Homemade Hot Dog Chili Sauce Recipe in Slow Cooker

Name: Hot Dog Chili
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 140 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs. ground beef; 1 cup ketchup; 8 oz. tomato sauce ((not paste)); 1/2 cup water; 1/2 cup minced white onion; 1 tsp. salt; 1/4 tsp. pepper; 1/2 tsp. onion powder; 1/2 tsp. garlic powder; 1 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder; 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce; 2 Tbsp. mustard ((regular liquid mustard)); 2 tsp. brown sugar

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Do you love chili dogs? My easy hot dog chili that I make in the slow cooker is the best you can make! So much flavor. Don’t use canned chili, used a good chili on your dogs!

Hot dogs are an easy way to get dinner on the table but why not make it spectacular? Pile this homemade hot dog chili sauce over your hot dogs and top with cheese and onions. You can even use this hot dog chili on a hot dog bar!

chili for hot dogs in a slow cooker. Cheese and onions on the side.

What is a Chili Dog?

A chili dog is a hot dog on a bun that is topped with chili con carne.
Sometimes the chili sauce is called coney sauce.
Similar texture as sloppy joes but has a chili flavor.
You can also use this sauce to top a burger!
They can be messy and often ate with a knife and fork.

How to Make Homemade Hot Dog Chili

This recipe has quite a few ingredients though you will find that almost all of the ingredients are right in your cupboard!

Ingredients

chili, onion, and garlic powder, brown sugar, tomato sauce, Worcestershire, mustard, ketchup.

Ground beef – I like to use a fatty ground beef for this recipe (10-20%fat)! Gives the sauce a great flavor.
Ketchup – add sweetness and more tomato flavor
Canned tomato sauce – This is the base for the sauce
Water – helps thin the sauce out
White onion – save some for topping the chili dogs if desired.
Seasonings – salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder
Worcestershire sauce – a secret ingredeint that adds tang and beefy flavor
Mustard – adds a tanginess and what is a hot dog without a little mustard?
Brown sugar – just a touch to sweeten the sauce.

Step by Step Directions

Step 1 – Add the ground beef to a skillet on the stovetop.

Step 2 – Cook over medium-high heat. The trick to good hot dog chili is to crumble the meat extra small with your spatula.

ground beef with tomato sauce, ketchup and onions on top.

Step 3 -Drain the fat off the beef and add to the slow cooker.

Step 4– Add remaining ingredients and stir. Cover and cook on high for 1.5 hours or low for 3 hours. Stir this often, or it will burn.

finished cooking hot dog chili in a slow cooker.

How to serve hot dog chili:

Serve over hot dogs and buns (make sure to offer a knife and fork to your guests).
Offer toppings such as shredded cheddar cheese, minced onion, jalapenos, mustard (try it! so good).
Some even top their chili dogs with nacho cheese!
Add this hot dog chili to a hot dog bar and impress your guests!

serving hot dog chili with a wooden spoon from an oval slow cooker.

FAQs and Expert Tips for this Recipe

How to thin out hot dog chili

Hot dog chili can thicken up quickly before you can use it all. Add
a few tablespoons of water, beef broth or a few tablespoons of ketchup

Can I make this on the stove-top instead of my slow cooker?

Instead of adding the meat and ingredients to the slow cooker add right to the pan. Simmer on low for 20 minutes, stirring often.

hot dog with chili on top on red and white checkered paper

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Tik Tok, and YouTube.