There’s nothing like Classic Chili Dogs for your summer backyard BBQ! These dogs are totally droolworthy. Top with chopped onions and cheese and the crowd will love ’em!
With the Memorial Day holiday weekend just around the corner, this week it’s all about BBQing at the BHK. First up, the mouthwatering Classic Chili Dog!
Grab a napkin (or two) because this one’s gonna be messy folks!
It seems people either love or hate hot dogs. I happen to be in the love category, especially during the summer and right off the BBQ. And when the dogs are perfectly grilled and topped with some homemade chili, cheese, a sprinkle of onions and a drizzle of yellow mustard, it’s game over!
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
The chili for these dogs is easier than easy to make and has just the right amount of spice. It elevates the regular grilled dog to super dog status. It’s a simple mixture of ground beef, onions, garlic, beef stock, tomato paste and spices and can be whipped up in just about 30 minutes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- olive oil
- yellow onions
- garlic
- kosher salt and pepper
- ground chili powder
- ground cumin
- ground mustard
- paprika
- cayenne powder
- ground beef
- low-sodium beef broth
- tomato paste
- Worcestershire sauce
- hot dogs
- hot dog buns
- shredded cheese
Step-By-Step Instructions
The first step is to heat your olive olive in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until softened, about 7-9 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and continue to cook for 2 minutes.
Next up, Add all dry spices and beef and cook until beef is browned and no longer pink, breaking meat up with a spoon.
Then reduce the heat to medium and add beef stock, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until well combined and simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring often. Can be made a day or two in advance and stored in refrigerator.
The last step is to grill your hot dogs and then add your dogs to your buns and top with some of the chili and some chopped onions and shredded cheese, if desired.
I hope you guys make these for your Memorial Day BBQ if you’re having one. They’re always a hit at our summer parties!
Please let me know if you give the recipe a try. And if you have any questions about the recipe, just drop a comment below. Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Classic Chili Dogs
You can make the chili the day before the BBQ, so the day of you can just heat it up as the hot dogs are grillin’.
Don’t forget to toast your buns, because that always makes a big difference in my opinion. And don’t be stingy with the chili and cheese. Go big or go home!
More Delicious Recipes for your Weekend BBQ
Classic Chili Dogs
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 1 Tbsp. ground chili powder
- 1 tsp. ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp. ground mustard
- 1/2 tsp. paprika
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 cup low-sodium beef stock
- 1 6 oz. can tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 8 hot dogs, grilled
- 8 hot dog buns
- chopped onions and shredded cheese, for topping if desired
Instructions
- Heat olive olive in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and cook until softened, about 7-9 minutes, stirring often. Add garlic and continue to cook for 2 minutes.
- Add all dry spices and beef and cook until beef is browned and no longer pink, breaking meat up with a spoon.
- Reduce heat to medium and add beef stock, tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until well combined and simmer for about 25 minutes, stirring often. Can be made a day or two in advance and stored in refrigerator.
- Top your hot dogs with some of the chili and some chopped onions and shredded cheese, if desired.
WOW! These chili dogs look SO awesome Mary Ann. I could totally smash one right now.
Thanks Alida! It was tough doing these photos! I was dying to take a bite of one!
I haven’t had a hot dog in forever! And now I’m thinking I’ve been missing out! These look delicious and I don’t even care that they are messy (the messier, the better, I say ;)). As for being stingy with the chili and cheese….never! Pile it on! Pinning! Can’t wait to make these, Mary Ann! Happy Monday to ya! xo
They’re summer favorite for me, I must admit! Thanks for pinning Dawn. Have a great week!
Yum! I’ve never been a huge hot dog fan but I think I may have just changed my mind! :) These look wonderful!!
These are fabulous Chris! I can’t resist a good chili dog!
Classic! I haven’t had a chili dog in THE longest time but I think that needs to change! This has summer written all over it! Pinned!
They’re the BEST Annie! Perfect for summer BBQs!
I do love a good hot dog….especially during the summer time. These chili dogs look delicious!
Me too Kathy! I’m glad you’re in my corner!
Oh yes! I’m such a sucker for a great hot dog and chili dogs are definitely in that class! These looks perfect and so great for Summer eats :)
Yay! You’d love this chili Jennifer! So easy and just the right amount of spice! Happy Monday!
