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Comforting Grilled Hot Dogs with Homemade Chili and Cheese

grilled hot dogs with homemade chili and cheese - featured image

A quick and easy recipe for grilled hot dogs topped with rich homemade chili and melted cheese, perfect for summer gatherings and casual meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 all-beef hot dogs
  • 8 hot dog buns
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Optional toppings: diced onions, jalapeños, mustard, pickles

Instructions

  1. Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the beef. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the onion softens and turns translucent, stirring occasionally.
  3. Stir in the tomato sauce, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and brown sugar. Season with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer the chili gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened.
  4. Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Place the hot dogs on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning every couple of minutes to get even grill marks and smoky flavor.
  5. Toast the buns lightly on the grill for 1-2 minutes until golden and warm.
  6. Place each grilled hot dog in a toasted bun. Spoon a generous amount of homemade chili over each one, then sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese. Optionally, broil for 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese further.
  7. Add optional toppings like diced onions, jalapeños, or mustard if desired.
  8. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

If chili is too thick, add a splash of water or broth to loosen. If too thin, simmer uncovered longer. Toast buns to prevent sogginess. Use fresh shredded cheese for better melting. Ground beef should not be extra-lean to avoid dry chili. Chili can be made ahead and flavors improve overnight.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled hot dogs, homemade chili, chili dogs, summer meals, easy recipe, backyard cookout, comfort food