BBQ Beans Hot Dog
About This BBQ Beans Hot Dog Recipe
Summer cookout food is truly elite, and this recipe combines two of the absolute best things: salty grilled hot dogs and my FAVORITE BBQ baked beans. These beans are loaded with bacon, ground beef, onions, BBQ sauce, and brown sugar — they’re sweet, smoky, tangy, rich, and honestly one of the best things I’ve ever made. Smothering those beans on top of a natural casing hot dog with sharp cheddar, chopped onions, and yellow mustard? It’s insane in the best way. This is a fun, nostalgic, totally delicious summer recipe that hits every craving.
Why You’ll Love It
Hot dogs topped with the richest, most flavorful BBQ baked beans
The beans are a full meal on their own — sweet, smoky, and loaded with meat
Perfect summer cookout, tailgate, or backyard BBQ recipe
Easy to scale for a crowd
Natural-casing hot dogs bring that perfect snap
Freshly shredded cheddar + mustard + onions = the BEST toppings combo
Comfort food but with big flavor
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the BBQ Baked Beans
Bacon, sliced into slivers
Ground beef (80–85% lean)
White onion
Kosher salt + black pepper
BBQ sauce
Brown sugar
Apple cider vinegar
Canned baked beans- I like Bush’s Brown Sugar Hickory
For the Hot Dogs
Natural-casing hot dogs (if you can)
Hot dog buns
Freshly shredded sharp cheddar
Diced white onion
Yellow mustard
How to Make It
Start by crisping the bacon, then sauté onions in the leftover bacon fat. Add ground beef and cook until crumbly. Stir in BBQ sauce, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and baked beans, then transfer everything to a baking dish. Bake until thick and bubbly, topping with the cooked bacon at the end so it gets perfectly crisp. Grill your hot dogs, tuck them into buns, and pile on a generous scoop of the BBQ beans. Finish with cheddar, onions, and mustard. Serve immediately and watch everyone lose their minds.
Tips for Success
Freshly shred the cheese — it melts better and has more flavor.
Use natural-casing dogs for the best snap and texture.
Let the beans rest after baking so they thicken.
Make the beans ahead — they get even better the next day.
Broil the bacon topping for 1–2 minutes if you want extra crispiness.
Use a good BBQ sauce — it sets the entire flavor. (Sweet Baby Ray’s is a classic)
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the baked beans ahead of time?
Yes — they reheat beautifully and the flavors get deeper.
Can I do this without ground beef?
Absolutely. Add extra bacon or keep it meat-free.
What type of hot dogs are best?
Natural-casing for snap, but any beef hot dog works.
Do I have to bake the beans?
The oven step is what thickens and caramelizes them — it’s worth it.
What to Serve With BBQ Beans Hot Dogs
Classic potato chips
Candied Bacon & Eggs Smashed Potato Salad
Deviled egg pasta salad
Corn on the cob
Creamy coleslaw
Ice-cold lemonade or sweet tea
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BBQ Beans Hot Dogs
Ingredients
- 12 oz package of bacon, sliced into slivers
- 1 lb ground beef (I like 80-85% lean)
- 1 large white onion, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup BBQ Sauce
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar
- 44 oz baked beans
- 8 oz (or more!) sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded at home
- 8 hotdog buns
- 8 hotdogs, grilled (or cooked however you'd like!)
- 1 large onion, diced
- yellow mustard
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Cook the bacon in a large pan over medium heat. Once the bacon is cooked and crispy, transfer the bacon to a plate with some paper towel on it to soak up any excess grease. Set bacon aside until step 6.
- Remove a majority of the bacon grease from pan- all but about 2 tablespoons.
- Add the onions to the bacon grease and cook until transparent.
- Add the beef, salt, and pepper to the hot pan and cook until crumbly stirring occasionally.
- Add the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar and mix until well combined. Add in the beans and bringing everything to a simmer, stirring frequently.
- Transfer the beans to a 9x13 pyrex dish and bake in the oven at 350°F for about 50 minutes. After 50 minutes, take the beans out of the oven and sprinkle the bacon on top and put the beans back in the oven for another 10 minutes to get the bacon nice and crispy on top. Let cool for about 10 minutes before eating.
- Place a grilled or boiled hot dog into each bun.
- Spoon a generous amount of the baked beans over the hot dog.
- Top with freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a sprinkle of chopped white onions, and a drizzle of yellow mustard.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
