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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stony
Just like mine, well almost and just love some of the addition, always made mine by putting the water and burger together in the post to start and mash with potato masher, if you use low fat burger works perfect, and also use a little hot sauce but just a touch. One more note, if you simmer your dogs keep the sauce thinned out with the water from the pot with dogs, gives it a another dimension. Made mine yesterday and today here Donya sends it,, This is the best sauce ever for dogs., not over whelming with chili favor .
Donya
Hey there Stony!
Thank you so very much for your phenomenal rating and your sweet words! I am so glad you like this recipe, great minds think alike as they say, though adding hot sauce is always a welcome addition! Thank you so much for your support, let me know if you ever have any questions about a recipe! I hope you have a great rest of your day!
~Donya
Lori
My family really enjoyed this chili dog sauce! It has replaced a 15yr old recipe for Coney Island sauce. I used Chipotle chili powder for a bit more heat and depth. The stick blender trick is wonderful to create the consistency we’ve always wanted.
Donya
Hey!
Thank you so much for your kind words of support! I am so glad that you and your family enjoyed this recipe, my boys always loved it too! Thank you for your support!
~Donya
Chris
Good eats, second time making for our bbq, big hit!
No cumin, not a spice I care for and the immersion blender does the trick!
Looks like the canned but that’s where the similarity ends!
Thanks for posting!
Donya
Hey Chris!
Thank you so much for your terrific rating, I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for your support!
~Donya
Shauna
oh I love this chili dog recipe. My family loves this recipe it’s a keeper.
Donya
Hey Shauna!
Thanks so much for your lovely comment! I am so happy to hear this recipe got your family’s stamp of approval. Thank you for your support!
~Donya
Kristy P
I made this vegetarian style with a few other substitutions, and it is awesome! Thanks for sharing it with us!!
Meg
Do you cover with lid while simmering or leave open?
Donya
Hey there Meg!
Thank you for your interest in this recipe, that’s a great question! I usually place the lid onto my pot while the Chili is simmering, but it’s completely up to you, you can also leave it uncovered and it won’t make a big difference. I hope this is helpful, let me know how everything turns out, I really hope you enjoy!
~Donya
Joi
Delicious recipe and I love your personality!
Thank you!
~Donya
Lane
Consistency of final texture is important to me. I prefer to use the courser of the two disks on my Kitchen Aid food grinder. Much better control than blender, food processor, or immersion blender.
Marie
Great!!!
Pam
This Hot Dog Chili is just what I was looking for!
steph@Plainchicken.com
Perfect for our 4th of July cookout next week!