23 Wild & Crazy Hot Dog Recipes for Grilling Season | Foodal (2024)

The sound of the sizzle, the satisfying snap when you take your first bite, the sweet, savory, smoky, salty goodness of condiments and grilled meat and toasted buns…

This is what hot dog season is all about!

But what about when that timeless and tasty tubed meat starts seeming a little bland?

Not to worry, it’s just time to shake up your grill game a little.

And with that, we bring you our roundup of wild and crazy topping suggestions, homemade sauces, and prep methods from some of our favorite bloggers around the web, to help you bring some excitement back to your barbecue repertoire.

In the market for a new grill? Foodal’s got you covered with our series of reviews for every budget and space, from charcoal backpacking grills to full-size gas grills with rotisseries and infrared burners.

Here’s a preview of the tasty selections ahead:

Super Cheesy or Saucy

1. Mac and Cheese

Deborah Harroun’s mac and cheese dogs are the real deal, topped with homemade cheesy pasta.

Grill the buns and dogs in the backyard, or just heat the hot dogs in a little simmering water on the stove before serving.

Get the recipe on Taste and Tell.

2. Dr. Pepper Barbecue

Sweet, savory, salty, and spicy, this one’s got it all, slathered with homemade Dr. Pepper barbecue sauce and topped with sliced fresh jalapenos.

Christin Mahrlig at Spicy Southern Kitchen is a Dr. Pepper lover, and you will be too when you trythis recipe.

3. Chipotle Cheese Sauce and Bacon-Corn Relish

If you’re not craving sweet pickle relish, sweet summer corn is the answer. When that’s not available, feel free to use frozen. And a little bacon never hurts, right?

Drizzled with homemade spicy chipotle cheese sauce and topped with relish, you won’t even miss the ketchup and mustard.

Check out Justine Sulia’s recipe on Cooking and Beer.

South of the Border and Tex-Mex

4. Mexican Mole

In the mood for rich, chocolatey molé? It’s great with grilled meat!

Avocado, juicy tomato, crumbled cotija cheese, and earthy, flavorful molé sauce top these grilled franks. You won’t be able to stop at just one!

You can find Megan Keno’s Mexican-inspired recipe on Country Cleaver.

5. Nacho

Make your favorite tasty party snack or game night appetizer into a meal, with this recipe from Sommer Collier at A Spicy Perspective.

Topped with crushed tortilla chips for added crunch, you can make your guacamole, crema, and salsa at home, or grab some from the store for a quick and easy summertime weeknight dinner.

6. Fajita

Donna Kelly’s recipe for fajita-style hot dogs is definitely protein rich. Refried beans are mixed with shredded cheddar and salsa, heated until the cheese is melted, and spread onto a bun.

Add grilled peppers and onions, a little bit of mustard, and you’re ready to go!

Well, almost – don’t forget the hot dog (though we’re thinking you actually could here… maybe skip the mustard too, and you’ve got a great option to serve vegetarian guests at your next barbecue).

Check out the recipe on Apron Strings.

Asian Flair

7. Bombay-Inspired with Mango Relish and Curried Mayo

Mayo flavored with Madras curry powder and honey is slathered on grilled hot dogs, then topped with a homemade relish of fresh jalapeno, cilantro, mango, and lime. Yum!

Perhaps it’s a little ironic that beef dogs are called for in Phoebe Lapine’s recipe, as a large percentage of Indian eaters are vegetarian Hindus. Nonetheless, this is a tasty dog that’s big on Indian-style flavor. The toppings would make a great addition to veggie dogs as well!

Get the recipe on Feed Me Phoebe.

8. Kimchi

Whether you like to make your own kimchi at home or you buy it in a jar from the store, it makes an excellent topping for grilled frankfurters.

At your next cookout, ditch the canned sauerkraut, and go for a spicier version of healthy fermented cabbage instead. Make it extra delicious by brushing the buns with melted butter before you grill them.

You’ll find Christine Hadden’s recipe on Foody Schmoody.

9. Sweet Chili Thai Peanut

Chop up some ripe mango and cucumber, fresh herbs, and shallots, add a drizzle of sweet chili sauce and some savory peanut sauce, and you’ve got an irresistible Thai-inspired dish.

Its combination of flavor and textures hits all the right notes, a fresh and tasty way to serve your family and your guests something unexpected this grilling season. Megan Keno has the recipe on Country Cleaver.

Mediterranean

10. Greek Hummus and Tzatziki

Gyros and falafel aren’t the only dishes that taste great topped with a little hummus and a cool cucumber yogurt sauce.

Courtney Rowland has the recipe on NeighborFood, and she recommends garnishing these with diced bell pepper, cucumber, and onion for a fresh take on a grill time favorite.

11. Pizza

Love pizza? Adults and kids alike will come running for these dogs, topped with pepperoni, pizza sauce, shredded mozzarella, and Italian herbs.

Added bonus: it’s a big hit with the ketchup and mustard averse!

Serve these with a big green salad topped with marinated artichokes, mushrooms, pickled, eggplant and pepperoncini (or your own favorite Italian-style salad fixings) and dinner’s ready!

Nicole White is creator of the blog The Marvelous Misadventures of a Foodie. Check out her recipe on Real Housemoms.

South American Style

12. Brazilian

Denise Browning’s recipe for Cachorro Quente is topped with saucy ground beef sauteed with garlic, onions, cumin, bell pepper, tomato, herbs, and melted cheese.

