This homemade hot dog chili is one of my favorite easy toppings for hot dogs. It’s made with simple ingredients, packed with flavor, and perfect for an easy family meal or summer cookout.
You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the blog post itself for extra tips and tricks!
Hands down, one of our family favorites is hot dogs. The kids love them, and they are so often requested, and Mom and Dad are pretty big fans, too!
This hot-dog chili is a great addition and a great way to add some flavor and interest. Perfectly messy to eat!
For more chili, be sure to check out my Classic Beef Chili, Instant Pot Chili, and Turkey Chili recipes!
A Quick Look at the Ingredients
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Ground beef – I use lean ground beef so the chili stays rich and flavorful without turning overly greasy. It also gives this homemade hot dog chili the perfect texture for spooning over hot dogs.
- Tomato sauce – Use plain canned tomato sauce, not marinara. Tomato sauce gives this hot dog chili its smooth, classic base without extra herbs or seasonings competing with the flavor.
- Ketchup – A little ketchup adds sweetness, helping create that classic chili dog topping flavor.
- Ground mustard – mustard gives this chili its signature hot dog chili flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce – Just a splash adds depth, savory flavor, and a little umami.
- Seasonings – Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cayenne pepper keep the flavor simple, classic, and kid-friendly while still giving the chili plenty of taste.
- Water – Water helps everything simmer into a smooth, saucy, spoonable consistency that’s perfect for chili dogs. You can use chicken broth instead if you want to add a little extra flavor.
How to make hot dog chili
Step 1
Place the lean ground beef in a large, heavy-bottomed pot and cover it with water. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring to break up the clumps.
This method skips browning the beef and boils it instead, resulting in crumbled ground beef that doesn't clump. Perfect for topping hot dogs.
Step 2
Once the beef is cooked through and broken into fine crumbles, add the remaining ingredients to the pot.
Step 3
Stir, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Step 4
Serve over hot dogs or eat on its own.
Can you make it ahead of time?
Yes, this is a great make-ahead topping and is freezer-friendly too. Let the hot dog chili cool to room temperature before placing it in an airtight container. It will keep well for 4 days in the fridge and up to 6 months in the freezer.
Thaw frozen chili in the fridge overnight, and reheat it gently on the stovetop to serve.
Recipe Variations
This recipe is pretty awesome as it is, but there are a few easy swaps you can make to make it your own. Increase the amount of cayenne if you prefer your chili on the spicy side, or swap the ground beef for turkey, chicken, or plant-based 'meat' crumbles.
You can easily turn this into a fuller chili to serve as a main too if you like. Add sautéed vegetables like onions, carrots, and bell peppers, and stir in canned beans towards the end of cooking.
Tanya's Notes and Tips
- Use lean ground beef for this recipe. Beef with a higher fat content can make the hot dog chili oily.
- Serve with more of your favorite toppings for a loaded dog! Shredded cheese, chopped onions, sliced jalapeno, and sour cream take it over the top!
More Family Favorite Recipes
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do. If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Your feedback is invaluable and helps us grow. Thank you for your support!
Hot Dog Chili Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place ground beef in a heavy-bottomed large pot and cover with water. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring to break up the clumps.
- Once the beef is cooked through and broken into fine crumbles, add the remaining ingredients.
- Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Serve over hot dogs and enjoy.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use lean ground beef for this recipe. Beef with a higher fat content can make the hot dog chili quite oily.
- Serve with more of your favorite toppings for a loaded dog! Shredded cheese, sliced jalapeno and sour cream take it over the top!
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This post was originally published on February 18th, 2021. It has been updated with new photos and information.
Bert says
Great taste but it was a little runny/ soupy. Next time I'll not use so much water.
Tanya Harris says
Thanks, Bert! So glad you liked the flavor. If it's still a little loose at the end, just let it simmer uncovered a bit longer until it thickens up. Starting with a little less water works too.