How to Make Traeger Baked Beans with Smoky Bacon and Peppers

This BBQ baked beans recipe by Traeger Kitchen is a delightful twist on the classic side dish, infused with smoky bacon, fresh onions, and bell peppers, all cooked on a wood pellet grill to enhance the flavors. The preparation and cooking process is straightforward, making it accessible for home cooks to replicate this rich, flavorful dish. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb bacon, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 4 (15 oz) cans of pork and beans
• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 tbsp dry mustard
• 1 tbsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 1/2 tsp onion powder

Instructions:

1. Cook the Bacon:

   • Place the chopped bacon in a cold, large sauté pan.
   • Cook over medium heat until crispy, then set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon fat.

2. Sauté Vegetables:

   • In the same pan with the reserved bacon fat, sauté the diced onion and green bell pepper until the onion is translucent and the pepper is tender.

3. Prepare the Grill:

   • Preheat the Traeger grill to 350℉ with the lid closed for 15 minutes.

4. Combine Ingredients:

   • In a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish, mix the pork and beans, cooked bacon, sautéed onions and peppers, ketchup, dry mustard, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and onion powder.
   • Stir well to combine and cover with foil.

5. Cook on the Grill:

   • Place the casserole dish on the grill grates.
   • Close the lid and cook for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and darkens slightly.

6. Rest and Serve:

   • Remove the beans from the grill and let cool for 15-20 minutes before serving.

BBQ Baked Beans with Traeger’s Wood Pellet Grill

BBQ baked beans are a timeless side dish beloved by many, often seen at family gatherings, BBQs, and potlucks. While the traditional recipe is undeniably delicious, Traeger Kitchen takes it up a notch by incorporating the rich, smoky flavors achievable only with a wood pellet grill. This article explores how to transform ordinary baked beans into an extraordinary culinary delight.

The Ingredients That Make a Difference

The foundation of this enhanced BBQ baked beans recipe lies in the quality and combination of ingredients. The use of crispy bacon introduces a savory, smoky depth, while freshly diced yellow onions and green bell peppers add a layer of sweetness and crunch. Each component plays a crucial role in balancing the flavors, ensuring every bite is a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.

The Art of Sautéing

Sautéing the vegetables in rendered bacon fat is a game-changer. This step not only utilizes the flavorful bacon fat, reducing waste but also ensures that the onions and bell peppers are imbued with a rich, smoky essence. The key here is patience – allowing the vegetables to cook slowly over medium heat until they reach the perfect level of tenderness and translucency.

Embracing the Wood-Fired Grill

The magic truly happens when these carefully prepared ingredients are combined and cooked on a Traeger wood pellet grill. Preheating the grill to 350℉ creates the ideal environment for the beans to cook evenly and absorb the smoky aroma of the wood pellets. The choice of Hickory pellets further intensifies the flavor, adding a distinct wood-fired taste that sets these baked beans apart from any oven-baked variety.

The Slow Cook

Patience is a virtue when it comes to achieving the perfect consistency and flavor profile in BBQ baked beans. Covering the casserole dish with foil ensures that the beans cook slowly and evenly, allowing the sauce to thicken and darken naturally. Stirring occasionally helps to distribute the flavors evenly, making sure that every spoonful is as delicious as the last.

Serving Perfection

After an hour of cooking and a brief cooling period, these BBQ baked beans are ready to be enjoyed. The cooling period allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a dish that is not only visually appealing but also bursting with flavor. Whether served alongside grilled meats or as part of a vegetarian spread, these wood-fired BBQ baked beans are sure to be a hit.

Conclusion

By following Traeger Kitchen’s recipe and incorporating a few extra steps, you can elevate a classic dish into something truly special. The use of a wood pellet grill adds an unbeatable depth of flavor, making these BBQ baked beans a standout side at any gathering. Embrace the process, and enjoy the compliments that are sure to follow when you serve this delicious, smoky, and savory dish.