stir the beans after the first hour of smoking, then cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil for 1 to 1 ½ hours.

How do I know when the beans are done?

They are done when they are thick, hot, and glossy after the final uncovered cooking time.

Do I need to cook the bacon before adding it to the beans?

Yes. Use bacon that has been cooked crisp and chopped before adding it to the pan.

Serving Ideas

Serve alongside smoked meats, or add them to a cookout plate with coleslaw, cornbread, or potato salad. Top individual portions with extra crisp bacon or finely chopped onion, if desired.

An orange bowl of Dr Pepper baked beans sits on a wooden table, with a wooden spoon and a Dr Pepper bottle in the background.

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