The Best Hot Dog Sauce Recipe

ground beef

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground pork

Ground turkey is leaner and lower in calories, while ground pork is often less expensive.

tomato sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade tomato sauce

💰Cheaper: canned crushed tomatoes

Homemade sauce can be fresher, while canned tomatoes are often cheaper.

chili powder

🥗Healthier: paprika

💰Cheaper: cayenne pepper

Paprika offers a milder flavor, while cayenne is often less expensive.

ketchup

🥗Healthier: sugar-free ketchup

💰Cheaper: generic brand ketchup

Sugar-free options are lower in calories, while generic brands are often cheaper.

Start with browning 2 pounds of chopped meat in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks.

Drain off most of the liquid, leaving some fat behind.

In a bowl, mix together the spices: 1 tablespoon cumin, 1.5 tablespoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 3/4 tablespoon paprika, 3/4 tablespoon onion powder, 1/2 tablespoon granulated garlic, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg.

Add 1 cup chopped red onion to the browned meat and cook until softened.

Add 2 cups of water, stirring to combine and scraping the bottom of the skillet.

Add 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and the tomato paste, mixing well.

Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for at least an hour, adding more water as needed to achieve desired consistency.

After simmering, add 2 tablespoons of spicy brown mustard and adjust the amount of ketchup to taste, using about 2 tablespoons instead of the full 6 ounces.

If desired, use an immersion blender to make the sauce smoother.

Serve the sauce over boiled hot dogs in buns, optionally adding mustard, ketchup, and onions.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: