Nothing will take you back to childhood faster than whipping up a batch of Beanie Weenies. Two ingredients, one cast iron skillet, and ten minutes is all it takes to turn a nostalgic favorite into something better than anything from a can.
If you're old enough to remember TV dinners on flimsy metal stand-trays with a remote that was actually attached to your television, then you'll remember this dish. And if you're not, you're in for a tasty treat.
Need more nostalgic recipes? Try our Ground Beef Stew or the Chili Cheese Dog Skillet Bake.
Quick Look at this Recipe
- ✅ Recipe Name: Easy Skillet Beanie Weenies
- 🕒 Ready In: 10 minutes (5 min prep, 5 min cook)
- 👪 Serves: 4 people
- 🥣 Main Ingredients: hot dogs, baked beans
- 📖 Dietary Info: Contains gluten (check labels for GF options)
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: A 10-minute cast iron comfort food classic the whole family will love.
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Why You'll Love Beanie Weenies
- Ready in just 10 minutes. Faster than waiting for delivery and tastier than anything from a can.
- Only 2 main ingredients. Hot dogs and baked beans. That's it. Simple pantry ingredients, big comfort food flavor.
- Cast iron makes it better. The skillet gives you a real sear on the hot dogs, adding flavor you can't get from a microwave or saucepan.
- The whole family will love it. Kids go crazy for it, adults get hit with nostalgia, and everyone asks for seconds.
What Are Beanie Weenies?
The name says it all: beans and weenies, also known as franks and beans. They were originally called franks and beans, but somewhere along the way someone got cutesy with the name and "beanie weenies" was born.
Classically, homemade beanie weenies are made with baked beans. Navy beans are the traditional base for canned baked beans, and that's what most people grew up eating. A simple can of pork and beans in tomato sauce works too, and it's actually closer to the childhood taste many people remember.
Add some sliced hot dogs seared in a cast iron skillet and you've got yourself a meal.
Recipe Ingredients
- Hot dogs: use your favorite brand. Beef, pork, turkey, or plant-based all work. Package sizes vary from 8-count to 10-count, and anywhere from 10 to 16 ounces.
- Baked beans: you can use homemade baked beans like our Skillet Baked Beans with Bacon or canned. Bush's Original or Brown Sugar varieties are popular choices.
See the recipe card below for full measurements and instructions.
How to Make Homemade Beanie Weenies
The process is as simple as it looks: slice, sear, stir, and serve. Heat a cast iron skillet, get some color on the hot dogs, stir in your baked beans, and warm everything through. Ten minutes, start to finish.
Variations
There's literally countless ways to put your own spin on this recipe. It's a delicious, versatile dish that kids love. Here are a few ideas.
- Swap out the hot dogs for smoked sausage, kielbasa, or little smokies for a bolder flavor.
- Use canned pork and beans (VanCamps) instead of baked beans for a more classic childhood taste.
- Stir in brown sugar, ketchup, BBQ sauce, or yellow mustard for a custom sauce.
- Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce to deepen the flavor.
- Toss in diced onion and garlic (or onion powder and garlic powder) for extra savory depth.
- A pinch of cayenne pepper adds a nice kick if you like a little heat.
Keep in mind that tossing in too many extras turns it into a completely different dish. For example, swapping the hot dogs for ground beef and adding onions and bell peppers: well, that's cowboy beans, not beanie weenies.
Expert Tips
- Cast iron gives you the best sear. The heavy pan holds heat evenly and adds a touch of char to the hot dogs that you just can't get from a regular pan.
- Drain the rendered fat. Hot dogs can release a surprising amount of grease when seared. Drain it off before adding the beans.
- Thin if needed. Homemade baked beans can be a bit drier than canned, especially when reheating. Add a splash of ketchup, tomato sauce, chicken broth, or water to loosen things up.
- Drain canned beans if too thin. Canned baked beans tend to be runnier than homemade. Pour off some liquid if you prefer a thicker consistency.
