This Beanie Weenies recipe is a classic, old-fashioned, comforting dish that’s popular with both kids and adults! You’ll love this elevated flavorful take on a childhood favorite. Serve it as a quick and easy weeknight dinner, or as a delicious potluck or BBQ side dish.
Beanie Weenies
This homemade Beanie Weenie recipe is simple, comforting, and flavorful. It’s made with Bush’s original baked beans and dressed up with a homemade sauce that’s a delicious blend of ketchup, smoky BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar. This combination creates a sweet, tangy, and smoky flavor that’s truly irresistible. The addition of all-beef hot dogs, sauteed onions, and fresh garlic adds even more flavor to this dish.
Simmering this dish on low turns it into a flavorful, filling, and satisfying meal that’s perfect for a potluck or BBQ. Plus, it’s easy to double the recipe for a larger gathering. This recipe is a breeze to pull together, and it’s sure to be a family favorite.
Whether you call it “Beanie Weenies,” “Franks and Beans,” or “Hot Dogs and Beans,” this dish is a classic favorite that’s loved by both kids and adults. It’s a hearty meal that’s quick and easy to prepare, making it the perfect choice for a busy weeknight dinner. But don’t be fooled by its simplicity, this dish packs a punch in terms of flavor!
You might have seen the canned version of this on supermarket shelves, but I promise you, our homemade version is so much more satisfying. And it’s so easy to make, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for the store-bought kind.
This Beanie Weenies recipe is versatile and can be served so many ways. Have it as a main course, or serve it as part of a larger meal. It pairs wonderfully with a side of vinegar coleslaw, some Velveeta mac and cheese, or a light green salad. However you choose to serve it, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit with the entire family, even the picky eaters.
If you love baked beans, be sure to check out our super popular baked beans with ground beef recipe and Crockpot baked beans recipe. They have tons of 5-star reviews!
Ingredients
Olive Oil: This is the fat we’re using to saute the onion and garlic. Feel free to swap this for your favorite cooking oil.
Beef Hot Dogs: I find that beef hot dogs have a more savory and richer flavor than pork hot dogs, and I think they taste a lot better in this recipe. Feel free to use your favorite type of hot dog though. Pork hot dogs, chicken hot dogs, and turkey hot dogs will all work, too.
Baked Beans: Canned baked beans are the base of this dish. They add a sweet and tangy flavor, and are filling enough to stretch a pack of hot dogs into a full meal for several people.
Onion and Garlic: These two ingredients add depth of flavor to the dish. Onion adds a slightly sweet and savory flavor, while garlic adds an aromatic flavor.
Brown Sugar, Ketchup, Barbecue Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce, and Mustard: This combination creates a sweet, tangy, smoky, and slightly tangy sauce that pairs perfectly with the hot dogs and beans.
Salt and Pepper: Salt enhances the other flavors in this dish, while the spice in pepper helps balance out the sweet and rich flavors.
How To Make Beanie Weenies
Prepare The Skillet: Start by heating up some olive oil in a large skillet. (See the recipe card below for the full printable instructions.)
Saute The Onion: Add in the diced onions and cook until they soften.
Add The Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and saute until aromatic.
Brown The Hot Dogs: Add the hot dogs to the skillet. Saute, stirring occasionally, until they start to brown.
Create The Sauce: Mix in the brown sugar, ketchup, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard. Stir until well combined.
Add The Baked Beans: Pour the baked beans into the skillet. Mix them gently with the other ingredients.
Season And Simmer: Mix in some salt and pepper to taste. Let the mixture simmer on low heat.
Rest And Serve: Let the Beanie Weenies rest for a few minutes before serving to let all the flavors meld together and give the sauce a chance to thicken. See the recipe card below for the full written instructions, including ingredient amounts, cooking times, and helpful tips, etc.
Pro Tips
- Adjust the sauce to your liking. If you like it sweeter, increase the brown sugar. If you like it tangier, add more mustard or Worcestershire sauce.
- Stir the ingredients occasionally as they cook to prevent them from sticking to the pan.
- Letting them rest for a bit after cooking allows the flavors to meld together and gives the sauce a chance to thicken slightly.
- Add a dash of hot sauce for a sweet and spicy twist.
Slow Cooker Instructions
If you’d like to try a different cooking method, this recipe can be adapted for the slow cooker. Just saute the onions, garlic, and hot dogs as directed, then transfer to a slow cooker. Add the remaining ingredients, mix, cover, and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours.
What Is Beanie Weenies Made Out Of?
Beanie Weenies is made of canned baked beans, hot dogs, and a flavorful homemade sauce. It’s a simple and hearty dish that’s full of flavor.
What Is Another Name For Beanie Weenies?
Beanie Weenies is also known as “Franks and Beans” or “Hot Dogs and Beans”. Whatever you call it, it’s a delicious, comforting, and hearty recipe that both kids and adults love.
What Do People Eat With Beanie Weenies?
Enjoy Beanie Weenies on its own or serve it with a side of coleslaw for pulled pork, a slice of sweet potato cornbread, a side of mashed potatoes without milk, a delicious copycat Popeyes biscuit, some 5-star baked mac and cheese with Velveeta, or even a pickle spear. I love serving it with a pickle because the tanginess of the pickle really balances out the richness of the Beanie Weenies, so it creates a delicious contrast.
Can I Make Beanie Weenies Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely! Beanie Weenies is a great dish to prepare ahead of time. You can cook it the day before, let it cool down, then store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just reheat it on the stove or in the microwave.
Storing And Freezing Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can store it in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw it in the fridge overnight, then reheat on the stove or in the microwave.
Keep In Touch
I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime
Side Dish Recipes
If you like this recipe, be sure to check out all of our other side dishes. Some reader favorites are:
- Baked Beans with Ground Beef
- Pioneer Woman Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Crockpot Baked Beans
- Jiffy Cornbread with Creamed Corn
- How to Make Jiffy Cornbread Better
BEST Homemade Beanie Weenies Recipe (Quick and Easy)
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 14 ounce package of beef hot dogs sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 3 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons ketchup
- 3 Tablespoons barbecue sauce (I used a smoky BBQ sauce)
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 Tablespoon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 16 ounce cans baked beans
Instructions
- Begin by heating the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onions to the pan. Cook until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and stir. Saute until aromatic, about 1 minute, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.
- To the same pan, add the sliced hot dogs. Continue cooking over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the hot dogs start to brown slightly, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add the brown sugar, ketchup, barbecue sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and mustard to the pan. Stir to thoroughly mix everything. Allow the mixture to cook for about 2-3 minutes until it starts to bubble.
- Next, pour in the canned baked beans along with the sauce. Stir the mixture gently to combine, making sure all the ingredients are well mixed. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and allow the mixture to simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and let the beanie weenies rest uncovered for about 10 minutes before serving. This helps thicken the sauce and enhances the flavors.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
This old-fashioned Beanie Weenies recipe is so simple yet delicious! It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or as a hearty side dish.
