Chili Dog

Name: Best Ever Chili Dog Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 2 small green peppers, (about 2 cups diced); 1 small yellow onion, (about 1½ cups diced); 3 heaping tablespoons chili powder; 3 tablespoons garlic powder; 3 tablespoons onion powder; 3 tablespoons cumin; 1 tablespoon paprika; 1 tablespoon salt; 1 teaspoon white pepper; 2 pounds ground beef/turkey; 30 ounces diced tomatoes ((two 15-ounce cans)); 15 ounces tomato sauce; 30 ounces water; 6 ounces tomato paste; 30 ounces kidney beans, (drained and rinsed (two 15-ounce cans)); ½ cup water; ⅓ cup masa flour; 20 hot dogs; 20 hot dog buns

overhead shot of a hot dog topped with chili

These easy, hearty homemade chili dogs are the best!

Jump to Recipe

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Total Time35

Servings

Table of Contents

Chili Dog Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Chili Dog Recipe
How To Serve This Chili Hot Dog Recipe
Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you are ready for a mouth-watering indulgence, then look no further than this classic, hearty chili dog recipe. This American staple combines juicy, cooked hot dogs with savory beef chili nestled into a soft bun.

close up overhead shot of a hot dog garnished with chili, onions, and jalapeños

Chili Dog Ingredients

Best Ever Chili Dogs raw ingredients that are labeled

One bite into that juicy hot dog nestled between a soft bun and covered in rich, savory chili will transport you to flavor heaven.

The warm spice of the chili paired with the meaty goodness of the hot dog creates a taste explosion that is simply irresistible.

And let’s not forget about the satisfying crunch of the toppings, adding a delightful texture to each bite.

You’ll need:

2 small green bell peppers, about 2 cups diced
1 small yellow onion, about 1½ cups diced
3 heaping tablespoons of chili powder
3 tablespoons of garlic powder
3 tablespoons of onion powder
3 tablespoons of cumin
1 tablespoon of paprika
1 tablespoon of salt
1 teaspoon of white pepper
2 pounds of ground beef or ground turkey
2 (15-ounce) cans of diced tomatoes
1 (15-ounce) can of tomato sauce
30 ounces of water, for the chili
1 (6-ounce) can of tomato paste
2 (15-ounce) cans of kidney beans, drained and rinsed
20 hot dogs
½ cup of water, to thicken the chili
⅓ cup of masa flour
20 hot dog buns

Substitutions And Additions

CHEESE: Add cheese to melt on top to create delicious chili cheese dogs.

VEGETARIAN: If you would like to turn this into a vegetarian version, you can use one of the popular brands of veggie hot dogs and whip up a vegetarian bean chili instead of chili con carne for this recipe.

SPICY: Add a spicy kick to this easy recipe with a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes when you are making the batch of chili.

HOT DOGS: You can use any kind of hot dog that you enjoy eating for this popular recipe.

CHILI: If you have your own favorite chili recipe, you can certainly make that instead of following our recipe here. You could also double this chili recipe to make a big batch so that you can freeze the leftovers.

TOPPINGS: Add onions, jalapeños, mustard, ketchup, or any other toppings you enjoy on your hot dogs or chili.

How To Make This Chili Dog Recipe

This recipe is no fuss. You can make it in a large Dutch oven like we’re doing here, or click here if you’re looking to cook this with your slow cooker.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

If you’re feeding a smaller crowd, you can easily cut the recipe in half.

STEP ONE: In a large Dutch oven, saute the diced peppers and onions until translucent, and they start to caramelize.

diced peppers and onions cooked in a pot

STEP TWO: Add the seasonings and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring continuously.

PRO TIP:

Make sure to keep stirring once you add the seasonings so that they don’t burn.

STEP THREE: Add the ground meat and brown until just done. It’s okay if it still has some pink in it before you add the rest of the ingredients.

STEP FOUR: Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, and tomato paste.

