Beanie Weenies

The name “beanie weenies” may make everyone giggle, but this dish is seriously homey, economical and flavorful when it comes to family dinner. The satisfying meal warms the belly on cold evenings and also makes an easy weeknight dinner. Plus, it tastes even better as leftovers—whether eaten cold or warmed up for lunch or a midnight snack.

What are beanie weenies?

Of the many traditions in New Hampshire and New England, one that’s fondly remembered by many is the Saturday night supper of beanies and weenies. Also known as franks and beans (or beans ‘n’ franks), the meal of sliced hot dogs and baked beans could be counted on to be flavorful, filling  and—perhaps most importantly—inexpensive.

The dish is easy to customize by adding ingredients like mustard, brown sugar, ketchup or half a chopped onion to the simmering baked beans. Some families continue to make homemade baked beans the old-fashioned way—cooking them for hours over low heat—but many rely on canned baked beans for a fuss-free dinner.

The classic side to this weekend supper is a slice of brown bread, also known as Boston brown bread. The dense, dark brown loaf is sweetened with molasses, which works so well with the beans and hot dogs. While brown bread can be baked from scratch, many families choose the time-saving canned brown bread made by B&M, a baked beans company.

Ingredients for Beanie Weenies

• Baked beans: Our pick is maple and bacon-flavored canned beans, although brown sugar, onion or no-sugar-added varieties would also be tasty.
• Hot dogs: Slice up some weenies from your favorite hot dog brand and brown them before adding them to the beans.
• Brown bread: The molasses-sweetened canned bread in a can (you heard that right—bread in a can) is often stocked near the baked beans at the grocery store. B&M is the most well-known brand.
• Butter: Cooking the sliced hot dogs in a little butter makes them brown and flavorful.

Directions

Step 1: Warm the brown bread

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Preheat the oven to 300°F. Cut the brown bread into eight slices and place them on a greased baking sheet. Follow the package directions to bake the bread until the slices are hot and toasted.

Step 2: Cook the beanies and weenies

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Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add the sliced hot dogs and cook and stir until browned. Pour the baked beans into the pan. Cook and stir them with the hot dogs until they’re heated through.

Step 3: Serve

Spoon the baked beans and hot dogs into bowls or plates. Serve them with slices of baked brown bread.

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Beanie Weenies Variations

• Serve them with cornbread: If brown bread isn’t your cup of tea, make a pan of cornbread or cornbread muffins as a side instead.
• Make franks and beans with onions: Add diced onions to the pan with the butter and hot dogs. Cook them until they’re softened and beginning to brown before adding the baked beans.
• Add barbecue flavor: Stir a little of your favorite barbecue sauce brand into the beans as they cook with the hot dogs.

How to Store Beanie Weenies

Leftover beanie weenies can easily be stored and reheated for lunch or a late-night snack. Let everything cool, then transfer the beanie weenies to an airtight container. Place leftover brown bread slices in a separate sealed container. Store everything in the fridge. The beans and franks can be reheated in a saucepan on the stove. Or, reheat them in the microwave in short bursts, stirring each time. The brown bread slices can be reheated in a toaster oven or on a baking sheet in the oven.

How long do beanie weenies last?

When beanie weenies are stored in the refrigerator, they’ll last for up to four days. Keep the brown bread tightly wrapped or sealed, and it will last for up to four days as well.

Beanie Weenies Tips

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Can you make baked beans from scratch for beanie weenies?

Yes, you can absolutely make this beanie weenies recipe the old-fashioned way with homemade baked beans. They’ll be even more delicious! Plus, you have the option of flavoring the beans any way you like. Our recipe for New England baked beans is perfect for this dish: It’s made with brown sugar, bacon and onions, and the beans cook slowly in the oven until they’re tender and saucy. You can even make homemade baked beans ahead of time, then reheat them in the skillet with the weenies.

What should you serve with beanie weenies?

Since it has hearty beans, hot dogs and brown bread, this simple meal is pretty complete on its own. That’s why New Englanders love it! Ketchup is a favorite condiment with baked beans, although brown mustard is also good with the dish. Beanie weenies go well with other kinds of bread too, like homestyle cornbread, caraway rye dinner rolls or even simple slices of buttered toast. Potato chips or corn chips (like Fritos) are also tasty sides with franks and beans.

Turn beanie weenies into a side dish by bringing them to your next potluck, or set the dish out at a backyard barbecue to eat with grilled burgers or pulled pork.