Last month was National Fruits and Vegetables Month: a great way to celebrate seasonal produce. This month, though, things get all summer-official because July is National Hot Dog Month with National Hot Dog Day on July 19th! So of course I’m going to share a bunch of hot dog recipes to help you celebrate. Recipes? For hot dogs? Yes! There’s so much more to them than slapping on some ketchup and mustard. Or not; apparently there’s a thing about adults eating ketchup-coated hot dogs. Anyway, there’s so much you can do with a hot dog. Check it out!
Bánh Mi: We used to go to this awesome little hot dog and burger place called Haute Dog where my husband discovered the Bánh Mi hot dog. Now that we’ve moved halfway across the country, it’s necessary to make our own.
Chicago-Style: My family lives a bit outside of Chicago now, so I’d be remiss to make a list of hot dog recipes and not include the famous Chicago-style hot dog. Not gonna lie: I have no intention of ever consuming one of these, but the husband is a fan.
Cheese Coney: A family favorite is Cincinnati Cheese Coneys. While a traditional Coney hot dog has onions, we tend to skip those. The most awesome way to prepare Coneys is to go to Skyline Chili—or Camp Washington Chili if you’re actually in Cincy—and order them, but we can create a pretty good copycat at home. (Tip: Use a hand blender or another blending tool of your choice to puree the finished chili for a nice, smooth glop. Sounds gross, but it’s fabulous on the hot dog. Also, use finely shredded cheddar, and remember that there is no such thing as too much cheese on a Coney.)
Chili Cheese Dog Dip: For those who prefer a more traditional chili with their hot dog, may I suggest this absolutely adorable Chili Cheese Dog Dip?
Hot Dog Casserole: I’ve seen suggestions to put mac and cheese on top of a hot dog, but why not mix it up and put hot dog slices inside your mac and cheese? It’s like all your small child’s favorite foods moved in together and set up house.
Frank and Beans Casserole: Another fun hot dog casserole is based on the traditional lazy-parent dish: beans and franks. This recipe is fancy, though, because there are extra spices and flavors added to the can of baked beans and there’s a delicious cornbread topping. By the way, I love to add a sweet or mild (or a mix of both) BBQ sauce to my portion—keep some on hand and give it a try when you make this dish. (Would you believe that there’s not a photo of this tasty dish available?! Imagine beans and franks covered with a delicious cornbread top.)
BBQ Hot Dog and Potato Packets: Speaking of BBQ sauce and hot dogs, here’s a fun recipe using both ingredients. It also includes potatoes, so you don’t have to worry about fries. Plus, the whole thing is cooked in a foil packet, which is super fun and means no dirty dishes. Win-win!
Root Beer Dogs: What a yummy twist on the traditional corn dog! And a candidate for special breakfasts once National Hot Dog Month is over—just swap the hot dogs for breakfast sausage links.
Corn Dogs: Okay, okay. Here’s a traditional corn dog recipe, too.
Southwestern Guacamole: If you’ve ready any of my other recipe posts, you probably know that I love me a burrito. Which means that I couldn’t possibly ignore the idea of a hot dog topped with burrito ingredients, right?
Seattle: Earlier, I shared a recipe for a Chicago-style hot dog, but did you know that Seattle has a hot dog style, too? The “secret” ingredients? Cream cheese and sautéed onions.
Pineapple, Bacon, and Teriyaki: Add some sweetness to your hot dog with pineapple. And add some more meat with bacon, because bacon. If you want to take these dogs up a notch, consider glazing them with teriyaki sauce before grilling.
Peanut Butter and Jam: Just because we’re celebrating hot dogs doesn’t mean we have to go without dessert! Get into the hot dog spirit with these sweet treats. (And for anyone who’s wondering, the “hot dog” is a banana, okay? The whole shebang is vegan, too.)
Happy National Hot Dog Month!