Smoking Jalapeno Cheese Hot Dogs: How Long Is Enough?

Jalapeno cheese hot dogs are a delicious, spicy twist on the classic grilled hot dog. This unique recipe involves stuffing hot dogs with cheese and wrapping them in jalapeno peppers, creating a fun and flavourful experience. The cooking time for these hot dogs can vary depending on your preferred level of spiciness, as cooking the jalapenos for longer will reduce their heat. In general, however, they should be cooked for around 10-15 minutes, or until the peppers have softened to your liking. So, if you're looking for a creative and mouth-watering way to enjoy hot dogs, jalapeno cheese hot dogs are definitely worth trying!

Jalapeno Cheese Hot Dogs Characteristics and Values Table

How to make a jalapeno cheese hot dog sauce

How to Make a Jalapeño Cheese Hot Dog Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
• 1 jalapeno, thinly sliced
• 1 pack all-beef hot dogs
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• Bag of Original Fritos
• Bacon bits (optional)

Method:

• Start by making the cheese sauce. Grate or cube the blocks of cheese and set them aside.
• Place a medium saucepan on the stove and turn the burner to medium heat.
• Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the saucepan and completely melt it.
• Add 2 tablespoons of flour, whisking as you add it. Let it cook for 30 seconds to get rid of the flour taste.
• The mixture will start to thicken. Now, add 1 cup of whole milk and heat it until it is hot.
• Once the milk is hot, turn the heat to medium-low. Start adding in your cubed/shredded cheese a handful at a time. Completely melt the cheese before adding more. Stir continuously.
• Preheat the grill to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Place the all-beef hot dogs on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they have grill marks and are hot inside.
• Slice up fresh jalapenos or use sliced jalapenos from a jar.
• Place your grilled hot dog in a bun, add the cheese sauce, top with jalapenos, and if you like, add some Fritos for crunch.

Tips:

• The cheese sauce can be made in advance and kept warm while you grill the hot dogs.
• You can also add bacon bits to your hot dog for an extra layer of flavor.
• If you want to make your hot dogs from scratch, you can find recipes online that use pork shoulder, beef, and bacon.

How to grill the hot dogs

Grilling jalapeno cheese hot dogs is a great way to elevate the classic American barbecue. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grill the hot dogs to perfection:

Step 1: Prepare the Grill

First, ensure your grill is clean and ready for cooking. If necessary, scrub the grill grates with a grill brush or a wad of aluminium foil to remove any remnants from previous cooking sessions. Make sure you have enough propane or charcoal for the grilling session.

Step 2: Spray the Grates

Spray the grates with a non-stick grill spray. This will prevent your hot dogs from sticking to the surface, making them easier to turn and reducing the time needed for cleaning up afterwards.

Step 3: Preheat the Grill

Preheat your grill to the appropriate temperature. For gas grills, preheat on high for 10 to 15 minutes. If you're using a charcoal grill, preheat until the charcoal is covered with a white ash.

Step 4: Adjust the Temperature

Once the grill is preheated, reduce the heat to medium-low. All-beef hot dogs are best cooked at a lower temperature, ideally between 250°F and 325°F. This will ensure they heat through without burning or charring.

Step 5: Place the Hot Dogs on the Grill

Using grill tongs, place your hot dogs over indirect heat, avoiding direct flames. Place them perpendicular to the grill grates to create those classic grill marks.

Step 6: Grill the Hot Dogs

Grill each side of the hot dogs for 2-3 minutes. Keep an eye on them, as you don't want them to burn or burst. The exact grilling time will depend on the type of hot dog and your desired doneness, but it usually takes between 4 and 10 minutes for the hot dogs to be ready.

Step 7: Seal in the Flavour (Optional)

For added flavour and those coveted grill marks, sear the hot dogs over direct heat for a few seconds on each side.

Step 8: Prepare the Buns

While the hot dogs are grilling, prepare your hot dog buns. Spread melted butter, preferably garlic butter, on the buns using a pastry brush. Place the buns on the grill, buttered side down, over indirect heat for about 1 minute. Keep an eye on them, as they can dry out quickly.

Step 9: Assemble the Hot Dogs

Now it's time for the best part—assembling your jalapeno cheese hot dogs! Place the grilled hot dogs in the toasted buns, and top them with your homemade cheese sauce and sliced jalapenos. If you want some crunch, add Fritos or crushed chips.

Enjoy your delicious jalapeno cheese hot dogs! Remember, grilling is an art, and practice makes perfect, so don't be discouraged if your first attempt doesn't turn out exactly as planned. Happy grilling!

