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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!
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
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 full recipe 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 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure you can – but I suggest you brown the ground beef in a skillet first.
It can be! Just ensure your broth, spices, sauces, and powders are the gf version and you are good to go!
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:
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!
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
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
- ⅓ cup diced onion
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ to 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon granulated or brown sugar, adjust to taste
Instructions
- In a 12-inch or large skillet over medium-high heat crumble and saute ground beef and onion. Cook until browned and cooked through. Drain any grease on a plate topped with paper towels. Return cooked ground beef and onion to skillet.
- Add remaining ingredients and stir until combined. Starting with ½ cup beef broth and add more to the desired consistency. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes or until the sauce thickens to desired consistency.
- Serve over prepared hot dogs and enjoy!
Notes
- Drain the ground beef after cooking to remove any grease.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Nutrition Information
Nutritional Disclaimer
Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
©️Soulfully Made
Really nice beef chili for topping on hot dogs. I used the tomato paste and
1 1/2 cups of beef broth instead of the tomato sauce. Cooked the meat until it was cooked into a very fine consistancy. Didn’t want the chili to be sloppy, but instead cooked it down a bit drier so it would stay on the dogs. This recipe is definitely a keeper!
Thank you, Linda! I am so happy to hear you enjoyed it and will be making it again and again.
Very very delicious! I used to order hot dog chili online to have it shipped, because I’m so particular. This tasted better than the brand I usually go for and I consider it outstanding!!!
Thank you so much! I love that it is now your go-to recipe!
This was such a treat. Never had chili dogs before and I’m so glad this recipe was my first experience. SO GOOD!
Looking for a way to jazz up hot dogs – this is it! Delicious and would recommend having a napkin close by!
Presentation is too delicious. Definitely a Happy Meal for my family. I am drooling. Looks so moist and juicy.
What a great recipe, delicious and easy I will definitely make this again it really made hotdog go to another level !
This is such a good sauce for hot dog! But I really loved serving leftovers it with pasta or rice.
Thank you, Alina! We love chili over rice or pasta too! In fact I made some last night for the game and had rice along with it.
I love chili dogs, and I have been looking for a flavorful sauce to top them with. I am making the sauce as we speak! Super excited because it smells so wonderful!
Thank you, Heidy! I am so glad you gave it a try!
We used to top our hot dogs with canned chili, but no more! This chili sauce is SO much better!
Right! So easy to make and tastes so much better!
That sounds like an awesome Chili sauce. It is going to be a super hit with the hot dogs that I will be serving for dinner tomorrow.
Thank you, Sandhya!
This turned our boring hot dog into a gourmet meal in no time! My kind of comfort food; easily, the best way to enjoy hotdogs!
Thank you, Sarah! We love easy & delicious meals!
We made this the other day and my husband said it’s his new favorite recipe. Going to make it again when we have people over next week. Thank you for another yummy recipe!
Droooooling!! There is just nothing better than a chili dog is there!? I will take two, please! 🙂
These chili dogs were the best I’ve ever eaten or made!
Thank you, Julie!
I made this for a block party & everyone loved it. Easy to make too!
Thank you, Debi! I am so glad to hear everyone loved it!
Great chili for hotdogs with no beans! This is my go to from now on!
Thank you so much, Tristin!
I can’t wait to make a huge batch of this for game day!!