- Add a touch of sweetness. A splash of apple or pineapple juice adds a subtle sweetness that rounds out the flavor.
What to Serve with Beanie Weenies
Beanie weenies are comfort food done right, and the best sides keep it simple. Cornbread is the classic pairing. A green salad or coleslaw adds crunch and freshness. If you want to go all in on the comfort food spread, Dutch Oven Baked Potatoes or Southern Style Creamed Corn round out the plate nicely.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water or broth if it thickens up too much. Microwave works too: cover and stir halfway through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Combine sliced hot dogs and baked beans in a slow cooker and cook on low for 2-4 hours. The stovetop cast iron method is faster (10 minutes), but the slow cooker works well if you want to set it and forget it.
Baked beans are the classic choice. Bush's Original or Brown Sugar varieties are popular canned options. Homemade baked beans work great too. You can also use canned pork and beans in tomato sauce for a more nostalgic, childhood flavor.
Yes. Franks and beans is the original name for the dish. Beanie weenies is a more playful version of the same thing: hot dogs (franks or weenies) combined with baked beans.
Absolutely. Smoked sausage, kielbasa, and little smokies all work well. Smoked sausage adds a bolder, deeper flavor. Use whatever your family enjoys.
Use pork and beans instead of baked beans, since they have less sugar. You can also add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or Dijon mustard to balance the sweetness with savory and tangy flavors.
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Easy Skillet Beanie Weenies
Equipment
- 10-inch cast iron skillet
Ingredients
- 8 hot dogs sliced (see notes)
- 6 cups baked beans (~48 oz of canned beans)
Instructions
- Heat the large skillet (at least 10-inches) over medium high heat.
- Slice the hot dogs and sear them in the hot skillet for just a minute or two, drain any renderings.
- Reduce to medium heat and gently stir in the baked beans.
- Heat thoroughly, stirring occasionally, about 2-4 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Cast iron gives you the best sear. The heavy pan holds heat evenly and adds a touch of char to the hot dogs that you just cannot get from a regular pan.
- Drain the rendered fat. Hot dogs can release a surprising amount of grease when seared. Drain it off before adding the beans.
- Thin if needed. Homemade baked beans can be a bit drier than canned, especially when reheating. Add a splash of ketchup, tomato sauce, chicken broth, or water to loosen things up.
- Drain canned beans if too thin. Canned baked beans tend to be runnier than homemade. Pour off some liquid if you prefer a thicker consistency.
- Add a touch of sweetness. A splash of apple or pineapple juice adds a subtle sweetness that rounds out the flavor.
Nutrition
Dutch Oven Daddy is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Rachna says
This is really so easy to make and super tasty. Perfect for breakfast. The name is so cute as well.
Lily says
This looks too easy! I like easy:) I love pretty much anything that has hot dogs as an ingredient.
Natalie Marie says
Such a fun recipe! Plus, love that it uses a cast iron. I can't wait to make this for my family.
sarah says
OMG was a hit with the kiddos and love using my skillet for recipes.
Mahy says
I've got to admit - it is one of those recipes that I have not tried at home. It certainly looks like something I need to fix ASAP!
Kerri says
This meal is super quick and easy! great for weeknight dinner!
Tavo says
Delicious recipe! Everyone loved it and was perfect for an easy weekday dinner. Thank you!
Beth says
I'm in the UK and have never heard of these before. I think my kids would love them!
Liza says
Beanie Weenie is a perfect easy meal, and my family loves the classic combination of flavors.
Shashi says
This is such an easy and flavor packed meal. And, a skillet would last me a whole 4 dinners!
Patricia says
This is a fun, flavorful and easy dish that I haven't had in a loooong time! What a great food memory that makes a fun meal!
Nikki says
This is a marvelous, quick and easy weeknight meal. Perfect for my family.
Angela says
This recipe takes me back to my childhood! So simple and so delicious!