Easy Hot Dogs and Beans

Here’s my go-to hot dogs and beans recipe, combining classic canned beans with perfectly cooked hot dogs, a touch of brown sugar, and just enough seasonings to make it taste like home.

This dish has been my kids’ favorite weeknight dinner for years now. I usually make a big batch so we can have it for lunch the next day. Nothing better than comfort food that tastes even better reheated, right?

What Kind of Hot Dogs Should I Use?

When it comes to hot dogs, you’ve got quite a few options at the grocery store. All-beef hot dogs tend to have the best flavor and texture for this type of recipe, but turkey or chicken dogs work well too if you’re looking for a lighter option. Since we’re slicing the hot dogs to mix into the beans, you’ll want to pick a brand that’s firm enough to hold its shape without falling apart – brands like Hebrew National, Nathan’s, or Oscar Mayer are solid choices. Just keep in mind that kosher hot dogs tend to be more flavorful and have a better meat-to-filler ratio than budget varieties, though any hot dog you enjoy eating on its own will work fine in this recipe.

Options for Substitutions

This classic comfort dish is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps. Here are some substitutions you can try:

• Bacon: Turkey bacon works well for a lighter option, or you can use diced ham. If you’re going meat-free, you can skip it, but you might want to add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to cook the onions.
• BBQ sauce: Out of BBQ sauce? Mix equal parts ketchup and brown sugar, plus a dash of liquid smoke if you have it. Regular yellow mustard with a bit of honey works too.
• Pineapple: Fresh pineapple works just as well as canned. You can also skip it or use diced apple for a different sweet kick.
• Hot dogs: Any type of hot dog works here – beef, turkey, or even plant-based. Sliced smoked sausage or kielbasa make good alternatives too.
• Dry mustard: Regular yellow mustard works fine – use 1 tablespoon to replace the dry mustard.
• Baked beans: While baked beans are key here, you can use any style – original, vegetarian, or even plain navy beans (just add extra brown sugar and seasonings to taste).

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest challenge when making hot dogs and beans is getting the bacon just right – cooking it until barely crisp (not burnt) gives you the perfect pieces to mix in while leaving enough delicious bacon fat to sauté your onions. A common error is dumping all the ingredients in at once, instead of layering the flavors – start by cooking the bacon and onions, then add your sauces and seasonings to bloom their flavors before mixing in the beans and hot dogs. The third mistake to avoid is cooking the mixture at too high a heat, which can cause the beans to stick to the bottom and burn; instead, maintain a gentle simmer and stir occasionally to let all the flavors meld together. For the best results, give the dish at least 20-30 minutes of simmering time to allow the sauce to thicken and the hot dogs to absorb all those tasty flavors.

What to Serve With Hot Dogs and Beans?

This hearty dish is perfect for backyard gatherings and casual dinners, and there are lots of simple sides that go great with it! A classic coleslaw adds a nice crunch and coolness that balances out the sweet and savory beans. For a complete cookout feel, put out some potato chips, pickle spears, or a basic macaroni salad – these easy sides let the main dish shine without competing for attention. You can also toss together a quick green salad with ranch dressing if you want to add some fresh vegetables to the meal. Since this dish already has lots of flavor going on with the bacon, pineapple, and BBQ sauce, keeping the sides simple is the way to go.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: This hearty hot dogs and beans dish will stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days when kept in an airtight container. The flavors actually get even better after a day or two as everything melds together nicely!

Freeze: Good news – this dish freezes really well! Put it in a freezer-safe container and it’ll keep for up to 3 months. Just leave a bit of space at the top since it might expand slightly when frozen.

Warm Up: When you’re ready to eat your leftovers, warm them up in the microwave, stirring every minute or so until heated through. You can also reheat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. If it seems a bit thick after storage, just add a splash of water while reheating.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	60-70 minutes
Total Time	70-85 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2200-2500
• Protein: 60-70 g
• Fat: 100-120 g
• Carbohydrates: 300-350 g

Ingredients

• 10 slices of bacon
• 1/2 white onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup tomato ketchup
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup bbq sauce
• 20 ounces canned, drained crushed pineapple
• 1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 5 hot dogs, sliced
• 56 ounces canned baked beans with brown sugar (2 cans)

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F.

This ensures it’s hot and ready to go when you’re ready to bake the dish.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

Place a large skillet over medium heat.

Once heated, add the bacon and cook it until it’s crispy, which should take about 8 minutes.

Once cooked, remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain, but keep the bacon grease in the pan as it will add flavor to the dish.

Step 3: Saute the Onion and Combine with Bacon

Add the onion to the skillet with the bacon grease.

Saute the onion until it becomes softened and translucent, approximately 5 minutes.

Dice the previously cooked bacon and add it back into the skillet with the sautéed onions, mixing them thoroughly.

Step 4: Add Sauce Ingredients and Simmer

To the skillet, add ketchup, brown sugar, barbeque sauce, crushed pineapple, Worcestershire sauce, ground mustard, and chili powder.

Stir the ingredients together and let them simmer for 5 minutes to merge all the flavors.

Add sliced hot dogs and baked beans to the mixture, stirring to combine well.

Step 5: Transfer to Baking Dish and Bake

Once everything is mixed, transfer the contents of the skillet into a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish, ensuring it is evenly spread out.

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and cook for 1 hour, or until the mixture is hot and bubbling.

Step 6: Serve Warm

Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and let it cool slightly.

Serve the dish warm to enjoy the full array of flavors.