Hot Dog Chili - Gonna Want Seconds (2024)

Turn your hotdogs into the star of the dinner show with my quick and easy hot dog chili. Chili dogs are an American classic that virtually everyone loves. This is, seriously, the best recipe to make homemade chili dogs, chili fries, or chili burgers. It’s perfect for tailgating, big family dinners, or when you have a crowd of friends over.

It’s a bit sweeter than regular old fashioned chili, it’s made without beans, and is the perfect consistency to ladle over everything!

One of my first jobs, as a teenager, was working in a clothing store at the mall. Literally, every day I worked I’d hit up Orange Julius and order a chili dog for lunch. I still love chili dogs!!

This recipe is so much better than any other chili I’ve had on a dog. I also love to serve this like the iconic Southern California fast food joint, Tommy Burger, on a cheeseburger! Over hot dogs, hamburgers, or even fries, this is your ticket to chili-smothered Nirvana!

If you love chili of all types as I do, I hope you’ll check out my no-beans Texas chili, white chicken chili, and tailgating’s favorite chili, Boilermaker chili!

Let’s make some hot dog chili!

What Is Hot Dog Chili?

A mild, slightly sweet, beef chili recipe specifically created to be ladled over hot dogs and other foods. As the chili cooks, the beef is mashed, thus creating a more “pourable” consistency.

Hot Dog Chili Ingredients:

• Ground Beef or Ground Turkey: I used 80/20 ground beef for the best flavor. If you want to cut down on fat, use a leaner cut of ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken.
• Beef Broth: I like to use low-sodium broth so I can control the overall sodium better in the recipe.
• Tomato Sauce
• Ketchup: Add the perfect tomato flavor with just the right amount of sweetness for this chili.
• Chili Powder: This brings the perfect chili flavor to the chili.
• Salt + Black Pepper: Finishing things off with the perfect seasoning.
• Brown Sugar: The brown sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness to make this the best hot dog chili, evah!
• Onion Powder + Garlic Powder: Using these dried powders round out the seasoning perfectly.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This adds tremendous depth of flavor to beef-based chili.

What Is The Difference Between Hot Dog Sauce And Chili?

Hot dog chili is often referred to as hot dog sauce or hot dog chili sauce. It has a thinner consistency than classic chili so it can easily be ladled over hot dogs. Hot dog chili is slightly sweeter and also doesn’t generally have beans in it.

What Is The Difference Between Hot Dog Chili And Regular Chili?

When I make regular chili, I want the spoon I’m eating it with to stand up in the center of the bowl in between bites. I like it rich, thick, and of course, REALLY chunky.

Hot Dog Chili on the other hand needs to be significantly thinner, so it can cover and cling to a hot do in a bun.

Don’t worry, with my hot dog chili you won’t miss any of the wonderful, complex flavors of a seriously complex chili. It just has been adjusted to suit a hot dog. and bun better!

How To Make Hot Dog Chili Recipe

1. In a saucepan, add the ground beef and beef broth.

2. Mash, using a potato masher to break the beef up.

3. Continue to cook.

4. Add the rest of the ingredients to the saucepan.

5. Bring to a boil over medium heat, reduce heat, and simmer until chili has thickened and beef is fully cooked for about 25-30 minutes.

6. Top over hot dogs.

***See full instructions on the recipe below!

Notes

• Ground Beef: I like to use a blend of 8o/20 ground beef. I like the flavor this combo adds to the chili rather than a leaner combo like 90/10.

Storing + Freezing Tips + Make-Ahead

• How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge?Store this chili in an air-tight container. It can last for 3-4 days.
• Can You Freeze This? Yes. Chilis are freezer-friendly. It can be stored in the freezer for 4-6 months.
• Make-Ahead Tips:Cook the entire recipe ahead and store it in the freezer. Thaw and reheat, then top it on hot dogs whenever you want it.
• Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.

More Optional Chili Dog Toppings

I like to set up a toppings bar and let everyone top their chili dogs as they like! Here’s what I like to put out:

• Cheese: finely grated. Cheddar is the classic on these but any cheese will work. My son likes his with Pepper Jack
• Onion: minced yellow or white if you want a more mellow taste
• Jalapenos: fresh or pickled
• Crispy Fried Onions: you know the ones in the jar.
• Mustard: I serve ballpark-style mustard
• Crumbled Bacon

What To Serve with Hot Dog Chili

Well, of course, the hot dog and bun goes without saying! I like to serve this with my bag of great quality chips, KFC coleslaw, classic macaroni salad, Italian pasta salad, dill pickle pasta salad, or Ina Garten’s potato salad on the side.

I also love to make frozen french fries smothered in cheddar cheese! I mean….you know what I’m talking about!!!

More Chili Recipes You’ll LOVE!

• Alton Brown Chili
• Steak Chili
• Pioneer Woman Chili
• Instant Pot Turkey Chili
• Crockpot Chicken Chili
• Alton Brown Chili
• Green Chicken Chili
• Chili Mac
• Mexican Taco Chili

Tried This Recipe?

Leave a review, I love hearing your feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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