Chili Cheese Hot Dogs

Dish out these smoky, spicy Chili Cheese Hot Dogs loaded with irresistible savory chili, fluffy shredded cheese, and your favorite toppings. The best part? You can whip up this hot dog chili in just about 20 minutes. Hope you’re hungry!

Grab one and enjoy it, because there’s nothing quite like biting into a loaded hot dog, smothered in homemade chili and cheese. If this doesn’t scream nostalgia to you, I’d be shocked.

These chili cheese hot dogs are everything you want: smoky, savory, and loaded with layers of heat and meat.

Best part? This hot dog chili can be made in about 20 minutes. It’s freaking delicious too, so don’t worry. I never compromise with flavor.

Ingredients for Hot Dog Chili

You’re here for the good stuff: loads of delicious chili for hot dogs. Let’s dive into these simple ingredients.

• 2 pounds of ground beef, 85/15 preferred
• 3 tablespoons Sedona Sand All-Purpose Seasoning
• 4 garlic cloves, pressed
• 15-oz can of tomato sauce
• 2-4 tablespoons chipotles in adobo sauce
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar (optional)
• Salt to taste

Variations & Substitutions

• Ground turkey – You can swap out the beef, which works well for this recipe.
• Chile peppers – Swap out the diced chipotles for jalapenos, poblanos, or even Hatch chiles.
• Onions – Diced onions or shallots work well to build more layers of flavor.
• Cheese – Pepper jack or smoked Gouda are some of my favorites. To melt the cheese, try popping the chili dogs in the smoker for a few minutes.
• Chile Powder – If you don’t have Sedona Sand All-Purpose Seasoning, you may use your favorite seasoned chile powder. Make sure you check the sodium levels.
• Sweetness – Swap out the brown sugar for honey or agave to adjust the flavor.

Cooking the Hot Dog Chili

Equipment Needed:

• Cast iron skillet or griddle
• Meat chopper

1. Preheat a cast iron skillet to medium heat. Add in the beef and break it up with a spoon, or meat chopper. Cook for a few minutes until the meat has started to brown and is broken up.
   
   You may need to add fat to the pan, such as cooking oil or beef tallow. This will depend on the fat content of your chosen meat. Using 80/20 or 85/15, you will not need to add anything.

2. Add in the seasonings. Sprinkle in the chile powder seasoning and garlic cloves, stirring the meat to mix everything, and toast the spices.
   
   Once mixed, add in the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and yellow mustard. Mix everything well and simmer at low heat until most of the liquid has reduced, which should take about 10 minutes. Sprinkle in a little brown sugar and taste the chili. Add salt as needed.

How do you fix dry chili?

If the chili is dry, it’s likely because the meat is very lean or that it was overcooked. Make sure to simmer the chili on low once the sauce has been added. Here are a few things to try:

• Add a little splash of beer or beef broth, and let it simmer on low.
• A small knob of butter will melt slowly and add richness to the meat.
• Add some beans to the chili. This works best for leaner meats, such as ground turkey.
• Sprinkle a little cheese into the chili just before serving. It will melt, coating the meat and thickening up the chili.

Toppings & Pairings for Chili Cheese Dogs

• Shredded Cheese – Finely shredded cheese adds a wonderful, light texture to contrast the dense hot dog and chili.
• Diced Onions – Sweet onions are my favorite, but use any type of diced onions you prefer.
• Mustard – Yellow mustard is classic. Dijon mustard works extremely well with this recipe.
• Pickles – Yes, anything that is pickled. Try quick pickled jalapenos, quick pickled red onions, or even pickled mustard seeds.
• Beer Cheese – Skip the shredded cheese and go for the creamy beer cheese sauce, which will add a velvety-rich bite.

Serve these chili cheese hot dogs up with some delicious sides! These are our top choices:

• Southwest Creamed Corn
• Creamy Pinto Bean Dip
• Smoked Baked Beans
• Smoked Jalapeno Poppers
• Smoked Potato Skins
• Grilled Broccoli Crunch Salad