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HOW TO MAKE BEANIE WEENIES

Everyone loves the luscious, creamy and summertime taste of beanie weenies! You know it’s the first thing you go after at a potluck dinner and I don’t blame you! Therefore, I gotta show you how to make beanie weenies!

Who could possibly resist those chunks of charred hot dogs and those saucy almost tomatoey beans! The secret is to start with the right beans, add the right spices and flavorings and choose the correct hot dogs and then, cook them just right!

Pan of beanie weenies with green napkin

How to Cook Beanie Weenies

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

  • I give you lots of tips and tricks and answer all kinds of questions so that your beans will turn out perfectly.
  • These beanie weenies have sweet, sour, beefy and fresh all covered to make that flavor POP!
  • You’ll add Molasses for some depth of flavor and a delightful color!
  • I give you lots of options for substitutions

In this post, I’ll be sure to cover all the ways to cook up some delicious beanie weenies, including, on the stove top, in the oven and in a crockpot or a slow cooker.

CHECK OUT THIS QUICK VIDEO OF WENDI MAKING BEANIE WEENIES.

WHAT IS A BEANIE WEENIE?

Beanie weenie is another name for beans and franks in which beans and hot dogs or sausages are combines. The concept of canning beans and combining with pork originated during the civil war.

HOW TO COOK BEANIE WEENIES IN A CROCKPOT OR SLOW COOKER

To prepare your beans in the crockpot or slow cooker, simply put all of the listed ingredients into the crockpot, stir well and turn on low heat. Your beanie weenies will be ready in about 4 hours. Stir well and serve.

HOW TO COOK BEANIE WEENIES IN THE OVEN

Preheat the oven to 350. Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl. Pour into an oven safe dish that is the appropriate size for the amount you are making. Bake for 35-45 minutes until bubbly throughout.

TO MAKE BBQ BEANIE WEENIES

If you prefer a more BBQ sauce taste to your Beanie Weenies, simply add ¼ cup of your favorite BBQ sauce to the mix before cooking. Otherwise, use the same recipe for the remainder of the ingredients.

WHAT CAN I SERVE WITH MY BEANIE WEENIES?

Beanie Weenies are the ultimate party food, whether your party is just you and your family enjoying an evening together OR if you will be taking your beanie weenies to a get together!

We think Beanie Weenies taste best in a cookout environment and therefore, Hangry Hamburgers work well with a side of Beanie Weenies. You wouldn’t want to miss out on the Garlic Dill Potato Salad either!

Tennessee Onions also make the perfect side dish with any bean dish but especially Beanie Weenies!

Then, to round out a perfect meal, perhaps some of Mawmaw’s Banana Pudding!  YUM!

Overhead shot of beanie weenies with white napkin

How to Cook Beanie Weenies

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BEANIE WEENIES (FAQ) AND TIPS AND TRICKS.

ARE BEANIE WEENIES FATTENING?

This question entirely depends on what you are looking for in your diet. One ½ cup serving of beanie weenies have about 220 calories. You’ll have to see how that fits into your diet scheme.

ARE BEANIE WEENIES GLUTEN FREE?

Your beanie weenies CAN be gluten free, but you will have to choose your hot dogs and your beans carefully and make sure you choose gluten free options of those.

DO BEANIE WEENIES HAVE CARBS?

Yes, beanie weenies do have carbs because of the ketchup and molasses added. There are also some minimal amount of carbs in the hot dogs and beans.

CAN YOU EAT BEANIE WEENIES RIGHT OUT OF THE CAN?

This is a recipe that you put together yourself, however, if you choose to purchase the beanie weenie brand of beans, then yes, you can eat them straight out of the can, they are already cooked.

HOW LONG ARE BEANIE WEENIES GOOD FOR ONCE COOKED?

Your beanie weenies will be good for about 5 days if you keep them covered and refrigerated after cooking them.

CAN I FREEZE MY BEANIE WEENIES?

Yes, place them in a freezer safe zip lock bag, squeeze out as much air as possible, seal them up. Label them with the date and name of what is in the bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

DO BEANIE WEENIES GO BAD?

Your bean can will have an expiration date on it, don’t use it after that date. The beanie weenies you are making for this recipe will go bad after about 5 days in the fridge.

