There’s nothing like Beans And Franks when you want delicious comfort food without a lot of time or effort.
I love beans and franks, but I will admit to having taken the quick and easy way out when making them in the past. You know, slicing hot dogs into a pot with a can of baked beans and letting it heat up on the stove without doing anything else. Sure, it tasted fine, but fine isn’t always good enough.
The proof of that is when you taste the finished product that you get from this recipe. There’s a magic that happens while the beans and sliced hot dogs bake in the oven. The flavors have a chance to meld in ways they don’t when cooked on the stove.
I often “doctor” my baked beans with maple syrup or coconut sugar, and you can absolutely 100% use one of those instead of brown sugar. If you love molasses, feel free to substitute that. You can even use this Mustard Barbecue Sauce as a substitute for ketchup and mustard in the recipe. Every subtle change adds a new dimension to the dish’s flavor profile.
You can even make Baked Beans from scratch to use in this recipe. If you do, add your sliced hot dogs to these beans, omitting the other ingredients (since they are already included), and proceed with step 4 below. You can even mix your beans by using any combination of pinto, navy, and cannellini beans, if desired.
Why we love baked beans and hot dogs
One stroll down the grocery store aisles addresses our fixation with baked beans and hot dogs. If you spend any amount of time in the canned vegetables aisle, you will see numerous brands of baked beans of all sorts: vegetarian, low-sodium, low-sugar, with pork, country style, homestyle, BBQ, and even spicy. Next, head to the refrigerated hot dog section, where you will find an equally diverse selection of options, including chicken, turkey, beef, pork, combination, vegan, organic, nitrate-free, and other choices.
So why this obsession with these foods? For starters, they are comfort foods that often remind us of our childhoods. They combine salty, savory, and sweet to maximize our taste sensations. There is also a certain level of historical significance, especially in New England (Boston baked beans). This recipe is also an affordable way to provide a hearty meal for your family, and with its versatile ingredients, it allows you to customize it to your taste. Besides, it’s so quick and easy to make that you’ll spend less time in the kitchen.
How do I store leftovers?
Allow leftover beans and franks to cool to room temperature before refrigerating in an airtight container for up to 4 days. This recipe is also great for freezing after it has been chilled. Transfer your leftovers to freezer-safe containers or zippered bags and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating in the oven, microwave, or on the stove.
Serving suggestions
My favorite way to serve beans and franks is with some cornbread, and I have a few excellent options to share with you, including Sweet Potato Cornbread, Cornbread With Creamed Corn, and Cornbread Casserole. Add a crispy Spring Salad or Spinach Salad to incorporate some fresh vegetables into the meal.
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup chopped onion
- 2 14-ounce cans baked beans
- 6 turkey hot dogs sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ketchup
- 1 1/2 teaspoons yellow mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
- 2 slices bacon cooked and crumbled, optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the chopped onion and sauté until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the baked beans and the sliced turkey hot dogs. Mix in the brown sugar, ketchup, yellow mustard, and celery salt until everything is well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe casserole dish. If using, sprinkle bacon bits on top. Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
- Remove from the oven and serve warm. Enjoy a hearty, healthy twist on a classic favorite.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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