With Labor Day just around the corner and maybe a cook out or two in your weekend plans, we thought we’d share a little hot dog inspiration with you. Although ketchup, mustard and relish are classics that you can’t go wrong with, sometimes it’s fun to play with your food a bit, think outside the ketchup bottle and load up those toppings!
We fired up our grill, brought our best toppings to the table and had some fun creating these dogs! Here are 10 ways to top a hot dog that we think are worth trying out.
Popper Dog
Enjoy a popper appetizer hot dog-style. Add cream cheese, jalapeño pepper and toasted bread crumbs to your hot dog.
Tot Dog
A hot dog even the kiddies will love! Add some tater tots, cheese sauce, sour cream, and top it off with crumbled bacon.
Flower Power Herb Dog
Yes, this hot dog really is edible! And delicious. For the gardener at your cook-out, top hot dogs with tzatziki sauce (recipe below), chives with flowers, parsley, kale, nasturtiums, cilantro and thyme.
That’s a Wrap
Before grilling: Make a horizontal cut in your hot dog and stuff with cheddar cheese then wrap a piece of bacon tightly around the hot dog. Grill. Top with tzatziki sauce (recipe below) and black olives.
Just Frank
For those that enjoy the classic and keeping things simple, just a bit of mustard is all you need.
Bean & Bacon
Smother your hot dog in baked beans, cheese sauce, and toasted bread crumbs and slide a couple pieces of crispy bacon in the side to complete this delicious dog.
Sombrero Perro
Add a little spice to your dog with these taco inspired toppings. Before grilling: Make a horizontal cut in your hot dog and stuff with cheddar cheese. Slide jalapeño pepper rings over hot dog. Grill. Top that dog with salsa, sour cream, queso and black olives.
Veggie Picnic Dog
Here’s a yummy option for vegetarians. Use crumbled grilled veggie burger in place of the hot dog and top with baked beans, cole slaw and crumbled fritos.
Greek Veggie Dog
Another delicious option for vegetarians. Use a cucumber slice in place of the hot dog, top with tzatziki sauce (recipe below), feta cheese and olives.
Chip & Dip
Top this dog with cheese sauce, ketchup, crushed potato chips and crumbled bacon.
We used this recipe for our tzatziki sauce:
Tzatziki Sauce:
8 ounce plain greek yogurt
1 cucumber – peeled, seeded, and diced
1 tbsp olive oil
3/4 tbsp lemon juice (or less than 1/2 of a juiced lemon)
1/2 tbsp dill
1 large garlic clove – peeled
Salt and pepper to taste
**Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend until well combined. Refrigerate.
Source: AllRecipes.
What’s your favorite topping(s) for hot dogs? We’d love to hear new ideas!
Have fun creating! Caitlin, Manda and Marla
