Description
Enjoy these mouthwatering Chili Dogs featuring a rich homemade beef chili sauce simmered to perfection. Tender ground beef, aromatic vegetables, and a blend of spices form a hearty chili topping for smoked sausages nestled in soft hot dog buns. Finished with mustard, fresh onions, and melted Monterey Jack or Colby cheese, these chili dogs deliver satisfying flavors perfect for a casual meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chili Sauce
- 1 pound Ground Beef (fattier beef preferred for flavor)
- 2 cubes Beef Bouillon
- 1 cup Onion, chopped
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 can Crushed Tomatoes (typically 14-15 oz)
- 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 1 medium Bell Pepper, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Homemade Chili Powder (adjust cayenne as desired)
- Splash of Water (about 1/4 cup)
Chili Dogs
- 4 pieces Smoked Sausages (bratwurst or kransky recommended)
- 4 pieces Hot Dog Buns (soft, quality buns)
- 1 tablespoon Yellow Mustard
- 1 cup White Onion, diced
- 1 cup Shredded Cheese (Monterey Jack or Colby preferred)
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped bell pepper. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Cook Ground Beef: Increase heat slightly, add ground beef to the pan. Cook thoroughly until no pink remains, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomato paste and cook for an additional minute to combine flavors.
- Add Seasonings and Simmer: Stir in chili powder, crushed tomatoes, beef bouillon cubes, and a splash of water. Mix well and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer Chili Sauce: Partially cover the pan, reduce heat to low, and let the chili sauce simmer gently for about 3 hours, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Blend for Creaminess: For a creamier chili texture, blend a portion of the sauce until smooth and stir it back into the pan.
- Cook Sausages: While the chili simmers, grill or pan-fry the smoked sausages until browned on all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes.
- Assemble Chili Dogs: Place each cooked sausage into a hot dog bun. Top generously with the homemade chili sauce, a dollop of yellow mustard, diced white onions, and shredded cheese.
- Melt Cheese: Arrange the assembled chili dogs on a baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted beautifully.
Notes
- Using fattier ground beef enhances the richness and flavor of the chili sauce.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne in the chili powder to control the spice level.
- Partially blending the chili sauce adds a creamier consistency while retaining texture.
- Soft, quality hot dog buns make the best vessel for the loaded chili dogs.
- Monterey Jack or Colby cheese melts well and complements the chili flavors.
- If grilling sausages is not an option, pan-frying is a quick and tasty alternative.
