An easy way to elevate your hot dogs with pantry basics is to cut your hot dogs halfway down lengthwise, stuff the cut with string cheese, and wrap them in bacon before grilling.
Banh mi hot dogs bring an Asian-inspired twist to this cookout favorite. To make, simply top your hot dogs with toppings like cucumbers, cilantro, onion, and pickled carrots and serve in a nicely toasted baguette.
The crunch and hint of spice from the toppings will add a ton of dynamic flavor to this traditional cookout food.
While in Germany this dish would traditionally be served with a bratwurst or sausage, standard American hot dogs also work and are more commonly found in your kitchen.
A quick pineapple or mango salsa with red onion and cilantro is easy to make and packs a lot of flavor.
Pickled onions are easier to make than many home cooks might think, but they add some serious flavor to any hot dog.
Bon Appetit’s recipe for quick pickled onions involves leaving thinly sliced red onion in a jar with apple cider vinegar, sugar, and kosher salt for at least one hour. Then, simply drain the onions and add them to your hot dog for a tangy flavor.
Chopping up your own pickles gives your hot dog more of a crunchy texture than relish. Plus, you can customize it to your own tastes by using dill pickles, sweet pickles, or bread and butter pickles.
While tomato ketchup and onions are toppings commonly added to hot dogs, you might have never considered adding pico de gallo. This fresh ingredient adds a ton of flavor and a slight kick to any classic dog.
Mushrooms are a kitchen staple for many home cooks, and sautéeing them with a little butter makes a perfect addition to hot dogs.
Baked beans are often found on the table at summer cookouts. To add more flavor to your hot dogs without the hassle of making chili, baked beans will certainly do the trick.
If your summer cookout does happen to already have chili on the menu, slathering it on top of your hot dog along with cheese and a little onion makes for a filling, protein-filled, and delicious meal.
Most would agree that bacon makes anything better, and hot dogs are no exception. Chopped-up bits of crispy fried or grilled bacon bring a whole new level of flavor to a regular hot dog.
Whether you happen to have a store-bought guac on hand or want to make your own, this creamy, flavorful addition brings hot dogs to a whole other level.
A simple recipe for homemade guacamole includes two or three perfectly ripe avocados, diced red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice, and a generous amount of salt.
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ToggleFor as long as Tom can remember, he has understood the reality around him through the tinted glasses of works of fiction, be it books, films, TV shows, or anime. An English graduate, he wrote articles on a wide array of topics for several years, from entertainment and pop culture to history and literature. Before that, he was an educator and a roleplay game writer and developer. It is his deeply-rooted love for performing arts and visual media that led him to become a part of the DC team in 2020.