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Franks and Beans is an easy one-pot or slow cooker main course or side dish with tender beans, and a hint of sweetness thanks to brown sugar and molasses. Add in some hot dogs, and even some ground beef too, for a bite that’s so comforting you know you’ll be back for seconds.
Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Made these for Memorial Day. It completely filled up my crock pot. That was a good thing because it is so delicious I didn’t want to run out. These were so yummy and a perfect combination of beans and flavors. Got my hot dog craving too! Thanks!“
— Debbie
The flavors of a backyard barbecue are some of my favorite. Especially living in Florida, I’m able to barbecue all year round! My family loves Cowboy Beans, and this is a spin on that classic recipe. Truth be told, how I developed this Frank and Beans recipe is a total coincidence.
This recipe really started on a day I was making cowboy beans, and there was no bacon (GASP- I am pretty sure that is a sin) to be found in the house! Don’t you just hate it when you are missing an ingredient? I had been to the store a bazillion times already that week and vowed not to go back. Gotta get creative when that happens.
I had some hot dogs and decided to add them instead of the bacon, and wow, my son and his friends were hooked! I made the recipe in the slow cooker for simplicity, but you an easily make it on the stovetop in a skillet too. They loved the recipe; there wasn’t a spoonful left. Now this has become a staple recipe for picnics and large gatherings; everyone loves it!
Serve with Broccoli Bacon Salad or Classic Macaroni Salad for a delicious meal.
Reader Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Upscale beanie weenies…..count me in!!!”
— Liz
Why you’ll love this Recipe
These Franks and Beans, or baked beans with hot dogs, are a true keeper. They’ll be a favorite among both kids and adults. Whether you serve them as a side dish or as a main course with a slice of cornbread, they’re a twist on Cowboy Beans in the best way.
❥ 10 ingredient recipe. No hassle here, most of the ingredients I already keep in my pantry on a regular basis anyway.
❥Affordable dish for a crowd. If you are feeding a large group, these hot dog baked beans will be a winner both with taste and price point!
❥ Versatile for serving. Serve as a main course or a side dish, depending on the occasion. We’ve served it both ways in our home.
❥Make in a slow cooker or on the stovetop in a pot. Either way, the prep time is a quick 10 minutes, and then you can let the baked beans with hot dogs simmer away.
NikkiIngredients
- Hot Dogs – I use all beef, buy your favorite brand.
- Lean ground beef – Lean is best, so your beans aren’t greasy.
- Sweet onion – Adds nice vegetable richness.
- Light brown sugar -Gives a hint of sweetness to contrast the rich, smoky flavors.
- Ketchup – Nice tomatoey base that’s key to delicious beans.
- Yellow mustard – Adds tang to balance the sweetness.
- Molasses or maple syrup – A little bit adds depth of flavor and a touch more sweetness.
- Baked beans – Buy the canned baked beans here for ease. I like Bush’s Original.
- Pinto beans and white beans – My preference for the beans for this recipe. I like Great Northern as the white bean variety.
How To Make Franks and Beans
✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!
How to Make Franks and Beans
Step 1 | Cook the ground beef and hot dogs
In a Ninja 3-in-1 Cooker (this has a stove top feature) or skillet, fry the onion and hamburger meat until almost done. Drain if needed and add hot dogs. Fry until the hot dogs are hot and have some color. Note: I used lean ground round and did not need to drain.
Step 2 | Add the beans
To the crock pot, add beans. Then add brown sugar, ketchup, mustard & molasses. Stir. Put on the lid and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
Variations and Substitutions
- Make them spicy! Add cayenne, diced green chiles, or jalapeno for some heat.
- Swap the hot dog for sausages. Use kielbasa or any cooked and smoked sausage you please.
- Stir in some fruit if you wish. Adding in chopped canned peaches or even apples: yep, you read right, this is a thing with franks and beans that so many people love.
Expert Tips
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet first. You want to fully cook the beef through before adding it to the slow cooker.
- Sear the hot dogs before adding into the crock pot. This is also a key step to add some additional flavor to the beans.
- Add bacon for smokiness. Chop and brown the bacon first if you plan to use it. Then continue on with the recipe by browning the beef.
- Make these franks and beans on the stovetop. Just use a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot. Simmer all the ingredients for up to an hour, adding water or stock as needed to reach the desired consistency.
What to Serve with Hot Dogs and Baked Beans
Whatever the occasion, there are many options for what to serve with these beans. Here are some of my family’s favorites:
FAQs
Onion, ketchup, mustard, and all sorts of spices like chili powder, smoked paprika, even cumin or cayenne.
Beanie Weenies is another common phrase used for this recipe.
I love serving them corn on the cob, salad, potato salad, and any grilled protein like ribs, chicken, or steak.
No, I love the combination, but you can double up on the hot dogs and leave off the ground beef for a more traditional version of franks and beans.
