Best Barbequed beans in the world

I’ve used three or four beans recipes and keep experimenting. I think my family has decided on the winning combination. It is very close to Steve Raichlen’s recipe for Best Barbecued Beans on the Planet. It calls for bacon or brisket in the beans. My family likes it without the meat in it. Also, this recipe uses all fresh vegetables. Other recipes used canned vegetables. There are several ways to make it spicy. You could add fire-roasted chilies. You could use more jalapeño peppers than called for. I put what I consider optional at the top of the ingredients list. Use the jalapeño peppers to taste. This time we used only 1 pepper.

This recipe makes a very full half-pan disposable pan. Consider halving the recipe to make less. I made a few edits after my July 4, 2022 cook.

Ingredients

• Optional ingredients
  • 1 pound smoked brisket or cooked bacon, cut into 1/4-inch slivers (optional)
  • 2 tsp. liquid smoke (optional)
  • Coarse salt (kosher or sea) and freshly ground black pepper (optional)
  • 1 can (7 oz) diced fire-roasted chilies (optional)
  • 1 can (15 oz) of pinto beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
• 1 can (15 oz) of black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) of dark red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 cans (each 15 oz) of baked beans or pork and beans
• 1 large sweet onion, finely chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
• 1 poblano pepper or green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 to 6 jalapeño peppers, seeded and diced (for hotter beans, leave the seeds in)
• 2 cups sweet red barbecue sauce (consider only 1 cup to reduce liquidity)
• 2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar, or more to taste
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard, or more to taste
• 1 disposable pan
• 1 disposable serving spoon

Instructions

• Combine all the ingredients in the disposable pan
• Preheat smoker to 250°
• Place pan on smoker uncovered
• Smoke for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally
• If the beans start to dry out, cover them loosely with foil
• Remove from smoker
• Cover in foil, rest for 15 mins or until ready to serve