10+ Hot Dog Recipes to Elevate Your Summer Barbecues

Hot dogs are beloved by many and perfect for any gathering or barbecue. Whether you enjoy them grilled, boiled, or baked, there’s no shortage of ways to make them exciting. You can add your own twist to these classic dishes with a variety of toppings and recipes.

With countless options available, from simple to more gourmet styles, hot dogs can easily surprise your taste buds. Discovering new recipes can elevate your cookout and impress your friends and family.

1) Chicago-Style Hot Dog

The Chicago-style hot dog is a classic. It features a beef hot dog served in a poppy seed bun. Toppings include yellow mustard, diced onions, sliced tomatoes, sport peppers, neon relish, celery salt, and a pickle spear.

Choose high-quality beef franks to start. Steaming or boiling the hot dog can enhance its flavor. Then, place it in the bun and add your favorite toppings.

The combination of flavors makes this hot dog unique. Every bite delivers a satisfying mix of savory and tangy tastes. Enjoy this favorite at a cookout or family gathering!

Ingredients

• 4 natural casing beef franks
• 4 poppy seed hot dog buns
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 ripe tomato, sliced
• 4 sport peppers
• ¼ cup neon relish
• ½ teaspoon celery salt
• 4 pickle spears

Cooking Instructions

1. Steam or boil the beef franks until heated.
2. Place each frank in a poppy seed bun.
3. Top with yellow mustard, onions, and sliced tomatoes.
4. Add sport peppers and neon relish.
5. Sprinkle with celery salt and place a pickle spear on the side.

2) Chili Cheese Dog

Chili cheese dogs are a tasty and easy dish to make. You start with a grilled hot dog placed in a bun. Then, you top it with rich chili and melted cheese.

You can use store-bought chili or make your own from scratch. In just a few minutes, you’ll have a satisfying meal. Optional toppings include diced onions and crispy onions for extra flavor.

This dish is great for any occasion, from casual dinners to game days. It’s a crowd-pleaser that combines two favorites: chili and hot dogs.

Ingredients

• 4 hot dogs
• 4 hot dog buns
• 1 can chili (or homemade)
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
• Optional: diced onions and crispy onions

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your grill or stovetop over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Grill the hot dogs until heated through, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Warm the chili in a saucepan over medium heat.
4. Place each hot dog in a bun.
5. Top with chili and shredded cheese.
6. Add any optional toppings you like. Enjoy your meal!

3) Grilled Cheese Hot Dog

The Grilled Cheese Hot Dog brings together two favorites. Imagine a hot dog wrapped in gooey cheese and crispy bread. It’s the perfect comfort food for any occasion.

To make it, you start with a hot dog, add cheese, and grill or fry it until everything is golden and melty. You can use your favorite type of cheese, like cheddar or mozzarella.

This recipe is easy to customize. Try adding toppings like jalapeños for some heat or pickles for crunch.

Ingredients

• 8 beef hot dogs
• 8 top-sliced hot dog buns
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 6 tablespoons butter, divided
• Yellow mustard (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat a griddle or skillet to medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
2. Spread butter on the outside of the buns.
3. Place the hot dogs on the griddle. Cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes.
4. Add cheese to the hot dogs and cover until melted.
5. Assemble the hot dogs in the buns and serve with mustard if desired.

4) Coney Island Hot Dog

The Coney Island hot dog is a classic street food that you can easily make at home. It features a deliciously spiced meat topping, usually made with ground beef and chili.

To prepare, you’ll want to start with fresh hot dog buns. Warm them up slightly for the best texture.

The chili is typically the star of this dish. You can add ingredients like diced onions and ketchup to enhance the flavor. For a traditional touch, top your hot dog and chili with shredded cheese.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
• 2 cups water
• ¾ cup diced onion
• ⅓ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Hot dog buns
• Shredded cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. In a pot, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add diced onions and sauté until soft.
3. Stir in ground beef and cook until browned.
4. Add water and ketchup; simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Serve in hot dog buns and top with chili and cheese.

5) Hot Dog Stroganoff

Hot Dog Stroganoff is a quick and tasty meal you can make in no time. It combines the flavors of sautéed hot dogs and onions with creamy sour cream. This dish is perfect over pasta for a satisfying dinner.

To start, you need a few simple ingredients. Slice up some hot dogs and onions, then sauté them in butter. Add sour cream for richness and stir it all together.

