Liven up your hot dogs with this homemade hot dog chili. Super easy to make with a few simple ingredients, it's one tasty topping!

The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
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 such an easy way to add some flavor and interest. Perfectly messy to eat!
For more chili, be sure to check out my 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 for less grease.
- Tomato sauce – Plain canned tomato sauce (not marinara).
- Ketchup – Adds a little sweetness and tang.
- Yellow mustard – Gives it that classic chili dog flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce – Adds depth and umami.
- Seasonings – Chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Water – Helps everything simmer down into a saucy, spoonable chili. Feel free to sub with chicken broth if you prefer.
How to make hot dog chili
Gather your ingredients.
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, which results in crumbled ground beef that doesn't clump together. Perfect for topping hot dogs.
Once the beef is boiled and brown, add the remaining ingredients to the pot.
Stir and reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Serve over hot dogs or eat on its own.
Can you make it in an Instant Pot?
Yes! If you prefer not to use your stovetop, you can easily prepare this recipe in your electric pressure cooker. The full instructions are provided below in the recipe card; however, the process is straightforward.
You can also make this in the slow cooker if you prefer. Brown the beef first, then add all the ingredients to your Crock-Pot and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.
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 in some sautéed vegetables like onion, carrots, and bell peppers, and stir in some 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 quite 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
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 beef is browned, add the remaining ingredients.
- Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hr, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce the amount of water in the ingredients by ½ cup.
- Add ground beef and water to the pressure cooker. Break up the ground beef. Add chili powder, ground mustard, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, kosher salt, and cayenne pepper to the pot. Stir to combine. Add tomato sauce and ketchup, but do not stir at this point.
- Cover and cook on high pressure for 30 minutes. Allow to naturally release for 10 minutes. Open and stir. Press the sauté button on the pressure cooker and adjust to the less setting. Allow chili to sauté for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens.
Nutrition
Video
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!
Elly says
Sounds delicious, but a little to watery for me. The sauce will run off the hot dog. Maybe 11/2C of water instead of 2C would work better.
Gerry says
Can I use turkey I don't eat beef?
Tanya says
Hi Gerry, yep, you could use turkey instead of beef.
Jack says
Question: Cover the beef with water? Once it's browned....
So, do I cook off the water then allow beef to brown?? Or do I simmer the beef until it is not pink, then drain??
Tanya says
Hi Jack, Yes, simmer the beef until it is not pink. It will be brown in color.
David Bailey says
brown the beef then add the water, duh
Cyndi in NC says
Personally I love the cheap hotdog chili from the store and this isn't it!! This looks so yummy and I will have to make this myself for my hotdogs!! Love your blog.
Tanya says
Thanks so much, Cyndi in NC! The cheap stuff is pretty good too lol. But I love this one as well.
JimmyB says
Next time you have a can of Castleberry's hot dog chili in your hand read the ingredient list. That should send you running back to this recipe.
Tracy A says
Making a pot of this chili sauce right now and it smells wonderful. I took a small taste and I can't wait to try it on a hot dog!
Tanya says
Thanks, Tracy! So happy you like it 🙂
Sharon says
Good flavor. Made it in the instant pot. Next time will try 1 1/4 cups of water instead of 1 1/2.
Patricia says
I made this for our cookout and my family said that it was excellent. Thank you for this delicious recipe. I have tried many hot dog chili recipes over the years, but this one is the keeper.
Tanya says
Thanks Patricia! So happy you liked the chili.
Nicole says
This is the best hot dog chili I’ve EVER made. I’ve made it multiple times with no changes and it’s simply perfection! ❤️
Tanya says
Thanks Nicole! So happy you like the recipe 🙂
Carol says
I don't understand how the ground beef can get brown if you cover it with water first.
Tanya says
Hi Carol, the boiling water will raise the temperature which will cook the beef, turning it brown. https://www.foodrepublic.com/2011/10/28/why-does-meat-turn-brown-when-cooked/
Kayla says
Really good recipe! I’ll definitely make it again!
Tanya says
Thanks so much Kayla! So glad you like the recipe.
April says
Omg this is PERFECTLY SPLENDID! I’m making it right now & the flavors just slap your taste buds 🤤🤤🤤
Kathy Wesserling says
Congratulations! You just made a decades-old Michigan tradition.... Detroit Coney Islands. They just need to be topped with Yellow Mustard and raw onions. Thanks for posting this recipe. I never think to freeze small portions for future Hot Dog meals. Btw, to save calories, I wrap mine in Olé Xtreme Tortillas and add Jalapenos.
Cheryl says
I can't wait to try this. I hope it is like the coney dogs we had in Flint, Michigan when I was a kid. One of my favorite things to eat & a great memory. Thanks!