Crock Pot hot dog chili sauce is on the menu! When I think about a really good hot dog, one thing stands out above everything else is chili. Today, I'm going to share the best hot dog chili recipe you'll ever have.
This beer-infused homemade hot dog chili recipe is full of that nostalgic flavor we all love, with a little twist.
There's nothing quite as delicious as a hot dog, slathered with chili and nestled in a soft bun. It’s a classic summer meal. It's rich, hot, delicious, and when you top it with some cheese, it's absolutely the best thing you'll ever taste.
This homemade hot dog chili recipe is one that you'll want to make again and again. Combining pork and beef along with classic chili spices, a kick of heat with cayenne and a ½ cup of beer to give it a little something extra, this easy hot dog chili recipe is heavy on flavor and light on work.
If you're like me, that's the perfect combination. I don't know about you, but I'd rather spend my time hanging out with family and friends while I eat delicious food. I'm not interested so much in spending hours in the kitchen. I want hours with my loved ones.
That's what makes this so great. It's an easy "set it and forget it" recipe that requires next to no prep work and zero stovetop activity. Just put it all in the crockpot, and you're good to go.
Beer-Infused Crockpot Hot Dog Chili
Prep time on this delicious crockpot hot dog chili recipe is just 10 minutes. After that, it's just a matter of waiting for a few hours until it's all cooked down and tasty and waiting for you to drown your hot dog in it.
It's so good, and it really doesn't get much easier than throwing the ingredients into the slow cooker and waiting.
Ingredients in Homemade Hot Dog Chili Recipe
The ingredients for this recipe are as easy as the recipe itself. In fact, you probably have most or all of them in your kitchen right now. Ground beef and pork make the meaty goodness that everything else in the sauce revolves around.
From there, ingredients like tomato sauce, beer, onion, spices like garlic, chili, and mustard powders, and cayenne give it its great chili flavor.
How to Make the Best Hot Dog Chili
It takes 10 minutes of prep work and three to three-and-a-half hours of slow cooking to make this tasty dog topper. Simply grease the bottom of your crockpot—it should be four-quart at a minimum.
Season the meat with salt and pepper and put it on the bottom of your cooker, then combine all the other ingredients and mix them together.
That's it.
Check it in around three hours to see if you like the flavor and adjust as needed.
There you have it. See, that was just about the easiest recipe you've ever read, wasn't it? With such an easy-to-make recipe, there's no reason not to top your dog with delicious chili sauce to your heart's content.
Everyone will love drowning their hot dog in this sauce, and you'll be a hit with everyone. You'll also do it without spending hours in the kitchen. Winner, winner hot dog dinner!
Important Points
There are a few important points to remember about making your crockpot hot dog chili sauce if you want the absolute best flavor possible.
Pilsner or lager beers are best for this recipe. Their mild flavor adds a nice flavor note to the sauce without overpowering it. Stronger beers like IPAs or stouts aren't recommended as your beer-infused chili sauce will end up tasting more like chili-infused beer sauce.
If you forgot any seasonings and decided to add them after the three-hour mark, cook the chili sauce for an additional 15 to 20 minutes to allow the seasoning to blend.
If you don't have a crockpot, you can also make this recipe on the stovetop. It's actually just as easy as making it in the slow cooker, so there's no need to worry. Simply put all of your ingredients in a large pot as you would a crockpot, and then simmer the entire thing for between 30 and 45 minutes.
On a final note, while this recipe's beef flavor is geared toward adults, it's absolutely safe for children. There's no need to worry that you're giving your children alcohol, as it cooks out as the dish simmers in the crockpot.
Substitutions
I love to make my hot dog chili with beef and pork. I think it's the perfect combination of lean meat and tasty fat for the dish.
However, I know there are those out there who love to make tasty dishes as healthy as possible, those who are vegetarian, and those who might simply need to exchange out a spice that they don't have.
Don't worry, I've got you covered with a few substitutions you can make in this recipe that will still leave it tasting delicious.
- Ground Turkey or Chicken: You can use either ground turkey or chicken in place of the beef to keep that delicious meaty flavor while lowering the sauce's fat and cholesterol.
- Soy Granules: Soy granules are an excellent vegetarian substitute for this dish. Their texture mimics that of ground meat, and they absorb the flavor of the hot dog chili sauce.
- Chili Powder Substitutes: We don't all have chili powder on hand all the time. If you find that you're out, you can use paprika or cumin as substitutes.
Pairing Options
Obviously, the classic topping for a chili dog is cheese. There's nothing better. That being said, there are some other fun toppings you can pair with your crockpot hot dog chili sauce to get even more delicious flavor out of this homemade hot dog chili recipe.
Besides cheese, you can try any of these tasty additions to your dog.
