Chili Dogs: the easy, delicious hot dog recipe both kids and adults will love

If you've never had a chili cheese dog, you're in for a treat. This easy hot dog recipe is a much-loved favorite made by topping a hot dog with spicy, savory chili sauce, onions, and of course, plenty of tasty cheese.

Chili dogs are a popular dish to serve at barbecues and parties, and are great for feeding bigger groups – kids and grown-ups alike will love the mouthwatering flavors in this easy-to-make dish.

Although homemade chili dogs can be a little messy, it's well worth it. Mop up the extra sauce with some French fries or onion rings to make sure none of that delicious sauce goes to waste.

What is a Chili Dog?

Chili dogs are a fantastic, easy-to-make version of the classic hot dog. They're made by topping grilled hot dogs with a spicy, savory meat sauce, cheese, and often some chopped onions.

Chili cheese dogs are similar to Coney dogs, however, the two are slightly different. Coney dogs are usually made with yellow mustard and tend not to be made with beans. There are many regional versions of Coney Island dogs throughout the US.

How to Make Chili Dogs

Chili cheese dogs are incredibly easy to make, even if you've never whipped up a batch before. Start by sauteeing the beef, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and chili powder over a medium-high flame. Stir the mixture occasionally, and cook the beef until it's nice and browned.

Mix in the tomato sauce, ketchup, and mustard, then lower the heat to a simmer and cook the chili for 10 to 12 minutes. This will give the flavors time to merge and make your chili perfectly delicious.

Grill the hot dogs while the chili is cooking. Simply cook them over direct heat on your grill for about 2 minutes on each side. Switch off the grill and toast the buns until they reach your desired level of doneness.

To assemble the chili dogs, place a hot dog in each bun, then top it with the chili, some cheese, and onions, plus any other toppings you'd like, then enjoy – just don't forget the napkins!

Chili Dog Topping Ideas

Get creative with your chili dog toppings. Some tried and true favorites include grated cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, and Jack are all popular options), minced red onion, chopped spring onions, and sour cream.

However, you can seriously jazz up with beans, chopped bacon, crispy fried onions, chopped jalapeños, avocado, lettuce, or grill up some fruit and vegetables to add as a topping. There are loads of ingredients and flavors to experiment with.

What to Serve with Hot Dog Chili 

Chili cheese dogs are great with French fries, onion rings, roasted veggies, potato chips, potato salad, green salads, pasta, salads, and other classic picnic and potluck dishes.

Tips for the Best Chili Cheese Dogs

When cooking the beef, make sure to break up any big chunks with your spatula.

Don't be shy when assembling your chili dogs – the more toppings the better!

The chili sauce can also be used to make chili cheese fries, chili cheese roasted potatoes, chili cheeseburgers, and more. The sauce is amazing with nachos.

Use lean ground beef to make your beef chili.

For extra flavor, you can add a dash of Worchestershire sauce, some paprika, liquid smoke, beef or chicken stock, or cumin.

Don't forget to toast the buns before assembling the dogs – this will help give them structure and make them less likely to fall apart when you're eating.

If you don't have a grill, cook the hot dogs on your stovetop or bake them in the oven.

In a rush? Used canned chili to make your chili cheese dogs.

How to Store Chili Dogs

The chili and hot dogs should be stored separately. Keep the chili in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cooked hot dogs will last for up to 4 days when properly stored in the fridge.

Can You Freeze Homemade Hot Dog Chili?

Absolutely! Frozen chili will last about four to 6 months.

Instructions

Pour oil into a skillet and heat over medium-high flame. Mix in the beef, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and chili powder. Stir to combine. Saute until the beef is browned, about 7 to 8 minutes.

Stir in the tomato sauce, ketchup, and mustard. Lower the heat to a simmer, and cook for 10 to 12 minutes.

Heat your grill to medium-high. Grill the hot dogs over direct heat for 2 minutes on each side.

Switch off the grill and toast the buns until they reach your desired level of doneness.

Lay a hot dog in each bun, top with the chili sauce along with your preferred toppings. Serve immediately.

Notes

Make sure you clean your grill before cooking the hot dogs.