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    Home » Sauces » How To Make Hot Dog Chili Sauce

    How To Make Hot Dog Chili Sauce

    Published: Nov 16, 2021 by Megan Porta · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Don’t use any old chili recipe to pile on top of hot dogs. This delicious recipe details how to make hot dog chili sauce so the consistency is just right!

    Hand holding a hot dog in a bun with chili sauce on top.

    Why This Recipe Works

    A few years ago my mom (who is the best cook ever!) mentioned to me that I didn’t have a chili sauce on my blog specifically for hot dogs. I was confused! I didn’t know this was a thing!

    Together, we set out to create a recipe of our own. We tested and re-tested and finally landed on the perfect recipe to share with you with so much flavor your tastebuds might just explode. This is the perfect recipe to top your next batch of chili dogs with for summer cookouts, game-day parties or an easy and fun family dinner.

    Read on for instructions about how to make hot dog chili sauce for your next batch of savory dogs!

    Recipe Ingredients

    Ground beef – Suitable replacements for lean ground beef are ground turkey, ground chicken or ground pork sausage. Turkey or chicken make the mixture more lean and sausage will provide an enhanced flavor. Any type of ground meat will yield great results!

    Tomato sauce – Consider boosting the flavor even more by making your own homemade tomato sauce. Learn how to thicken tomato sauce to create a super robust texture!

    Tomato paste – If you do not have tomato paste on hand, replace with triple the amount of tomato sauce (in addition to what is already called for in the recipe) or tomato juice.

    Pickle juice – We found that this simple little addition adds so much unique salty flavor.

    Worcestershire sauce – Like the pickle juice, this sauce is an essential ingredient in achieving the perfect flavor in this simple chili sauce.

    Watch This Quick Web Story

    Chili dogs are a fun tailgating food or easy dinner so check out this web story on how to make them!

    How To Make Hot Dog Chili Sauce Recipe

    Step 1

    Fill a Dutch oven or large saucepan one-third full of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and mash with a potato masher as it cooks, until it is cooked through and no longer pink.

    Potato masher mashing ground beef in boiling water inside a large saucepan.

    Add beef to a colander and drain water.

    Ground beef in a colander.

    Return beef to pan.

    Step 2

    Add the rest of the ingredients to the pan and bring to a boil over medium heat.

    Cooked ground beef in a saucepan along with spices and seasonings.

    Reduce to medium low heat and simmer for 1 hour. Stir occasionally with a silicone or wooden spoon to avoid scorching.

    Wooden spoon holding thick chili sauce over a saucepan filled with the mixture.

    Serve on top of your hot dogs that have been placed inside hot dog buns. Top with onions and shredded cheddar cheese, if desired!

    Three chili dogs lined up on parchment paper.

    Homemade Chili Recipes

    • Best Healthy Turkey Chili
    • Instant Pot Turkey Chili
    • Chili Mac
    • White with Turkey
    • Slow Cooker variety
    • 3-can Chili
    • Instant Pot Chili

    Chili Dinner Ideas – Recipes and Sides!

    Click over for chili dinner ideas with a variety of recipes and side dish recommendations, as well. Or use this post as your guide for dinner ideas for leftover chili so nothing goes to waste.

    What Side Dishes Go With Chili

    If you are need a good list of side dishes that go with chili to make the perfect complete meal, read on for 19 delicious ideas!

    Appetizer Ideas

    Chili dinners are the best in those cold winter months! If you are looking to round out your meal, peruse this roundup for ideas about what to serve as appetizers for chili dinner.

    How To Thicken Chili

    If you make a delicious batch and find that it is not thick enough for your liking, we have some simple methods that will fix it! Read on for tips about how to thicken chili.

    Substitute For Beans In Chili

    Whether you can’t eat beans or you just don’t have any on hand, learn what to substitute for beans in chili!

    Ground Beef Recipes

    If you have extra ground beef on your hands, browse through this comprehensive roundup of ground beef recipes!

    Recipe Notes

    • Spice up this chili sauce by adding any of the following: extra red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, hot sauce or diced jalapeno peppers.
    • Serve warm over hot dogs with cheese and chopped onions sprinkled on top. Other great topping options: sliced green onions, minced jalapenos, pickle relish, chopped onions (any variety) and shredded cheese.
    • Create a hot dog bar where people can build their own dogs. Place toppings in separate bowls and allow each guest to determine how much chili sauce they’d like to pile on their hot dogs.
    • Use your favorite hot dog brand to create this meal.
    • You may opt to brown ground beef in a skillet the traditional way, but we found that using the method detailed in this recipe is the perfect way to achieve an extra moist and flavorful end result.
    • The potato masher used to mash the meat is essential, as it ensures you break the meat into small pieces. This is a trademark feature of this easy hot dog chili recipe!

