Our baked version of franks and beans in a rich, homemade sauce is loved by adults and kids alike. Kid-friendly, easy, and with fantastic flavor, this beans and weenies recipe is the dish you love, but better! Baking brings out all the mouth-watering flavors of this yummy family favorite.
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Time needed
It'll just take 5-10 minutes to chop the onion and franks and to mix your ingredients, then about 90 minutes to bake in the oven.
Ingredients needed to make Franks and Beans
- onion
- ketchup
- molasses
- brown sugar
- mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
- canned baked beans
- beef franks
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make Franks and Beans
Chop half of the hot dogs length-wise. Chop the remaining hot dogs length-wise.
Tip - If you are feeding small kids, slice the hot dogs in half length-wise before chopping cross-wise for smaller pieces.
In a medium bowl, mix together the chopped franks, chopped onion, ketchup, molasses, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Add beans and stir to blend. Lots of beanie weenies recipes would call for heating this mixture on the stove, but our slow-baked version is worth the wait.
Pour the beans and franks mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish and bake in a 300°F oven for 1 hour. Arrange sliced franks on the beans cut side down; bake an additional 30 minutes.
Storage
Baked Franks and Beans is a family-favorite in our house, so it never lasts long enough to worry about how long to store them. If you have leftovers, store them in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
FAQ
What kind of franks should I use?
I prefer to use Nathan's or Kirkland Signature all beef hot dogs (I sometimes substitute Hebrew National). Taste-testers at the Washington Post agree, rating Nathan's and Costco's Kirkland Signature brand of all-beef hot dogs (the ones served at Costco snack bars and sold only in Costco stores) the top brands. These brands of hot dogs result in baked beans and franks with rich beefy flavor, deep reddish-brown color, and just the right texture.
Can I make Franks and Beans in a slow cooker?
Although the long, slow cooking method makes it tempting to make beans and franks in the slow cooker, I do not recommend it. It is the dry heat of the oven that gives the dish the best texture and flavor, and the moisture trapped in when using a crock pot will not yield the same result.
Where did Beans and Franks come from?
Beans have long been cooked with meat for flavor, and in 1894, Van Camp's introduced canned pork and beans in tomato sauce (as a producer of catsup, this was a natural progression for Van Camp's to add tomato sauce to the plain canned pork and beans they had originally produced for the Union during the Civil War). In the 20th century, cooks began to upgrade basic pork and beans to a more flavorful version with more of a barbecue-style sauce.
What kind of baked beans should I use?
I most often use Bush's Vegetarian Baked Beans, but you can substitute another brand or style if you prefer.
What goes with Franks and Beans?
A side salad is my preferred dish to serve with Franks and Beans (we eat salad almost every night), but any frozen vegetable that your family enjoys will make a nice side dish. Seasoned green beans takes only a few minutes and is a tasty addition to the meal.
Is this Franks and Beans recipe gluten-free?
Canned baked beans may contain flavorings that are not gluten-free, and Worcestershire sauce can contain soy sauce, which is not gluten-free. Verify that both your Worcestershire sauce and your canned beans are free of wheat ingredients.
The Wizard's™ Organic Gluten Free Vegan Worcestershire (affiliate link) is a good choice for those on a gluten-free diet, and Bush's brand baked beans are gluten-free.
Recipe
Homemade Franks and Beans
Ingredients
- 1 chopped onion
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup molasses
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 28 ounces canned baked beans, in sauce
- 12 beef franks
Instructions
- Slice 6 of the 12 beef franks lengthwise and set aside.
- Slice the remaining 6 beef franks crosswise in bite size pieces.
- Mix together franks sliced crosswise, 1 chopped onion, ½ cup ketchup, ¼ cup molasses, 2 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon mustard, and ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. Add 28 ounces canned baked beans and stir to blend.
- Turn mixture into a 2 quart casserole dish and bake at 300°F for 1 hour.
- Arrange the 6 franks sliced lengthwise on the beans, cut side down; bake 30 minutes longer.
Notes
Nutrition per serving
Jenny
Making this for dinner right now. Looks delicious, just like I had growing up, One addition we sliced the hot dogs and put a slice of cheese or shredded cheese on top. Yummy. Thanks for sharing.
enerzen2459186
New to the website and the Franks & Beans recipe is a family favorite now. We had it on toast with a poached egg to stretch out the servings. Love your method of meal planning. Your system is helping me manage inflation and supply management issues out there. Thank you for making a difference and helping me feed my family.
Mary Ann
Thank you so much for the kind comments—I'm so glad you find the tips helpful!