These Chili Cheese Hot Dogs are the ultimate comfort food. Juicy grilled hot dogs are topped with a rich, savory homemade chili and melted cheddar cheese for a meal that is always a crowd favorite.
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I am always on the hunt for the perfect Chili Cheese Hot Dog, and after plenty of tests, I can confidently say this recipe checks all the boxes. This homemade beef chili is made Texas-style with no beans and the perfect amount of seasoning. Piled onto a juicy grilled hot dog and finished with plenty of melted cheddar cheese. Every bite is packed with classic comfort flavor.
Whether you're planning a backyard cookout, game day spread, or simply craving a great hot dog, this recipe is guaranteed to satisfy. If you are a fellow hot dog lover, be sure to check out my Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog and Smoked Hot Dogs for even more ways to enjoy this American classic.
Reader Review: "This was the best hot dog chili that I have ever made. Perfect for our Chili Cheese Dogs!" - Tammy
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: Simple ingredients and perfect for all skill levels!
- Customizable: Add your favorite toppings to make each hot dog your own.
- Perfect for entertaining: Great for cookouts, tailgates, parties, pool parties, and game-day gatherings.
Equipment
- Chef Knife- I need a good, sharp knife every time in the kitchen! These Flint and Flame are my favorite.
- Meat Chopper- Perfect for browning ground beef.
- Dutch Oven - The perfect chili pot!
Ingredients
- Hot Dogs: All beef if preferred.
- Buns: Soft hot dog buns
- Cheddar Cheese: Freshly grated sharp cheddar melts perfectly.
- Parsley: For a pop of color at the finish.
- Ground Beef: I used lean ground beef to prevent extra grease.
- Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic adds savory depth and enhances the overall flavor of the chili.
- Chili Powder: Provides classic chili flavor with a mild warmth.
- Onion Powder: Adds a subtle onion flavor.
- Paprika: Gives the chili a slightly smoky, sweet flavor and beautiful color.
- Tomato Sauce: Creates the base of the chili and helps bind everything together.
- Worcestershire: Adds a savory umami flavor.
- Chipotles in Adobo Sauce: Brings a smoky heat and a deeper flavor to the chili.
- Brown Sugar: Ideal for balancing out the heat and acidity.
- Mustard: Yellow mustard adds tanginess to the classic chili dog flavor.
- Salt: Optional
Tim's Tip: Roll your hot dogs occasionally as they cook to get the classic grill marks. Don't rush them; about 5 minutes per side is needed.
How to Make Chili Cheese Hot Dogs
1. Make the Chili: In a medium pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. As the beef nears completion, add the minced garlic and cook for about 90 seconds until fragrant.
2. Simmer the Chili: Add the chili powder, onion powder, paprika, brown sugar, mustard, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and chopped chipotles in adobo sauce. Stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer 20-30 minutes.
3. Grill the Hot Dogs: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the hot dogs on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes. Flip and continue grilling for an additional 5 minutes until heated through and shows grill marks.
4. Build the Chili Cheese Dogs: Immediately place each hot dog into a bun. Spoon a generous amount of chili over the top, followed by freshly shredded cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of chopped parsley.
5. Serve and Enjoy!! Serve immediately while the hot dogs are hot and the cheese is beginning to melt.
Substitutions and Variations
- Protein Swap: Replace the ground beef with ground turkey for a lighter chili. Ground chicken also works well if you're looking to reduce fat with plenty of flavor.
- Cheese Swap: Trade the cheddar cheese for Pepper Jack for a little extra heat. Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, and smoked Gouda are other delicious options.
- Toppings - Add diced onion or jalapeños for extra flavor and make them your own.
- Spice it up -Add extra chopped chipotles, cayenne pepper, or some hot sauce to the chili for a spicier kick.
Expert Tips
- Shred your own cheese for the best melting results.
- Adjust the amount of chipotles to control the heat level of the chili to your liking.
- If you prefer a smoother chili, finely chop the beef as it cooks.
What to Serve with Chili Cheese Dogs
Hot dogs are perfect served with hearty side dishes for a well-rounded meal!
Storage
Refrigeration: Store any leftover hot dogs and chili separately in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keeping them separate helps maintain the best texture when reheating.
Freezing: You can freeze both hot dogs and chili in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Reheating: Reheat the chili in a small pot on the stove, stirring occasionally until warm. Hot dogs can be reheated in the air fryer until heated through. Assemble with fresh buns and toppings before serving.
FAQs
Yes! You can use ground turkey as a substitute for beef in this chili!
Absolutely! Grilling adds a delicious smoky flavor, but you can easily cook the hot dogs indoors in an air fryer or boil them in water until heated through. Once cooked, place the hot dogs in buns and finish by topping with chili and cheese.
Sharp cheddar is my favorite, howerver you can use mild cheddar, Colby Jack, Pepper Jack, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican cheese blend, depending on your preference.
More Delicious Hot Dogs
What are the "must-haves" on your family menus? Let me know your family's favorite recipes in the comments! I love gathering ideas from fellow cooks!
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Recipe
Chili Cheese Hot Dog
Ingredients
- 4 Hot Dogs
- 4 Hot Dog Buns
- Cheddar Cheese Shredded
- Fresh Parsley Diced
Chili Recipe
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 2 Garlic Cloves Minced
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1½ teaspoon Brown Sugar
- 1½ tablespoon Yellow Mustard
- 8 oz Tomato Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 1 tablespoon Chipotles in Adobo Sauce
- 1 teaspoon Sea Salt Optional
Instructions
- Make the Chili: In a medium pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. As the beef nears completion, add the minced garlic and cook for about 90 seconds until fragrant. 1 lb Ground Beef 2 Garlic Cloves
- Simmer the Chili: Add the chili powder, onion powder, paprika, brown sugar, mustard, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and chopped chipotles in adobo sauce. Stir well to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer 20-30 minutes. 1 teaspoon Chili Powder 1 teaspoon Onion Powder 1 teaspoon Paprika 1½ teaspoon Brown Sugar 1½ tablespoon Yellow Mustard 8 oz Tomato Sauce 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce 1 tablespoon Chipotles in Adobo Sauce
- Grill the Hot Dogs: Preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the hot dogs on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes. Flip and continue grilling for an additional 5 minutes until heated through and shows grill marks. 4 Hot Dogs
- Build the Chili Cheese Dogs: Place each hot dog immediately into a bun. Spoon a generous amount of chili over the top, followed by freshly shredded cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of chopped parsley. 4 Hot Dog Buns Cheddar Cheese Fresh Parsley
- Serve and Enjoy!! Serve immediately while the hot dogs are hot and the cheese is beginning to melt.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Shred your own cheese for the best melting results.
- Adjust the amount of chipotles to control the heat level of the chili to your liking.
- If you prefer a smoother chili, finely chop the beef as it cooks.
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