Classic Homemade Hot Dog Chili Sauce is the ultimate topping for grilled dogs, sausages, and burgers! This meaty, tangy, slightly sweet sauce is simmered in just the right combination of herbs and spices. It’s a winning recipe for your next cookout, BBQ or tailgate party!
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5-Star Reader Comment
“Entire family loved it! I made it just exactly as printed.
Twee
We topped the dogs with onions and mustard – and everyone from grandkids to grandparents raves about it.
Thank you!”
This past weekend, we celebrated the end of an era for my youngest son. Hunter graduated from high school this spring, which ended his participation in the drumline. To honor the past year’s successes and show a little love to the seniors, I organized a cookout for them and their parents.
This gathering was made extra special when I got a text message from one of the kids. He had a favor to ask, a special request—”Could I please make my Hot Dog Chili?” My heart melted. Of course, for him and the drumline, no problem!
Is This Chili Or A Sauce?
The real answer is that it’s both! Even though it’s called hot dog chili, this recipe is more of a sauce than a chili. It has a fine texture and does not have beans, like my Bloody Mary Chili or Award-Winning Chili. It’s a savory chili sauce recipe that makes a terrific topping.
Ingredients Needed For Hot Dog Chili
- Ground beef and onion.
- Tomato paste, tomato sauce, ketchup, honey, Worcestershire sauce, mustard.
- Garlic, sugar, chili powder, celery salt, cumin, kosher salt, black pepper.
What Can Hot Dog Chili Be Made Of?
- Ground Beef: Lean Ground beef is a popular choice for homemade chili.
- Ground Turkey: Ground turkey is a leaner alternative to beef and can be used in any good chili dog recipe.
- Ground Pork: Ground pork adds a rich flavor to chili and can be cooked like ground beef or turkey.
How to Make Homemade Hot Dog Chili
- Brown ground beef. Drain excess fat and add onions to the pot, and stir. Add garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, salt, pepper, and cumin, and cook for 2–3 minutes. Stir in celery salt, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, tomato sauce, honey, and ketchup. Add water and stir.
- Bring chili to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Using an immersion blender, carefully blend chili until meat chunks are broken down.
- Serve or store in the fridge or freezer.
How To Serve The Best Hot Dog Chili
- My favorite way to serve a grilled hot dog is to top it with mustard, onions, cole slaw, and a big spoonful of hot dog chili. You can also add other toppings like pickle relish and cheese.
- You can also get fancy with gourmet hot dog toppings like candied jalapenos, caramelized onions, or avocado salsa.
- It’s delicious, spooned over french fries, tater tots, or baked potatoes.
People Often Ask…
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They can also be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Yes. Place the chili sauce in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag, label it and store in the freezer for up to three months.
You sure can. Make the chili and keep it warm in a slow cooker. This is a great way to set up a buffet and let folks make their own hot dogs!
More Recipes Like This
If you tried this Hot Dog Chili Sauce Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef
- 1 cup onion – chopped
- 2 cloves garlic – minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon celery salt
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ⅓ cup ketchup
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- In a dutch oven or heavy bottom pot, brown ground beef. When the meat is no longer pink, drain excess fat and add onions to pot, stir. Add in garlic, tomato paste, chili powder, salt, pepper and cumin and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add celery salt, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, tomato sauce, honey and ketchup, stir. Add in water. Bring chili up to a boil then reduce to simmer. Cook for approximately 30 minutes sauce has thickened. Remove from heat and let cool 15 minutes.
- Using an immersion blender, carefully blend chili until meat chunks are broken down. *You can also use a regular blender, making sure to blend in small batches to avoid getting burned.
- When ready to serve, heat chili either on stove or in a slow cooker. Can be stored in refrigerator for 3 days or frozen up to 3 months.
Nutrition
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Thanks, Donya! You never fail me with your recipes. This one was so easy to make, and I had almost everything right in my pantry. I can only imagine how amazing it must be to eat at your house! Thank you so much for sharing these delicious recipes with us—I always look forward to trying the next one!
Thank you, Lisa! This comment has made my day! I’m so happy to have you here cooking along with me. Thank you for the great review! ~Donya
I made this today, and it is excellent. Everyone loved it. You could easily add some cayenne pepper if you like it spicy. We were serving to a mixed group so we left it as is. I am from Appalachia, and this is precisely what people expect when you say hot dog sauce or hot dog chili.
Thank you for your kind review! I’m so glad it was a hit! ~Donya
Great recipe with awesome flavors, but it is not a chili. Chili has beans in it, this does not.
Depends on who you ask! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe! ~Donya
Forgot to give the well-deserved 5 star rating. This recipe is not only great but so easy to make.
Thank you, Debby!
~Donya
I made this for my grandson’s Sonic The Hedgehog birthday party. Sonic loves chili cheese dogs. It was a big, big hit. Even my husband, who has always preferred chunky chili with beans on his hot dogs, was a convert. THANKS!!