Franks and beans is an old-fashioned comfort food favorite that combines hot dogs and pork and beans in a sweet, smoky, tangy sauce. Made with simple pantry staples and about 10 minutes of prep, it’s an easy family dinner or budget-friendly cookout side dish that always disappears fast!
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Before You Get Started
A few quick tips will help you make the best batch of franks and beans:
- Pork and beans give the dish its classic flavor, but canned baked beans work just as well.
- Any type of hot dog works here, including all-beef, turkey, or traditional franks.
- Wait until the end to add salt since the hot dogs, beans, and Worcestershire sauce already contribute plenty of seasoning.
How to Make Franks and Beans
This nostalgic recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need something easy and comforting on the table.
Step 1: Sauté the Onion and Bell Pepper
Melt the butter in a large skillet and cook the onion and bell pepper until softened and fragrant. This only takes a few minutes, but it adds a lot of flavor to the finished dish.
** Tip: A small amount of bell pepper adds flavor without overpowering the sauce. If your family isn’t a fan, you can reduce the amount or leave it out entirely.
Step 2: Stir Together the Beans and Franks
Add the sliced hot dogs, pork and beans, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder. Stir everything together until well combined.
At this stage, the sauce should look sweet, glossy, and slightly loose. That’s exactly what you want.
** Tip: For extra smoky flavor, stir in a few slices of cooked, crumbled bacon. If you love barbecue flavors, add a few tablespoons of your favorite BBQ sauce.
Step 3: Transfer to a Baking Dish
Pour the mixture into a baking dish if needed, or simply leave everything right in your oven-safe skillet.
** Tip: A cast iron skillet works especially well because it holds heat beautifully and goes straight from stovetop to oven.
Step 4: Bake Until Hot and Bubbly
Bake uncovered until the beans are bubbling around the edges and the sauce has thickened slightly. Stir the mixture once about halfway through baking so everything cooks evenly.
** Tip: If you’d like a cheesy version, sprinkle shredded cheddar over the top during the last 5 minutes of baking.
Serving Suggestions
One of the best things about franks and beans is how versatile it is. It works as a simple weeknight dinner, but it’s also right at home at a picnic, potluck, or backyard barbecue.
For an easy family meal, serve it with:
If you’re serving it as a cookout side dish, pair it with favorites like burgers, slow cooker pulled pork, and bbq chicken breast.
Hosting a Cookout? My Southern BBQ Recipes collection features more than 20 of our favorites to round out your spread.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
This recipe stores well and reheats beautifully, which makes it a great option for meal prep.
Make Ahead: Assemble the dish up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing: Freeze for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container.
Reheating: Warm leftovers on the stovetop over low heat or microwave individual servings until heated through.
My family’s favorite. Thank you for sharing. Our Pastor loves it too.
– Linda
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between franks and beans and baked beans?
Baked beans are typically served on their own as a side dish, while franks and beans includes sliced hot dogs, making it heartier and more filling.
Can I use baked beans instead of pork and beans?
Absolutely. Baked beans work very well in this recipe and often add a slightly richer flavor.
Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?
Yes. Simply simmer everything together in a large skillet or saucepan for about 15 to 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
Can I make this recipe on the stovetop?
Yes. Simply simmer everything together in a large skillet or saucepan (uncovered) for about 15 to 20 minutes until hot and bubbly.
More Cookout Side Dishes
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Franks and Beans
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 2 tablespoons finely diced onion
- 2 tablespoons finely diced green bell pepper
- 2 (15 ounce) cans pork and beans, liquid on top poured off
- 1 (16 ounce) package hot dogs (frankfurters), sliced into rounds
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
- Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or other herbs; sliced green onion
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell pepper; stir frequently until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the beans, hot dogs, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder.
- Transfer mixture to a 2-quart baking dish.
- Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs or sliced green onions, if desired.
- Serve as a side dish at a cookout or picnic, or offer as a main course with a side of cornbread, rice, or biscuits.
Notes
- Pork and beans or baked beans both work well.
- Any type of hot dog can be used, including beef, turkey, or smoked sausage.
- Add cooked bacon for extra smoky flavor.
- Stir in a few tablespoons of BBQ sauce for a richer sauce.
- Reduce the brown sugar to ¼ cup for a less sweet dish.
- Add a pinch of cayenne or a dash of hot sauce for heat.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar on top during the last 5 minutes of baking.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheat with a splash of water if needed.
Nutrition
Originally published in November, 2023, this post was updated in July, 2026.
This makes my mouth water just reading it! I just want to encourage everyone to slice the hotdogs a second time horizontally if young children will be eating them. Hotdogs are a choking hazard, especially for children under four.
Great reminder, Susan. Thank you!
Would it be a good shortcut by using Bushes Baked Beans instead of some of those other ingredients? I am going to try that. Leaving out the Worcestershire sauce, the mustard, and the brown sugar. I think it will be okay.
We would love to know how it turns out if you give it a try!
I meant to say vertically, not horizontally. They have already been sliced horizontally.
My family’s favorite. Thank you for sharing. Our Pastor loves it to.
We’re so happy to hear this, Linda!
Hi! Thank you for your recipe. The beans and franks were yummy! However, the proportions seem off. I altered the recipe to make four servings. Which means I used five hot dogs, and planned to use one 16 oz can of vegetarian baked beans; 15 oz cans aren’t available in the brand of baked beans I use. One can was not enough, and therefore I added a second 16 oz can of vegetarian baked beans. The altered recipe was just enough for two people. However, unless one is serving this as a side, or, is serving people with small appetites, the recipe as posted would feed two, possibly three people as a main entree, although I would add a second can of beans. One would need to double the amount of hot dogs, and quadruple the amount of beans, to adequately serve four people, and use 3 packs of hot dogs and six cans of beans to serve six people. I will try the recipe again, with the proposed changes.
Thanks for your feedback! I’m glad that you were able to make it work the way that you wanted it to. Definitely feel free to adjust the proportions to suit your taste and appetites! Glad that you enjoyed the dish. 🙂
I haven’t made this yet, but I appreciate your comments on the number of servings.
When I think that a typical package of hot dogs has 8 dogs in it, and most people (including kids) will eat at least 2 hot dogs, think the full recipe, would only be good for about 3-4 people, as you suggested. I’m glad I read your comment before planning how much to make for a crowd this weekend!
Hi, Blair.
I tried the recipe again. This time, I followed the instructions above for six servings. It was yummy! The two changes I made was adding a bit of chili sauce, and used white pepper instead of black pepper. 🙂
We’re glad you were able to make it work for you and that you enjoyed it! Thank you for taking the time to leave feedback.
I tried this recipe tonight. It was good. But im glad I only used 1/4 cup of sugar. I think next time I’ll cut that a little more. It was sweet. But I’ll be making it again. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us.
Thank you for the feedback, Barbara! We’re glad you still enjoyed the recipe.