Last Updated July 7th, 2021 at 10:37 pm by Lisa
Learn the secret to thick Hot Dog Chili! In this post, I'll show you how to make the best Hot Dog Chili for loaded chili dogs, plus a recipe for Homemade Pickle Relish. This recipe is a hit for big game days or parties!
Why You'll Love This Homemade Hot Dog Chili Recipe
- Parties and game days are all about relaxing and having fun. You can make this Hot Dog Chili and Homemade Pickle Relish ahead of time and grill the hot dogs during the party.
- You can serve it with a hot dog topping bar. Have fun setting up a hot dog topping bar full of favorites, and let people build their own loaded dog!
- Homemade will seriously impress. Who doesn't want to dig into homemade chili and relish?
- Homemade is also healthier. This Hot Dog Chili recipe (plus Homemade Pickle Relish) is made with fresh ingredients and no preservatives (as long as you ensure the salsa and refried beans used in the chili don't contain any preservatives or chemicals). Healthy game day foods? That's a big game day WIN, no matter how your favorite team does!
- It can be made gluten-free. If you use a gluten-free beer, gluten-free refried beans, and gluten-free hot dog buns, your Loaded Chili Dogs will be gluten-free!
Ingredients Needed for Hot Dog Chili
To make this yummy Hot Dog Chili recipe, you'll need:
- 1 diced onion browned
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 ½ pound of ground beef
- 12 oz bottle beer any beer will work, pub ale preferred
- 16 oz salsa (look for a brand without strange additives or preservatives)
- 32 oz cans refried beans makes the chili thick! (same; no additives or preservatives)
How Do You Make Hot Dog Chili?
Step 1: Over medium-high heat in a large heavy dutch oven or pot, add the butter, and brown the onion with sea salt, ground pepper, chili powder, granulated garlic, oregano, and cumin. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly.
Step 2: Add the ground beef, stir and saute until brown.
Step 3: Once the onion and ground beef are browned, add 12 ounces of beer, the salsa, and both cans of refried beans. Stir to combine.
Step 4: Turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes, skim the fat off the surface with a large spoon, stirring occasionally.
How Do You Make Hot Dog Chili with Ketchup?
My Hot Dog Chili recipe doesn't contain ketchup and instead gets its delicious flavor from ingredients like salsa, beer, and refried beans. However, Hot Dog Chili with ketchup is a popular alternative and contains ingredients like ketchup (of course!), garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, and tomatoes or tomato paste.
Ingredients Needed for Homemade Pickle Relish (Hot Dog Relish)
The Homemade Pickle Relish is full of delicious FRESH ingredients, and no added sugar or preservatives. It takes minutes to make, and is amazing...plus the color is gorgeous.
- 2 cups bell pepper
- 4 tablespoons dill relish
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
How Do You Make Homemade Pickle Relish?
Step 1: Pulse all ingredients in a food processor until finely mixed (or finely mince veggies on a cutting board and mix with wet ingredients and spices in a bowl).
Step 2: Let sit for a day if possible, store in a mason jar, and use within a week.
What is Relish Exactly?
There are a wide variety of relishes all over the world, and the general definition of relish is "pieces of vegetables and/or fruits in a sauce." Names for relish include Boston Gurka (Sweden), chakalaka (South Africa), chutney (India), and kuchela (Trinidad and Tobago). In the U.S., "relish" often refers to pickle relish, the most popular variety.
There are two variants of pickle relish in the U.S.:
- Hamburger relish: pickle relish in a ketchup base
- Hot dog relish: pickle relish in a mustard base — this is the kind you're making for this Loaded Chili Dogs recipe!
Ingredients Needed for Loaded Chili Dogs with Hot Dog Chili
Now you're ready to make your Loaded Chili Dogs! You'll need:
- 8 grilled hot dogs
- 8 hot dog buns (toasting optional)
- Homemade Pickle Relish
- A batch of Hot Dog Chili (make sure it's warm!)
- 2 cups grated cheese
- ½ cup green onions sliced thin
- optional toppings: mustard ketchup, pickled jalapenos, crumbled bacon, or sauerkraut
How Do You Make Loaded Chili Dogs with Hot Dog Chili?
Step 1: In each bun, place a grilled hot dog, homemade pickle relish, grated cheese, and green onions.
Step 2: Add any other toppings you like and enjoy!
Loaded Chili Dogs are perfect for a "hot dog bar" at parties and gatherings!
More Game Day and Party Food Ideas!
- Cuban Pulled Pork Sliders are perfect for Game Day!
- Mini Taco Bowls are always a fun addition!
- Who doesn't want to drink a CoronaRita at a party?
- Jalapeno Popper Dip is totally addictive!
- Stuffed Cheeseburger Sliders are easy to serve at parties!
For more game day and party food recipe ideas, check out my Game Day and Party Food recipes.
All The Best Dishes,
Lisa
XO
Hot Dog Chili for Loaded Chili Dogs Topped With Homemade Pickle Relish
Ingredients
Loaded chili dogs
- 8 grilled hot dogs
- 8 hot dog buns toasted optional
- homemade pickle relish recipe below
- a batch of hot dog chili
- 2 cups grated cheese
- ½ cup green onions sliced thin
- optional toppings: mustard ketchup, pickled jalapenos, crumbled bacon, or sauerkraut
for mustard relish:
- 2 cups bell pepper
- 4 tablespoons dill relish
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
loaded "thick" hot dog chili:
- 1 diced onion browned
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 ½ pound of ground beef
- 12 oz bottle beer any beer will work, pub ale preferred
- 16 oz salsa
- 32 oz cans refried beans makes the chili thick!
Instructions
make the homemade pickle relish:
- Pulse all ingredients in food processor until finely mixed (or finely mince veggies on a cutting board and mix with wet ingredients and spices in a bowl).
- Let sit for a day if possible, store in a mason jar, and use within a week.
make the hot dog chili:
- Over medium-high heat in a large heavy dutch oven or pot, add the butter, and brown the onion with sea salt, ground pepper, chili powder, granulated garlic, oregano, and cumin. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Add the ground beef, stir and saute until brown.
- Once the onion and ground beef are browned, add 12 ounces of beer, the salsa, and both cans of refried beans. Stir to combine.
- Turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes, skim the fat off the surface with a large spoon, stirring occasionally.
- Serve the chili warm on the loaded hot dogs.
make loaded chili dogs:
- In each bun (toasting optional), place a grilled hot dog, homemade pickle relish, grated cheese, and green onions.
- Add any other toppings you like and enjoy!
Notes
More Game Day, Tailgate, and Party Food Ideas!
- Cuban Pulled Pork Sliders are perfect for Game Day!
- Mini Taco Bowls are always a fun addition!
- Who doesn't want to drink a CoronaRita at a party?
- Jalapeno Popper Dip is totally addictive!
- Stuffed Cheeseburger Sliders are easy to serve at parties!
- Game Day and Party Food recipes.
As soon as I saw this recipe I knew I had to try it for my husband's poker night. Let me tell you the Man Cave has never been a happier place! They want a repeat next month! They were a pretty big hit upstairs too. 🙂 Thanks Lisa!
Lisa, these chili dogs were out of this world!! Will be making them again for Superbowl Sunday!!
Thanks for making the chili dogs Jessica!!! That homemade relish is pretty darn good right? Happy Superbowl weekend!