A Chili Hot dog is a hot dog smothered with homemade beef chili and then piled high with cheddar cheese!
This is an American classic!
I was talking to a family from Florida a few weeks ago. When I told them was from Cincinnati, the first thing they commented on was Cincinnati Chili. I’m not sure if you are aware of how we eat our chili in Cincinnati…but it is a little different.
When you order Cincinnati chili, you can order spaghetti and chili (2-way), add cheese for a 3- way, add beans or onions for a 4-way and if you order a 5-way then you have spaghetti, chili, onions, beans, and cheese! Yellow mustard can also be added.
But my favorite thing to do with Cincinnati style chili is to make chili dogs or Coneys!
Cincinnati style chili has a very distinct flavor, you either like it or you don’t. What sets Cincinnati chili apart is the hint of nutmeg and a hit of chocolate (yes, you read that right).
What Is A Chili Dog?
A chili dog is a hot dog (steamed or grilled, really doesn’t matter) that is topped with homemade chili and then piled high with shredded cheddar cheese!
How To Make Chili Dogs
To make chili, you will heat ground beef in a skillet over medium heat until no longer pink, stir in garlic and diced onions and cook until soft. Add tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar and spices like cumin, chili powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cloves, and a little red pepper, Water and beans are stirred in next.
The mixture is simmered on low until thickened. This will take at least 30 minutes.
Traditionally the hot dogs are steamed, but honestly, you can grill hot dogs, boil them or even microwave hot dogs. Chili cheese dogs are all about the chili, not the hot dog!
Can You Freeze A Chili Hot Dog?
No, but the chili freezes really well! Store the cooled chili in a ziptop bac. Be sure to remove the air from the bag and store the bag flat in a freezer.
The chili can be stored in the freezer for 3-4 months. To reheat, allow the bag to thaw in the fridge then pour the bag into a large saucepan and heat to the desired temperature.
Chili Dog Substitutions
- If the nutmeg is not for you, omit it. The cocoa powder has a really mild flavor, you could leave it out or even add in chopped chocolate.
- Adjust the amount of chili powder and red pepper if you don’t like the spice.
- I used red chili beans in this recipe, but you could use pinto beans in this recipe.
- I’m not always keen on hot dogs, so sometimes I will place my chili in a hot dog bun which is what we call a “phony coney”
What To Serve With Chili Dogs
Aside from oyster crackers, extra cheese, and hot sauce, a good Greek Cobb Salad, Greek Potato Salad, or even Parmesan Ranch Dip with Tortellini!
More Chili Recipes
Chili Dog
Hot dogs smothered with a homemade beef chili sauce and then piled high with cheddar cheese!
Ingredients
- 1lb ground beef
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 15oz tomato sauce
- 1T apple cider vinegar
- 1 T Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 t cocoa powder
- 1 t salt
- 2 T chili powder
- 1/2 t cumin
- 1/2 t cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp red pepper
- 1/8 tsp cloves
- 1 cup water
- 1 15 oz can chili beans, drained
- 8 hot dogs
- 8 buns
- 2 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese
Instructions
- Brown beef in a large, deep skillet until no longer pink. Add in garlic and onion, sautéing until soft.
- Add in tomato sauce, spices, water and beans.
- Bring to a boil. Cook on medium low for up to an hour or until chili begins to thicken.
- Prepare hot dogs according to package directions. Ladle chili over hot dogs. Pile high with cheese.
Nutrition Information
Yield
8Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 641Total Fat 37gSaturated Fat 16gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 16gCholesterol 110mgSodium 1914mgCarbohydrates 40gFiber 5gSugar 10gProtein 36g
marcie@flavorthemoments says
This is one great looking dog! I’d love to sink my teeth into it.
Lemonsforlulu says
I wish I could send you one!
kalamitykelli says
First – you are not a freak of nature! I have celebrated my 39th birthday for 11 years in a row and plan on the 12th anniversary of my 39th birthday in October. 🙂 I know this is going to sound a bit pedestrian, but chili dogs are and always will be my favorite meal! I like to add onions on top and maybe a few jalapeno slices because EVERYTHING is better with onions! 🙂 I’m going back now to read the other hot dog recipe because chili verde is my favorite to eat in a bowl!
