Frankfurter, beef, heated
Whole food · Sausages and Luncheon Meats
A heated beef frankfurter is a pre-cooked, emulsified sausage with a signature snappy casing and a juicy, savory, and subtly smoky flavor. Nutritionally, it's a dense source of energy, primarily from fat, with a respectable protein content per 100g. Its classic taste is inseparable from the experience of summer cookouts and ballpark stands.
Calorie split: 15% protein · 3% carbs · 82% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore the frankfurter for its iconic, savory umami flavor and satisfying snap, which is deeply tied to casual, communal eating. Its incredible versatility makes it a staple for everything from a quick weeknight dinner to a gourmet hot dog creation.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Frankfurters are typically high in sodium and saturated fat, which can be a concern for heart health and blood pressure. To mitigate this, enjoy them occasionally, pair with fiber-rich sides like sauerkraut or a large salad, and choose lower-sodium varieties when available.
Key benefits
- High-quality protein source for muscle maintenance
- Convenient, ready-to-eat protein with minimal prep
- Provides essential B vitamins like B12 and niacin
- Contains minerals such as zinc and selenium
- Long shelf life when refrigerated or frozen
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The term 'frankfurter' originates from Frankfurt, Germany, where a similar sausage was first documented in the 13th century, while the 'wiener' name comes from Vienna (Wien), Austria.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 53.5 g |
| Energy | 322 kcal |
| Energy | 1346 kj |
| Protein | 11.7 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 29.4 g |
| Ash | 2.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 2.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.3 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 1.1 g |
| Fructose | 0.00 g |
| Lactose | 0.00 g |
| Maltose | 0.21 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 11.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.2 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 9.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 139 mg |
| Potassium, K | 252 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 852 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 2.2 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.02 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 10.8 ug |
| Thiamin | 0.02 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.05 mg |
| Niacin | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.19 mg |
| Folate, total | 10.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 10.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 10.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 50.8 mg |
| Betaine | 5.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 1.4 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.20 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 38.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.8 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 11.6 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.94 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 3.3 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 3.6 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 12.7 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 1.0 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 11.3 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.12 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.81 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.69 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 58.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Tryptophan | 0.13 g |
| Threonine | 0.54 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.60 g |
| Leucine | 1.0 g |
| Lysine | 1.1 g |
| Methionine | 0.33 g |
| Cystine | 0.13 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.51 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.43 g |
| Valine | 0.63 g |
| Arginine | 0.79 g |
| Histidine | 0.38 g |
| Alanine | 0.71 g |
| Aspartic acid | 1.2 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.9 g |
| Glycine | 0.56 g |
| Proline | 0.49 g |
| Serine | 0.47 g |
FAQ
What's the difference between a frankfurter and a hot dog?
A frankfurter is the sausage itself, a specific type of emulsified, smoked, and pre-cooked sausage traditionally made from beef or a pork/beef blend. 'Hot dog' is the common American term for the entire dish, which includes the frankfurter served in a sliced bun with condiments.
Are frankfurters already cooked?
Yes, traditional frankfurters are fully cooked during the smoking process. Heating them (boiling, grilling, steaming) is done to enhance flavor, texture, and food safety, but they are safe to eat cold.
Why do the casings sometimes split when heating?
The natural or collagen casings can split if heated too quickly or at too high a temperature, causing the interior to expand rapidly. To prevent this, heat them gently in simmering water or over medium-low grill heat.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 3.22 kcal/g · 15% calories from protein · 0.0 g fiber · 1.3 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 3.38 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.