Description
These Mouthwatering Chili Dogs feature juicy beef hot dogs nestled in toasted buns, topped with a rich and flavorful homemade beef chili sauce made from ground beef, tomatoes, and a blend of spices. Finished with melted cheddar cheese, fresh parsley, and optional pickled jalapeños, this classic American comfort food is perfect for an easy and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Hot Dogs and Buns
- 4-6 beef hot dogs
- 4-6 hot dog buns
Homemade Beef Chili Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: pickled jalapeños, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef: Heat a skillet over medium heat, then add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Sauté onions and garlic: Add the finely chopped yellow onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and spices: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen the flavor. Then add diced tomatoes, beef broth, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine thoroughly.
- Simmer the chili sauce: Reduce heat to low and let the chili sauce simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens and becomes flavorful.
- Cook the hot dogs: While the sauce simmers, grill or pan-cook the beef hot dogs over medium heat until heated through and lightly browned on all sides.
- Toast the buns: Lightly toast the hot dog buns, either on the grill, in a pan, or in a toaster oven, just until warm and slightly crispy.
- Assemble the chili dogs: Place each hot dog inside a toasted bun. Generously spoon the homemade beef chili sauce over each hot dog.
- Add cheese and garnish: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the chili-topped dogs. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and add pickled jalapeños if desired.
- Serve: Serve immediately while hot, enjoying the rich, cheesy, and spicy flavors in every bite.
Notes
- For extra heat, increase the cayenne pepper or add your favorite hot sauce to the chili sauce.
- The chili sauce can be prepared a day ahead; it develops even more depth of flavor after resting overnight.
- Swap shredded cheddar for pepper jack cheese to add a spicier kick to your chili dogs.