WHAT TYPE OF BEANS DO I USE?

For this recipe we are using Pork and Beans. My favorite brand for Beanie Weenies is  B&M beans and I recommend those, but they are expensive and therefore, maybe out of range for a lot of people. Feel free to use any of the following:

  • Pork and Beans
  • Beanie Weenie Brand
  • Beans and Franks Brand
  • Baked beans in the can (any flavor)
  • B&M Beans
  • Kidney beans
  • Pinto Beans
  • Cannellini Beans
  • Navy Beans

Pay attention to the size of the can and make sure you end up with about the same amount of beans as what is listed in the recipe. The recipe below includes the instructions for how to use a different bean than the ones listed. 

WHAT KIND OF HOT DOGS DO I USE?

I recommend the full beef hot dogs in a name brand frank such as Ball Park. You may not get as much flavor from the more inexpensive brands.

DO I HAVE TO BROWN THE HOT DOG FIRST?

We like to have a little char on the hot dog before putting it in the beans to give it more of that outdoor cookout flavor.

LETS SEE EXACTLY HOW THIS IS DONE STEP BY STEP…

First we brown the hot dogs. 

A pan of hot dogs browning

How to Cook Beanie Weenies

Then we add all of the ingredients together.

Adding a can of pork and beans to the saucepan

How to Cook Beanie Weenies

Heat everything until heated through and bubbly! Ready to eat! 

A saucepan of bubbling beanie weenies

How to make Beanie Weenies

YA’LL HELP ME OUT NOW, YA HEAR?

Please leave me a 5 star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟  comment below in the comment section, all right? I would LOVE to know if you made this recipe or even if you are planning to! Of course, head on over to Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram and tag me with some photos of your creation!

I can’t wait!

Ya’ll know I love your comments!! ❤

THE RECIPE FOR HOW TO MAKE BEANIE WEENIES

Pan of beanie weenies with green napkin

HOW TO MAKE BEANIE WEENIES

This recipe shows the reader how to make beanie weenies like a pro using ingredients they probably have in their own kitchen!
5 from 6 votes
Print Pin Save Rate
Course: Side
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to make beanie weenies, beanie weenie recipes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 456kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 Tbs vegetable oil
  • 8 all beef hot dogs any brand - standard length or bun length
  • 30 oz pork and beans If not using pork and beans, refer to notes at the bottom of recipe. 30 oz = 2, 15 oz cans.
  • 1/3 Cup Molasses
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp cayene pepper
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • 2 Tbs yellow mustard
  • 1 tsp cider vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Pour the oil into a frying pan and allow it to become hot over medium heat.  
  • Cut the hot dogs into disks and add to the oil.  Heat over medium heat until you note some crispy edges and caramelization of the exterior of the hot dog. 
  • If you have a large enough skillet, continue by adding the ingredients to the skillet.  If you prefer to now pour these into a sauce pan, then do so.  Prefer to slow cook or to use the oven?  Follow those instructions that are listed in the post. 
  • Do NOT Drain the cans of pork and beans (there are added flavorings in the pork and beans).
  • Mix all of the ingredients in a medium sized saucepan and place on the stove
  • Set on medium heat and cook till bubbly throughout, even when stirred.
  • Serve hot.

Notes

  • It is fine to substitute the following for the Molasses:  Brown sugar, equal amount: Grape Jelly equal amount, White sugar 2 Tbs.  Maple syrup, equal amount.
  • Perhaps you have whole onion and garlic.  It is fine to substitute those, just cook them till soft in a tablespoon of butter before adding any of the other ingredients.
  • Do not add salt and pepper until cooked, then taste and add if needed.
  • If you are using another kind of bean besides the pork and beans, you will need to drain your beans well, double all ingredients BESIDES the beans and add a 8 oz can of tomato sauce to your beans. 

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
HOW TO MAKE BEANIE WEENIES
Amount Per Serving
Calories 456 Calories from Fat 225
% Daily Value*
Fat 25g38%
Saturated Fat 12g60%
Cholesterol 44mg15%
Sodium 1357mg57%
Potassium 828mg24%
Carbohydrates 47g16%
Fiber 8g32%
Sugar 17g19%
Protein 15g30%
Vitamin A 51IU1%
Vitamin C 3mg4%
Calcium 122mg12%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @loavesanddishes or tag #loavesanddishes!