How to assemble the hot dogs

To assemble a delicious jalapeno cheese hot dog, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, prepare your desired hot dog. This could be a homemade hot dog, made with a sausage-making process, or a store-bought variety. If you're making your own, you can add chilli and cheese to the sausage mixture for an extra kick. For store-bought, opt for an all-beef hot dog, or a thin variety if you plan to stuff it inside a jalapeno.

Next, prepare your cheese sauce. Grate or cube a block of cheese—a sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese works well. Place a saucepan on the stove on medium heat, add butter, and melt. Whisk in flour, and cook for 30 seconds to cook off the flour taste. Then, slowly add milk and heat until hot. Once hot, turn the heat down and slowly add your cheese, a handful at a time, stirring continuously until melted. Keep the sauce on a low heat to keep it warm while you prepare the rest of your hot dog.

Now, it's time to grill your hot dog. Preheat your grill to around 500 degrees. Place your hot dogs on the grill and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they have grill marks and are hot in the middle. If you're using thin hot dogs to stuff jalapenos, you may only need to grill them for a couple of minutes to warm them through.

If you're serving your hot dog in a bun, grill or griddle the bun with butter. You can also add some bacon to your hot dog—cook it according to the packet instructions, crumble it, and set it aside.

Finally, assemble your hot dog. Place your hot dog in the bun, top with cheese sauce, and add sliced jalapenos. If you've gone for the jalapeno-stuffed variety, cut your jalapenos into tubes, removing the seeds and ribs, and stuff the hot dog inside. You can grill these for around 10 minutes until the jalapeno is soft and the cheese is melted.

Enjoy your jalapeno cheese hot dog!

How to cook the hot dogs in a skillet

While there are many ways to cook hot dogs, here is a detailed guide on how to cook them in a skillet.

Firstly, it is important to choose the right hot dogs. Uncured hot dogs are a healthier choice as they do not contain added nitrates or nitrites. Natural casing hot dogs give you a satisfying 'snap' from the skin and are therefore preferable.

Now, onto the cooking method. Place a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of water—just enough to cover the bottom of the skillet. Place the hot dogs carefully in the skillet and let them cook until the water evaporates. Keep rolling them around a little during this time.

Once all the water evaporates, add a generous dab of butter and cook the hot dogs a little longer to brown them. You can also add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to the skillet instead of butter.

If you want to add onions to your hot dog, heat some vegetable oil in a separate frying pan over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until soft and beginning to brown. Set them aside once done.

Slice the hot dog buns lengthwise, place a hot dog in each, and top with sauces and accompaniments of your choice. You can also add the sautéed onions on top.

And there you have it—a delicious, skillet-cooked hot dog!

How to make homemade hot dogs

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of brisket
• 1 lb of bacon
• Salt
• Sugar
• 2 tablespoons of vinegar
• Eggs
• Water
• Edible sausage casings

Method:

• Prep your casings: In a large bowl, add 6 cups of warm water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Add the edible sausage casings to the water and allow them to soak for a minimum of 1 hour.
• While the casings are soaking, cut up 1 pound each of brisket and bacon into small cubes.
• Place the meat, salt, sugar, vinegar, eggs, and water into a food processor. Process this mixture for 5-10 minutes or until it’s a liquid paste, adding water as needed. The finer the mixture, the better!
• Once everything is properly combined, let the sausage mixture set in the fridge for at least an hour.
• Take the soaked sausage casings and load them onto a sausage stuffer, tying the tip to keep air out of the casing.
• Carefully run the meat into the casing. Make sure not to overstuff the casing, as the meat will expand during cooking.
• Once all the hot dog meat has been stuffed into the casing, tie the end and begin measuring and twisting out the desired links.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and reduce the heat before adding in the hot dog links. Continue to boil over low heat for 20-25 minutes.
• When the dogs are fully cooked, remove them from the water and separate the links by cutting them.
• Allow them to sit for 10 minutes before grilling, frying, or baking the links to finish cooking the meat and crisp up the casings.
• Place the cooked hot dogs in buns and top with your favorite condiments.

Tips:

• Partially freezing the meat helps it grind better and with less smearing.
• Adding ice keeps the mixture chilled as it slowly melts and emulsifies.
• Use a vertical sausage stuffer to provide better pressure and stuff without overheating the mixture, which leads to faster, better-textured sausages.
• The right level of fat and lean meat is essential to a good sausage.
• Salt content is important: without salt, muscle proteins don't cross-link and you end up with a mushy hot dog instead of a snappy one.

Frequently asked questions