This Hot Dog Chili Sauce is rich, beefy, and perfectly seasoned, designed to cling to the bun. It's the kind of comfort food that brings back memories of summer cookouts, football games, and backyard gatherings. Pure Nostalgia!
Make a batch ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer-it reheats beautifully, making it perfect for feeding a crowd or planning quick weeknight dinners. It's a little tangy, a little spicy, and totally delicious.
It's easy to make and simmers away on the stove while you prep the rest of your toppings. Whether you're a mustard-and-onions purist or like yours piled high with cheese. Serve it alongside classic toppings like shredded cheese, diced onions, or pickled jalapeños, and let everyone build their dream hot dog.
Ingredient Notes
These notes are here to help make this recipe a success; they cover some but not all ingredients. For a complete ingredient list, check out the recipe card below.
Oil: Any neutral oil will work here. I use canola or vegetable oil.
Ground/minced beef: Go for ground/minced beef with some fat content; it will help the sauce have that rich mouthfeel. I typically buy 85% beef/15% fat. If you purchase lean beef, the finished sauce will taste drier.
Onion flakes: Since we want the hot dog chili sauce to be a thick sauce that clings to the bun, everything needs to be finely chopped. Onion flakes add an excellent onion flavor without the need to chop onions into tiny pieces. You can use onion powder, but use half the amount.
Garlic powder: Again, it is easier to mix into a sauce than garlic. But you can use fresh minced garlic if you prefer.
Cayenne pepper: This adds a little kick to the chili; feel free to adjust the amount to suit your family's taste. Or leave it out completely.
Red pepper flakes: These are here for a kick, like the cayenne pepper. Again, adjust to taste or leave them out if you prefer.
Ketchup: I use Heniz, but you can use your favorite brand here. In Australia and New Zealand, it is commonly referred to as tomato sauce.
Brown sugar: This adds a sticky sweetness to the sauce and balances the spices and Worcestershire. It gives it that condiment taste. You can use regular white sugar instead. But the brown has a more complex flavor and does work better in the sauce.
Recipe Tips
We've tested this recipe at least 3 times to ensure it works well for you. Have a look at our tips for getting the best dish you can!
- Use a large skillet, frying pan, or shallow casserole dish for this recipe to ensure you have enough space to fit everything in and stir easily.
- When you add the water, give everything a thorough stir so the herbs and spices are evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
- The exact time it takes to cook your sauce depends on the heat of the flame and the construction of your skillet or frying pan. You want all the water to have evaporated but not so much that the mixture is dry and starting to stick to the pan.
- Once you add the ketchup and brown sugar, be sure to stir the sauce frequently to prevent the sugars from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Recipe Adaptations
These are all just suggestions and things that have worked in our test kitchen, but it is your dinner, so adapt it to suit your family. That is the beauty of cooking; we can all create our own delicious meals.
- You can swap the ground beef for pork, chicken, or turkey.
- Adjust the heat by adding more or less cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes.
- If you prefer a tangy flavor, you can add 2 tablespoons of mustard to the sauce at the end of the cooking time.
- If you want a saucier chili, you can add ¼ to ½ cup of passata or canned tomatoes.
Why You'll Love This Hot Dog Chili Sauce
- It is rich and full of flavor.
- It is easy to spice up if you like a kick.
- It is thick, like a condiment, making it perfect for topping hot dogs.
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FAQ'S
Some of the questions that our testers have asked. If you have any other questions, please drop us a comment below, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Yes! This chili sauce is perfect for making ahead of time. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days and also freezes beautifully. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
Nope! This is a traditional-style hot dog chili, which means it's smooth, beefy, and bean-free. It's designed to sit nicely on top of a hot dog without being too chunky or messy.
Absolutely. While ground beef gives it that classic flavor, ground turkey, chicken, or pork all work well here.
This version has a little warmth from the spices but nothing too fiery. If you like more heat, you can add extra red pepper flakes or cayenne. Or leave the spice out altogether for a mild version.
Yes! This is a great recipe to double or even triple, making it ideal for parties or freezer prep. Just use a large enough pan so everything browns nicely and simmers evenly.
Pile it onto freshly grilled or pan-fried hot dogs in soft buns, then add your favorite toppings-grated cheese, diced onions, pickled jalapeños, or mustard all work a treat!
Definitely! My kids love this! As written, it has just a little kick. If you're cooking for younger kids, you can reduce or skip the red pepper flakes and cayenne, and it'll still be full of flavor.
Serving Suggestions
What to eat with Hot Dog Chili Sauce.
This chili sauce is made for loading up hot dogs! So grab your favorite hot dog sauces and some soft buns and enjoy! I like a meatier smoked sausage, but use whatever your family enjoys.
