Andy Montoya
Chili cheese dogs are a delicious, hearty meal that is perfect for game days, cookouts, and dinners. They are a classic American dish that combines the best of all worlds: a high-quality hot dog in a toasted bun, topped with cheese and a hearty homemade chili. While there are many ways to make chili cheese dogs, this paragraph will outline a simple method for creating this decadent treat. First, prepare the chili by cooking ground beef, onions, tomatoes, spices, salt, and pepper in a large skillet or Dutch oven until the beef is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Then, cook your hot dogs using your preferred method – grilling, boiling, or pan-frying are all great options. Place the cooked hot dogs in their buns and top with a generous scoop of chili. Finally, add shredded cheese and any desired toppings such as diced onions, mustard, or jalapeños. Enjoy your chili cheese dogs!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | American classic, perfect for game days, cookouts, dinners, and summer |
| Main Ingredients | Hot dogs, cheese, chili, buns |
| Cheese Options | Cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or any other cheese of choice |
| Bun Options | Brioche buns, fancy hot dog buns, or any other bun of choice |
| Chili Consistency | Thick, smooth, and chunky to prevent sogginess |
| Chili Ingredients | Ground beef, diced onions, tomatoes, tomato paste, spices, salt, black pepper, beef broth, cayenne, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic, and sugar |
| Hot Dog Cooking Methods | Grilled, boiled, pan-fried, baked, or cooked in the microwave, oven, slow cooker, air fryer, or Instant Pot |
| Bun Cooking Methods | Toasted, grilled, or baked |
| Toppings | Mustard, coleslaw, pickled jalapeños, diced red onions, parsley, or any other toppings of choice |
| Storage | Store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months |
| Reheating | Reheat chili on the stove over low heat or in the microwave before assembling the chili cheese dogs |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the chili
To start, heat some cooking oil in a large skillet or saucepan over medium to medium-high heat. Add diced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until they become translucent and start to brown. This should take around 3 to 5 minutes. You can also add some garlic at this stage.
Next, add your ground beef. You can use a wooden spoon to break it up into small pieces and stir it occasionally. Cook the beef until it is no longer pink, which should take around 8 to 10 minutes. You can also add salt at this stage for seasoning.
Now it's time to add your spices and other flavourings. These might include chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and a pinch of sugar. Stir everything together and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
Finally, add your tomato products, such as crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, and ketchup. You can also add a dash of Worcestershire sauce for extra flavour. Stir everything together and let the mixture simmer for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavours to meld and the sauce to thicken. Keep the chili warm on the stove over low heat while you prepare the hot dogs.
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Cooking the hot dogs
There are several ways to cook hot dogs, and you can choose the method that best suits your preferences and equipment. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking hot dogs for your chili cheese dogs:
Grilling
Grilling hot dogs is a popular choice, as it adds flavour and visually appealing grill marks. To grill your hot dogs, preheat a grill pan to medium heat. You can add a teaspoon of butter to the grill pan for additional flavour and to enhance the grill marks. Place the hot dogs on the grill and cook until grill marks appear on both sides, heating them through. If you are using a BBQ grill, place the hot dogs on the grill and follow the same steps.
Pan-frying
If you don't have access to a grill, you can also pan-fry your hot dogs. Preheat a pan with a small amount of oil, such as olive oil, over medium to medium-high heat. Place the hot dogs in the pan and cook until they are browned and heated through.
Boiling
Boiling is another simple method for cooking hot dogs. Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil. Carefully place the hot dogs in the boiling water and cook them for a few minutes until they are heated through.
Oven-baking
Preheat your oven to the desired temperature, typically around 350°F. Place the hot dogs on a baking sheet and put them in the oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese on your chili cheese dogs is melted and the buns are warmed. You can also toast the buns separately by brushing them with butter or olive oil and placing them in the oven for a brief period, usually no more than a minute.
Microwave
If you're short on time or want a quick method, you can cook hot dogs in the microwave. Place the hot dogs in a microwave-safe dish and cook them on high power for a few minutes until they are heated through.
Slow cooker
For a slow and steady approach, you can use a slow cooker to cook your hot dogs. Place the hot dogs in the slow cooker with a small amount of liquid, such as water or broth, and cook on low heat for several hours until they are heated through.
Air fryer and Instant Pot
You can also use modern appliances like an air fryer or Instant Pot to cook your hot dogs. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for specific settings and timings.
