Smoked Delaware BBQ Pit Beans with Thick-Cut Bacon

Introduction

There is something primal and deeply satisfying about cooking beans over an open fire, a tradition that transforms a humble side dish into the star of the barbecue. This Delaware BBQ Pit Beans recipe captures the essence of the Mid-Atlantic barbecue style, blending the deep, earthy sweetness of molasses with the sharp tang of apple cider vinegar. Unlike standard baked beans, this version relies on a "trinity" of different beans to provide varied textures and flavors, all brought together by the smoky kiss of the grill. By utilizing the Arteflame cooktop, we first render the fat from thick-cut bacon and caramelize aromatic onions directly on the griddle, infusing the base with an incredible depth of flavor before letting the mixture simmer slowly in a cast-iron skillet. It is a hearty, comfort-food staple that balances savory, sweet, and smoky notes in every bite, making it the ultimate companion for your next outdoor feast.

Ingredients

The Bean Trinity & Meat

• 1 can (15 oz) Kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) Butter beans (Lima beans), drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) Pork and Beans (do not drain)
• 6 strips of thick-cut smoked bacon, chopped into 1-inch pieces
• 1 large sweet onion, diced finely
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

The Sauce

• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup molasses (or dark brown sugar for a lighter sweetness)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Fire Up the Grill

1. Start by preparing your Arteflame grill. Place three paper napkins soaked in vegetable oil in the center of the fire bowl and stack your firewood over them in a log cabin structure.
2. Light the napkins and allow the fire to burn down until you have a bed of hot coals and the flat cooktop griddle reaches a searing temperature.
3. Identify the heat zones: the center near the fire is hottest for searing, while the outer edges are cooler and perfect for slow simmering.

Step 2: Sear the Bacon and Aromatics

1. Drizzle a small amount of oil on the flat cooktop surface to prime it.
2. Place the chopped bacon directly onto the hot griddle. Cook until the fat renders and the edges become crispy and golden brown.
3. Move the bacon slightly to the side and add the diced onions to the bacon grease. Sauté the onions until they are translucent and slightly caramelized.
4. Add the minced garlic for the last 30 seconds of cooking, stirring constantly to prevent burning.

Step 3: Assemble the Sauce and Beans

1. While the aromatics are finishing, take a large cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven and place it on a cooler section of the flat top or a side table.
2. In the skillet, combine the kidney beans, butter beans, and pork and beans.
3. Stir in the ketchup, molasses, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard, and smoked paprika. Mix until the sauce is uniform.
4. Scrape the crispy bacon, onions, and garlic from the grill surface directly into the skillet with the beans. Stir well to incorporate all the savory bits.

Step 4: The Smoke and Simmer

1. Place the cast-iron skillet on the flat cooktop. If you want a rapid simmer, place it closer to the center; for a slow smoke, keep it near the edge.
2. Allow the beans to simmer uncovered for 30 to 45 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken and the smoke flavor from the fire to gently infuse the dish.
3. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Once the sauce has reached your desired thickness and the beans are tender, remove from heat and let them rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Tips

To truly master these Delaware BBQ Pit Beans, patience is your best ingredient. Unlike oven-baked beans, cooking on the Arteflame exposes the dish to open air, which can evaporate liquid faster. Keep a close eye on the moisture level; if the sauce becomes too thick before the beans are tender, add a splash of beer, coffee, or water to loosen it up. This not only corrects the texture but adds another layer of complexity. Furthermore, do not skip rinsing the kidney and butter beans; this removes excess starch and sodium, ensuring the final dish isn't gloopy or overly salty. However, keeping the sauce from the "pork and beans" is crucial as it acts as a thickening agent for your homemade sauce base. Finally, letting the beans rest for 10 minutes off the heat allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to set to the perfect consistency.

Variations

While the classic Delaware style is hard to beat, this recipe is incredibly versatile and welcomes customization to suit your palate or pantry. If you prefer a dish with a bit more heat to cut through the sweetness, try the spicy variation, or if you want to make it a main course, bulk it up with more protein. Here are a few ways to twist the recipe:

• Spicy Kick: Add 1 diced jalapeño (seeds included) with the onions and a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce.
• The Meaty Feast: Brown 1/2 pound of ground beef or sliced bratwurst on the grill and mix it into the beans along with the bacon.
• Bourbon Infused: Stir in a shot of your favorite bourbon during the last 15 minutes of simmering for a woody, caramel note.
• Vegetarian Twist: Omit the bacon and pork and beans (use vegetarian baked beans), and use smoked paprika and cumin to replicate the smoky meat flavor.
• Southern Sweet: Substitute the molasses with maple syrup and add chunks of fresh peach or pineapple for a fruity barbecue profile.

Best pairings

Delaware BBQ Pit Beans are a robust side dish that demands to be paired with equally strong flavors. Because of their sweet and tangy profile, they act as the perfect foil to rich, fatty meats and savory carbs. They are the quintessential partner for a classic backyard cookout, but they can also elevate a weeknight dinner into something special. When planning your menu, consider textures that contrast with the soft, creamy beans, such as crunchy slaws or crusty breads.

• Classic Cheeseburger: The sweetness of the beans cuts through the savory grease of a smashed burger perfectly.
• Smoked Brisket: The molasses in the beans complements the bark and smoke ring of slow-cooked beef.
• Cornbread: A slice of buttery, slightly dry cornbread is ideal for soaking up the thick bean sauce.
• Creamy Coleslaw: The cold, crisp crunch of coleslaw provides a refreshing contrast to the hot, savory beans.
• Grilled Sausages: Serve the beans as a bed for charred Italian sausages or bratwursts.

Conclusion

Creating authentic Delaware BBQ Pit Beans on the Arteflame is more than just following a recipe; it is an experience that connects you to the roots of American outdoor cooking. The combination of searing ingredients on the flat top and slow-simmering them in cast iron creates a depth of flavor that a kitchen stove simply cannot replicate. The result is a pot of beans that is rich, dark, sticky, and packed with the savory punch of bacon and the subtle sweetness of molasses. Whether you are hosting a large summer barbecue or enjoying a quiet autumn evening by the fire, this dish brings warmth and comfort to the table. It’s a side dish that often steals the show, leaving guests asking for the recipe and scraping the skillet clean.