Description
This easy homemade hot dog chili sauce transforms basic hot dogs into crave-worthy chili cheese dogs with a thick, savory, and perfectly spiced topping. It’s quick to make, packed with flavor, and ideal for cookouts, game nights, or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth or water
- 2 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked or sweet)
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
- 1 tbsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 8 hot dogs
- 8 hot dog buns
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Finely chop the onion and mince the garlic. For a smoother sauce, pulse together in a food processor.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring and breaking up with a spatula until no longer pink. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add chopped onion and garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until onion softens and garlic is fragrant.
- Sprinkle in chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using). Stir in tomato paste and brown sugar, cooking for 1 minute to bloom spices and caramelize sugar.
- Pour in tomato sauce, beef broth (or water), yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine, scraping up any browned bits.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce is thick but pourable. Add more broth or water if needed.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.
- While sauce simmers, grill, boil, or microwave hot dogs (6-8 minutes on grill or 5 minutes in boiling water).
- Optional: Toast buns on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for 3-4 minutes until soft and slightly golden.
- Assemble by placing hot dogs in buns, spooning chili sauce over each, and topping with shredded cheddar cheese. Serve immediately.
Notes
For a smoother sauce, mash the beef with a potato masher or pulse with an immersion blender. Sauce freezes well for up to 3 months. Adjust spice level by reducing cayenne and chili powder. Use lean beef for less grease. Vegetarian and gluten-free adaptations are easy—see blog for details.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chili cheese dog with bun and toppings
- Calories: 60
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: hot dog chili sauce, chili cheese dogs, homemade chili, cookout recipes, summer grilling, easy chili sauce, backyard party, kid-friendly, game night food, comfort food