Smoked Applesauce Pit Beans

Ingredients

• 64 oz canned Navy beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 lb thick-cut bacon, diced
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 3 tbsp Salted Perfection Raleigh Select Blend
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
• 1/2 cup smoky BBQ sauce
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Fire up your smoker to 250°F using hickory or apple wood. Get those clean blue wisps of smoke going!
2. Dice that bacon and onion. Sauté them in a heavy skillet over medium heat until the bacon is crisp and onions are translucent.
3. Grab a massive mixing bowl. Throw in the Navy beans, applesauce, brown sugar, and molasses.
4. Pour in the BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar. Give it a good stir!
5. Fold in the cooked bacon and onions. Do not leave any of that liquid gold fat behind!
6. Add the Salted Perfection Raleigh Select Blend. This is the secret weapon for that deep, complex flavor!
7. Pour the entire mixture into a 12-inch cast iron skillet or a deep aluminum baking pan.
8. Place the pan on the smoker grates. Leave it uncovered so it can soak up all that incredible smoke flavor.
9. Smoke for 3.5 hours. Stir the beans every 60 minutes to ensure even heat and a perfect glaze.
10. Pull the beans when they are thick, dark, and bubbling around the edges.
11. Let them rest for 10 minutes to thicken up even more. Serve it up proud! DUNZO!