Brisket Cowboy Beans

Name: Brisket Cowboy Beans
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 150 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb smoked brisket, chopped into small cubes; 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped; 1 large yellow onion, diced; 1 green bell pepper, diced; 1 red bell pepper, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 cans (28 oz each) baked beans; 1/2 cup BBQ sauce; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 2 tbsp yellow mustard; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tsp smoked paprika; salt and pepper to taste

150 min 10 servings easy

All Recipes

Brisket Cowboy Beans

Smoky, hearty baked beans loaded with chopped brisket, bacon, peppers, and a sweet-tangy sauce — the ultimate BBQ side dish.

Prep

20 min

Cook

120 min

Total

150 min

Servings

Difficulty

easy

Cowboy beans are the side dish that steals the show at any BBQ. This version is loaded with chunks of leftover smoked brisket, crispy bacon, bell peppers, onions, and a rich sauce made with BBQ sauce, mustard, and brown sugar. Smoked in a cast iron skillet, they develop an incredible depth of flavor.

Ingredients

Servings

Beans

Instructions

Cook the bacon

In a large cast iron skillet or Dutch oven, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Remove half the bacon and set aside for topping. Leave the rest with the drippings.

Sauté vegetables

Add diced onion and bell peppers to the bacon drippings. Cook for 5-6 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

Build the beans

Add baked beans, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, mustard, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, and smoked paprika. Stir in the chopped brisket. Mix everything well.

Smoke the beans

Transfer the skillet to a smoker set at 250°F (or a 325°F oven). Cook uncovered for 1.5-2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, until the sauce is thick and bubbly and the top has a slight crust.

Pro tip: Smoking the beans uncovered lets them absorb wood smoke flavor and develop a caramelized top layer.

Finish and serve

Top with the reserved crispy bacon. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving — the beans will thicken as they cool slightly.

Serving Suggestions

Serve straight from the cast iron skillet alongside ribs, brisket, or burgers. These beans are a meal in themselves and taste even better the next day.