10+ Hot Dog Recipes to Spice Up Your Next Cookout

Hot dogs are a simple, popular meal that so many of us love—especially at cookouts or for a quick dinner. You can prepare them in a bunch of different ways, whether you’re into classic toppings or want to experiment.

You’ll find easy and tasty hot dog recipes here, all doable at home. There are ideas for different styles and flavors, so your meals won’t get boring.

Ingredients

• Hot dogs (beef, pork, or whatever you like)
• Hot dog buns
• Common toppings: mustard, ketchup, onions, relish, cheese

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat up your grill or pan to medium-high, about 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the hot dogs for 5-7 minutes, turning them so they brown evenly.
3. Warm the buns briefly on the grill or in the oven.
4. Put the hot dogs in the buns and add your favorite toppings.

1) Classic Chicago-Style Hot Dog with Vienna Beef and green relish

Start with a steamed Vienna Beef hot dog. Steaming keeps it juicy and tender, way better than boiling.

The bun? It’s a steamed poppy seed bun, which adds a bit of texture and flavor. Next, pile on that bright green neon relish—it’s sweet, tangy, and gives the dog its signature look.

Add yellow mustard, chopped onions, and tomato slices for some crunch and freshness. Then a kosher pickle spear and a couple sport peppers for bite.

Celery salt is key—don’t skip it. All together, this combo makes a Chicago dog a classic.

Ingredients

• Vienna Beef hot dog
• Poppy seed bun
• Yellow mustard
• Neon green relish
• Fresh onion, chopped
• Tomato slices
• Kosher pickle spear
• Sport peppers
• Celery salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Steam the Vienna Beef hot dog and poppy seed bun.
2. Place the hot dog in the bun.
3. Spread yellow mustard on the hot dog.
4. Add neon green relish and chopped onions.
5. Layer tomato slices along the side.
6. Add kosher pickle spear and sport peppers.
7. Sprinkle celery salt on top.
8. Serve right away.

2) Chili Cheese Dogs topped with homemade beef chili and shredded cheddar

Grill your hot dogs until they’re cooked through. Spoon warm homemade beef chili over each one.

Top with shredded cheddar cheese—the heat will melt it just right. If you like, toss on some diced onions or pickles for crunch.

Ingredients

• Hot dogs
• Hot dog buns
• Ground beef
• Onion
• Garlic
• Chili powder
• Tomato sauce
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Grill hot dogs until cooked.
2. Cook ground beef with chopped onion and garlic.
3. Add chili powder and tomato sauce. Simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Place grilled hot dogs in buns.
5. Spoon beef chili over hot dogs.
6. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.
7. Serve hot.

For a solid chili recipe, check out homemade beef chili.

3) Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs grilled to juicy perfection

Wrap each hot dog with a slice of bacon. Stick a couple toothpicks in so the bacon doesn’t unravel.

Preheat your grill to medium, about 350°F (175°C). Grill the bacon-wrapped hot dogs, turning often, for 20-25 minutes until the bacon’s crispy and the dog is juicy.

Add cheese, mustard, or onions if you want. These are awesome for summer cookouts or just a quick snack.

Ingredients

• Hot dogs
• Bacon slices
• Toothpicks
• Optional toppings (cheese, mustard, onions)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat grill to 350°F (175°C).
2. Wrap each hot dog with bacon.
3. Secure with 2-3 toothpicks per dog.
4. Grill, turning often, for 20-25 minutes until bacon is crispy.
5. Add toppings and serve warm.

Need more details? Here’s a bacon-wrapped hot dogs grilling method.

4) Sonoran Hot Dogs loaded with pinto beans, jalapeños, and mayo

Sonoran hot dogs are a wild twist on the usual. Wrap the hot dog in bacon and grill until crispy.

Pile on pinto beans for a creamy, hearty texture. Fresh jalapeños bring a spicy kick.

Spread mayo and mustard in the bun to balance the heat. Add tomatoes and onions for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• Hot dogs
• Bacon strips
• Pinto beans (cooked or refried)
• Jalapeño slices
• Mayonnaise
• Mustard
• Diced tomatoes
• Raw or grilled onions
• Hot dog buns

Cooking Instructions

1. Wrap each hot dog with bacon and grill until crispy (about 10-12 minutes at 375°F / 190°C).
2. Warm the pinto beans.
3. Toast the buns lightly on the grill.
4. Spread mayo and mustard inside each bun.
5. Place bacon-wrapped hot dog in the bun.
6. Top with beans, jalapeños, tomatoes, and onions.
7. Serve right away.

Try this Sonoran Hot Dog Recipe if you want more details.

5) Firecracker Hot Dogs with spicy sriracha glaze and pickled onions

Wrap sausages in flaky biscuit dough for a crispy, buttery layer. Brush on a spicy sriracha glaze—it’s got a kick, but it’s not overwhelming.

