Name: Chili Dogs Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 pound ground beef; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; 1/2 cup tomato sauce; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion onion powder; 2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 2 teaspoons chili powder; 1 teaspoon salt; additional salt and pepper to taste; 8 hot dogs; 8 hot dog buns; Red onion; Cheddar cheese; Green onion

This homemade chili is bursting with earthy, savory flavors and is so easy to make! In under 20 minutes, you will have perfectly craftedchili dogsready to be enjoyed.

chili dogs recipe over round white plates.

Sometimes it’s nice to have asimple and easy dinnerplan for those days where you just don’t have time to cook. That is where chili dogs come in! You can whip up this chili in less than 20 minutes and take a plain hot dog to the next level by topping it with this savory chili, chopped onions, and some cheese.

Chili dogs are also an amazing food if you are trying tofeed a large groupof people! Everyone can enjoy a chili dog, and you can make it customizable by letting them choose their own toppings. A great dish for any season, chili dogs are warm, nostalgic, and simply delicious.

side view spoonful of hot dog chili recipe over a bowl.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

The homemade chiliadds a delightful and bold flavor to a regular hot dog.
With only a few ingredients, the chili comes together in no time.
Chili dogs can be made year round in your kitchen or on the grill.

Recipe Ingredients

portion bowls each with raw ingredients to make chili dogs.

Ground Beef—You can also use ground turkey or chicken, but we like the flavor of beef the best.
Tomato Sauce—Adds moisture to your chili and helps flavor the beef.
Tomato paste—To amplify the earthy flavors and help thicken the chili.
Garlic Powder—You can also use freshly minced garlic if you have any available.
Minced Onion—For a stronger onion flavor, use ¼ of a finely chopped white onion as a substitute.
Hot Dogs and Buns—And any other hot dog toppings you would like to add.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Chili Dogs

pan cooking hamburger and other raw ingredients for hot dog chili recipe

cooked burger meat in a pan for the hot dog chili recipe.

Step #1.Use a spatula or wooden spoon to break up the ground beef in a large pan and add the garlic powder and minced onion. Cook the beef until it is no longer pink.

Step #2.Once the beef is fully cooked, add the tomato paste and tomato sauce. Stir to combine. Allow the chili to continue to cook.

Step #3.Stir to combine. Allow the chili to continue to cook. Cook your hot dogs according to the package directions.

Step #4.Place a hot dog on each bun and spoon the chili over your hot dogs. Top your chili dogs with your favorite hot dog fixings and enjoy!

Recipe FAQs

What kind of hot dog is best for chili dogs?

I tend to stick with a classic 100% beef hot dog, but any kind of hot dog or bratwurst will work. Oscar Mayer, Hebrew National, Nathan’s, and Ball Park all make great hot dogs. Ultimately, this chili sauce has flavors that will taste wonderful on all kinds of hot dogs and sausages.

What should the consistency of my chili be?

This chili should be more like a sauce, thin enough to spread easily but thick enough to stay where you put it. If you find that your sauce is too thin, you can try to add some more tomato paste to make it thicker. If you find the chili too thick, try adding more tomato sauce to thin it out. Another thing to remember is that you do not want your beef to be chunky, so be sure to break it up well at the beginning.

Are there other toppings I can put on my chili dogs?

Of course! To make it easy, you can set out the toppings buffet style for people to build their own chili dogs. Some toppings that go well with this recipe are green onions, cheddar cheese, red onions, sliced jalapenos, and bacon bits. You can also try adding mustard, ketchup, or relish to your hot dog before you spoon the chili on top.

top view of hot dog chili recipe in a bowl next to some buns.

How to Serve and Store Chili Dogs

Serve this chili dog on its own or as a fun side dish! The best side dishes for chili dogs are your typical barbeque foods.Coleslaw, potato chips,french fries, grilled vegetables,corn on the cob, or pasta salad go great with this homemade chili.

You can store your leftover chili in the fridge for up to 5 days if it is in an airtight container. Reheat a single serving of chili in the microwave for about 45 seconds, stirring halfway through. You can also reheat all of the chili on the stovetop over medium heat if you prefer. Pour it onto your hot dog and enjoy!

Expert Tips

We usuallyuse 90/10 or 93/7 ground beefin this recipe,but you can use ground beef with any fat percentage!If you are using 85/15 ground beef then you will want to spoon out some of the excess fat after the beef finishes cooking.
Browning the meat before you add the tomato paste and sauce will give you extra flavor in your chili.
Don’t be afraid to add more seasoning to your chili to make it exactly how you want it to taste!Start with a little, then add more as needed.
It is important to use both tomato paste and tomato sauce, not just tomato sauce.The tomato paste will help thicken the chili as it cooks so it is not too runny.
There is no need to cover your chili as it cooks. Leaving it uncovered allows some of the moisture to cook off, which helps thicken the chili.