From there, the topping options are endless! Keep it classic with grated cheese and finely diced onion, or go all out with pickled jalapeños, mustard, sour cream, or even crushed corn chips for a bit of crunch. Let everyone customize their own for a DIY hot dog night-it's such a fun way to feed a crowd. (Especially as the hot dog chili sauce recipe can easily be doubled or tripled and made in advance!)
This sauce is also great beyond the bun! Spoon it over fries or wedges, and add some shredded cheese for amazing chili cheese fries. Serve it with baked potatoes, or spoon it over some cooked rice.
What to drink with Hot Dog Chili Sauce
This rich, savory hot dog chili sauce pairs well with drinks that can stand up to bold flavors. Whether you're firing up the BBQ, planning a game day feast, or just treating yourself on a weeknight, here are some drink pairings that work beautifully with chili dogs.
Hot dogs and beer are a classic combo for a reason! And a smooth, malty Amber Ale is perfect here. It's full-flavored without being too bitter, and it pairs beautifully with the spices in the sauce. For something lighter, go for a crisp Pilsner, which adds a refreshing bite and won't compete with the richness of the chili. (my drink of choice for a chili dog dinner)
If you prefer a glass of white wine, opt for something with a hint of sweetness and plenty of acidity to complement the rich, meaty sauce (and smoky sausage!). A slightly off-dry Riesling is my top pick. It balances the slight kick in the sauce and keeps things feeling fresh. For something drier, a Chenin Blanc or an unoaked Chardonnay will still give you that crisp, refreshing contrast without clashing with the flavors.
Red wines work well here; go for a fruity, medium-bodied red. Zinfandel would be an excellent match for the savory, spicy notes of the chili sauce. It has enough body and a touch of spice to complement the beefy richness without overpowering the dish. If you prefer something a little lighter, try a chilled Grenache or a GSM blend; they're easy-drinking reds with soft tannins that play nicely with chili-style flavors.
For an alcohol-free option, you want something bold enough to hold its own. A good-quality Ginger Beer is perfect. The warmth of the ginger matches the spices in the sauce, and the fizz keeps things fun (I mean, everyone loves a soda, right?). If ginger isn't your thing, I think a tall glass of ice-cold Coke can't be beaten; it's refreshing yet has enough spice and flavor to hold its own with the chili sauce.
Enjoy x
More Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this dish, here are a few more recipes I think you'll love! They're all easy, tasty, and perfect for adding to your weekly meal plan.
If you try this Hot Dog Chili Sauce, please leave a 🌟star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I really appreciate it, and it helps others to know that the recipe is trustworthy.
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Get the Recipe
Hot Dog Chili Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon oil (Note 1)
- 1 lb ground beef (Note 2)
- 2 tablespoons onion flakes (Note 3)
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2½ teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1½ teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (Note 4)
- pinch red pepper flakes (Note 4)
- 2½ cups water
- 1 cup ketchup (Note 5)
- ¼ cup brown sugar (Note 6)
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Pour the oil into a large skillet or frying pan and heat over medium heat.1 tablespoon oil
- Add the ground/minced beef and cook for 6 minutes. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat apart as you brown it.1 lb ground beef
- Add the onion flakes, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, paprika, salt, black pepper, dried thyme, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to coat the beef in the spices.2 tablespoons onion flakes1 tablespoon garlic powder2½ teaspoons cumin2 teaspoons smoked paprika1½ teaspoons paprika½ teaspoon salt½ teaspoon black pepper½ teaspoon dried thyme½ teaspoon dried oregano¼ teaspoon cayenne pepperpinch red pepper flakes
- Add the water and stir until well combined with the spiced meat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook, uncovered, for 60-70 minutes or until all the water has evaporated (Note 7).2½ cups water
- Add the ketchup, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.1 cup ketchup¼ cup brown sugar¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce has thickened fully.
Notes
- Any neutral oil will work here. I use canola or vegetable oil.
- Go for ground/minced beef with some fat content; it will help the sauce have that rich mouthfeel. I typically buy 85% beef/15% fat. If you purchase lean beef, the finished sauce will taste drier.
- Onion flakes add an excellent onion flavor without the need to chop onions into tiny pieces. You can use onion powder but use half the amount.
- The cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes add a little kick to the chili; feel free to adjust the amount to suit your family's taste. Or leave them out completely.
- I use Heinz Ketchup, but you can use your favorite brand here. In Australia and New Zealand, it is commonly referred to as tomato sauce.
- You can use regular white sugar instead. But the brown has a more complex flavor and does work better in the sauce.
- The exact time it takes to cook your sauce depends on the heat of the flame and the construction of your skillet or frying pan. You want all the water to have evaporated but not so much that the mixture is dry and starting to stick to the pan.
Nutrition
Nutrition is per serving
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