If you like chili dogs, you’ll love these! Get the recipe for this Brazilian-style deliciousness on From Brazil To You.

13. Colombian

Dogs heavy on the flavorful toppings are a tradition in Colombia, and Diana Lopez has the recipe for a basic version on Sweet y Salado.

Topped with mayo, ketchup, mustard, coleslaw, shredded mozzarella, and crushed potato chips, you’re guaranteed to get the full cookout experience with every bite!

Diana also offers suggestions for even more adventurous and flavorful toppings like garlic mayo, pineapple sauce, chimichurri, bacon, and even quail eggs.

There’s a how-to video to go with this recipe as well. Check it out here.

American Regional Favorites

14. LA Street Dog

If you’ve ever walked around Downtown Los Angeles in the afternoon when the weather’s warm (which is just about always), or been ejected onto the sidewalk after a stadium show to find yourself moving along with the crowd as if you and the thousands of other concert-goers were suddenly one (Hollywood Bowl, anybody?), you’ve probably noticed the many sidewalk vendors selling deliciously greasy bacon-wrapped hot dogs.

Sizzling on sheet pans on the side of the road or passed through the windows of mobile food carts, you need to be quick if you want to get one of these (and careful where you’re walking, if you want to avoid a nasty burn)!

Making your own bacon-wrapped Los Angeles-style street dogs at home – topped with a flavorful combo of mustard, mayo, and ketchup alongside grilled onions, bell pepper strips, and a jalapeno – is less risky. Billy Vasquez, aka The 99 Cent Chef, has the recipe. You’ll find it here.

Billy’s post also includes a helpful video describing the history of Tijuana Dogs as he walks around LA, and makes the local delicacy in his own kitchen.

15. Fancy Chicago Style

If you’re a fan of the Chicago-style dog you’ll love this recipe, topped with crispy onions, pickles, peppers, chopped tomato and – of course – mustard. No ketchup here!

Plus, there’s an added twist… quite literally. These dogs are spiralized, so they’ll be extra crispy.

You’ll find Laura Davidson’s recipe for Windy City Hot Dogs onA Beautiful Plate.

Go Bunless

16. Corn Dog Muffin

A corn dog might just be the perfect serving style to convey that juicy hot dog goodness from hand to mouth, beloved at state fairs and elementary schools around the country.

But what if you’re in the mood to enjoy this delicacy at home?

Skip the boxed options from the freezer section at the grocery store, skip the sticks, and make your own bite-sized nibbles of deliciousness from scratch.

As an added bonus, these bunless beauties are gluten-free, dairy-free, and they bake up quickly in a muffin tin!

We share the recipe on Foodal.

17. Cheesy Wonton

If you’re not all about the fluffy white bread bun, there are so many options out there, to please every palate.

Here’s another one: try wonton wrappers.

Filled with gooey cheese and baked until they’re crunchy and golden brown, this version from Haley Nelson at Cheap Recipe Blog is great for dipping.

18. Corn Dog Hamantaschen

Putting a Jewish spin on the whole hog dog thing, you’ll love Chanie Apfelbaum’s recipe for Corndog Hamantaschen.

In case you’re not already familiar with hamantaschen, they’re typically triangular cookies or pastries filled with dried fruit, poppy seeds, jam, chocolate, or even cheese. But this recipe takes them to a whole new level, corn dog style!

Sliced hot dogs are wrapped with cornmeal and then baked until lightly browned and crispy, ready for dipping in mustard or ketchup, or garnishing with your favorite toppings. Whereas the corn dog muffins described above have a more cakey texture, these are more firm and delightfully doughy for an entirely different textural experience!

How’d Chanie come up with the recipe? She says she has no idea. You’ll find it on Busy in Brooklyn.

19. Pringles Deep Fried

Nick Chipman at Dude Foods is all about experimentation, and creating new combinations in the kitchen. Oh, and junk food!

If hot dogs on a stick are your dream come true, whip up this deep fried version at home, breaded with crushed Pringles potato chips. Nick’s helpful how-to video will (very quickly– like in 30 seconds or less) guide you through the process.

20. Fried Rice

Perhaps the perfect use for leftover grilled dogs, why not give fried rice a spin?

This tasty version is made with plenty of ginger and garlic, and some savory soy sauce, plus a little egg and carrot.

Top it all off with a few chopped spring onions, and dinner is served!

Get the recipe on Foodal.

Alternative Meats and Vegetarian Options

21. Buffalo Chicken

Chicken tube meat is a thing, so why not make it Buffalo style?

Just like your beloved wings, these are drizzled with classic Buffalo sauce, and topped with crumbled blue cheese and chopped celery.

Less messy to eat than wings, there are also no bones to deal with! Dax Phillips has the recipe on Simple Comfort Food.

22. Smoky Barbecue Carrot Dog with Creamy Chickpea Salad

If you haven’t checked out Estonian blogger Sandra Vungi’s vegan recipes yet, this is the perfect place to start.

Marinated and grilled carrots stand in for the meat, and the whole thing is topped with a creamy vegan chickpea salad.

You’ve probably eaten your fill of veggie burgers by now. So give these a try! The recipe is on Vegan Sandra.

23. Surf and Turf

Sometimes nothing beats the combination of seafood and meat– in wiener form, in this case.

From Foodal’s Kendall Vanderslice, we bring you the po’’boy hot dog sandwich, a grilled dog on a bun with mustard, mayo, lettuce, and tomato, topped with buttermilk batter-fried shrimp. You’ve got to try this thing.