Go Back
+ servings
A game day food table with chili dogs loaded with relish, cheese, and onions.
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Hot Dog Chili Sauce Recipe

Hot dog chili sauce is a "go-to" football food on game days, Superbowl parties, tailgating, or summer cookouts. And the best thing, this great recipe is ready in just 20 minutes or can simmer away in a slow cooker all during the big game! Salsa and beer add great unique flavor to this delicious recipe. Adding a can of refried beans is an easy way to make chili nice and thick, perfect for piling on top of chili dogs.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Dinner & Main Dishes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chili dog sauce, chili hot dogs, hot dog chili recipe, hot dog chili sauce, hot dog chili sauce recipe
Servings: 8
Calories: 584kcal

Ingredients

Hot Dog Chili Sauce

  • 1 brown onion
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon dried cumin
  • 1 ½ pound ground beef
  • 12 oz good beer pub ale
  • 16 oz salsa
  • 32 oz can refried beans makes thick chili!
  • 8 grilled hot dogs
  • 8 hot dog buns toasted optional
  • optional toppings: grated cheese, relish, mustard, ketchup, pickled jalapenos, green onions, crumbled bacon, or sauerkraut

Homemade Relish

  • 1 whole bell pepper green, yellow or orange
  • 1-2 whole dill pickles
  • 1 cup shredded green cabbage
  • ¼ cup chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

Hot Dog Chili - Stove Top Instructions

  • Chop the fresh onion into a minced fine texture. Over medium-high heat use a heavy Dutch oven, pot, or large skillet. Add the butter and saute onions with sea salt, ground pepper, chili powder, granulated garlic, oregano, and cumin. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon.
  • Next, add the ground beef, cook the beef, saute until completely brown and crumbly, about 10 more minutes.
  • Once the onion and ground meat are browned, turn the heat down to medium-low simmer, and skim any excess grease and fat off. The easiest way is to dip a large spoon across the surface and discard it.
  • Add the remaining ingredients of 12 ounces of beer, salsa, and refried beans. Cook on low, and give it a good stir every few minutes. Serve warm.

Hot Dog Chili - Slow Cooker Instructions

  • Chop the minced onion into a fine texture. Add the minced onion, butter, salt, pepper, ground beef, chili powder, granulated garlic, oregano, and cumin, 12 ounces of beer, salsa, and refried beans. Cook on for low 3-4 hours, give it a good stir every hour.
    Note: If your slow cooker has a saute function, saute the onion, butter, salt, pepper, and brown the ground beef together. The sauteing of meat and spices adds great flavor, then add all the rest of the ingredients and cook on low for 3-4 hours.

Serve & Assemble Chili Dogs

  • The perfect way to serve the ground beef chili is warm from a slow cooker, crock pot or very low heat on the stove for 2-3 hours, and scoop onto the loaded hot dogs.
  • In each bun (toasting optional), place a grilled hot dog, hot dog chili, pickle relish, grated cheese, and green onions.
  • Add any other toppings you like and enjoy! Store any leftover chili in an airtight container in the fridge and eat in 3 days. Use the extra for sloppy joes or to top chili burgers.

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, and the great way is to store in mason jar, and use within a week.

Notes

hot dogs

You can use any kind of beef or pork hot dog, even sausages are great! Take a look at my recipe on how to make Spiral Hot Dogs. They look pretty and get lots of nooks and crannies for the toppings. 

What are the best toppings?

  • crispy crumbled bacon
  • condiments of relish, mustard, ketchup, or mayonnaise
  • sauerkraut
  • fresh diced or pickled jalapenos
  • diced tomatoes
  • sour cream
  • salsa
  • shredded lettuce
  • coleslaw
  • green onions, chives, diced red or white onion, or Mexican pickled onions
  • diced dill pickles or sweet pickles
  • crunchy Fritos corn chips
  • A homemade hot dog meat sauce is a bit healthier than a canned brand from the grocery store. This recipe 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.
  • Make Ahead: The best way to relax and have fun at parties and on game days is to make food ahead of time and have different ways to serve and reheat dishes. This recipe can be made up to two days for the party.
  • Football Theme: On game days, add a special touch and plate your chili cheese dogs on football plates with football food picks! 🏈🏈🏈
  • Hot Dog Topping Bar: Full of yummy favorites, people will love building their own best hot dogs and have fun trying different flavor combinations! It is a lot of fun to put out scrumptious toppings like cheeses, onions, and condiments.
  • Game Day Menu Ideas: Great things that go with good chili dogs are cheddar cheese soup, a hot side of french fries, crunchy potato chips, cole slaw, macaroni salad, bacon potato salad, or a bbq potato salad!

Nutrition

Calories: 584kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 84mg | Sodium: 2097mg | Potassium: 568mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 507IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 160mg | Iron: 6mg