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Franks and Beans (Baked Beans and Hot Dogs)
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Ingredients
- 16 ounces hot dogs - sliced, (12 to 16 oz) I use all beef
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ cup sweet onion - diced
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
- ½ cup molasses or maple syrup
- 55 ounces baked beans - Bush’s Original
- 3 cans pinto beans - 15 ounce cans
- 3 cans white beans - great northern
Instructions
- In a skillet or Ninja 3-in-1 cooker, saute onion & lean ground beef. When the hamburger is about halfway done, add in sliced hot dogs. If using a skillet, transfer the meat to the crockpot after it is done cooking.
- To the slow cooker, add beans. Then add brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and molasses. Stir until combined.
- Put on the lid and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
Notes
- Store any leftover baked beans with hot dogs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave for a few minutes until warmed through.
- You can freeze the beans, too. Place the cooled beans into an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- This is also the perfect recipe to make in advance. The flavors actually get better with time, so I often make it the day before.
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Made it once before. Making it again today. Family enjoys it.
I love to hear that your family enjoyed it!
Made these for Memorial Day. It completely filled up my crock pot. That was a good thing because it is so delicious I didn’t want run out. These were so yummy and a perfect combination of beans and flavors. Got my hot dog craving too! Thanks!
Yes, this will feed a crowd for sure! We love the flavor added with the hot dogs and hamburger. Makes for a complete meal if you want. It’s also so good leftover (if you have any left 😉 )
I love the cowboy bean recipe just as it is. I was wondering if it would ruin them if I added a small can of chopped green chilies?
I haven’t made with green chilis, but that sounds delicious to me! Let me know if you try it.
Fantastic
Thank you, Gwendolyn!
I made the Hot Dog & Hamburger Cowboy Beans. As it is only my wife and I, I had to adjust the recipe for just 4 servings. Also I made some substitutions and a couple of additions. Again adjust for just 4 servings. I used little smokies instead of hot dogs. I added a table spoon of Worchester Sause and 1/2 tsp of sage along with a little salt and pepper. Turned out great.
Thank you so much, Sam! I am glad you enjoyed it!
Sam, you shouldn’t rate any recipe if you change it. Too many ppl want to get on the internet and make changes to a recipe then give it a 5 star rating. You aren’t rating the recipe that is posted 5 stars. You are rating your recipe 5 stars. This recipe is great the way it is. If you must make changes to a recipe then why not post your own recipe. I give this recipe 5 stars because it tastes great without any changes. Thank you Nikki Lee for a great recipe. I will use this as a go to for all my cookouts…
THANK YOU for posting this comment. OMG. People dropping comments and then rating their own recipe.
It’s cooking now, I did cheat, I added hickory smoked bacon. Can’t wait to try it! ?
Hickory smoked bacon will be amazing in these. I hope you enjoy!
Sounds great.I was wondering if I could make this on top of the stove?I don’t have a crock pot.Thanks
Absolutely. Just get the beans to a slow boil and then turn down to med low and cook until the flavors come together. I would say about an hour or so.
can this be frozen???
I have not tried to freeze this, but I would think it would freeze just fine!
Upscale beanie weenies…..count me in!!!
I never had this growing up but found it later in life. I LOVE this dish! Can’t wait to try yours!
Thank you Denise! My husband grew up with it more than I did. We ate baked beans more, but my kids liked it from time to time. They love this one! I hope you enjoy this version!
I love accidents like this. LOL They always turn out so delicious in the end. These look amazing!!!
It’s always good when they turn out a success 🙂 Thank you so much!
HI! This receipe looks delicious! I received an instant pot for Christmas and was wondering if you had any clue as to how I would make this in it?! Thank you !
Honestly I have not tried canned beans in the instant pot yet. I will have to test that out soon. I would maybe try the directions starting with the saute feature and you could use the slow cook feature as directed in the recipe. If you want it quick maybe use the Bean/Chili button. Please let me know how they turn out! Thanks for stopping by Renee! I look forward to creating more recipes for the IP and will def be testing this one soon!
3 summer picnic favorites in one dish!! What a terrific idea!
Thank you Liz! They are always crowd pleasing!
I love how you got creative to avoid a trip to the store–I do that ALL the time, and it is wonderful when it turns into something magical–like this!
I was so glad because I wasn’t going back again lol.
Your hot dog and hamburger cowboy beans certainly don’t look like they need bacon. Your son is so lucky to have such a great cook for his mommy =)
Thank you so much! They did turn out yummy! Us moms have to get creative when we don’t want to go back to the store again 😉
Do you drain the beans???
No just pour them in as is! Enjoy!
I’m a dingle guy and I do it all in a skillet with a can of plain pinto beans, 1/4 pound extra lean Hamburg , 3 sliced 97% fat free hot dogs, salt pepper and Accent. I’m even too lazy or hungry for the onion. The water from then beans makes intoxicating gravy in the pan . I can be eating in 10 minutes and it’s better than anything you can order out.
Sounds so delicious!