American · Quick Meals

Chili Dogs

Grilled hot dogs in soft buns piled with a quick beef chili and grated cheese. Four servings in 25 minutes.

Not yet ratedThis recipe has no ratings yet 25 min total Serves 4 servings Easy
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Chili Dogs, a quick American meal recipe — chili cheese dogs

Photograph credit: Chili dog and tater tots by Topher · CC0 1.0 · Wordpress

How to Make Chili Dogs

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  1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Brown the mince for 6 minutes, breaking it up. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 3 minutes.

  2. Stir in the chili powder and cumin, then the tomatoes, purée and salt. Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes until thick.

  3. Fry or grill the hot dogs for 6 minutes, turning, until blistered. Split and toast the buns.

  4. Set a hot dog in each bun, spoon over the chili and scatter with the cheese. Grill for 1 minute until melted.

Small Things That Help

  • Simmer the chili until a spoon leaves a trail; a runny topping makes soggy buns.
  • Toast the buns so they stay firm under the chili.
  • Serve on a tray lined with kitchen paper, because it is a messy meal.

If You're Missing Something

  • An eighth of a teaspoon of garlic powder per clove is the usual stand-in when you are out of fresh garlic — it will not caramelise the same way, but it carries the flavour.

What to Serve with Chili Dogs

  • Coleslaw
  • Potato wedges
  • Pickles
  • Sweetcorn

Leftovers and Storage

Keep the chili in the fridge for up to 3 days. Assemble the dogs fresh. Reheat the chili until steaming throughout.

Chili Dogs FAQ: Common Questions

How long does Chili Dogs take to make?

About 25 minutes in total — 5 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking. The recipe serves 4.

What are the key tips for making Chili Dogs?

Simmer the chili until a spoon leaves a trail; a runny topping makes soggy buns. Toast the buns so they stay firm under the chili. Serve on a tray lined with kitchen paper, because it is a messy meal.

What should I serve with Chili Dogs?

Coleslaw; Potato wedges; Pickles; Sweetcorn.

Is Chili Dogs suitable for a special diet?

This recipe is no added sugar. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.

How many calories are in Chili Dogs?

About 584 kcal per serving, with 28 g protein, 37 g carbohydrate and 36 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.

Chili Dogs Nutrition

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.

584Calories
28gProtein
37gCarbs
36gFat
3gFibre
8gSugar
1590mgSodium

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Written and tested by Turab

One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.