A VERSE TO SHARE

Do you set resolutions for yourself each year? I suspect that many of you will be reading this post in the summer as you prepare for cookouts and holiday dinners. However, I am writing this in the dead of winter just after the New Year has begun.

For me, it is a time of reflecting. 

Last year, for the first time, I decided to choose a single word that would be my motto and slogan for the year. A single word that would say to me not only what I should strive for but also who I am.

Last years word was “Flourish”.

It helped me through successes and failures to remember that I am a child of God. My crown is already won. All I have to do is put it on. Jesus made sure of that. 

The thing I discovered about myself last year was that sometimes when BIG TIME flourishing happened, I was a little afraid to look it in the eye!

Instead of feeling happiness or even pride, I felt like I just didn’t know what to do. Sometimes I even lacked backbone! 

This year’s word, therefore, is MOXY.

I’m wondering, if you have a word? If so, would you share it with me? You can email me or even leave a comment below. My email is wendi(at)loavesanddishes.net

For whatever reason, all of this reminds me of the story of Jesus as he was performing miracles. A woman who had suffered many years with bleeding (something that in those days made you unclean and you had to separate yourself from everyone) believed that if she could just touch Jesus she would be healed.

She managed to touch the hem of his clothes and was healed instantly.

Jesus didn’t see her touch his clothing but “he felt the power go out of him”. 

When he turned to see who had touched him, he saw her and told her that her faith had healed her and to go and be free. 

After that (and here is my favorite part), Jesus is hearing about a little girl who is sick and then a messenger arrives and says, “don’t bother him with it because she has already died”. 

Jesus overheard this and said, “Don’t be afraid, just believe”. 

Of course, you know the rest of the story, he went and healed the girl commanding her to get up and for her family to fix her something to eat. 

That’s a good word for you and me, isn’t it? When the worst is facing us, no worries, just believe. Also true for when the best is facing us, don’t worry, just believe. 

Mark 5: 36

Overhearingwhat they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

 

Wendi is the writer, CEO and dishwasher at Loaves and Dishes! When not in the kitchen or behind the computer, you can find Wendi serving on International Food Conference Boards, Speaking at various conferences, Leading and Cooking for the local Arts Council's "Taste of Stokes" events or donating home cooked goodies to various local non profits such as the Danbury Songwriters and Stokes Partnership for Children. Wendi is also a Registered Nurse with a Master's Degree and serves on her town's board of councilmen.

Recipe Rating




Jen

Sunday 31st of July 2022

I'm down to nothing in the fridge or freezer except for a package of frozen weiners. Thank goodness I came across this recipe! So quick and easy to make 😄 Of course i had no molasses so i substituted 3 heaping Tbsp light brown sugar and 2-3 Tbsp grape jelly. Got all ingredients, except for pinto beans from freezer too, incorporated. Added the beans after i made sure the wieners and sauce were to my liking. This one is going in my recipe book for sure!

Wendi Spraker

Monday 1st of August 2022

Glad you enjoyed!

Carrie

Sunday 20th of February 2022

Great recipe. Bought molasses awhile back for the nutritional value. Iron, b vitamins, etc. Happy to have a yummy tasting recipe to use it in. 😊

Wendi Spraker

Wednesday 23rd of February 2022

Molasses is very good for you. Works in a lot of recipes too!

Enola

Thursday 3rd of September 2020

Great recipe! My family is out on a trip so I had to make dinner for me and my brother. We absolutely loved it!

Wendi Spraker

Thursday 3rd of September 2020

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for leaving a comment!

Beth

Tuesday 23rd of June 2020

My family loved this recipe.

Wendi Spraker

Wednesday 24th of June 2020

Hi Beth! Thanks for leaving me a comment and I am TICKLED that your family loved this recipe! My husband is a big beanie weenie fan and he loves it too.

Mona

Friday 3rd of January 2020

Can't wait to try it...Love this Blog and the videos are awesome thanks for the great recipes and the great job !

Wendi Spraker

Friday 3rd of January 2020

Awwwww.... you are too sweet! Thank you so much!

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