Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (2024)

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Summer is here and for us, that means we use the grill a lot. There’s just something about hamburgers and hot dogs in the middle of summer that is oh so perfect. While Carrigan loves her hot dog with ketchup and nothing more, I’m a fan of just a little extra something. Thishot dog chili recipe is so perfect for making your favorite chili dogs!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Wonder.

Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (1)

Hot Dog Chili Recipe

Hot dogs are one of Carrigan’s favorite food and her love for them means we’ve started eating them more often. Summer is the perfect time for hot dogs!

Justin mans the grill and weall enjoy the time we spend together in our backyard on warm summer evenings. But when it comes to hot dogs, I want chili cheese dogs every single time. Every single time.

We love to use Wonder Hot Dog and Hamburger buns for our summer meals. There’s just something about them that feels like summer. They’re just summer essentials and have to be part of our summer memories.

Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (2)

This summer Wonder has partnered with the United Services Organization (USO) to honor military men and women.The hot dog and hamburger packages feature stars, stripes, and camo in honor of our heroes!

Wonder is celebrating our nation’s heroes with the “Camo for the Cause” initiative. Wonder will be making a donation of $250,000 by its parent company (Flowers Bakeries, LLC) to support the USO and its efforts!

Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (3)

The “Camo for a Cause” packaging is only available through the end of July, so be sure to pick up some Wonder Classic hot dog and hamburger buns for your next cookout, picnic and other get-togethers!

Then think about trying your hand at making your own hot dog chili!

For the longest time, I just bought hot dog chili at the store and used that to make chili dogs. But most things are better when you make it yourself and homemade hot dog chili is no different! It’s so versatile!

Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (4)

If you didn’t know we’re huge fans of chili in our house! Carrigan also loves Instant Pot Chili Mac so I whip that up pretty often too! But there’s a difference between the chili I make for meals and for chili mac and the type of chili I make for our chili dog recipe.

The main difference is in the beans. In this hot dog chili recipe, there are no beans. Instead, you get a super simple ingredients list that turns into a tasty hot dog sauce you can actually use on hot dogs, hamburgers, frenchfries, and tater tots (it’s delicious over tatertots with some cheese)!

Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (5)

Hot Dog Chili Recipe Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup minced onion
  • 1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

You’ll also need:

  • 8 hot dogs
  • 1 package Wonder Hot Dog Buns
  • Toppings as desired
    • Minced onions
    • Mustard
    • Corn chips
    • French friend onions

Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (6)

How to Make Hot Dog Chili

The key to making really great hot dog sauce is getting your meat really smooth. You don’t want big chunks of ground beef in your chili dog sauce. By putting your meat in some water and then breaking it up until it’s smooth, it will brown up with the consistency that makes for great hot dog chili.

Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (7)

1. Place ground beef in a bowl and cover with water. Allow to sit for a few minutes and then use a spatula to break up the meat.

2. Add ground beef, water, onion, and garlic in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are soft.
3. Add in ketchup, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and stir well.

Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (8)

4. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat and allow to simmer over low heat.

5. Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the hot dog chili sauce is your desired consistency.

Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (9)

6. Cook or grill hot dogs and place each hot dog in a Wonder Hot Dog bun.

7. Serve the homemade hot dog chili over hot dogs and top with your favorite toppings.

Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (10)

Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (11)

Printable Hot Dog Chili Sauce Recipe

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Hot Dog Chili Sauce

Ingredients

For Hot Dog Chili Sauce

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Instructions

  • Place ground beef in a bowl and cover with water. Allow to sit for a few minutes and then use a spatula to break up the meat.

  • Add ground beef, water, onion, and garlic in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink and the onions are soft.

  • Add in ketchup, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and stir well.

  • Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat and allow to simmer over low heat.

  • Simmer uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until the hot dog chili sauce is your desired consistency.

  • Cook or grill hot dogs and place each hot dog in a Wonder Hot Dog bun.

  • Serve the homemade hot dog chili over hot dogs and top with your favorite toppings.

Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (13)

Remember to look for the exclusive Wonder and USO “Camo for a Cause” packaging through the end of July at your local grocery store. They’re great for making chili dogs! Actually, I think they might be some of the best hot dog buns for making chili dogs! My family agrees!

Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (14)

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Easy Hot Dog Chili Recipe That's So Versatile! • The Simple Parent (2024)

FAQs

How to make a simple hot dog? ›

Fill a large saucepan with enough water to cover hot dogs (about 1 cup per hot dog). Bring water to a boil. Add the hot dogs one at a time using tongs. Reduce the heat to the low setting and allow the hot dogs to simmer for anywhere from 3 to 6 minutes (the longer they simmer, the crispier they'll be).

