15 Mouthwatering Hot Dog Recipes For Summer Cookouts
Now that you've got the grill primed for the season, you're probably spending more time outdoors cooking, lounging, and spending time with your people. And there's no food that's quite as summer-like as a good old-fashioned hot dog.
Hot dogs are quick and easy and when they're done right, are juicy and full of flavor. And before you pass off hot dogs as boring, you should check out some of the recipes we've put together that are sure to make your next dog unforgettable.
So swing by our meat department, snatch up a couple of beef or meatless hot dogs, or some of our hand-cased bratwursts to try some of our favorite hot dog recipes that'll add some variety to the classic summer dog you already love.
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Hawaiian Hot Dogs
Enjoy a fruity, subtly-spicy hot dog with this Hawaiian-style recipe from Co+op!
Grilled pineapple and wasabi mayo add a flavorful tropical-inspired flair to standard hot dogs.
Ingredients
1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon powdered wasabi
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/4 medium pineapple
1 teaspoon oil, plus oil for the grill
4 hot dogs
4 whole-wheat hot dog buns
1/4 cup sliced red onions
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Sriracha to taste (optional)
Directions
Heat the grill to high. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, wasabi and soy sauce, and stir to mix well. Set aside.
Stand the whole pineapple on its base on a cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut the skin from the pineapple and discard. Cut off the base and the top, leaving a cylinder of pineapple. Place the cylinder upright again and slice downward along the core, to cut away the flesh in large pieces. Place one of these pieces core side down and slice in 1/2-inch thick vertical slices. Reserve the remaining pineapple for another use (or grill for another use).
Place the pineapple slices in a large bowl and drizzle with oil. Use tongs and paper towels to rub vegetable oil on the grate. Place the pineapple slices on the oiled grate and grill for about 2 minutes, just until the slices are marked. Turn and grill for another minute. Put back in the bowl and let cool, then cut the pineapple slices into 1-inch pieces.
Reduce the heat to medium and grill the hot dogs, turning every couple of minutes, until marked and cooked through about 8 minutes. Spread buns with the mayonnaise mixture and place a hot dog in each one. Top with pineapple and serve with red onion, cilantro, and Sriracha sauce if desired.
Recipe and photo adapted from Welcome to the Table
Elote Hot Dogs
Topped off with grilled corn, tomatillos, and a slather of mayo, these elote-style hot dogs are packed full of subtly spicy charred flavor.
Serve these hot dogs with a side of homemade chips and salsa and your favorite margarita recipe.
And don't forget the tajin! It's the perfect finishing touch.
Chicago-Style Hot Dog
You don't have to visit the Windy City to enjoy one of its staple foods! And this is one recipe that you shouldn't customize.
Chicago Dogs can really only have the following ingredients: a poppy seed bun, beef hot dog, yellow mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, pickles, and mild green chilis.
Photo Courtesy of Applegate
Seattle-Style Hot Dog
We couldn't put together a hot dog recipe post without acknowledging the Seattle dog!
If you're a Washington native you might already be familiar with this recipe, but if you aren't it's pretty simple!
For a Seattle dog, you'll need a toasted bun, thinly sliced caramelized onions, cream cheese, and mustard. And though it's optional, a squirt of sriracha adds a spicy element to balance out the cool cream cheese.
Beer-Braised Hot Dogs with Braised Sauerkraut
Once you beer braise your hot dogs, you probably won't go back.
It adds a whole new flavor to your standard hot dog that's rich and delicious.
Serve these hot dogs with braised sauerkraut and your favorite condiments.
Chorizo-and-Kimchi Hot Dogs
Here's another recipe that a big departure from your standard dog.
Featuring cilantro crema, kimchi slaw, and chorizo, this hot dog is packed full of flavor and is based on the Sonoran hot dog.
Top your dogs off with sliced scallions for a subtle onion flavor.
Photo Courtesy of Applegate
Los Angeles Dog
Based on a world-famous food truck hot dog, this LA-inspired recipe features a cabbage and scallion slaw, sesame mayo, and kimchi.
The cooling slaw balances out pungent, spicy kimchi, and a toasted bun adds a nice crispiness to the dog.
If you like it a hot, add a squirt of sriracha.
Photo Courtesy of Beyond Meat
Beyond Sausage Chicago Dog
Here's another vegan-friendly hot dog that utilizes meatless brats from Beyond Meat.
This recipe features all the aforementioned toppings you'd need for a Chicago dog, like onion, relish, sport peppers, and mustard.
The only difference here is that everyone can enjoy this recipe, vegans and meat-eaters alike!
Photo Courtesy of Half Baked Harvest
Healthy Loaded Cheddar and Blue Cheese Buffalo Chicken Dogs
These hot dogs are definitely more involved than some of the other recipes, considering that you're going to be making the chicken dogs from scratch But that makes the dish that much more special!
That said, if you want to speed up the process, you could certainly sub in store-bought chicken sausages instead.
The spicy avocado ranch adds a kick of heat to these dogs, while lettuce, carrots, and green onions cool it down.
BBQ Carrot Dog
Okay, hear us out on this one. we know you might feel a little skeptical about substituting a hot dog for a carrot, but it's worth trying!
Reviewers in the comment section of this recipe we're also skeptical, but ended up leaving a 5-star review once they gave it a shot.
The carrots are steamed and then marinated in vegetable broth, soy sauce, and cider vinegar to give them that salty hot dog taste. Top them off with your favorite fixings! And if you do make this, please share it with us, because we really want to know what you think!
Find the full recipe at EatingWell
Bacon-Wrapped Sonoran Hot Dogs
A bacon-wrapped hot dog? Oh yes!
These Monterrey-inspired dogs are topped off with a homemade salsa verde to add a subtle kick of spice.
Drizzle them with avocado crema for a cooling element.
Find the full recipe at Fine Cooking
More Hot Dog Recipes
Hot Dog Sliders from Taste of Home
Banh Mi Hot Dogs from The Modern Proper
Mexican Hot Dogs from NYT Cooking
Italian Hot Dog from The Spruce Eats