Randy Chandler
Chili cheese dogs are a classic American dish, perfect for game day, summer evenings, and backyard barbecues. They are a messy, spicy, and filling treat, consisting of a hot dog in a bun, smothered with chili and sprinkled with cheese and onions. While they can be made at home, there are also several famous restaurants that serve chili cheese dogs, such as Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, DC, which is known for its thick and smooth chili sauce.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of dish | Comfort food, perfect for backyard BBQs, tailgates, game days, summer nights, and cookouts |
| Ingredients | Hot dogs, buns, chili, cheese, onions, mustard, butter, olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, beef stock, bacon, brisket, beef, spices, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, ground cumin, beef broth, vegetable broth, vegan hot dogs, ground meat, jalapeños, pickles, parsley, cream cheese, mozzarella, corn chips, tortilla chips, eggs, toast, mayonnaise, cayenne, mince, kosher dogs, smoked sausages, brioche buns, cheddar cheese, brisket chili, ground chuck, Tennessee Smoke Rub |
| Recipe | Assemble the hot dog in a bun, add mustard, top with chili, cheese, and onions, and garnish with parsley and diced onions. To make the chili, cook onions, beef, diced onions, tomatoes, spices, salt, and pepper in a pot. To make the dish vegetarian or vegan, substitute vegan ground meat and vegan hot dogs. |
| Storage | Store each component separately in the refrigerator. Chili can be stored for up to three days. |
| Calories | 474kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 33g |
| Protein | 25g |
| Fat | 27g |
| Saturated Fat | 11g |
| Cholesterol | 84mg |
| Sodium | 947mg |
| Potassium | 457mg |
| Fiber | 6g |
| Preparation time | 15-20 minutes in the oven at 350°F |
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What You'll Learn
Making chili cheese dogs at home
Chili cheese dogs are a delicious treat, perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal, a summer evening, or a hearty camping trip. They are also great for feeding a large group, and can be made vegan or vegetarian. Here is a step-by-step guide to making them at home.
Ingredients:
- Hot dogs
- Hot dog buns
- Cheese (Monterey Jack or vegan cheese)
- Ground beef or vegan ground meat
- Diced onions (white, yellow, or sweet)
- Tomatoes (crushed or diced)
- Spices (salt, black pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, etc.)
- Oil or butter
- Optional: mustard, parsley, pickled jalapeños
Method:
First, make the chili. In a medium pot or Dutch oven, heat some oil or butter over medium heat. Add diced onions and cook until they have softened and turned translucent. Then, add the ground beef and break it into smaller pieces. Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pinkish. You can also add spices and garlic at this stage. Next, add the tomatoes and any other desired ingredients, such as tomato paste, and simmer for a few minutes to combine the flavours. The chili should be thick and chunky, so cook it until most of the liquid has evaporated. You can make the chili in advance and store it in the fridge for up to three days.
When you are ready to assemble the chili cheese dogs, preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the hot dogs in the buns and add mustard, if desired. Top each hot dog with a generous spoonful of chili, followed by a layer of cheese. You can also add some diced onions at this stage for extra texture and flavour.
Place the loaded chili cheese dogs on a baking sheet and bake them in the oven for 15-20 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the buns are slightly crispy. If you don't have an oven, you can also place the assembled chili cheese dogs under a grill or broiler to melt the cheese.
Serve and enjoy! Chili cheese dogs go well with a variety of sides, such as French fries, potato wedges, potato chips, or salads. They pair nicely with an ice-cold beer or a margarita on a summer day.
Tips:
- Canned chili can be used as a quick alternative, but homemade chili is thicker and better suited for topping hot dogs.
- If making your own chili, remember to cook it until it is thick and chunky to avoid soggy buns.
- Toasting the buns before assembling adds flavour and helps them stand up to the chili.
- You can make this dish vegan or vegetarian by substituting vegan hot dogs, vegan cheese, and vegan ground meat.
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Restaurants serving chili cheese dogs
Chili cheese dogs are a popular dish, but finding a restaurant that serves them can be challenging. While some people prefer to make them at home, there are a few restaurants that offer this delicious treat.
One famous spot is Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington DC. This institution is known for its chili, which is served in various formats, including bowls, burgers, and, of course, chili dogs. Their chili sauce is notably thicker and smoother than the regular kind and doesn't contain any beans. It's designed to smother the hot dog rather than run everywhere, ensuring a mess-free and tasty experience.
Another restaurant that takes the chili cheese dog to the next level is Over The Fire Cooking. Their version is wrapped in bacon and topped with brisket chili, creating a smoky and savory delight. They use ground chuck to create an all-beef frank, ensuring a consistent and flavorful bite. The bacon-wrapped dog is then seasoned and smoked slowly, resulting in a juicy and mouthwatering creation.
For those who enjoy a hearty and meaty chili, RecipeTin Eats is the place to go. Their chili dog is inspired by the famous Half-Smoke Chili Dogs, featuring a thick and molten beef chili sauce that's slow-cooked for hours. They recommend using smoked sausages like kranksy or bratwurst, taking the chili cheese dog experience to a whole new level.
