Crockpot Beans and Franks Recipe

My recipe for Beans & Franks is super easy to make, and the kids love it too.

Beans and franks are a delicious stick-to-the-ribs main course, or this simple recipe can be added to your favorite side dishes.

This recipe is a childhood favorite for me. I remember my Mom making this for my brothers and me when I was a little girl. We had no idea that this dish was budget-friendly. We just loved it and looked forward to eating it because it was so cool to eat hot dogs that were not in a bun.

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Ingredients

This delicious recipe uses simple ingredients you can find at your grocery store.

Kidney Beans are a good source of protein and fiber. It doesn’t matter if you use dark red or light red kidney beans. They are similar in taste and texture, and both will soak up the other flavor of this beanie weenies recipe.

Maple Baked Beans are my preference for this family favorite recipe. We enjoy the light sweetness they add without using brown sugar or maple syrup in the recipe. I always use Bush’s Maple & Cured Bacon in this recipe because it is slow-cooked navy beans in a maple syrup sauce.

Hot Dogs are the co-stars in this bean casserole. I always cook beef franks, but you can use any of the many brands of hot dogs to choose from. If you have leftover hot dogs, this is a great way to use them.

Bbq Sauce adds a good pop of flavorto this easy recipe. Use a sweet BBQ sauce for the full effect. However, if you want to change it up a bit, you can create a smoky flavor by using a regular BBQ sauce with no hint of sweetness.

Bacon adds the Wow factor. It’s the type of meat with just enough flavorful fat to give this dish that extra flavor we all love. You will think you won the lottery if you happen to have beans, franks, and a piece of bacon in one bite on your fork.

Crockpot Directions

Step 1

Line the Crockpot with one of these disposable liners. They make clean-up easier. Set the temperature to a low setting.

Step 2

Cook about six slices of bacon for about 2-3 minutes on each side over medium heat in a large frying pan. Drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Cut each piece of bacon into about six pieces and set it aside. Do not get the bacon crispy. You want it to be done but not crispy. The bacon will continue to cook in the Crockpot.

Step 3

Cut each hot dog into not bite-sized pieces and place onto the plate with the bacon, and then set aside.

Step 4

Dump all of the beans, undrained, into the Crockpot. Add the bacon and hot dogs. Then pour in the BBQ sauce and stir until well blended. Place the lid onto the Slow Cooker and allow your bean mixture to cook on low for about 3 hours. Then serve and enjoy!

This is a great recipe to serve on busy weeknights, for Saturday lunch, and it makes a great side dish for potlucks or summer grilling.

Stovetop Directions

Follow all of the same directions except for the cook time and method. Place bean mixture into a Dutch oven or large saucepan and cook over medium-high heat until it begins to bubble. Then reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve and enjoy.

Oven Directions

Follow all of the Crockpot directions except the cooking method and time. Combine all of the beans, meat, and BBQ sauce into a casserole dish that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Stir well to combine. Bake, covered at 350° for about 45 minutes until bubbling hot.

Optional Ingredients

Change up the flavor profile the next time you make this delicious recipe for beans and franks with any of these optional additions.

• green bell pepper
• garlic powder
• chili powder
• sauteed onions, small onion, chopped
• salt pork instead of bacon (an old-fashioned recipe addition)

National Beans-n-Franks Day

July is National Hot Dog Month, and July 12th is National Beans-n-Franks Day. Who knew? Right? Yes, this is a real celebratio,n and now you will not have a hard time celebrating because you have this simple dish.

Baked beans were one of the first convenience foods to be canned and were used during the Civil War due to the ease of preparation and ability to have fresh canned food for the soldiers in the field. If you have ever watched an old western on TV, you have seen them cook beans over a campfire.

You can serve this meal as the main dish like my Mom did on Saturdays. Make some French fries or white rice to go with it, and add this to your list of easy dinner recipes.

More Simple Recipes for Weeknight Meals

This Broccoli & Sausage Macaroni Casserole is another good Slow Cooker recipe with only 7 ingredients and the kids love it.

My Crockpot Beef Tips & Gravy recipe has only 2 ingredients and is ready in a few hours. Read the comments from this recipe shared over 170K times.

Make this easy Ranch Chicken recipe in the Crockpot and use the meat for sliders, wraps, salads, tacos or whatever you like. Only 2 ingredients.

3 Ingredient Sweet and Savory Meatballs are good for making Meatball sub sandwiches or serving on a toothpick for party food.

Glazed Baked Spam has been a family favorite at my house for many years. A simple and easy recipe ready in about 30 minutes for dinner.

Thank you for sharing!