How do you make chili more interesting? ›

Cocoa powder, bacon, cinnamon, ground coffee and tomato paste will all add a rich sweet & salty flavors that are sure to surprise and delight. Warming spice blends, like Garam Masala, Ras el Hanout or Baharat are another simple and delicious way to add layered flavors to this simple one-pot meal.

Should chili be thick or soupy? ›

Traditionally, we expect a robust, spicy base, meat and/or beans, perhaps some bonus veggies, and a thick, rich consistency. Unlike soups, which are brothy, or even bisques, which are creamy yet thinner, chili is meant to be more stew-like; it's a definite stick-to-your-ribs creation.

How to make chili taste homemade? ›

Make your own spice blend

Although canned chili will already have some seasonings, fresh herbs and spices will add bolder flavor. You can upgrade your chili using ingredients you likely already have on your spice rack, such as chili powder, ground cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

How to cook the best hot dogs at home? ›

Cooking Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Put your hot dogs in a pan or tray. You can use a casserole dish, a roasting pan or even a baking tray (as long as it has a rim for catching juices). ...
  3. Cook for 15 minutes. Keep an eye on your dogs. ...
  4. Serve. Take your hot dogs out of the oven, top them and enjoy!

What is the secret to amazing chili? ›

Here Are Our Six Secret Ingredients for the Best Chili
  • Canned Puréed Pumpkin. You already use this to make pumpkin-infused quick breads and waffles, but did you know you can add it to chili too? ...
  • Cocoa Powder. ...
  • Coffee. ...
  • Maple Syrup. ...
  • Pepperoncinis (Plus Liquid) ...
  • Root Beer.
Sep 2, 2022

What is the most important spice in chili? ›

Most Common Chili Spices. Cumin, Chile Powders, and Paprika are the most common spices in chili followed by garlic, onion, coriander, Mexican oregano, and bay leaves. These ingredients can be combined to create a savory and well-balanced pot of top notch comfort food.

What adds depth of flavor to chili? ›

Is it lacking in savory depth? Add a hit of soy sauce, Worcestershire, or tamari. These salty, savory powerhouses won't dominate or change the flavor of your chili so much as amplify what's there. Start with one tablespoon, stir, and taste before you add another.

Does tomato paste make chili thicker? ›

Not only will tomato paste add a tangy flavor to the dish, but it will also act as a thickening agent. For this purpose, you can use homemade or store-bought tomato paste. Add 1 can of the paste to your pot of chili, stir the mixture, and let it cook on medium heat for about 30 minutes.

Why do you put cornmeal in chili? ›

Cornmeal is one of our go-to thickening agents for chili. Unlike all-purpose flour, this Southern pantry staple adds a subtle earthy flavor to the chili in addition to thickening it up. You can use white or yellow cornmeal that is fine to medium-grain.

Does chili need tomato paste? ›

Tomato paste is a great way to add bonus tomato flavor, and thickness, to a chili recipe. To get the best flavor it needs to be browned. Add a couple tablespoons (or a whole can if you want a thicker soup base) directly to the pan after cooking the meat and onions.

Why do you put vinegar in chili? ›

With only about 1 tablespoon per pot added toward the end of the cooking process, the vinegar will make the flavors more vibrant without overwhelming the dish with its biting tang. Through just a splash, everything becomes a little brighter, and the chili's flavors are more balanced.

Do you cook onions or meat first for chili? ›

In a large pot over medium heat, heat the oil and add the onions, garlic, and red pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the beef and increase the heat to high. Cook, stirring with wooden spoon to break up the meat, until the beef is browned, 10 to 12 minutes.

What ingredients do you need for hot dogs? ›

Some hot dogs are made of only three ingredients: beef trimmings, salt, and seasonings. However, many hot dogs can also contain fillers, preservatives, and other artificial additives.

How to pan fry hot dogs on stove? ›

How to cook hot dogs in the frying pan
  1. Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat.
  2. Add the frankfurters to the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, turning until the skin begins to brown.
  3. Slice the hot dog buns lengthways, place a frankfurter in each, and top with sauces and accompaniments of your choice.

What are 5 ways to cook hot dogs? ›

12 Different Ways To Cook Hot Dogs
  1. Throw hot dogs on the grill. ...
  2. Pan-fry hot dogs for a perfect crust. ...
  3. Boil hot dogs for the ultimate plump. ...
  4. Enjoy crunchy hot dogs simmered in water. ...
  5. For the ultimate flavor burst, simmer them in beer. ...
  6. Be careful when microwaving hot dogs. ...
  7. Brown hot dogs by roasting them in the oven.
Jan 26, 2023

Are hot dogs better boiled or microwaved? ›

Although the microwaved hot dogs were tastier than the boiled ones, I don't think the time I spent wrapping and heating the franks was worth it. They lacked the crispy exterior of the air-fried and grilled hot dogs.

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