The hot dog is a classic American standby, but even old favorites can stand a makeover every now and then. Whether you’re headed to a tailgate or grilling out back, these recipes will take your hot dog to the next level of awesome.
For a taste of the islands all year round, top your dog with sweet grilled pineapple, teriyaki mayo and sliced jalapeños for an extra kick of heat.
J-Dawg’s Hot Dog
The two secrets to this decadent dog: diagonally cutting before grilling for extra charred flavor and a secret sauce that hails from JDawg’s, a Western favorite.
Banh Mi Hot Dog
Recreate this Vietnamese favorite on the grill. Topped with fresh Asian vegetables and hints of spice courtesy of Sriracha mayo, it’s a perfect combination of two worlds.
Firecracker Dog
The sparks flying from this aptly-named hot dog come from the out-of-this-world beer-battered deep fried jalapeños. It takes a little extra time, but they are SO worth it.
Crunchy Crescent Nacho Dogs
Ditch the bun and wrap your dog in layers of flaky crescent dough, then cover in a crunchy nacho chip coating. These are a home run with the kiddie crowd.
Crispy “Crack” Dogs
We’re not even sure how this culinary creation came to be, but we love it. Slice hot dogs to form this unique shape and brush with an apricot and honey mustard glaze. You’ll never look at a hot dog the same way again.
Perfect Preztel-Wrapped Dogs
Although you might have seen one of these before, making your own pretzel dough really makes these a special-occasion knockout.
Smoky Barbecue Carrot Dogs with Chickpea Salad
Don’t let carnivores have all the fun! Grilled carrots shine in this completely vegan version of the classic.
Loaded Cheddar Hot Dogs
White cheddar cheese, garlic mushrooms, caramelized onion and crispy bacon. Need we say more?
Buffalo Chicken Dogs
We love this fusion of our two favorite tailgate foods: hot dogs and buffalo chicken.
Reuben Hot Dog
Sandwich or hot dog? You decide. Meanwhile, we’ll be reaching for seconds.
Mac & Cheese Dog
Layer that cheesy goodness right on top of your hot dog for an easy-peasy upgrade.
Pulled Pork Hot Dog With Broccoli Slaw
Don’t pick between tailgate favorites—just throw ’em together! Sweet pulled pork and a crunchy broccoli slaw are ideal compliments to the humble hot dog.
Spicy Taco Dogs
This mashup between two of America’s favorite foods is everything you want it to be.
Chipotle Cheese Hot Dogs with Bacon Corn Relish
Make sure you save some extra cheese sauce for dunking these bad boys.
Andouille Sausage Dog With Blue Cheese Cole Slaw
Smoky andouille sausage combined with a crisp, creamy slaw makes turns an ordinary hot dog into something extraordinary.
Portobello Veggie Dog
Grilled portobello mushrooms make these meat-free hot dogs just as delicious as their traditional counterparts. They’re topping-friendly, too!
Oven Baked Chili Dog
A good chili dog recipe is hard to come by. Not only are these extremely flavorful, but also perfect for a crowd, since they’re cooked up in big batches in the oven.
Smoked Salmon Hot Dog
For an entirely new gastronomical experience, try smoked salmon on your dog. Cream cheese, cucumber and cilantro garnishes are a must.
Bratwurst Dog
If you’re not a fan of the standard hot dog, a hearty bratwurst might be just the thing for you. Grilled onions and red pepper—along with a generous sprinkling of cheddar cheese—take this dog right to the top.