Hot Dog Sauce

Instead of visiting a restaurant the next time you crave a Coney dog, whip one up at home! Our hot dog sauce recipe is a lovely sweet-and-spicy beef and tomato-based sauce that’s wonderful atop hot dogs. There’s a fair chance you already have all the ingredients at home too. So, who’s ready for some tasty hot dogs?

Ingredients for Hot Dog Sauce

• Ground beef: The ground beef is the meaty portion of the hot dog sauce, making it a bit like a thin chili.
• Onion: The onion adds a little crunch and flavor to the sauce. Chop it into small pieces that’ll fit well on a hot dog.
• Tomato sauce: Tomato sauce creates a tomatoey base for the recipe.
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar adds sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor.
• Chili powder: Chili powder gives the hot dog sauce a smoky, chili-like flavor.
• Hot dogs and hot dog buns: Heat these up while making the sauce and they’ll be ready for serving time.

Directions

Step 1: Make the hot dog sauce

ERIC KLEINBERG FOR TASTE OF HOME

In a large saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Carefully crumble the ground beef into the water. Add the onion. Boil the liquid until the meat is no longer pink, then drain the water. Add the tomato sauce, brown sugar, chili powder, salt and pepper to the pan with the meat. Simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until everything is heated through. Serve the hot dog sauce over hot dogs in buns.

ERIC KLEINBERG FOR TASTE OF HOME

Hot Dog Sauce Variations

• Add green pepper: Add 1/2 cup or so of diced green pepper to hot dog sauce recipes for a little crunch and color. Red peppers also work—they’re both bell peppers at different stages of ripeness, and they’ll add nutrients such as vitamins C and B6.
• Add garlic: Mince cloves of garlic and add it to the sauce for a garlicky bite.
• Add cumin: Add 1/2 teaspoon cumin for a slightly earthy, nutty flavor and aroma.
• Add Worcestershire sauce: Worcestershire sauce gives the hot dog sauce flavor depth and umami for extra deliciousness.

How to Store Hot Dog Sauce

Once the hot dog sauce cools, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’ll keep for three to five days.

Can you make hot dog sauce ahead of time?

Sure! Make it up to a day ahead of time, or make it early in the morning ahead of the big game or for a get-together later on. The flavors will unite even more. Keep the sauce in the fridge and then reheat it in a saucepan at mealtime.

Hot Dog Sauce Tips

ERIC KLEINBERG FOR TASTE OF HOME

Could I brown the ground beef instead of boiling it?

Yes! Brown the beef with a little vegetable oil in a Dutch oven or a large skillet with a heavy bottom, breaking the ground beef into small pieces as needed. Cook the onion along with the beef. When the beef is no longer pink, drain the liquid from the pan, then add the other ingredients as directed.

Could I add celery?

Definitely! Dice a stalk or two of celery into fine pieces, then cook it in the sauce.

What else can I add to a hot dog with the sauce on it?

Add shredded cheese and let it melt atop the hot dog sauce for delicious flavor. A pinch of celery seed also tastes delicious atop the hot dogs. If you enjoy onions, add fresh diced onions as well. Ketchup and mustard enhance the chili dog sauce flavor even more. For something a little different, use recipes for hot dog sauce atop loaded baked potatoes!