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Home » Recipe Index » Dinner

Published: Feb 18, 2021 · Modified: Jul 2, 2025 by Tanya · This post may contain affiliate links · 23 Comments

Hot Dog Chili

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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!

Hot dogs topped with chili on a blue plate.


 

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.
Ingredients to make the recipe.

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.

Beef and water in a large pot.
The beef once it has browned.

Once the beef is boiled and brown, add the remaining ingredients to the pot.

Spices added to the beef.

Stir and reduce the heat to low and allow to simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Hot dog chili in a red pot after simmering.

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.

To chili hot dogs topped with sliced onions.

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!
Two chili hot dogs served on a plate ready to eat.

More Family Favorite Recipes

  • Oven-Baked Hot Dogs
  • Turkey Burgers
  • Rasta Pasta
  • Baked Macaroni and Cheese
  • Air Fryer Pizza

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 dogs topped with chili on a blue plate.
Tanya

Hot Dog Chili

4.69 from 22 votes
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!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 113

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 2 cups water
  • 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder or chili powder substitute
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground mustard
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions
 

  1. Place ground beef in a heavy-bottomed large pot and cover with water. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring to break up the clumps.
  2. Once beef is browned, add the remaining ingredients.
  3. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hr, stirring occasionally.
Electric Pressure Cooker Directions.
  1. Reduce the amount of water in the ingredients by ½ cup.
  2. 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.
  3. 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

Calories: 113kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 13gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 624mgPotassium: 452mgFiber: 1gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 630IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 2mg

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!

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

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Comments

    4.69 from 22 votes (18 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Elly says

    July 03, 2025 at 7:42 pm

    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.

    Reply
  2. Gerry says

    July 03, 2025 at 11:52 am

    Can I use turkey I don't eat beef?

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      July 03, 2025 at 6:26 pm

      Hi Gerry, yep, you could use turkey instead of beef.

      Reply
  3. Jack says

    October 19, 2023 at 7:04 pm

    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??

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      October 21, 2023 at 8:59 am

      Hi Jack, Yes, simmer the beef until it is not pink. It will be brown in color.

      Reply
      • David Bailey says

        February 09, 2025 at 2:28 am

        brown the beef then add the water, duh

  4. Cyndi in NC says

    September 01, 2023 at 4:20 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      September 01, 2023 at 5:52 pm

      Thanks so much, Cyndi in NC! The cheap stuff is pretty good too lol. But I love this one as well.

      Reply
    • JimmyB says

      July 04, 2025 at 5:08 am

      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.

      Reply
  5. Tracy A says

    July 03, 2023 at 8:00 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      July 04, 2023 at 6:54 am

      Thanks, Tracy! So happy you like it 🙂

      Reply
  6. Sharon says

    June 03, 2023 at 8:42 pm

    Good flavor. Made it in the instant pot. Next time will try 1 1/4 cups of water instead of 1 1/2.

    Reply
  7. Patricia says

    May 27, 2023 at 6:15 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      May 30, 2023 at 11:37 am

      Thanks Patricia! So happy you liked the chili.

      Reply
  8. Nicole says

    October 18, 2022 at 4:01 pm

    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! ❤️

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      October 19, 2022 at 8:58 am

      Thanks Nicole! So happy you like the recipe 🙂

      Reply
  9. Carol says

    May 25, 2022 at 11:03 pm

    I don't understand how the ground beef can get brown if you cover it with water first.

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      May 29, 2022 at 8:18 am

      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/

      Reply
  10. Kayla says

    March 17, 2022 at 7:12 pm

    Really good recipe! I’ll definitely make it again!

    Reply
    • Tanya says

      March 17, 2022 at 7:21 pm

      Thanks so much Kayla! So glad you like the recipe.

      Reply
  11. April says

    March 14, 2022 at 7:39 pm

    Omg this is PERFECTLY SPLENDID! I’m making it right now & the flavors just slap your taste buds 🤤🤤🤤

    Reply
  12. Kathy Wesserling says

    February 25, 2021 at 9:22 pm

    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.

    Reply
  13. Cheryl says

    February 25, 2021 at 12:37 pm

    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!

    Reply

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Welcome to My Forking Life! Hi, I'm Tanya, attorney, busy wife and mom, and lover of quick, easy, and delicious meals.

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