NATIONAL BEANS ‘N’ FRANKS DAY
Fast Facts
- WHEN
- July 13 during Hot Dog Month
- ORIGIN
- Inspired by 1890s canned beans
- VIBE
- Popular at summertime barbecues
- FOUNDED
- Founder unknown, observed nationwide
NATIONAL BEANS ‘N’ FRANKS DAY
National Beans 'N' Franks Day on July 13 encourages us to whip up our favorite comfort food recipes during National Hot Dog Month. This simple dish cooks up in no time and makes a perfect addition to summertime barbecues!
#BeansNFranksDay
Also affectionately known as "beanie weenies," this classic dish is similar to pork 'n' beans, but substitutes sliced hot dogs or frankfurters for the pork.
Baked beans originally surged in popularity during the American Civil War and later became one of the first canned convenience foods to hit the market in the 1890s. As a result, they quickly became a staple of the western chuckwagon. While baked beans have a long history, it remains a mystery exactly when inventive cooks first started tossing franks into the mix.
The frankfurters themselves can be beef, pork, or a savory combination of both. The ground meat is blended with spices and seasonings before being cured, and these sausage-style wieners can be found both with or without casings. Before adding them to the beans, the franks are typically sliced into bite-sized pieces.
While "beans and franks" is the generic term, Van Camp's famously owns the trademark for the name Beanie Weenies, while another popular commercial brand goes by Franks & Beans.
Home cooks love to put their own spin on the dish. Homemade recipes often elevate the canned base by adding brown sugar, diced onions, mustard, barbecue sauce, and custom spices. This comforting combination isn't just an American favorite, either—variations of beans and franks enjoy wide popularity all around the world.
To round out your meal, beans and franks pair beautifully with crisp coleslaw, grilled corn on the cob, and fresh vegetable kabobs. Top it all off with some iced tea and a slice of pie to complete the ultimate summer feast!
HOW TO OBSERVE BEANS 'N' FRANKS DAY
Host a casual picnic or backyard cookout! Fire up the stove or grill and make your favorite beans 'n' franks recipe to share with friends and family. Short on time? Simply open up a classic can and heat it up. Don't forget to post your culinary creations on social media using the hashtag #BeansNFranksDay.
NATIONAL BEANS 'N' FRANKS DAY HISTORY
Our research was unable to find the creator of the holiday. We did, however, discover we like to eat beans 'n' franks.
