Barbecue baked beans with brisket have their roots in Southern and Texan barbecue traditions in the United States. This dish combines two iconic elements of Southern cuisine: slow-cooked beans and smoked brisket.
Beans have been a staple in Native American diets for centuries. When European colonists arrived, they adopted these practices, adding molasses and pork for flavor, which became the foundation of baked beans.
In the South, barbecue culture developed around slow-cooking meats over wood fires. Beans were often cooked alongside the meat, absorbing smoky flavors from the pit or grill.
Brisket, a cut of beef popularized in Texas barbecue, became a centerpiece of the region’s cuisine. Over time, leftovers from smoked brisket were often repurposed into other dishes, including baked beans, to reduce waste and enhance flavor.
Barbecue baked beans with brisket became a natural pairing as pitmasters began incorporating chopped or shredded brisket into their beans, creating a hearty, flavorful side dish or meal. The dish reflects the ingenuity of barbecue culture, emphasizing flavor, resourcefulness, and community.
It remains a beloved staple in barbecue joints and home-cooked meals, especially in Texas and the broader Southern United States.
Ingredients
2 cups smoked brisket (chopped or shredded)
2 cans (15 oz each) baked beans (or use pinto or navy beans if you prefer)
1 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup yellow mustard
1 small onion (finely diced)
1 small bell pepper (finely diced, optional)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp chili powder
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large mixing bowl, combine the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and chili powder. Mix until smooth.
Heat a skillet over medium heat and sauté the diced onion (and bell pepper, if using) until softened, about 5 minutes.
Combine Ingredients: In a large oven-safe dish or cast-iron skillet, combine the baked beans, brisket, sautéed vegetables, and sauce. Stir until well mixed.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes to allow the top to caramelize slightly.
After baking, taste the beans and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Serve warm as a side dish or a main course, garnished with chopped parsley or green onions if desired.
Thank you for trying this recipe. Please let me know how you liked it.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please take a look at other recipes on my fast, simple and good beef page.
BBQ Baked Beans with Brisket