Serve it over your choice of noodles for a delightful twist on a classic recipe.

Ingredients

• 6 hot dogs, sliced
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup water
• Cooked pasta of your choice

Cooking Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
2. Add the chopped onion and sauté until soft.
3. Stir in the sliced hot dogs and cook until browned.
4. Mix in the sour cream and water, heating until warm.
5. Serve over your favorite pasta.

6) Homemade Corn Dogs

Homemade corn dogs are fun to make and delicious to eat. You can enjoy them at home just like at a fair. The mix of cornmeal and hot dogs makes a tasty treat.

To start, you’ll need to pat your hot dogs dry, which helps the batter stick better. Then, prepare a simple batter using cornmeal, flour, sugar, and baking powder. You can add a bit of salt and pepper for extra flavor.

Once your batter is ready, dip each hot dog into it. Make sure they are well coated. Heat oil in a deep pot and fry the corn dogs until they are golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.

Ingredients

• Hot dogs
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• Salt and pepper
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Pat hot dogs dry with a paper towel.
2. Mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Dip each hot dog into the batter.
4. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a pot.
5. Fry each corn dog for 3-4 minutes until golden brown.

7) New Jersey Italian Hot Dog

The New Jersey Italian Hot Dog is a delicious twist on the classic hot dog. It features a hot dog placed in a sandwich, topped with sautéed peppers, onions, and fried potatoes.

You will enjoy the flavor of the seasoned ingredients. The mix of the crunchy potatoes and savory veggies makes each bite satisfying. It’s a fun way to elevate your usual hot dog.

To make this dish, you’ll need some tasty rolls to hold all the goodness. Choosing a good quality roll makes a big difference in taste.

Ingredients

• 1 hot dog
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 medium potato, sliced
• 1 small onion, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 torpedo roll or similar sandwich roll
• Deli mustard, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat canola oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
2. Add sliced potatoes and cook until golden brown.
3. In another pan, sauté onions and bell peppers until soft.
4. Cook the hot dog until it’s heated through.
5. Assemble by placing the hot dog in the roll. Add the potatoes, peppers, and onions on top.
6. Drizzle with deli mustard and serve.

8) Japanese Bento Hot Dog Octopuses

Japanese Bento hot dog octopuses are a fun and creative way to enjoy hot dogs. They make a cute addition to your lunch box, especially for kids.

To make these tasty octopuses, you need to cut your hot dogs in a special way. Make slits at the bottom to create the legs while leaving the top intact for the head.

As they cook, the hot dogs curl up, looking just like little octopuses. You can serve them with some rice or veggies for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• Hot dogs
• Oil (for frying)

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut each hot dog into six slits on one end to form the legs.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Place hot dogs in the pan and cook until they curl up and turn golden brown.
4. Serve with rice or your choice of sides.

9) Pigs in a Blanket

Pigs in a blanket are fun and easy to make. They’re perfect for parties or a tasty snack. You just wrap hot dogs in dough and bake them until they’re golden brown.

You can use different types of dough, like crescent roll or biscuit dough. Feel free to cut the hot dogs into smaller pieces for bite-sized treats.

These snacks are great for dipping in mustard or ketchup. Kids and adults alike enjoy this classic dish.

Ingredients

• 1 package of refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 8 hot dogs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into triangles.
3. Place each hot dog on a triangle and roll it up.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
5. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.

10) Hot Dog Macaroni and Cheese

Hot Dog Macaroni and Cheese is a fun and tasty dish you can whip up quickly. It’s a great way to combine classic comfort food with the savory flavor of hot dogs.

Start by cooking macaroni according to the package instructions. While that’s cooking, slice your hot dogs and brown them in a pan for added flavor.

Once the macaroni is ready, drain it and mix in cheese, along with the browned hot dogs. Stir everything together until the cheese melts.

For extra flavor, add some spices or chopped vegetables. Serve it warm and enjoy a dish that’s sure to please everyone!

Ingredients

• 2 cups macaroni
• 2-3 hot dogs
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: chopped vegetables

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook macaroni according to package instructions.

2. Slice hot dogs and brown them in a pan.

3. Drain macaroni and mix in shredded cheese.

4. Stir in browned hot dogs and any optional ingredients.

5. Serve warm.