- Raw Onions
- Caramelized Onions
- Coleslaw
- Sauerkraut
- Mustard Slaw
- Half Sour Pickles
- Dill Pickles
- Onion Rings
- Jalapeno
- Banana Peppers
- Nacho Sauce
- Green Onions
How to Store Hot Dog Chili
If you have any leftovers (and that's a big if) you can store them in an airtight container for three to four days in the refrigerator. Don't keep it for longer than that, though, as the risk of bacteria growth increases with every passing day.
The moral of that is to eat this all and eat it fast. That's something I think you'll do anyway.
If you made a huge batch of this sauce, you can also freeze the leftovers. It can be frozen in freezer-safe airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags for about four to six months for the best flavor.
If you leave it in the freezer longer, it won't be dangerous. It just won't be as good.
What Else Can You Do with Hot Dog Chili?
Of course, this crockpot hot dog chili sauce recipe is designed with topping your dog in mind, but if you want to get creative, there are other things you can do with it, as well. Consider topping nachos with this sauce, some melted cheese, and jalapeno peppers for a tasty treat.
It's also great over a hearty fry variation like home fries. With a texture that's almost like Sloppy Joes, you could also simply serve it on hamburger buns. It's an extremely versatile recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between hot dog chili and regular chili?
Hot dog chili is thinner and sweeter than traditional chili. There are also no beans in hot dog chili, and it has a thinner texture because the ground meat is boiled and not browned.
Can I use ground chicken or turkey in this chili sauce?
Yes, you absolutely can. Ground chicken or turkey won't impact the flavor of this chili much at all, and it will drastically cut down on the fat and cholesterol if you're watching out for that.
I'm a vegetarian? What can I substitute for the ground meat?
Soy granules are an excellent substitute for ground meat in this recipe. They have a ground beef-like texture and they readily absorb the flavors of the chili sauce.
What can I use in place of chili powder?
Paprika and cumin are both excellent chili powder substitutes.
What can I top my chili dog with?
There are lots of great options you can add to your chili dog. Some of the best include onions, green onions, jalapeno, banana peppers, nacho sauce, and dill pickles.
What else can I do with this crockpot hot dog chili sauce?
You can add this chili sauce to nachos, hearty home fries, or even serve it up on a hamburger bun Sloppy Joe style.
How long can I store chili sauce?
This chili sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three to four days. It can be frozen for four to six months.
My chili sauce has been in the freezer longer than six months. Is it safe?
Your chili sauce is perfectly safe, but it might not taste very good.
Try This Crock Pot Hot Dog Chili Sauce
This crock pot hot dog chili sauce is easy to make and packs a flavor punch everyone will love. With all the classic chili sauce flavor we love and an extra kick of beer, it's the one topping at your backyard bash that no one will be able to get enough of.
Add to that the versatility of this sauce and the great flavor combinations you can get when you add other toppings to it, and you've got yourself a sauce that might be designed for dogs but that can do so much more.
And with 10 minutes of prep and zero stovetop cooking, this recipe is just about the easiest thing you'll ever make. Give it a try, and I'm sure you'll love it as much as I and my family and friends do.
The only thing you have to lose is 10 minutes, and also not eating this tasty hot dog topper.
Beer Infused Slow Cooker Hotdog Chili
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 lb ground pork
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 medium onion, diced or chopped
- ½ cup beer
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Get out and measure all of your ingredients.
- Prepare bottom of a (4-quart minimum) slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Season your ground beef and pork with salt and pepper and place into the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Add onions, tomato sauce, beer, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne, mustard powder, salt and pepper.
- Gently mix together with a spoon or your hands.
- Cook on high for 3-3-½ hours while stirring occasionally.
- After three hours, taste and adjust seasonings to taste.
- After cook time, serve immediately over hot dogs and/or brauts.
- A scoop or two is enough on each hot dog.
- Serve immediately and enjoy every bite.
Notes
- A pilsner or lager beer works best for this recipe. Stronger, more bold beers such as IPAs or stouts do not work well.
- The flavor of this recipe is most enjoyed by adults but 100% safe for children to eat.
- If adding seasonings to the slow cooker after 3 hours, be sure to cook for an additional 15-20minutes for seasonings to blend.
Nutrition
Other great recipes to try
Cheesy Bacon Hot Dog Bites
Cheesy Chili Dog Casserole
The Ultimate Slow Cooker Chili
Elaine says
In pictures 1, 4 & 5 I see onions but I don't see onions in the ingredients. So is there onions in this hot dog chili?
Karin and Ken says
There most certainly are onions in this terrific hot dog chili recipe and I can't thank you enough for pointing out my omission. I'm truly grateful. I have updated the recipe. Again, I can't thank you enough for taking the time to let me know. Take care and all the best. Karin