Authentic Chicago-Style Hot Dogs Recipe

Ingredients

  • 8 all-beef hot dogs
  • 8 poppy seed hot dog buns
  • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
  • 1 cup sweet green pickle relish
  • 1 cup chopped onion
  • 8 dill pickle spears
  • 8 tomato slices
  • 16 sport peppers
  • Celery salt to taste
  • 8 dashs of hot sauce (optional)

Steps and instructions

  1. Preheat your grill to medium heat.
  2. Place the hot dogs on the grill and cook until they're well browned all around, approximately 7 to 10 minutes.
  3. While the hot dogs are grilling, place your poppy seed buns on the upper rack of the grill to steam. Be sure not to overheat them.
  4. Once the hot dogs are grilled, place them on the steamed buns.
  5. Apply the yellow mustard evenly across each hot dog.
  6. Add the sweet green pickle relish on top of the mustard.
  7. Next, evenly distribute the chopped onions across the hot dogs.
  8. Place a dill pickle spear on one side of each hot dog.
  9. Add two tomato slices on the other side of each hot dog.
  10. Then add the sport peppers on top of the tomato slices.
  11. Sprinkle the celery salt to taste on each hot dog.
  12. If you would like, add a dash of hot sauce to each hot dog for extra heat.
  13. Serve the hot dogs immediately and enjoy!

Tools for making

  • Grill - A medium heat grill will be needed to cook the hot dogs.
  • Tongs - Use tongs to turn the hot dogs while grilling.
  • Grill brush - A grill brush will be helpful for cleaning the grill grates.
  • Upper rack - The upper rack of the grill will be used to steam the hot dog buns.
  • Knife - Use a knife to chop the onions and slice the tomatoes.
  • Cutting board - A cutting board will provide a surface for chopping the onions and tomatoes.

Recipe variations

  • Replace the all-beef hot dogs with vegetarian or vegan hot dogs for a meat-free option.
  • Experiment with different types of buns such as pretzel buns or whole wheat buns.
  • Try using different types of mustard such as spicy brown mustard or Dijon mustard.
  • Explore different relishes like spicy pickle relish or corn relish.
  • Add a layer of sauerkraut on top of the hot dogs for a tangy twist.
  • Include additional toppings such as sliced avocado or bacon bits.
  • For a spicy kick, substitute sport peppers with jalapeno peppers.
  • Grill the hot dogs instead of boiling or steaming them for a different flavor.
  • Use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps to make it gluten-free.
  • Top the hot dogs with shredded cheese and melt it under the broiler for a cheesy variation.

Recipe overview

Get ready to experience a culinary trip to the Windy City with this authentic Chicago style hot dog recipe. As one of the city's staple dishes, this hot dog is not your ordinary sausage in a bun. It's a perfect combination of an all-beef hot dog nestled in a soft poppy seed bun, topped with yellow mustard, sweet green pickle relish, chopped onions, dill pickle spear, tomato slices, sport peppers, and a sprinkle of celery salt. This recipe will show you how to prepare these hot dogs from scratch, including the grilling and steaming process that gives the buns their unique texture. It's a relatively straightforward process and doesn't require any special cooking skills, making it perfect for beginners and experienced cooks alike. Prepare your taste buds for a burst of flavors with each bite. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the Chicago-style hot dog, this recipe is sure to be a hit at your next BBQ or family gathering.

Common questions

  1. Can I use any type of hot dogs? - It is recommended to use all-beef hot dogs for the authentic Chicago style taste.
  2. What type of buns should I use? - Poppy seed hot dog buns are traditionally used for Chicago style hot dogs.
  3. What kind of mustard should I use? - Yellow mustard is the classic choice for Chicago style hot dogs.
  4. Can I substitute the sweet green pickle relish? - It is best to use sweet green pickle relish for the authentic Chicago style flavor, but you can use regular pickle relish if needed.
  5. Do I have to use sport peppers? - Sport peppers add a unique heat to the hot dogs, but if you can't find them, you can substitute with any other type of hot pepper of your preference.
  6. Can I skip the celery salt? - Celery salt is a crucial ingredient for the Chicago style hot dog flavor, but you can adjust the amount to your taste preferences.
  7. Should I add hot sauce? - Hot sauce is optional and can be added if you prefer some extra heat in your hot dogs.

Serving dishes and utensils

  • Grill - Needed to cook the hot dogs.
  • Tongs - Used to flip and remove the hot dogs from the grill.
  • Spatula - Useful for transferring the hot dogs to the buns.
  • Grill brush - Needed to clean the grill after cooking.
  • Knife - Used for chopping onions and slicing tomatoes.
  • Cutting board - Provides a stable surface for cutting ingredients.
  • Condiment bottles - Used to hold and dispense the yellow mustard and hot sauce.
  • Serving tray - Helps to present the hot dogs in an organized manner.
  • Napkins - Essential for guests to clean their hands while enjoying the hot dogs.
  • Toothpicks - Can be used to secure the toppings on the hot dogs, if desired.

Origin stories

The Chicago-style hot dog, a Windy City classic, has a long and storied history. It's more than a meal; it's a piece of culinary and cultural heritage. This iconic dish was born during the Great Depression, when vendors wanted to offer a meal that was filling, cheap, and bursting with a variety of flavors. It's often jokingly referred to as "dragged through the garden" because of its numerous toppings, which include yellow mustard, chopped white onions, bright green sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices, pickled sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt, all nestled in a poppy seed bun. Interestingly, you'll note there's no ketchup – a typical condiment on hot dogs. That’s because in Chicago, putting ketchup on a hot dog is considered a culinary sin. This flavorful frankfurter is a testament to Chicago's ingenuity and resourcefulness, making the most out of simple ingredients to create a dish that has stood the test of time. It's not just a hot dog; it's a taste of history.

Disclaimer: This recipe was not created by humans and we cannot ensure that it will turn out as expected. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this recipe (including steps, ingredients, nutritional information, and all sections on this page). You should check to make sure you are not allergic to any ingredients and take safety precautions while making this. The images on this page are generated by AI and may not accurately represent the result of making this recipe.