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The Magical Slow Cooker » Recipes » Dinner » Recipe for Homemade Hot Dog Chili Sauce

Recipe for Homemade Hot Dog Chili Sauce

by Sarah Olson on September 3, 2021 | Updated October 21, 2022 24 Comments

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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 or, once made called a coney dog.
  • 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

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close up of a chili dog

Hot Dog Chili

4.89 from 67 votes
Perfect for chili dogs (or even on top of an open face burger). This chili is thick and has perfect spice and flavor.
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 175kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker – 5 quart or larger

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
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Set a large skillet on the stove top over medium high heat. Brown the meat and crumble as small as you can. Drain the fat off and add the meat to the slow cooker.
  • Add remaininng ingredients and stir.
  • Cover and cook for 1.5 – 2 hours on high or 3 hours on low, stirring often. This may burn if you leave it unattended too long.
  • If the hot dog chili sauce gets too thick add a splash of water or a touch more ketchup.

Stove-top instructions:

  • Follow directions above but add everything to the skillet along with the beef. Turn the stove to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Add water or ketchup if it thickens too much.
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How to Video:

Recipe Notes:

Serving suggestions:
Serve on hotdogs with these additional toppings:
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Minced white onion
  • Mustard (yes! additional mustard is great on this)
  • Some even top their chili dogs with nacho cheese!
  • Sliced jalapenos
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
Nutritional data is only for the hot dog chili, not the bun, hot dog, or toppings.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 561mg | Potassium: 427mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 732IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

You may also like these recipes!

  • Slow Cooker Beer and Garlic Brats
  • Slow Cooker Nacho Bar
  • Slow Cooker Beer Brats (with bell peppers and onions)
  • Slow Cooker Hot Dog Bar

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    12571 shares
    • 9652
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    Filed Under: Chili, Dinner, Ground Beef

    Comments

    1. Brandon C says

      January 6, 2023 at 8:03 am

      5 stars
      This looks great…I have picky children(and a picky wife) when it comes to onions. They don’t eat them unless they lose their crunchiness. Do they get soft in the 2 hours in the crock pot? Would it work if I put them in with the ground beef when browning the ground beef?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        January 6, 2023 at 8:16 am

        They do stay a little crunchy. I would cook them with the ground beef.

        Reply
    2. Linda says

      October 23, 2022 at 3:16 am

      Can the sauce be frozen for later also

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 23, 2022 at 3:40 am

        Yes, this freezes well.

        Reply
    3. John says

      September 3, 2022 at 5:14 pm

      2 stars
      I agree tastes like Manwich

      Reply
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