Top with pickled onions for a tangy crunch. Buy them, or make your own with vinegar and sugar.

Ingredients

• Hot dog sausages
• Biscuit dough
• Sriracha sauce
• Honey or brown sugar
• Pickled onions

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Wrap each sausage with biscuit dough.
3. Mix sriracha and honey or brown sugar for the glaze.
4. Brush glaze on wrapped sausages.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.
6. Top with pickled onions before serving.

Want more info? Check Serious Eats Firecracker Hot Dogs.

6) Grilled Cheese Hot Dog Sandwich with melted cheddar in a buttery bun

This grilled cheese hot dog sandwich is ridiculously easy and so good. You get a juicy hot dog with melted cheddar inside a soft, buttery bun.

Butter the outside of the bun. Add shredded cheddar and the hot dog inside.

Cook it in a skillet until the cheese melts and the bun turns golden brown. I’d say a top-sliced bun works best here.

Ingredients

• 6 hot dog buns
• 6 hot dogs
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Butter the outside of each bun.
2. Place shredded cheddar cheese inside the bun.
3. Add a hot dog on top of the cheese.
4. Cook the sandwich on medium heat in a skillet, about 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Flip gently and press down with a spatula until cheese melts and bun is golden.
6. Serve warm.

You can find extra tips in this grilled cheese hot dog recipe.

7) Hot Dog Stroganoff with sautéed hot dog slices, onions, and sour cream

Slice up hot dogs and sauté them with onions in butter. The flavor is surprisingly good and takes almost no effort.

Add sour cream to make a creamy sauce. Stir it in and thin with a bit of water if needed.

Serve over noodles or pasta. It’s a quick, budget-friendly dinner with a fun twist.

Ingredients:

• 6 hot dogs, sliced
• 1 cup chopped onions
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup water
• Noodles or pasta, cooked

Cooking Instructions:

1. Heat butter in a pan over medium.
2. Add onions and sauté until soft.
3. Add hot dog slices and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Stir in sour cream and water, mix well.
5. Cook for 2-3 more minutes, then serve over noodles.

8) Pigs in a Blanket wrapped in flaky crescent dough

Pigs in a Blanket are the ultimate easy snack. Wrap small sausages or hot dogs in crescent roll dough.

Bake until the dough is golden and soft. You get a perfect bite-sized treat.

These are great for parties or whenever you want something comforting. Use cocktail sausages or cut regular hot dogs to fit.

Grab crescent roll dough from the refrigerated section at the store. It’s ready to go, so you save time.

Ingredients

• Cocktail sausages or small hot dogs
• Refrigerated crescent roll dough

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Unroll the crescent dough. Separate it into triangles.

3. Wrap each sausage with a crescent dough triangle.

4. Place the wrapped sausages on a baking sheet.

5. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Pull them out when the dough looks golden brown.

6. Let them cool a bit before serving. Seriously, they’re hot.

You can find a detailed recipe for this on Pillsbury.

9) Homemade Corn Dogs with a sweet cornmeal batter

Making corn dogs at home is surprisingly easy. The batter’s got cornmeal, a little sugar or honey, some flour, and buttermilk for that classic taste.

Skewer beef hot dogs on sticks. Dunk them in the batter so they’re totally coated.

Drop them into hot oil. Fry until they’re golden all over.

Corn dogs like these are just plain fun. Serve with ketchup, mustard, or honestly, whatever sauce you like.

Ingredients

• 8 beef hot dogs
• 1 cup yellow cornmeal
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup sugar or 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil to 375°F (190°C).

2. Mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

3. In another bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir until you get a thick batter.

5. Skewer the hot dogs. Dip each one in batter, making sure it’s fully covered.

6. Fry them for 3-5 minutes. You want them golden brown.

7. Let them drain on paper towels before serving. Maybe sneak one for yourself.

10) Coney Island Hot Dogs smothered in savory beef chili and onions

Coney Island hot dogs really hit the spot. Grill or boil your hot dogs until they’re plump and juicy.

Pile on a rich beef chili. It’s usually just ground beef, tomato paste, and a handful of spices.

Spoon some chopped white onions on top. They add crunch and a fresh bite.

Tuck everything into soft buns. That’s it—classic, filling, and honestly kind of irresistible.

Ingredients

• 6 beef hot dogs
• 6 hot dog buns
• ½ lb (225 g) ground beef
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• ½ cup diced white onion (plus extra for topping)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet. Break it up as it cooks.

2. Stir in tomato paste. Season with salt and pepper. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes.

3. While that’s going, grill or boil the hot dogs. Five to seven minutes usually does the trick.

4. Pop the hot dogs into buns.

5. Spoon that chili sauce right over the top.

6. Toss on some diced onions before you serve.

If you’re after more details, check out this Coney Island Hot Dogs Recipe.