This hearty Western-style dish combines tender Great Northern and Pinto beans with smoky bacon, rich molasses, and sweet brown sugar for a deeply flavorful experience. The addition of orange zest and diced fruit provides a bright, citrusy contrast that cuts through the richness, while dry mustard and cloves add a subtle, aromatic spice. Frankfurters are nestled into the thick bean mixture during the final stage of baking, absorbing the savory-sweet sauce. Ideal for potlucks, casual family dinners, or slow winter evenings, this one-pot meal is comforting and satisfying. It offers a robust texture with creamy beans and juicy sausages, making it a crowd-pleasing favorite that is simple to prepare yet complex in taste.
Western Beans ‘N Franks
Description
This hearty Western-style dish combines tender Great Northern and Pinto beans with smoky bacon, rich molasses, and sweet brown sugar for a deeply flavorful experience. The addition of orange zest and diced fruit provides a bright, citrusy contrast that cuts through the richness, while dry mustard and cloves add a subtle, aromatic spice. Frankfurters are nestled into the thick bean mixture during the final stage of baking, absorbing the savory-sweet sauce. Ideal for potlucks, casual family dinners, or slow winter evenings, this one-pot meal is comforting and satisfying. It offers a robust texture with creamy beans and juicy sausages, making it a crowd-pleasing favorite that is simple to prepare yet complex in taste.Ingredients
Directions
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Soak the Great Northern and Pinto beans according to package directions, then drain and rinse.
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Place the soaked beans in a large pot, cover with water, add salt, and simmer for 1 hour until tender but still holding their shape.
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Drain the beans, reserving 1 1/2 cups of the bean cooking liquid.
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In a skillet, sauté the diced bacon until crisp. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened.
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Preheat the oven to 325ðF (165ðC).
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In a deep casserole dish or Dutch oven, combine the cooked beans, reserved bean liquid, bacon with onions, molasses, brown sugar, dry mustard, cloves, grated orange peel, and diced orange.
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Cover the dish and bake for 3 to 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
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Arrange the frankfurters on top of the bean mixture.
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Uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes, adding more reserved bean liquid if the mixture becomes too dry.
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Serve warm, garnished with orange wedges if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 545.9kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 32.4g50%
- Saturated Fat 11.8g60%
- Cholesterol 40.9mg14%
- Sodium 2798.1mg117%
- Total Carbohydrate 38.4g13%
- Dietary Fiber 4.8g20%
- Sugars 25.3g
- Protein 29.4g59%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Make sure to reserve enough bean cooking liquid before draining; the beans will absorb liquid during the long bake. If you run out of reserved liquid, substitute with water or broth.
For a richer flavor, you can add a splash of apple cider vinegar or Worcestershire sauce to the bean mixture.
This dish tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld together. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