    How Long Does Mustard Last

    How long does mustard last? Read this post to learn more!

    What To Serve With Chili Dogs

    • French fries are the perfect side because they can be dipped into the sauce!
    • Potato chips
    • Coleslaw
    • Potato salad
    Close up of chili dogs lined up with chopped onion and cheese on top.

    FAQ About Chili

    Why chili is hot?

    The ingredients in chili that typically make it spicy are chili powder, peppers and pepper (or cayenne pepper). To decrease the amount of heat in the recipe, reduce the amount of chili powder used and omit peppers (aside from bell peppers, which are very mild) and cayenne or black pepper.

    How to thicken chili?

    If you prefer thick chili, it is easy enough to transform any version to fit your liking. Decrease the amount of tomatoes (juice and diced) used by half (or more) and simmer for 30 additional minutes.

    What to serve with chili?

    Serve chili warm with a bit of shredded cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream. A few good options to serve alongside it include chopped salad, dinner rolls and cornbread.

    What to top chili with?

    A bowl of chili is the perfect template for delicious toppings! Consider any or all of the following: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, sliced green onions or oyster or saltine crackers.

    Can chili be frozen?

    Chili lasts up to 5 days in the fridge after it has been cooked and cooled. Beyond this timeframe, chili will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. Store in an airtight container or double-bagged freezer bags.

    What To Do With Leftover Chili

    If you have leftovers (and it’s very possible that you will because this makes a large batch), please check out these delicious recipes to help use them up:

    • Baked Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
    • Best Ever Chili Cheese Dogs
    • Chili Mac and Cheese
    • Chili-Topped Baked Potatoes

    Homemade Sauces to Use Now or Freeze for Later

    Making homemade sauces is a great way to know exactly what ingredients are going into them, they are more affordable than store-bought and they’re just tastier! 

    Will you help add value to Pip and Ebby?
    If you make this recipe and love it, stop back and give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment. THANK YOU!

    How To Make Hot Dog Chili Sauce

    Don't use any old chili recipe to pile on hot dogs. This recipe details how to make hot dog chili sauce so the consistency is just right!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Sauce
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour 8 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 352kcal
    Author: Megan Porta

    Ingredients

    • 2 lbs ground beef
    • 30 oz tomato sauce
    • 1/2 cup water
    • 6 oz tomato paste
    • 2 tbsp pickle juice
    • 2 tbsp ketchup
    • 1 tbsp brown sugar
    • 1 tbsp mustard
    • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 tbsp chili powder
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • 1 tsp paprika
    • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
    • 1/2 tsp celery salt
    • 1/2 tsp salt
    • 1/2 tsp pepper

    Instructions

    • Fill a Dutch oven or large heavy-duty saucepan one-third full of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and mash with a potato masher as it cooks, until it is cooked through and no longer pink. Add beef to a colander and drain water. Return beef to pan.
    • Add all remaining ingredients to the pan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 1 hour. Stir occasionally to avoid scorching.
    • Serve over cooked hot dogs and top with onions and shredded cheddar cheese, if desired!

    Notes

    • Spice up this chili sauce by adding any of the following: extra red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, hot sauce or diced jalapeno peppers.
    • Serve warm over hot dogs with cheese and chopped onions sprinkled on top. Other great topping options: sliced green onions, minced jalapenos, pickle relish, chopped onions (any variety) and shredded cheese.
    • Create a hot dog bar where people can build their own dogs. Place toppings in separate bowls and allow each guest to determine how much chili sauce they’d like to pile on their hot dogs.
    • Use your favorite hot dog brand to create this meal.
    • You may opt to brown ground beef in a skillet the traditional way, but we found that using the method detailed in this recipe is the perfect way to achieve an extra moist and flavorful end result.
    • The potato masher used to mash the meat is essential, as it ensures you break the meat into small pieces. This is a trademark feature of this easy hot dog chili recipe!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 1246mg | Potassium: 950mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1304IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 57mg | Iron: 5mg
    Did you make this recipe?If you loved this recipe, please rate the recipe and leave a comment below!
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