Lemonsforlulu says
See I am so grateful to have net someone else who gets me and my refusal to age! I love chili dogs too. It’s hard to not be happy when eating one! And you are right, jalapeños would’ve been great!
crazyforcrust says
It has been TOO long since I had a chili dog. YUM!
Lemonsforlulu says
I think you need one Dorothy!
cookingwithcurls says
LOL…you are too funny! I love hot dogs,and I love chili dogs, but I have interest in eating 68 of them at one time, or even in a month:) I just celebrated my 17th annual 29th birthday 🙂 Pretty soon I will need a calculator to figure out the math on that one!
Lemonsforlulu says
Bahaha I love that you are on your 17th, 29th year!!! I’m not alone in my denial!
Jocelyn @ BruCrew Life says
68 hot dogs?? Insanity! But these chili dogs certainly take my mind off of that. These look delicious!!
Lemonsforlulu says
Insane is right! Thanks Jocelyn!
Raquel @ Organized Island says
Gotta love a good chili dog! Hope you had a wonderful weekend!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Raquel!
Kelly @ Semi Homemade Mom says
Oh man I haven’t had a chili dog in so long, this looks incredible! Going on my menu plan soon. 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
Yeah! Thanks Kelly! I hope you enjoy them!
Rachel @ I Love My Disorganized Life says
I could most definitely eat more than one of these, but nowhere near 68!
julieseatsandtreats says
Mmm there is nothing like a good Chili Dog during the summer!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thanks Julie!
Desi says
That’s an insane amount of hot dogs to eat! I could probably do 2 🙂 Love me some chili dogs though, they are perfect for summer!
Lemonsforlulu says
They are Skyline Coney dogs, but I love them! Thanks Desi!
Sam @ The Junk House says
I love chili dogs! They are so simple, but always good. Although I could never win a chili dog eating contest! I could probably eat 3 at the most and I’d probably be sick afterwards!
Lemonsforlulu says
Haha 3 is pretty good! I love chili dogs too, it’s a guilty pleasure!
Erin @ Table for 7 says
Nothing better than a chili dog..this looks so delicious Tanya! Lunch tomorrow will have to be a chili dog 🙂
Lemonsforlulu says
Some times you just need a good chili dog! Thanks Erin!
Gloria Phillips (@simplygloria1) says
So funny bcz I find myself watching the crazy hot dog eating challenge every year! It’s amazing what they do to “train” for this!
You made me laugh when you said about your bday…6 years in a row! You’re too funny! Maybe I need to start saying that next yr…I’ll be 40!
Loving these dogs!
Lemonsforlulu says
It totally sucks you in like a train wreck doesn’t it Gloria? I’m glad I’m not the only one! And yeah, about the age, deny, deny deny!
Marie @ Substance of Living says
Tanya,
Hi! I have to start out by thanking you for my newest party. I’m going to have a fix-your-own gourmet hotdog table for my upcoming patio party. Thank you again!
As always, I’ve enjoyed browsing your blog. Please check out Substance of Living, we’d love to have you!
Cheers,
Marie
Visiting today from Totally Tasty Tuesdays.
Lemonsforlulu says
I love that idea Marie! I’m going to have to borrow that one! Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog Marie, I am truly grateful!
Stephanie @ Macaroni and Cheesecake says
Love a classic chili dog! Perfect for summer cookouts!
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Stephanie!
juliemurkerson says
Yeah! I love chili dogs!
Debi Recipes For My Boys says
These look Great! Thank you for sharing on Thursday’s Treasures. I’ve featured them on Week 89. Please stop by and grab my “I was featured on button”
Lemonsforlulu says
Thank you Debi!
Andi @ the Weary Chef says
Those are the prettiest chili dogs I’ve ever seen, and now I REALLY want one! 68 hot dogs and buns in one sitting is insane. Where do they go?? I agree that there are a lot of unanswered questions in the world of food eating contests. There is probably a documentary about it, but I don’t think I could watch. Happy early birthday, Tanya!
Lemonsforlulu says
68 dogs! Gross right? I don’t get those contests either! Thanks Andi!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I am so hungry after looking at this!!! Awesome!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
Loved that homemade beef chili! So good!
Lindsay Cotter says
These were a big hit! Thanks for the great recipe!