I am in the – I’m not sure how I feel about hot dogs camp. If it’s the only thing available at a BBQ, I’m going to eat them for sure. But I’ll always choose something else if there is an option. HOWEVER, if THESE fabulous chili dogs were available, they would be my FIRST choice!! I mean, look at these!!! So much gloriousness happening here!!! I could eat about a dozen of these in the blink of an eye! Pinned! Cheers, friend!
Well, I hope I can talk you into one Chey, because these are quite delicious! Hope you have a great week!
WHOA! Those are some gorgeous chili dogs, Mary Ann! I’m pretty sure I’ve never actually eaten a chili dog but these look perfect for a summer BBQ :). Have a great week, my friend!
You need to try one then Kelsie! They’re perfect for summer! You have a great week too!
These chili dogs look amazing Mary Ann! makes me wanna run and make a batch of these chili! and grill some hotdogs! a classic and simple recipe that everyone loves!
It really is so easy Gaila, and everyone always loves it!
OMG this is my mom’s favorite. In fact, she craves them all the time and we have to seek them out. I am so trying this out on her. They look delicious!
Yay! Hope she enjoys them Karen!
Chili dogs are a weakness of mine and yours look amazing!!
Mine too Matt! Thanks! So fun making these.
This sounds unbelievably good right now :)
Take it from me Jennifer, it was one tough photo shoot. All I wanted to do was eat one!
I was having a MAJOR hot dog craving the last week or so which I finally squashed yesterday after eating one (with sauerkraut and lots of mustard) but now I want a chili dog!!
Sauerkraut and mustard come in a close second for me Gina! Sometimes you just have to treat yourself to a good hot dog, right?!
I devoured the one on the right! Then Mary Ann and I wrestled for the last one! She won! Make these in even numbers to avoid conflict!!
Lol! You did LOVE these!
I’m right there with you about loving hot dogs. Make it a chili cheese do good and you can count me in for three. Yours looks so great!!!
Way to go Naomi! Thanks so much!
We had hot dogs for dinner tonight! Now I’m wishing they had been covered in this chili :D
Me too Jennifer! You’d love it!
Anybody who can turn down a chili dog isn’t somebody I can be friends with. These look AMAZE!
Me either Karly! Lol! Thanks.
These look supremely messy and oh-so delicious!! You’ve really done the hot dog justice here Mary Ann! What a wonderful summer meal!!
Yes, perfect for summer grilling and enjoying Katherine! Thanks!
I love hot dogs , especially when they are topped with some homemade chili. It looks so good Mary Ann.
Me too Gerlinde! Thanks! Hope you’re having a great week!
I freaking LOVE chili dogs and so does my family! These are definitely happening! YUMMM!
Yay! Hope you all enjoy Alice!
Oh yes Mary Ann!!! These sound so delicious! Perfect for summer!!!
They’re our favorite Lindsay! That chili is so easy and so tasty!
I with you, a dog-girl. I love hot dogs with currywurst, chili, or mustard. Each and everyone sound delicious for summer grilling. I love the easy part of this chili. Can I come to your next bbq?
They’re so irresistible Cindy! Open invitation!
I always head straight to the hot dogs at the cookout, Mary Ann. That chili sounds like the perfect topping!
Me to Rach! It’s so good. You have to try it!
OMGggg I love a good, sloppy chili dog, Mary Ann! Delicious captures… you’ve reminded me that it’s been too long since I’ve had a veggie dog! It’s TIME!
Yes, it is Traci! Enjoy!
5 Stars from me , I grew up in Quebec and we ate chilli hot dogs all the time, then we moved to Calif in 1964 and it wasn’t until I found this recipe that I had a great chilli hot dog. I make a double batch, then scoop out in an ice cream scoop of it and froze them , bag them in a Zip Lock Bag . Now I can have my favourite hot dog any time I want. Thank you for a great recipe
Gwen St Louis, Langley B.C. Canada
Oh Gwen, I’m so happy you enjoy these! Great idea to about freezing in scoops! I’ll need to try that! Thanks so much for trying the recipe and for following!