It’s All About the Dogs – The Hot Dogs, That Is!

This time around, it’s all about the dogs – the hot dogs, that is! Did you know that hot dogs have been around for millennia, according to the folks over at History? I mean, think about that for a second! Millennia! Totally crazy, isn’t it? The story goes that Gaius, cook of Roman emperor Nero, may have discovered the first sausages. As those sausages traveled across the continent, Germans took notice and 500 years ago the ‘hot dog’, as it’s know today, was born. Both Frankfurt and Vienna like to claim the hot dog as their very own.

I don’t really care where the hot dog originated – all I care is that we’re able to eat them from time to time. And, societally speaking, we eat them A LOT! No matter the spring or summer holiday, from Memorial Day to Labor Day and every holiday in between, we’re a nation who loves our hot dogs. We pull them out for BBQ’s, quick dinners on busy weeknights, graduation parties, retirement shindigs and the 4th of July. Sometimes we yank them out for a quick afternoon snack, too.

We grill them, boil them, microwave them, air fryer them, roast them over an open flame and cook them a dozen other ways. Heck, some people still pull them out of the fridge and eat them raw…ummm…yuck 🙁

Anywho, the hot dog is just a quintessential part of the American culture. Just like baseball, apple pie and muscle cars, the hot dog is a classic.

In honor of the amazing hot dog, I’ve rounded up some unique hot dog recipes, sure to make you rethink how you’ve been serving your dogs all these years. While some recipes are a bit more aligned with the traditional dogs, others are definitely a tad different and march to the beat of their very own hot dog drummer 🙂

The next time you’re pulling out the dogs, be sure to step out of your comfort zone and give one of these new ones a try. Pair them with your favorite salad and you’ll be all set for your next cookout, holiday or family dinner.

All American Club Dogs

Just as the name suggests, all American club dogs are modeled after your favorite club sammich and feature toppings like bacon, cheese, lettuce and tomato! They don’t stray too far from the classic dog – but there is definitely a bit of added flair.

Arugula & Radish Relish Grilled Hot Dogs

A touch of peppery arugula combined with a homemade radish relish is just what’s needed to create this great gourmet dog with a totally different flavor profile. A combo of yellow and honey mustard rounds out this flavorful and extremely unique take on a dog.

Bacon Wrapped Sonoran Hot Dogs

A combination taco and hot dog are what you’ll get with this fun take on a hot dog. The hot dog is wrapped in bacon and topped with queso fresco, red onion, tomato, cilantro, avocado, sour cream and hot sauce. Oh my heaven. Did I mention the bun is slathered with refried beans? If you’re a Mexican food fan, be sure to give this one a try.

Banh Mi Turkey Hot Dogs

Have you ever had the ever-popular Vietnamese banh mi sammich? First of all, if you haven’t, go find somewhere to get an authentic one! Right now! They’re amazing. This spin on the hot dog features traditional Banh Mi ingredients such as carrot, daikon, cucumber, mint and cilantro, all topped with rice vinegar and siracha and served atop a hot dog! OMG. And why not?

Carrot Dogs for the Grill (Vegan)

For the vegans out there, how about giving a carrot dog a try. The ‘meatiness’ of the carrots along with the flavor from the marinade and the grill give you just the right flavor and ersatz hot-dog eating experience.

Chicago Dog

Just like with BBQ, every state or region has their own method of serving hot dogs. The Chicago dog features brown mustard, relish, pickles, onion, tomato and hot peppers. And I promise – there’s plenty of room for the hot dog with all those amazing toppings.

Coney Island Hot Dogs

You simply can’t go wrong with a good old-fashioned Coney dog with onions, chili sauce and mustard. And, seriously, take the time to make some homemade Coney sauce – it truly does make a world of difference. What’s better to serve at your BBQ’s all summer long, huh?

Greek Hummus and Tzatziki Hot Dog

I’m a big fan of Greek food and the delectable flavors that go into everything Greek. I also love hummus, but I confess I never thought of putting it on a hot dog – until now. The Greek dog features hummus, cucumber, bell pepper and red onion. Of course it wouldn’t be Greek without the Tzatziki! Mmmmm! My mouth is watering over here:)

Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs

Do you love grilled cheese as much as I do? If so, you’ll love the grilled cheese dog with bacon and sweet onions, all layered on a crispy bun and nestled in with the beloved hot dog.

Homemade Pretzel Dogs

If you love pretzels, the homemade pretzel dog might be just what you’re looking for. The perfect saltiness of pretzels all wrapped around your favorite hot dog – does it get any better than that? Well, the only thing that might make it better is dipping it in a tad bit of mustard 🙂

Best Hot Dog Toppings

What’s a hot dog without just the right toppings. From the traditional stylings of ketchup and mustard to the more unique toppings like kimchi, you’re sure to find something that tickles your hot dog fancy! Check out this comprehensive hot dog topping list and try something new and innovative the next time you reach for the dogs.

Whole Wheat Hot Dog Buns

What’s a hot dog without the right bun, hmmm? Of course you can grab some at the local supermarket, but have you ever tried making your own? If not, it will elevate your hot dog eating experience exponentially. What’s even better is that they freeze great, so make up a big batch and be ready for dogs at moment’s notice.