Franks and Beans – Immaculate Bites

Franks and Beans Recipe – Sweet and savory homemade franks and beans are a fun dinner the whole family will love. I dare you to resist seconds!

Franks and beans, sometimes called beanie weenies, is an irresistible dish. Is it the height of culinary elegance? Maybe not, but when kids and adults alike clean their plates, I call that a home cook win. 👍

Plus, it’s pretty darn simple. Precooked or canned beans speed up the cooking process. So it’s a matter of sauteing a few ingredients, stirring everything, and then letting it simmer in a Dutch oven. 

Why Homemade Franks and Beans Are the Bomb

We’re not talking about canned franks and beans here. Whether you use canned or dry beans, this homemade version enjoys a whole host of sauces and spices that create a complex flavor profile. Rich, savory, and just the right amount of sweetness.

What You Need

1. Bacon adds depth of flavor, saltiness, and some delicious grease to saute the aromatics. A bit of butter doesn’t hurt either. 
2. Beans – Cooked navy beans work for this recipe, but so do great northern beans, cannellini beans, or a similar white bean.
3. Sauce – Bell pepper, garlic, onion, thyme, and S&P add texture and flavor to this dish. Thyme, chili powder, and smoked paprika spice it up. Then ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, molasses, and chicken broth deliver an exceptional balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.
4. Franks – Slice up about six beef hot dogs for this recipe. But any variety will do: pork, chicken, turkey, it’s all good.

How to Make Franks and Beans

Prep Ingredients

• Cook Bacon in a large skillet or Dutch oven on medium heat until crispy. Take the bacon out of the skillet and place it on a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Leave 1-2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan. (Photos 1-2)
• Season – Add the butter and let it melt. Then add chopped onion, minced garlic, thyme, and diced bell pepper. Sauté over medium heat until the vegetables soften, 4-5 minutes. (Photos 3-4)
• Spice – Add chili powder and smoked paprika and stir for a minute or two until fragrant.

Assemble

• Stir in the beans, then add the hot dogs, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Pour in the chicken broth. Stir well. (Photos 5-6)
• Simmer – Heat the mixture until it starts to boil. Simmer on low for 15-20 minutes so the flavors meld, stirring occasionally.
• Serve – Before serving, stir in the crumbled bacon. Serve with your favorite coleslaw and a side of cornbread.

Recipe Variations

1. Feel free to add different vegetables, like celery or carrots, to add variety. Some even add pineapple chunks, which sounds delicious!
2. Leave out the hot dogs, and you’ll still have tasty baked beans. In fact, omit the hot dogs, swap the chicken stock for vegetable broth, and this dish becomes plant-based.
3. Protein swap. About any smoked meat tastes great here. Smoked ham, for example, though you might need to change the dish’s name to “meat and beans.” 😜 

Tips and Tricks

1. If it becomes too thick, add chicken stock or water a little at a time until it reaches the desired consistency.
2. Make sure the heat isn’t too high when simmering. Otherwise, the beans and franks might stick to the bottom and burn. Stirring occasionally will let you know if things start sticking. 
3. Got leftover hot dogs from your last cookout? This is a great way to use them! 🙌

Make-Ahead Instructions

You can make this a day ahead and reheat it on the stove or freeze it for future use. For longer storage, let it cool completely and freeze it in a freezer ziplock bag or container for up to 2-3 months.

Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Then, heat it on the stovetop over low heat.

Serving and Storage Instructions 

Serve this classic comfort food hot off the stove. Refrigerate leftover franks and beans in an airtight container for 3-4 days. 

What Goes With Franks and Beans

Serve with your favorite coleslaw and a side of cornbread or biscuits. I like to pair it with Mexican cornbread because the spicy notes pair well with the sweetness of the franks and beans.  

More Yummy Bean Recipes to Try

1. Ham Hock and Beans
2. Three Bean Salad
3. Southern Baked Beans
4. African Black Bean Stew
5. Southern Lima Beans