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    Home » Recipes » Entree

    The Best Homemade Hot Dog Chili

    Published: Jul 8, 2021 by Fox Valley Foodie · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Hot dog chili for chili dogs. #hotdogs #chili #beef

    If you are craving the best homemade hot dog chili to top your classic chili dog, I've got the quick and easy recipe you need!

    Apple pie, baseball, Chevrolet, and chili dogs. It doesn't get much more Americana than this recipe. We've all enjoyed a deliciously messy chili dog spilling out of a soft hot dog bun growing up, but re-living the classic taste in your own kitchen is likely easier than you imagined.

    Homemade hot dog chili on chili dogs.

    This is a good recipe to make in advance of your next cookout. Just load this sauce on your favorite hot dog, along with the toppings of your choice, and get ready for some rave reviews. You'll want to serve these deliciously sloppy hot dogs with some piping hot French fries, crisp potato chips, or cool homemade potato salad!

    What is the difference between hot dog chili and regular chili?

    Also called hot dog sauce and used to craft the classic chili dog, hot dog chili is a cross between the flavors found in a traditional homemade chili and the texture of sloppy joes. This meaty chili is loaded with ground beef and seasonings, sans any chunky vegetables, and can be enjoyed on its own or to crown the world's best chili dogs.

    Ingredients You'll Need

    • Ground beef - I use lean ground beef because I don't like my chili to be greasy, but a little fat does improve the flavor.
    • Garlic - This is the only vegetable needed. You can substitute garlic powder too.
    • Beef broth - This thins out the chili. You can use beer for a different flavor.
    • Tomato sauce - This is the backbone of the saucy texture.
    • Tomato paste - Paste adds a lot of tomato flavor while also thickening the sauce.
    • Ketchup - Ketchup is needed for sweetness and to fortify the tomato flavor.
    • Worcestershire Sauce
    • Seasonings: Chili seasoning, salt, ground black pepper, and brown sugar.
    Loaded chili dog with hot dog sauce.

    How to Make Hot Dog Chili

    This simple homemade hot dog chili sauce is much quicker and easier to make than traditional chili recipes. There aren't any vegetables to prep, which is a big time saver, and it doesn't need to simmer long. You only need to simmer it to thicken it slightly to your desired consistency.

    The best way to make this chili is to brown ground beef over medium-high heat in a medium pot, or Dutch Oven, crumbling it with a wooden spoon as it cooks. I prefer to use 90/10 beef so the chili isn't greasy. Once browned, the garlic and seasonings can be added, followed by all the remaining ingredients for the sauce. Let it simmer for 15 minutes to thicken slightly then serve.

    Note: When using lean ground beef the fat does not need to be drained. A little fat will add flavor.

    How to Store Hot Dog Chili

    Leftover chili can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or can be frozen instead. The chili thickens as it sits, so if you want to return it to its saucey state when re-served just stir in enough water to thin it out slightly. It won't take much.

    Storing Hot Dog Chili

    Toppings for Chili Dogs

    Hot dog chili is a nonnegotiable topping when crafting chili dogs, but there are additional toppings you can include as well for your hot dog bar. Pick and choose any of the following great options to pile on top of your hot dogs. You are only limited by your creativity:

    • Finely shredded Cheddar cheese
    • Diced onions - I like white onions for their superior raw crunch.
    • Sweet Pickle Relish - Dill pickle relish is also great.
    • Coleslaw
    • Hot Sauce
    • Nacho Cheese Sauce
    The best Hot dog chili toppings.

    More Chili Recipes

    • Steak Chili
    • Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
    • Smoked Chili
    • Chili Cheese Dip
    • Chili with Noodles
    • Venison Chili
    • Chicken Queso Chili

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    Hot Dog Chili

    The Best Homemade Hot Dog Chili

    Hot dog chili is the quintessential topping for the classic chili dog, and it is quick and easy to prepare in your own kitchen!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: American
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 109kcal
    Author: Fox Valley Foodie

    Ingredients

    • 1 pound lean ground beef
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 tablespoon chili seasoning
    • ½ cup beef broth
    • ½ cup tomato sauce
    • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
    • ½ cup ketchup
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon brown sugar

    Instructions

    • Add ground beef to a medium pot or large saucepan and brown over medium-high heat. Crumble the ground beef with a wooden spoon into small pieces as it cooks.
    • Once browned, add garlic and cook an additional 2 minutes. Sprinkle in chili seasoning and stir to distribute evenly.
    • Add all the rest of the ingredients to the pot and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes, or until thickened to your liking.
    • Serve immediately with hot dogs, hot dog buns, and your favorite toppings.

    Notes

    IF YOU LIKED THIS RECIPE you will also love my beer brat sauce!

    Nutritional Information

    Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 495mg | Potassium: 369mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 635IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it Today!Mention @FoxValleyFoodie or tag #foxvalleyfoodie!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Paula

      July 12, 2021 at 3:23 pm

      5 stars
      I thought this was tasty and so quick to make! We had some leftover dogs from our BBQ so I whipped up a batch of the chili and added chopped raw onion and shredded sharp cheddar. Not sure why but I had never had a chili dog before... now I have and it is delicious! I did cheat and use all tomato paste with some added beef broth just so I wouldn’t waste the rest of the tomato paste. Thanks for a tasty addition to my “recipe bible”!

      Reply
      • Marcia

        July 23, 2021 at 9:16 pm

        The best way to eat chili dogs in indiana...add cole slaw,with your cheese and onions

        Reply
    2. robert

      January 23, 2020 at 10:59 pm

      I made a adaptation version of yours
      without the beefstock and few other
      tweeks, and was a hit at work
      Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
    3. Karen M.

      January 10, 2020 at 1:15 pm

      Just made this last night and it is delicious!! I didn’t have ancho chili powder so I used chili powder instead. I did simmer it for a couple hours. This is my go to recipe. The chili seasoning was really good. Oh, I did add some onion with the garlic. Great recipe!

      Reply
    4. Vicki

      December 31, 2019 at 4:17 pm

      Looks and sounds really good. I've never made it before but I'm going to give this recipe a try.

      Reply
      • Ron

        July 14, 2021 at 6:41 am

        No cummin? Has to be a sin. Cummin is a must.

        Reply
        • Fox Valley Foodie

          July 14, 2021 at 8:12 am

          The chili seasoning called for is heavily loaded with cumin.

          Reply

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