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Home » Dinner » Slow Cooker Hot Dogs

Slow Cooker Hot Dogs

by Sarah Olson on August 28, 2019 | Updated August 4, 2020 5 Comments

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collage of hot dog images for pinterest

Slow Cooker Hot Dogs are a wonderful way to feed a crowd and taste just as good as hot dogs from a food cart!

Don’t feel like grilling all afternoon and want to keep the hot dogs warm during your party? Try this easy way to make hot dogs in the slow cooker.

cooked hot dogs in a round slow cooker.

I had been on the fence about cooking hot dogs in the slow cooker, unsure what the texture would be. I decided to serve a hot dog bar to a group of my neighbors this summer and test out how hot dogs in the slow cooker taste.

I’ve got to tell you we all were shocked that there was nothing weird about the texture, in fact, the hot dogs taste just as good as hot dogs from a hot dog cart that steams their hot dogs! The slow cooker also keeps the dogs nice and warm for the entire party, so second servings are never cold.

a hotdog bar with 2 slow cookers, bowls full of peppers, cheese, tomatoes, sauerkraut, pickles and onions.

What size hot dogs do I need for them to stand up in the slow cooker?

  • Tall round sow cooker – this slow cooker can handle a longer hot dog such as Hebrew national or bun length, though regular ones work fine here too.
  • Oval slow cooker – standard size hot dogs recommended (bun length or Hebrew national will not fit standing up).
  • If you buy hot dogs that are too long, this cooking method will still work though the hot dogs will need to be laid on their sides.
  • If you are worried about if they will fit, measure the inside of your slow cooker from the lip down, and bring a measuring tape to the store to measure the hot dogs.
Side view of a hot dog bar with chips and drink bucket.

How to make hot dogs in the slow cooker:

  • Add the hot dogs to the slow cooker. Lay them on their sides if they are too tall to stand up.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 2.5 to 3 hours or until the hot dogs that are in the center are hot.
close up of hot dogs in a slow cooker.

Serve the hot dogs with desired toppings, and why not make it fun with baskets for servings and fruit and chips on the side.

cooked hotdogs with onions and peppers on the side.

Should I add water?

No, the hot dogs are moist enough to create steam in the slow cooker and will turn out wonderful without added water.

How long can I keep the hot dogs warm after heating them up?

The hot dogs keep very well on the warm setting. Keep the hot dogs warm for up to 3 hours on the warm setting during your party.

further back view of a hotdog bar.

What toppings should I serve?

  • Ketchup
  • Mustard
  • Mayonnaise – I bought the bottles here
  • Sweet relish
  • Minced onions
  • Sauerkraut – serve cold or heat in a mini crockpot
  • Celery seed
  • Mini hot peppers
  • Thinly sliced tomatoes
  • Hot dog chili – canned or homemade (see my slow cooker version!)
  • Shredded cheese – if you serve chili
A hot dog on a bun

How to make a hot dog bar:

  • Hot dogs, buns and toppings
  • Baskets with paper liners
  • Drinks on ice
  • Fruit such as watermelon
  • Chips in a big bowl or serve mini bags
  • Tablecloth
  • Napkins
cooked hotdogs with onions and peppers on the side.

Slow Cooker Hot Dogs

5 from 12 votes
Feed a crowd with hot dogs in the slow cooker. Tastes just as good as hot dogs off a food cart!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Slow Cooker Hot Dogs
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 23
Calories: 358kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker – 5 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 56 hot dogs (more or less works, this is the amount I used) See my notes below for hot dog sizes
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

Slow Cooker Size and Hot Dog Lengths:

  • Tall round sow cooker – this slow cooker can handle a longer hot dog such as Hebrew national or bun length, though regular ones work fine here too.
    Oval slow cooker – standard size hot dogs recommended (bun length or Hebrew national will not fit standing up).
    If you buy hot dogs that are too long, this cooking method will still work. Though the hot dogs will need to be laid on their sides.
    If you are worried about if they will fit, measure the inside of your slow cooker from the lip down, and bring a measuring tape to the store.

How to make:

  • Place the hot dogs in your slow cooker standing up, if they do not fit with the lid on standing up, place them on their sides.
  • DO NOT ADD WATER. The hot dogs have plenty of moisture. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 2.5 to 3 hours. It takes time for the hot dogs in the center to warm up.

Keeping the hot dogs warm:

  • Turn the slow cooker to warm after the cooking time is up. They can keep for up to 3 hours on the warm setting.

Recipe Notes:

Topping suggestions:

  • Ketchup
  • Mustard
  • Mayonnaise
  • Sweet Relish – I bought the bottles here
  • Minced Onions
  • Sauerkraut
  • Celery seed
  • Mini hot peppers
  • Thinly sliced tomatoes
  • Hot dog chili – canned or homemade (see my slow cooker version)
  • Shredded cheese – if you serve chili

Hot Dog Bar necessities: 

  • Hot dogs, buns and toppings
  • Baskets with paper liners 
  • Drinks on ice
  • Fruit such as watermelon
  • Chips in a bowl or mini bags
  • Tablecloth
  •  Napkins

Nutrition:

Calories: 358kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 1123mg | Potassium: 142mg | Sugar: 2g | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

Other great crowd-pleasing recipes to make in the slow cooker:

  • Slow Cooker Nacho Bar
  • Slow Cooker Beer Brats
  • Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Chicken Dip
  • Slow Cooker Baked Potato Soup
  • Slow Cooker Kalua Pig
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    Filed Under: Dinner Tagged With: Crock pot, game day, hot dog bar, hot dogs, slow cooker

    Comments

    1. Heather says

      September 24, 2020 at 7:13 pm

      This just became a game changer for my sons birthday party on the 11th! Thank you so much for posting this! I had no clue you could steam Hotdogs in the slow cooker and Googled in out a whim!

      Reply
    2. Karen says

      August 2, 2020 at 8:55 am

      Are you kidding me? What kind of toppings should I serve? Do you really have to waste your time answering that? Or any of those other mindless questions for that matter.

      Reply
      • NOT Karen says

        September 12, 2020 at 7:07 pm

        Figures that your name is Karen with such a hateful comment.

        Reply
    3. Elmo says

      July 1, 2020 at 5:22 pm

      I hope you included slaw. After I make my hot dog, with all the fixings, chili and all, there is always a place for a nice helping of slaw spread over the top. A great finishing touch!

      Reply
    4. Melissa says

      May 19, 2020 at 8:44 pm

      Have you ever tried this with Aidell’s sausages? I’m thinking about using this idea for my daughters second birthday. She loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and the hot diggity dog song at the end 🙂

      Reply

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