Easy Hot Dog Chili
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If you love hot dogs, you have to try my Easy Hot Dog Chili which comes together in a flash. It's great on hotdogs, nachos, loaded fries, and even hamburgers!
Why This Recipe is Special
As far back as I can remember, folks have been asking for my hot dog chili recipe. The first person who ever asked for it was my mother-in-law. She loved my chili more than anything and begged me to bring it to every family picnic.
When July the 4th or Labor Day rolls around, I whip up Easy Hot Dog Chili in less than 20 minutes and have it waiting on the dogs to grill. I always think of Mareta and wish she was here to take a big bite!
Does Hot Dog Chili Have Beans In It?
No way! In true southern tradition, this recipe is made without beans of any shape or kind. It's a condiment (or sauce) more than it is a meal.
This recipe is sweeter than the type you eat in a bowl like Campfire Chili. Folks around here are so crazy about chili, they even eat it on a Carolina Burger with mustard, slaw, and onions. Man, is that ever good!
Ingredients You'll Need
- ground chuck or turkey
- chili seasoning mix
- water
- ketchup
- onion
- sugar
- hot sauce or worchestershire
- salt & pepper
How to Make Hot Dog Chili
Brown ground beef or turkey in a skillet. Drain grease. Add chili seasoning and water. Stir and simmer until thickened (about 5 minutes). Use a large fork to break up any big chunks of meat. It should be as fine as possible.
Fold in ketchup, onion and sugar. Stir well and cook for 10 minutes over medium low heat until meat is tender.
Sprinkle in a dash of hot sauce or worchestershire (your choice). Stir well, then add salt and pepper to taste.
What Goes Well with Hot Dog Chili?
The best part about this chili is it's so versatile. Besides hot dogs, it tastes great on nachos and loaded french fries. I've also served it on top of baked potatoes topped with cheddar cheese and sour cream. Mmm.
It's the perfect side to bring to a tailgate party, backyard cookout, or football game. Serve it alongside my Creamy Southern Coleslaw for a special treat.
Why not dream up a gourmet hot dog bar and provide lots of toppings for guests to make their own chili dogs? Try these great hot dog bar ideas from my friend, Anecia, at Smarty Pants Kitchen.
More Picnic Sides to Love
Try these delicious sides that go perfectly with hot dogs at your next cookout or picnic!
- Creamy Southern Coleslaw
- Red Skin Potato Salad
- Stovetop Mac & Cheese
- Bowtie Greek Pasta
- Calico Baked Beans
Recipe Card
Easy Hot Dog Chili
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground chuck or turkey
- 1 packet chili seasoning
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup minced onion
- 1 teaspoon sugar (can omit if desired)
- dash of hot sauce or worchestershire
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown ground chuck or turkey in a skillet. Drain grease.
- Add chili seasoning and water. Simmer until thickened (about 5 minutes).
- Use a fork to break up any large chunks of meat. It should be as fine as possible.
- Add ketchup, onion and sugar (optional). Stir well and cook for 10 minutes over medium low heat until meat is tender.
- Sprinkle in a dash of hot sauce or worchestershire (your choice).
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Some folks find the chili is sweet enough without the sugar. Taste it before adding to make sure.
- If you like things spicy, add extra hot sauce.
- Store leftover chili in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze hot dog chili for up to 6 months.
- Get the Creamy Coleslaw Recipe here.
- View the Google Web Story for this recipe!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
Tried this Recipe and Loved It? ❤️ Please scroll down and leave a *STAR* review!
Delicious! Cannot believe how simple this was to make. I too used the Stone mill Chili packets ( Aldi) and this seasoning was great! Easier than using tomato sauce, chili powder etc. I used my inversion blender and got a very fine ground beef. Worked out great! Thanks!
Yay! What I love to hear!
I've rated your hot dog chili recipe before, and it's still the best I have ever tasted. Every time a holiday comes around, and your Quiche My Grits blog sends new recipes I get really hungry. Makes me want to fire up the grill, or the Blackstone and start cookin. Debi, can you recommend your favorite home Buffalo wing recipe ? Love me some wings, but have never tried to cook them at home. My favorite wings are on Tunnel Road in Asheville. After appointments at the VA I often go to a place across the street East Village Grille and their wings make me happy. I bet your wing recipe would make me smile like your chili recipe does. Thanks for your wonderful blog. I already signed up a couple years ago.
Hey Steve! Thank you so much! You're in luck! I'm sending out an email this week with 3 ways to make chicken wings! Stay tuned for the recipes! 🙂
Instead of using a cup of ketchup, wouldn't it be a great substitute to use Red Gold brand tomato sauce ? And skip the half cup water and use tomato sauce in its place as well?
Also plan on using Frenchs chilli O packet , as I've heard it is the best , what you think ?
I've never tested it using tomato sauce. Ketchup is the ingredient I've been using for over 40 years. If you want to try making your own version with a different type of sauce and seasoning, I think you should go for it!
Another favorite recipe from you! Making it today for the family cookout. Thanks Debi.
Thanks for telling me Robin! Makes me so happy!
I like how easy this recipe is to follow and simple ingredients. It’s also an easy recipe to add or subtract minor substitutions and it still turn out great. Recipe tastes great, easy to prepare. Thanks!
Thank you bunches!😀 So glad you loved it!
Thank you for giving me the idea to try homemade vs canned. Couldn't be easier and your recipe was an excellent foundation. I did make a few changes due to our preference for spicy vs sweet but am certain it would be good either way.
I left out sugar, used Whataburger Spicy Ketchup and just a little liquid from Hot Rotel.
That's great Darrell! I'm all about folks using my hot dog chili as a base and making it their own! So glad you made it work for you!
How simple is this…..
Goes fantastic on Dawg!
Thanks
Thanks so much Julian! I'm so glad you love this recipe!
Good....left out sugar since 1 c ketchup made mixture sweet. However after chili complete, it wasn't sweet as original. I would def make again. Thank you for a good chili recipe.