While these restaurants offer unique and mouthwatering chili cheese dogs, it's always fun to experiment and create your own at home. Whether you're a fan of the classic version or like to add your own twist, this iconic American dish is sure to satisfy your cravings.
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The best types of cheese for chili cheese dogs
While there are no set rules on the type of cheese to use for chili cheese dogs, some varieties are more popular than others. Here are some of the best types of cheese to use:
Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar cheese is a popular choice for chili cheese dogs, especially when shredded. Cheddar has a strong flavour and a creamy texture, making it a perfect pairing with the other ingredients in a chili cheese dog. For optimal melting, it is recommended to use a milder variety of cheddar cheese and to avoid pre-shredded cheese. Weyauwega sharp cheddar from Wisconsin is a popular choice.
Monterey Jack Cheese
Monterey Jack is a semi-soft cheese with a mild flavour and excellent melting properties, making it a suitable choice for chili cheese dogs.
Mozzarella Cheese
Mozzarella is a soft, stretchy, and mild-flavoured cheese that melts easily, making it a good option for those who want their cheese to blend seamlessly with the other ingredients in their chili cheese dog.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a soft, spreadable cheese with a mild flavour and a creamy texture. While it may not be the first choice for a chili cheese dog, it can be used as a base or mixed with other cheeses to create a unique and indulgent topping.
When choosing the best cheese for your chili cheese dog, it is important to consider the flavour, texture, and melting properties of the cheese. Some people also like to use a combination of cheeses to create a unique flavour profile. In addition, the type of bun, toppings, and sides can also enhance the overall taste experience.
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How to make the chili for chili cheese dogs
While you can use canned chilli to save time, nothing beats homemade chilli for your chilli cheese dogs. The key difference between regular chilli and chilli for chilli cheese dogs is the consistency—chilli cheese dog chilli should be thick and chunky, with not a lot of liquid, to prevent the hot dog buns from becoming soggy.
To make the chilli, you'll need a medium-sized pot or Dutch oven, ground beef, diced onions, tomatoes, spices, salt, and black pepper. Start by heating some cooking oil in your pot over medium heat. Once the oil is heated, add the diced onions and cook for 20 seconds. Next, add the ground beef and break it into smaller pieces as it cooks. Once the beef is no longer pink, add the tomatoes, tomato paste, chilli powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and garlic. Finally, add your spices and salt and pepper to taste, and cook until the chilli is thick and chunky.
If you want to get fancy, you can try making a Texas chilli, which is thicker and chunkier and perfect for chilli cheese dogs. You can also experiment with different types of meat, such as using Beyond or Impossible Ground Meat for a vegan option, or even try making it with no meat at all!
Once your chilli is ready, it's time to assemble your chilli cheese dogs. Place your hot dogs in toasted buns, add some mustard, and then top with a generous spoonful of chilli. Finally, add your shredded cheese and any other desired toppings, such as diced onions, pickled jalapeños, or parsley. If you want your cheese melted, you can place the assembled chilli cheese dogs under the grill or in the oven for a few minutes.
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The best sides to serve with chili cheese dogs
Chili cheese dogs are a hearty meal, but they can be even better with some tasty side dishes. Here are some of the best sides to serve with chili cheese dogs:
Fries are a classic side dish for hot dogs, and they can be made even better by adding some spice with cayenne pepper and chili powder. You can also offer a variety of dips to go with the fries, such as cheese or sour cream. If you're looking for a healthier alternative, sweet potato fries are a delicious option baked in the oven with a touch of paprika and garlic powder.
If you want to offer something a little more substantial, macaroni and cheese is a great choice. It's a comforting dish that pairs well with the spiciness of the chili cheese dogs. You can even make it more indulgent by adding cottage cheese and sour cream to the recipe.
For a lighter option, salads can be a great side dish. A simple green salad with a variety of veggies can add some freshness to the meal. A potato salad is another excellent choice, especially one with a creamy dressing that includes butter, mayonnaise, and spicy mustard. If you want to add a unique twist, try a dill pickle pasta salad or a Brussels sprouts salad.
If you're looking for something to complement the chili in your dogs, jalapeño poppers are a fantastic choice. They are creamy, crunchy, and spicy, pairing perfectly with the smoky flavors of the chili.
Lastly, cornbread muffins are a must-have when chili is on the menu. Cornbread can be dry, but adding butter to the muffins makes them rich, moist, and tender.
With these side dishes, your chili cheese dogs will be taken to the next level!
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Frequently asked questions
You can find recipes for chili cheese dogs on joyousapron.com, overthefirecooking.com, jamjarkitchen.com, acozykitchen.com, and recipetineats.com.
Chili cheese dogs are a classic American dish, perfect for game day, BBQs, and dinners. You can buy them from Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington DC, or make them at home.
The key ingredients are hot dogs, hot dog buns, chili, and cheese. You can use canned or homemade chili, and any type of cheese you like. Other ingredients include mustard, onions, and pickles.
Some tips for making chili cheese dogs include toasting the buns, grilling the hot dogs, and assembling the ingredients. You can also bake the assembled dogs in the oven to get melted cheese. Make sure to use thick chili so it doesn't soak the buns.
