Hot Dog Chili Sauce

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Top your hot dog with the best Hot Dog Chili Recipe ever! This No-Bean Chili Sauce Recipe is swimming in ground beef, tomato sauce, and those iconic chili flavors you love. It is the perfect way to eat a hot dog in my opinion!

Need a guaranteed hot dog recipe? Try this Air Fryer Hot Dog Recipe for the juiciest crispy dogs made in the kitchen! Then you can top it off with my recipe for Blue Cheese Cole Slaw. Now we’re talkin’.

While you’re at it, summertime calls for outdoor grilling and parties, does it not? We love a good cookout/pool party in the summer. Next time your family or friends gather make them Hot Dogs with Chili Con Carne and Stuffed Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburgers. Then toss in some Easy Italian Chicken Sausage Sandwiches and you have a buffet fit for a big ole’ southern family!

A sauce pan full of hot dog chili sauce on a white table surrounded with condiments and cooked hot dogs in toasted buns.

Why you’ll love this recipe!

Chili Flavor: Get the tangy, fresh taste of chili for your hot dog.
4 Easy Steps: Yep, all you need are four simple steps to make homemade chili. No more canned chili- ever again!
Your Way: Make it your way by adding spice or more sweetness to the recipe. There are no rules here.

Ingredient Notes

Ground Beef: Lean ground beef keeps the grease away and the flavor forward.
Onion: I like to use yellow onions for that sweet onion taste. But of course, you can use white.
Tomato Sauce: Tomato sauce is the base for the entire chili sauce.
Beef Broth: Beef broth adds that savory beefy taste to this recipe.
Worcestershire Sauce & Yellow Mustard: The two together make a tangy good sauce!
Chili Powder: You cannot have chili without chili powder.
Brown Sugar: Just a bit adds the right amount of sweetness.
Seasonings: Chili powder does not stand alone in a good chili recipe. You’ll need garlic powder and onion powder as well as kosher salt and black pepper.

Image of hot dog chili sauce ingredients needed for recipe.

Additional Hot Dog Recipe Toppings

Hot Dogs are a way to carry around your favorite toppings with no need for a plate – but you will need a napkin or two. What do you think is the perfect topping for hot dogs?

Here are a few of the things I have set out over the years.

Cheese – What is your pleasure? Try cheddar cheese, pepper jack, mozzarella, and more. Like QUESO!
Sauces & Condiments – Not only will I set out the mustard and ketchup but some folks like salsa, sour cream, BBQ, and even Mayo.
Veggies – Try some diced onions and bell peppers next time. And don’t forget the pickle relish.
Heat – Add hot sauce, jalapeños, and more!
BACON – Because… bacon!

How to Make Hot Dog Sauce for Chili Cheese Dogs

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and instructions!

In only 4 easy steps, your hot dog can go from a boring pup to a champion hot dog with this easy recipe for the top chili dogs.

Step by step images of cooked ground beef and onions, adding remaining ingredients to ground beef mixture, simmering sauce in skillet, and sauce served in white saucepan.

Step 1 | Brown the Beef

Start with your Dutch oven or large skillet and sauté the crumbled lean ground beef with the diced onions. Stir with a wooden spoon until all is browned and smells delicious.

Then drain the grease from the pan, pour the meat on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb more grease, and set it to the side.

Step 2 | Add in the Spice

Here is where the hot dog chili sauce comes to life. Add in your spices here and go ahead and waft that savory good fragrance all over the house.

Step 3| Pour in the liquids

Add the tomato sauce, broth, and all the rest of the ingredients. Everybody in the pool- or the meat sauce!

Once a good simmer is reached, turn the heat down a bit and simmer away until the sauce is just the right consistency to hold on to that hot dog!

Drain the meat – No one wants grease floating on their chili sauce. Don’t forget to drain the ground beef.
Start the onions just ahead of the ground beef if you have kids that don't like to see onions! Or you can even grate them into the sauce and they won't even see them at all.
To get a really fine beef texture use a fork to mash the beef until desired texture is achieved. You can even add in the beef broth and continue to work with the fork for a super fine texture.
Out of tomato sauce? Use tomato paste and a cup of water.
If you are watching your sodium intake you may want to adjust the salt in the recipe to your taste. You can also use low sodium beef broth or water as a substitute.

Tips

Step 4 | Plate and Top Your Dog

I like to transfer my Hot dog chili sauce recipe to a slow cooker or crock pot to keep warm during the party.

Grab your hot dog buns and serve the homemade chili sauce over a hot dog and top with all the fixings you like!

Warning: You are going to want a napkin right away – unless you are just going to lick your fingers! It is really that good.

A spoonful of chili sauce spooned from saucepan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this start to finish in my slow cooker?

Sure you can - but I suggest you brown the ground beef in a skillet first.

Is this a gluten-free chili sauce?

It can be! Just ensure your broth, spices, sauces, and powders are the gf version and you are good to go!

What is the difference between hot dog chili sauce and chili?

Hot dog chili is typically made without beans, traditionally with beef, and has a finer texture. Some like hot dog chili with a bit of sweetness. In this recipe, I add just a touch of sugar, but you can adjust that to your liking.

Variations and Substitutions:

Want this a little extra spicy add in a can of mild green chiles, some red pepper flakes, or diced jalapeños.
If you really love beans in your hot dog chili it's perfectly fine to add a can of kidney beans to this recipe. Just drain and rinse, you can always add a little more beef broth, tomato sauce, or water to adjust sauciness.

Serving Suggestions

If you are going all out with homemade chili sauce for your hot dogs, why not toss some Corn on the Cob in the Instant Pot and bake a pan of Macaroni and Cheese. Add a big bowl of mixed greens and a jar of Blueberry Vinaigrette Dressing, and you have a great night ahead with a complete hot dog bar meal all will love.

And by all means put some of this delicious chili sauce on your French fries too- Chili Cheese Fries, y'all!

I have also been known too it sneak it on a burger and over a baked potato too. It's perfect when that nacho craving hits and you need some quick chili for the top!

Just use your imagination this stuff is great on just about anything!

Two air fryer hot dogs topped with hot dog chili sauce, cheese, and diced onion.

Storage and Reheating

This Chili Sauce Recipe does not last long in my household. But if you happen to have some leftover chili, you are in luck. There are so many things you can do with it!

Storage:

Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in an air-tight container and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Freeze:

This freezes really well so make an extra batch or two and freeze for future use. You can also freeze individual servings in snack bags and then put those in a freezer-safe zip bag to pull out for individual lunches.

Place in an airtight container and then in the freezer for up to 4 months. Just remember to label and date.

Reheat:

To reheat individual servings, place desired amount on a microwave-safe dish and reheat. Start with 1 minute and stir. Then add 30-second intervals until heated to your liking.

More Delicious Recipes to Try

For more great summer grilling and party, recipes try these!

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Hot Dog Chili Sauce

Why you’ll love this recipe!