The best chili for chili dogs is one that is thick, flavorful, slightly sweet, and loaded with tons of flavor! Believe it or not, using the right kind of chili can easily take your chili dog game to the next level! Your backyard cookouts are about to get so much better!
Best Hot Dog Chili
Not all chili's are created equal, if they were then we wouldn't be having chili cookoff competitions! The same can be said for the type of chili you use to load up your hotdogs while relaxing in the backyard with friends and family.
Chili dogs typically use a specific kind of chili sauce, rather than the kind that you enjoy in a bowl alongside a huge piece of cornbread. Today, I'm going to break down exactly the best kind of chili for chili dogs (but feel free to use whatever you like the best!)
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🤔 Hot Dog Chili vs Regular Chili
While, of course, you can put any type of chili on top of your hotdogs, there is actually a difference between chili meant for hotdogs and the kind you will eat out of a bowl.
Typically, chili for hotdogs is actually a "chili sauce" and is not as chunky as standard chili and usually includes either ketchup or brown sugar. It tends to be on the sweeter side while regular chili may be spicier. Plus, the consistency is usually thicker in order to keep it from sliding off the hot dog!
Many people also prefer to keep chili sauce simple, by not including any beans and limiting the number of vegetables (except for maybe onion and garlic). However, it all comes down to your personal preference, so make your hot dog chili however you like!
🥘 Chili Sauce For Hot Dogs Ingredients
Hot dog chili is pretty simple when compared to your standard chili recipe. There are no vegetables or beans, but you could swap out the onion and garlic powder for fresh onions and garlic if you like (just saute them with the beef after browning).
- Ground Beef - 1 pound of ground beef, which is the star of the show for this chili sauce!
- Seasonings - 1 teaspoon of both onion and garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of both chili powder and salt, and an optional ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper if you want your chili spicier.
- Tomato Sauce - 15 ounces of tomato sauce.
- Ketchup - ¼ cup of ketchup. Use your favorite brand!
- Dijon Mustard - 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 How To Make Chili Sauce For Hot Dogs
Chili for hotdogs is incredibly quick and simple to make, and you won't have to let it simmer all day (like some chili recipes). Just grab a large skillet, a wooden spoon, and your measuring spoons and you're good to go!
This recipe makes enough chili for about 8 chili dogs, depending on how much you like to load it up!
- Brown your meat. Add 1 pound (454 grams) of ground beef to a large skillet and cook over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks, until no pink remains. Then, drain off any excess grease.
- Season. Season the meat with 1 teaspoon (2 grams) of onion powder, 1 teaspoon (3 grams) of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon (1 gram) of chili powder, ½ teaspoon (3 grams) of salt, and the optional ¼ teaspoon (.5 grams) of cayenne pepper. Stir to combine.
- Simmer. Pour in 15 ounces (425 grams) of tomato sauce, ¼ cup (60 grams) of ketchup, and 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of Dijon mustard. Mix well and then reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Serve. Let the chili sauce cool slightly before adding a generous scoop to your hot dogs.
🌶️ More Chili Varieties
As always, no one gets to decide what you think tastes the best! So, if you like to load up your chili dogs with a hearty, spicy, bean-based chili then go ahead! Here are some more tasty varieties of chili to try out the next time you are craving a chili dog.
- Cincinnati Chili - A fantastic option for serving over hot dogs, as it is more of a sauce than other chili varieties. It commonly includes unique ingredients such as cinnamon or chocolate. Check out my recipe here!
- Texas Chili - This type of chili has a heavier focus on meat and peppers and it doesn't include any beans. It is thick, bold, and delicious! Check out my recipe here!
- Vegetarian or Vegan Chili - If you have any guests that have dietary restrictions, there are some vegetarian or vegan chili recipes out there! They are typically made with beans and a meat substitute. Go ahead and make a batch for them (and grab some vegan hot dogs, too!)
- White Chili - White chili is made with chicken, white beans, and green chilies. While it isn't the usual pick for chili dogs, you could always try it out!
- Chili with Beans - Adding beans to your chili is something you either love or hate. Whether or not you want to use it on your hotdogs is also completely up to you (but I think it is delicious!) Check out my Dutch oven chili recipe here!
- Sweet Chili - Adding a touch of sweetness is common in chili for chili dogs. You can use any of your favorite chili recipes and add a bit of brown sugar or molasses.
- Smoky Chili -Add some liquid smoke to your batch of chili for an extra smoky flavor.
- Spicy Chili - If you want to turn up the heat, add some hot peppers or cayenne pepper to your chili.
For even more chili recipes, try out my chili con carne, venison chili, homemade chili, prime rib chili, and crockpot chili!
💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
- Since this chili sauce is quick and simple, you can easily prepare it while the hot dogs are on the grill so that everything is ready at the same time!
- I recommend toasting your hot dog buns so that the chili sauce doesn't seep into them and make them soggy.
- Add some shredded sharp cheddar cheese, diced red onions, jalapenos, or any of your other favorite chili dog condiments!
- Remember, the best chili for chili dogs is the one that you like the best! Go ahead and experiment with different ingredients, spices, and flavors to find the combination that is the best for you.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
Keep any leftover chili sauce stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating Chili Sauce
Reheat small portions of chili sauce in the microwave, or larger portions on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
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What do you think the best chili for chili dogs is? Leave a comment down below and let me know!
🌭 Recipes To Serve With Chili Dogs
- Loaded Baked Potato Salad - A potluck favorite, this potato salad features all of your favorite toppings from baked potatoes.
- Southern Coleslaw - Crunchy veggies are tossed in mayo, Dijon mustard, vinegar, and seasonings.
- Grilled Corn On The Cob - Since you'll be firing up the grill to make hot dogs, go ahead and make some corn on the cob, too.
- Air Fryer Potato Chips - Crispy and delicious homemade potato chips pair well with everything.
- Pasta Salad - Cold pasta, cheese, olives, and meat are tossed in a homemade Italian dressing.
- Paula Deen's Macaroni & Cheese - Rich, creamy, cheesy, and indulgent mac and cheese is always a hit.
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📋 Recipe
Chili Sauce For Hot Dogs
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 15 oz tomato sauce
- ¼ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Add 1 lb ground beef to a large skillet and cook over medium heat, breaking it up as it cooks, until no pink remains. Then, drain off any excess grease.1 lb ground beef
- Season the meat with 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and the optional ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper. Stir to combine.1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon chili powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Pour in 15 oz tomato sauce, ¼ cup ketchup, and 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard. Mix well and then reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 15-20 minutes.15 oz tomato sauce, ¼ cup ketchup, 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Let the chili sauce cool slightly before adding a generous scoop to your hot dogs.
Equipment You May Need
Notes
- Since this chili sauce is quick and simple, you can easily prepare it while the hot dogs are on the grill so that everything is ready at the same time!
- I recommend toasting your hot dog buns so that the chili sauce doesn't seep into them and make them soggy.
- Add some shredded sharp cheddar cheese, diced red onions, jalapenos, or any of your other favorite chili dog condiments!
- To store: Keep any leftover chili sauce stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- To reheat: Reheat small portions of chili sauce in the microwave, or larger portions on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
Nutrition
Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!
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