STEP FIVE: Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook for about 15 minutes. Then add the drained beans.

drained beans added to the pot of ingredients

STEP SIX: Preheat oven to 400°F. Once it’s preheated, cook the hot dogs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating halfway through.

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your hot dogs at the lower end of the recommended baking time.

STEP SEVEN: In a small bowl, mix together ½ cup of water and masa. Add half of the mixture to the chili and stir until it dissolves. Then add the remaining masa and stir until it starts to thicken.

STEP EIGHT: Remove the chili from the heat and serve over the hot dogs in the buns. Top with your favorite toppings!

How To Serve This Chili Hot Dog Recipe

Beyond being delicious, this quick and easy dinner option is perfect for a potluck, barbecue, or a meal at home. Simply make the chili and hot dogs and provide a bunch of fun toppings for everyone to customize their dogs as they like.

Toppings are one way to add some spunk to your basic chili dogs. Add a bit of shredded sharp cheddar cheese for extra creaminess, while jalapeño peppers or diced onions give them an extra kick.

There are many other toppings you could be using, from bacon bits to pickles. It’s easy to be creative when you have such a yummy canvas to start with.

Chili dogs are also much better when eaten with tasty sides. When it’s chili dog night, I like to whip up a Caesar salad to add a fresh addition to dinner. Potato salad, simple sauteed vegetables, classic coleslaw, and elbow macaroni pasta salad are also great choices.

For two more tasty variations on this classic recipe, try our baked chili dogs and chili cheese dog bake.

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftovers of this hot dog recipe in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days.

IN THE FREEZER: The hot dogs and buns won’t freeze well, as the buns will become soggy. Chili freezes really well, so you can freeze the leftovers and use them again the next time you are craving chili dogs.

This American classic is always a hit for a hearty meal. Add all of your favorite toppings, and we guarantee you will declare this the best ever chili dog recipe you have ever tasted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any chili I’d like for this chili dog recipe?

You can use our chili recipe, or, if you have your own homemade chili recipe, you can use that instead. Canned chili or even leftover chili would work in this chili hot dog recipe.

Can I store leftovers of these chili dogs?

Leftover oven-baked chili cheese dogs can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Any longer than that, and the buns will start to get soggy.

Can I add cheese to these chili dogs?

Cheese would make these chili dogs even better. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the chili to turn these into chili cheese dogs.

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Best Ever Chili Dog Recipe

5 from 4 votes

These easy, hearty homemade chili dogs are the best!

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Total Time 35

Servings

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Review Recipe

Ingredients

2 small green peppers, about 2 cups diced
1 small yellow onion, about 1½ cups diced
3 heaping tablespoons chili powder
3 tablespoons garlic powder
3 tablespoons onion powder
3 tablespoons cumin
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
2 pounds ground beef/turkey
30 ounces diced tomatoes (two 15-ounce cans)
15 ounces tomato sauce
30 ounces water
6 ounces tomato paste
30 ounces kidney beans, drained and rinsed (two 15-ounce cans)
½ cup water
⅓ cup masa flour
20 hot dogs
20 hot dog buns

Instructions

In a large Dutch oven, saute the diced peppers and onions until translucent, and they start to caramelize.
Add seasonings and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring continuously. (Make sure they don’t burn.)
Add the ground meat and brown until just done. It’s okay if it still has some pink in it before you add the rest of the ingredients.
Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, and tomato paste.
Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat and cook for about 15 minutes. Then add the drained beans.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Once it’s preheated, cook the hot dogs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 10 to 12 minutes, rotating halfway through.
In a small bowl, mix together ½ cup of water and masa. Add half of the mixture to the chili and stir until it dissolves. Then add the remaining masa and stir until it starts to thicken.
Remove from heat and serve over hot dogs and top with your favorite toppings!

Notes

If you’re feeding a smaller crowd, you can easily cut the recipe in half.
Make sure to keep stirring once you add the seasonings so that they don’t burn.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your hot dogs at the lower end of the recommended baking time.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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Layne Kangas Marketing
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant