This easy Hot Dog Chili is full of beef, ketchup, mustard, and flavorful seasonings. Perfect for hot dogs, fries, or even burgers!
If you’re like me, easy dishes like chili dogs are a staple in my house. I used to make them with canned chili out of convenience, but I certainly know better now. Hot dog chili from scratch is far superior in flavor in texture to chili in a can, and this recipe is one of the simplest I have ever made. Plus, hot dog chili is specifically created with flavors that compliment topping a hot dog unlike a classic chili recipe. Many of the ingredients are pantry staples you likely have in your kitchen right now, making it also inexpensive! Another fun option with serving hot dogs is to make our easy homemade corn dogs and chili cheese dog bake.
Why This Is The Best Hot Dog Chili Recipe
- Family favorite – Whether you’re planning an easy weeknight dinner, or hosting a backyard barbecue or picnic, classic chili dogs are always such a huge hit with kids and adults.
- Flavor. I have tried several hot dog chili recipes and this one has the best overall flavor!
- Quick dinner idea – You need about 5-10 for prep and 30-40 minutes to let simmer. There are plenty of days when simple meals are the best, and that rings true with this Hot Dog Chili Recipe.
What You’ll Need
Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make chili for hot dogs (get the full amounts in the recipe card below).
- Ground Beef: Feel free to change it up and use ground turkey or ground chicken instead.
- Ketchup
- Tomato Sauce and Water
- White Onion: Yellow onion also works here, too. Mince it very finely.
- Salt and Pepper
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Chili Powder
- Ground Mustard: I recommend ground mustard powder but you can also use brown mustard if you prefer.
- Worcestershire Sauce
- Brown Sugar: It can be light or dark!
How to Make Hot Dog Chili Sauce
This is such an easy recipe! The longest step is simmering the chili, which is how you get deep, rich flavors. Other than that, once the chili is cooked, it’s ready to serve over your favorite hotdogs.
- Heat a Pot. Brown the ground beef in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Crumble and Drain. Crumble the meat as it cooks into very small pieces. Once the beef is fully cooked, drain the fat and add it to the pot.
- Add Other Ingredients. Add all of the remaining ingredients to the pot and stir well.
- Simmer. Turn the heat down to low and simmer for about 3-40 minutes. The chili should be thick, and the onions should be tender. Make sure to stir every few minutes. (If it’s too thick, add a splash of water or ketchup to thin it out slightly)
Substitutions and Variations
Here are some ways that you can make this hot dog chili your own.
- Vegetarian: Replace the ground meat with a meatless alternative like Impossible meat or crumbled tofu.
- Beans: Add pinto beans or kidney beans for texture and protein.
- Onions: Omit the onions if you don’t like them.
Serving
Wondering what to serve with your hot dog chili sauce or better yet, as additional toppings? Here are some of my favorite ideas.
Side Dishes
- Corn: Corn is always a great choice for a side dish and this Honey Butter Skillet Corn is salty and sweet.
- Salad: A quick and refreshing Watermelon Salad is a super delicious accompaniment.
- Slaw: Not only is it a great topping but a great slaw like Easy Apple Slaw pairs well with hot dogs.
Leftover hot dog chili is also delicious on burgers, cheese french fries, baked potatoes or serve as a dip with Fritos or tortilla chips!
Topping Ideas
I like to have all of my toppings out for everyone to customize their chili hot dog to their preference. Kids especially love to do this!
- Yellow Mustard
- Chopped Red Onion
- Shredded Cheese
- Sliced Jalapenos
- Chopped Pickles or Relish
- Diced Tomatoes
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
- Store leftover homemade hot dog chili in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers in a small pot over low heat until warm or in the microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway.
Hot Dog Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. ground beef
- 1 cup ketchup
- 8 oz. tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup white onion finely minced
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/2 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1/2 tsp. ground mustard
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp. brown sugar
Instructions
- Over medium high heat in a large pot, brown the ground beef and crumble as small as you can. Drain and add back to the pot.
- Add remaining ingredients and stir.
- Turn the stove to low and simmer for 30‐40 minutes stirring occasionally. Add water or ketchup if it thickens too much.
- Serve chili over hot dogs.
Last Step:
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2 comments on “Hot Dog Chili Recipe”
Finally a hot dog chili my husband approved!! This chili has just the right flavors to top off a dog.
Thanks Barbara!