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!
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.
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.
Add beef to a colander and drain water.
Return beef to pan.
Step 2
Add the rest of the ingredients to the pan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce to medium low heat and simmer for 1 hour. Stir occasionally with a silicone or wooden spoon to avoid scorching.
Serve on top of your hot dogs that have been placed inside hot dog buns. Top with onions and shredded cheddar cheese, if desired!
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.
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.
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!
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
FAQ About Chili
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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How To Make Hot Dog Chili Sauce
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!
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