How to Cook Chili Dogs in a Bun
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I remember someone at a hot dog stand once saying, ‘What’s the hype about chili dog? It's just hot dog with ketchup and beef (how long does beef last?)’. But what I remember more clearly is the eerie silence that followed those words. All 14 people waiting in line – the microcosm of hot dog lunchers – looked shocked. Because though everyone there was waiting for a hotdog, no one could digest such blasphemy towards chili dogs.
Anyone who’s had a good chili dog can testify that it is unapologetically a unique dish in itself, and not just another hotdog topping. The diversity of textures and flavors that the addition of beef chili, onion, and cheddar brings to the hotdog, transforms the dish into a new one. Chili dogs are snappy, fresh off the grill hotdogs, blanketed in fluffy, soft buns, topped off with warm, thick, sweet-tangy chili, and a neat sprinkling of salty-cheesy cheddar.
Like hot dogs, chili dogs are also crowd favorites. Be it amusement parks, football stadiums, or backyard BBQs, where there’s a crowd, there ought to be chili dogs. Crowds and chili dogs go hand-in-hand, hence if planning a barbeque or summer cookout, make this one-pot, quick and easy chili beforehand, grill the sausages live, and serve chili dogs with a glass of Cajun spiced lemonade.
Making Chili Dog
Make the Chili
Heat oil in a skillet or cast iron pan, add chopped bacon bits, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, till bacon is crispy and loses its pink rawness. Once the bacon is translucent, add ground beef, chopped onions, (What wine goes well with onions?) and garlic. Saute and cook for 6 to 8 minutes till beef is browned. Pour in tomato sauce, honey (how long does honey last?), and beef stock. Simmer on low-medium heat for 25 to 30 minutes till chili thickens up and the beef is well cooked.
Trust me, the easiest way to buy oil, skillet, tomato sauce, honey, and beef stock is through online retailers!
Grill Hot Dog and Bun
Place hot dogs and bun in a skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Turn and cook for a minute on each side till the hot dog and bun are evenly grilled on all sides.
Assemble Chili Dog
Place hot dog inside a bun. Top off with a generous portion of chili, a neat sprinkling of cheddar, onions, and other toppings of your choice. Serve hot!
How to Make Chili Dogs
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound bacon, cut into small pieces
- 1 large onion, chopped2 pounds ground beef
- 4 chopped garlic cloves
- 16 ounce can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons molasses or honey
- 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne, optional
- Salt
- As many hot dogs as you have people to serve
- Buns for the hot dogs
- Chopped red onion, for garnish
- Shredded cheddar (or jack) cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Fry bacon over medium heat until it gets crispy. Add the chopped onions and fry over high heat, until they begin to brown. Stir often. Stir in the ground beef. When beef is halfway browned, add in the chopped garlic.
- Once the beef is well browned, stir in the tomato sauce, molasses and beef broth.
- Add all the spices except the cayenne and stir well. Bring to a simmer. Add salt or the cayenne to taste. More cayenne or chili powder can be added if desired. Make sure to taste.
- Cook the chili on a gentle simmer for at least 30 minutes before grilling the hotdog. It can be cooked for several hours if preferred, adding a little more beef broth here and there if the chili gets dry.
- Grill the hotdogs over medium heat until they get a light char. Grill the hot dog buns briefly, if opted, for no more than a minute. Olive oil or butter may be painted on the buns before grilling.
- Assemble the chili hotdogs. Hotdogs are snugged inside the warm toasty buns, topped off with the chili, and finished with some chopped red onions and a generous sprinkle of cheese. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories
102.76Fat
7.51Sat. Fat
2.61Carbs
5.88Fiber
1Net carbs
4.87Sugar
3.05Protein
3.68Sodium
357.44Cholesterol
13.81
