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?
Honestly, it is both — and that is exactly what makes it work. In the South and through much of Appalachia, this style of topping goes by “hot dog sauce” or “hot dog chili” depending on where you grew up. Either way, you are talking about the same thing: a fine-textured, meaty, deeply savory sauce with no beans. It is not the chunky chili you put in a bowl. It is the thick, bold, spoonable sauce that goes straight onto a grilled hot dog and stays right there. That is this recipe. Call it what you want — just make sure there is enough for everyone.
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.
Make Ahead and Crock Pot Tips
Make the chili up to two days ahead and store it in the fridge. When you are ready to serve, reheat it on the stovetop or pour it straight into a slow cooker set on warm. It holds beautifully for hours, which makes it perfect for a self-serve hot dog bar where people can ladle it on all afternoon. This is exactly how I set it up for a crowd.
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.
More Recipes Like This
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
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!
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!
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Very Tasty! I was trying to replicate the hot dog chili from my childhood. This was a little bit too sweet in comparison to what I remember. I think if I made it again I would leave out the ketchup and sweeteners. But I enjoyed the recipe very much!
Thank you for giving it a try and for the honest feedback! Those childhood flavor memories are so specific and so real. Leaving out the ketchup and cutting back on the sweetener is a great instinct if you want a more savory, old-school chili flavor. I hope the next batch hits that memory just right! xo, ~Donya
I have been looking for a good recipe for chili for hotdogs. I love this recipe. It’s delicious. It was a hit with my family. Thank you!
A family hit — that is what I love to hear! Hot dog chili has to be just right and I am so glad this one delivered. Enjoy every bite!
XO,
Donya
I prepared this Hot Dog Chili Sauce exactly as described. Everyone loved it. Thanks for sharing, I love all your recipes!
I’m so glad it was a hit! Thank you so much for the kind words — it means a lot that you enjoy the recipes.
~Donya
I made this recipe exactly as described. Everyone loved it. I love all your recipes. Thanks for sharing!
That makes me so happy to hear! Thank you for trying the recipe and for the sweet words — it truly means a lot.
~Donya
The best chili ever
That means so much — thank you! I’m thrilled it’s a winner for you.
~Donya
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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!!