Mesquite-Smoked Sausage with Brisket Beans
Spicy mesquite-smoked sausage served alongside hearty brisket beans, a flavorful pairing inspired by Texas BBQ staples. This bbq & smoked ready in about 150 minutes pairs smoked sausage links, mesquite wood chips, drained canned pinto beans for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs smoked sausage links
- 2 cups mesquite wood chips
- 3 cups drained canned pinto beans
- 1 cup shredded smoked brisket
- 1 cup diced yellow onion
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp chili powder
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat smoker to 225°F and soak 2 cups mesquite wood chips in water for 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Place 2 lbs smoked sausage links on the smoker rack and smoke for 2 hours until heated through and smoky flavor develops.
- Step 3: While sausage smokes, heat a large saucepan over medium heat; add 1 cup diced yellow onion and sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
- Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Stir in 3 cups drained canned pinto beans, 1 cup shredded smoked brisket, 1 cup barbecue sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar, and 1 tsp chili powder.
- Step 6: Simmer the brisket beans mixture over low heat for 20 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally; season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Step 7: Remove sausage from the smoker and slice into 1/2-inch pieces; serve hot alongside brisket beans.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Mesquite-Smoked Sausage with Brisket Beans take to make?
Total time is about 150 minutes (15 min prep + 135 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Mesquite-Smoked Sausage with Brisket Beans?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep smoked sausage links from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Mesquite-Smoked Sausage with Brisket Beans?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Mesquite-Smoked Sausage with Brisket Beans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Mesquite-Smoked Sausage with Brisket Beans?
BBQ & Smoked bbq & smoked like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
