Best Chicago Style Hot Dog Recipe
on Mar 28, 2022, Updated Apr 04, 2022
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
A Chicago-Style Hot Dog is something you’ve got to experience. Juicy all-beef frankfurters are served in a toasted poppy seed bun and topped with delicious veggies.
You don’t need to buy a plane ticket to Chicago to experience the glory of this hot dog. It’s super easy to create an authentic Chicago-style hot dog at home, with all the fixings.
What is a Chicago Style Hot Dog?
As the name suggests, Chicago-style hot dogs originated in the city of Chicago, Illinois. People in the windy city really love their hot dogs.
The Chicago area has more hot dog restaurants than McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Burger King, COMBINED. Their most famous hot dog features a beef frank in a toasted poppy seed bun and piled high with vegetables and sauces.
What is on a True Chicago Style Hot Dog?
A true Chicago-style hot dog is made with all-beef frankfurters, not pork or chicken. Another signature characteristic of this hot dog is the poppy seed hot dog bun. Traditional toppings include sport peppers, dill pickles, tomatoes, onions, mustard and relish. The finishing touch is always a dash of celery salt.
What’s the Difference Between a Chicago Hot Dog and a New York Hot Dog?
New York-style hot dogs are another popular variety of hot dog. Like the Chicago-style, New York dogs are made with all-beef frankfurters, but the similarities stop there. New York-style hot dogs are topped with onion relish, sauerkraut and brown mustard. They’re served in regular hot dog buns, as opposed to the poppy seed buns used for Chicago-style hot dogs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- All-beef Frankfurter Hot Dogs
- Poppy Seed Hot Dog Buns
- Sport Peppers
- Dill Pickle Spears
- Yellow Mustard
- Sweet Green Pickle Relish
- Finely Chopped Onions
- Tomato Wedges
- Celery Salt
How to Make Chicago Hot Dogs
- Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Using kitchen tongs, carefully add the hot dogs to the boiling water.
- Boil for about 5 minutes or until cooked through. Remove the cooked hot dogs from the water and set aside.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place hot dogs in the pan. Cook for about 1 minute until nicely toasted.
- Place a cooked hot dog in each hot dog bun.
- Top with yellow mustard, sweet green pickle relish, chopped onions, tomato wedges, pickles, and sport peppers. Season with celery salt to taste. Serve and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks for the Best Cheese Dog
- Use quality hot dogs for better flavor and taste: For best results, you’ll want to use quality dogs made with 100% beef. Oscar Mayer Classic Beef Uncured Franks are a good option.
- Toast the bun for the best results: Lightly butter the poppyseed bun and toast it for a warm, slightly crisp housing for your hot dog. This small step can seriously improve everything.
- DO NOT add ketchup: For an authentic Chicago-style experience, do not add ketchup to this hot dog. The only condiment you’ll need is yellow mustard.
Chicago Style Hot Dog Toppings
Classic toppings for your Chicago-style hot dog include sport peppers, dill pickles, tomatoes, onions, mustard and relish. Once you’re finished piling on your toppings, be sure to add a generous sprinkling of celery salt.
What is the Best Bread for Chicago Style Hot Dogs?
These hot dogs are known for their signature poppy seed buns. These tiny seeds add so much texture and a subtle taste to your hot dog.
What Kind of Peppers to Use on a Chicago Style Hot Dog?
A Chicago-style hot dog is traditionally made with sport peppers. These hot chili peppers are usually pickled and are a key component of this style of hot dog.
What Makes Chicago Style Hot Dog Different?
The combination of the poppyseed bun, all-beef frankfurter, sport peppers, tomatoes and pickles makes the Chicago-style hot dog a truly unique experience with unexpected flavors that work well together.
Where to Buy Chicago Style Hot Dogs?
To get the best franks for your homemade Chicago-style hot dogs, check Walmart’s selection of 100% beef franks for brands like Nathan’s or Oscar Meyer. Besides actually going to Chicago, you’re likely to find Chicago-style hot dogs at food trucks and bodegas.
You May Also Like
Chicago Style Hot Dog Recipe
Ingredients
For the Hot Dog
- 2 all-beef frankfurter hot dogs
- 2 poppy seed hot dog buns
For Toppings
- 4 sport peppers
- 2 dill pickle spears
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons sweet green pickle relish
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped onions
- 6-8 to mato wedges
- celery salt, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Hot Dog
- Fill a medium saucepan with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Using kitchen tongs, carefully add the hot dogs to the boiling water.
- Boil for about 5 minutes or until cooked through. Remove the cooked hot dogs from the water and set aside.
- Assemble the Hot Dog
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, place hot dogs in the pan. Cook for about 1 minute until nicely toasted.
- Place a cooked hot dog in each hot dog bun.
- Top with yellow mustard, sweet green pickle relish, chopped onions, tomato wedges, pickles, and sport peppers. Season with celery salt to taste. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
