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Taking hot dogs to the next level, these Chili Dogs are messy, fun and the perfect backyard barbecue food. Making these at home is so EASY!
If you love summer barbecues, try our Grilled Hawaiian Chicken, Texas corn dogs and Homemade Barbecue Sauce!
The Best Chili Dogs
Chili Dogs are usually what you get at amusement parks or college cafeterias. And who hasn’t eaten one too many with messy hands and extra tissue to wipe off your face. I love them because they really take hot dogs to the next level. And these are incredibly easy to make at home. If you are soaking up all the sun and spending all your time outdoors grilling with your family, these chili dogs should be on your must make list.
These Chili Dogs are such an American classic and with our favorite fast and easy chili recipe, I bet your whole family will love them! Don’t forget the extra napkins!
Easy Homemade Chili:
Start with an easy chili recipe. You can use your house favorite, try out our Chipotle Chili recipe or use my extra easy recipe below. Make the chili a day ahead which really allows the flavors to become better. On the day, just heat it up on the grill if you like (let it simmer while you grill all the other stuff), or heat it on the stove. And you are ready to start layering your chili dogs.
Making Hot Dogs:
Choose to boil, pan fry or grill your hot dogs. Grilled hot dogs are a personal favourite plus those char marks look so good when you assemble your chili dogs.
We prefer our buns toasted most of the time, but there are people in the family who like theirs untoasted too. Toasted buns hold up better under the chili and hot dogs. And you can butter them and throw them on the grill for a minute or two for a quick toast.
Chili Dog Toppings:
I know toppings are a personal affair. Everyone likes what they like.
Choose from:
- Red Onions
- Sharp Cheddar
- Relish and Pickles
- Mustard
- Ketchup
- Coleslaw
More Great Barbecue Recipes:
- Grilled Honey Barbecue Chicken Foil Packets
- Grilled BBQ Chicken
- Key Lime Chicken
- Portobello Burgers
- Citrus Salmon with Pineapple Salsa
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Chili Dogs
Ingredients
Chili
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup finely diced onion about half a medium onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 (15-ounce) can pasta sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
Hot Dogs
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 8 hot dog buns
- 8 beef hot dogs
Instructions
Chili
- Add 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil to a 12-inch skillet and heat over medium-high heat until the butter is melted. Add 1 pound ground beef, ½ cup finely diced onion, and 1 tablespoon minced garlic and cook until the beef is browned and no pink remains, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add 1 (15-ounce) can pasta sauce, 1 teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon salt to the skillet and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes.
Hot Dogs
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Butter the inside of 8 hot dog buns with 4 tablespoons salted butter and set aside.
- Brush the grates with oil and place 8 beef hot dogs on the grill. Cook for 3-4 minutes, rotating them every minute or so until they are heated through and have char marks on them. Turn off the grill and place the buns face down on the grill for a minute or two until they are toasted to your liking.
- To assemble, place a hot dog on a warm, toasted bun and top with the chili. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
how much fun, haven’t had these in years and even forgot about them, thank you!