Recipe for Homemade Hot Dog Chili Sauce


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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 Slow Cooker Hot Dogs!

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

When you’re looking for a homemade take on this classic dish, this recipe makes it super easy for you to do. All you need are just a handful of seasonings and spices. We also like to make Bourbon Hotdogs.

Recipe 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.

How do I store leftovers?

Store them in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can easily reuse this for hot dogs, baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, and the like.

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

3.77 from 13 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12
Perfect for chili dogs (or even on top of an open face burger). This chili is thick and has perfect spice and flavor.

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

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.

How to Video

Sarah’s 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

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.

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Recipe Rating




32 Comments

  1. Unknown says:

    1 star
    Seriously Don’t Post Unless It Seriously Really Is Hot Dog chill… Seriously What A False Recipe.. Seriously Agree With The Other Reviews That It Tastes Like Manwish…Seriously Lame Recipe I Wouldn’t Reccomend This Recipe There’s Better Recipe Then This…Specially On Food Network. Etc

    1. Jeff says:

      lol, I was guessing this wouldnโ€™t be a good recipe as they mentioned to eat the hot dog with a knife and fork and to provide those to guests. Not something I even want to try.

      1. Sarah Olson says:

        We eat chili dogs with a knife at home too, you can add more toppings that way.

  2. Amanda says:

    1 star
    Was excited to make this because of the great reviews. This is not hot dog chili. Itโ€™s sloppy joes.

  3. Brandon C says:

    5 stars
    This looks greatโ€ฆI have picky children(and a picky wife) when it comes to onions. They donโ€™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?

    1. Sarah Olson says:

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

  4. Linda says:

    Can the sauce be frozen for later also

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Yes, this freezes well.

  5. John says:

    2 stars
    I agree tastes like Manwich

  6. Tim P. says:

    3 stars
    It was ok. I dont like sweet chili and between the catsup and the brown sugar it wasn’t what I was looking for.

  7. Mrs says:

    5 stars
    Tasted good, I didn’t use as much ketchup tho. A little trick : thaw meat and add water, and mix up then cook. This will make very fine meat instead of having to try and chop it fine after it’s cooked.

  8. JustKimberly says:

    5 stars
    This was excellent! I used ancho chili pepper so it had a tiny kick but once in the hotdog was perfect. I rarely leave comment reviews but this recipe deserved it. We only cooked hot about 30 minutes so Iโ€™m sure it will be even better reheated.

  9. Jim S says:

    2 stars
    Tasted almost identical to Manwich Sloppy Joe sauce. Did not taste like hot dog chili at all.

  10. Delaina says:

    Tried this for my family and they loved it..
    The only thing extra was brown sugar and water..
    It didn’t last long. Thank you so much