Remember, hot dogs are typically already cooked when you purchase them, so you are simply warming them through and adding your desired level of char or grill marks. Choose the cooking method that suits your preferences and equipment, and always ensure your hot dogs are thoroughly cooked before serving.
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Toasting the buns
Firstly, decide on your preferred cooking method. You can toast the buns on a grill, in a grill pan, or in the oven. Each method will impart a slightly different flavour and texture to the buns, so choose the one that best suits your taste and equipment.
If you're using a grill or grill pan, preheat it to a medium-high heat. Add a teaspoon of butter to the grill pan and spread it evenly. When the pan is hot, place the buns on the grill, pressing them down gently for about 1 minute. This will create attractive grill marks on the buns. Then, toast the buns on the opposite side for an additional 30 seconds to ensure even cooking. Repeat this process with the remaining buns.
If you prefer to use the oven, preheat it to 350°F. Line the hot dog buns on a large baking sheet, ensuring they are open. Place them in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, keeping an eye on them to ensure they don't burn. The buns should be warmed and slightly crispy around the edges when done.
You can also add flavour and moisture to the buns by brushing them with olive oil or butter before toasting. This step is entirely optional but can enhance the taste and texture of the buns.
Once the buns are toasted to your desired level of doneness, you can begin assembling your chili cheese dogs. Place a hot dog in each bun, add your desired toppings, and enjoy the delicious combination of flavours and textures!
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Assembling the chili cheese dogs
Prepare the Hot Dogs
Start by cooking your hot dogs using your preferred method. You can grill them, boil them, pan-fry them, or even microwave them. If you want to add some extra flavour, try searing them in a pan with a tablespoon of butter or grilling them to get those attractive grill marks. Just remember that hot dogs are already pre-cooked, so you are simply warming them up.
Toast the Buns
Toasting the buns is an important step that adds flavour and texture to your chili cheese dog. It also helps the buns stand up to the weight and moisture of the toppings. You can toast them in a pan with a teaspoon of butter or olive oil, on a grill, or in the oven. If you're using the oven, consider placing the buns on a baking sheet and baking them at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the buns are slightly crispy.
Add the Hot Dogs to the Buns
Once your buns are toasted, it's time to add the hot dogs. Place each hot dog in a bun, making sure they fit snugly.
Top with Mustard (Optional)
Some people like to add a squiggle of mustard to their hot dog before adding the chili. This adds a tangy flavour to your chili cheese dog.
Spoon on the Chili
Now it's time to add the star of the show – the chili! Spoon a generous amount of warm, thick, and chunky chili on top of each hot dog. Be careful not to add too much, as you don't want to overwhelm the hot dog or make the bun soggy.
Add the Cheese
Sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the chili. If you're using oven-baked chili cheese dogs, the heat from the chili and the warm bun should be enough to melt the cheese. However, if the cheese isn't melting, you can place the assembled chili cheese dogs under a broiler for about a minute.
Finish with Toppings
Finally, top your chili cheese dogs with diced white or red onions, pickled jalapeños, or any other toppings you desire. You can also garnish with parsley to add a bit of freshness to your dish.
Now, your chili cheese dogs are ready to be served and devoured! Don't forget to have extra napkins on hand, as this delicious meal can get a bit messy!
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Storing and reheating
Storing your chili cheese dogs is best done by wrapping them in foil and placing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you've made a large batch of chili, you can freeze it for up to 3 months and defrost it in the fridge overnight when you're ready to eat it again.
When it comes to reheating, there are a few methods you can use. One option is to reheat the wrapped chili cheese dogs in a 325-degree oven for about 20 minutes, or until the oven comes to temperature. Another option is to use the microwave; place the chili cheese dog on a microwave-safe dish, cover it loosely with a damp paper towel, and heat for 3-4 minutes. If you're reheating a deconstructed chili cheese dog, you can heat the chili separately in the microwave for 1 minute, the hot dog for 1 minute, and the bun for about half a minute.
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Frequently asked questions
You can cook the hot dogs on a grill, in a grill pan, in the microwave, in the oven, in the slow cooker, in the air fryer, or in the Instant Pot.
You can use cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, or any other cheese of your preference.
You will need ground beef, diced onions, tomatoes, tomato paste, spices, salt, and black pepper.
To make the chili thicker, reduce the amount of liquid used (beef broth, chicken broth, etc.) or cook it longer to allow the liquid to evaporate.
You can store leftover chili in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze it for up to three months.
