Quick and Easy Hot Dog Sauce: Classic Coney Island Chili Recipe

There’s nothing quite like a hot dog topped with a delicious, piping-hot homemade hotdog sauce, especially when camping in cool weather.

This blog post will guide you through creating your hot dog chili inspired by the classic Coney Island chili dog.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a recipe that will make your hot dogs the star of any camping trip, tailgate, BBQ, or family gathering.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Balance is key in a great coney sauce. Aim for a mix of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors.
Use a potato masher to achieve the perfect sauce texture.
This sauce can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator or freezer.
Serve your hot dogs with various sides, like french fries or potato salad.
You can substitute ground turkey for ground beef if desired.
This recipe can be easily increased to feed a crowd.
Use a slow cooker to heat your sauce evenly and keep it warm during your gathering.
Leftover sauce can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer and reheated as needed.

What Makes a Great Hot Dog Sauce?

A great hot dog meat sauce is all about balance. It should be savory, with a hint of sweetness and a touch of heat. The base of our sauce is chili, a staple in many hot dog chili sauce recipes. We’ll use ground beef, chili powder, and tomato sauce to create a rich, flavorful chili sauce perfect for topping a classic Coney Island hot dog.

How to Prepare the Chili Sauce?

Start by browning your ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Once the beef is browned, add your chili powder and tomato sauce.

Simmer the mixture on low heat, allowing the flavors to meld together. This is also a great time to add a little brown sugar for sweetness, some red pepper for some heat, and Worcestershire sauce for a tangy kick.

What’s the Secret to a Perfectly Textured Sauce?

The secret to a perfectly textured hot dog sauce is a potato masher. After your sauce has simmered, use a masher to break up the ground beef. This will give your sauce a fine texture that’s perfect for topping hot dogs.

Can I Make the Sauce in Advance?

Absolutely! This sauce recipe is perfect for making in advance.

Once your sauce has cooled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to a week, making it perfect for taking along with you for camping trips, BBQs, or family gatherings.

How to Serve the Hot Dog?

When it comes to serving, a good hot dog bun is key. Toast your buns for a bit of crunch, then add your hot dog and a generous helping of your hot dog sauce. Top your hot dog with onions and yellow mustard for a classic Coney Island touch.

What Can I Serve with the Hot Dog?

This simple hot dog chili is so versatile it can be served with a variety of sides. Try it with french fries or potato salad for a classic BBQ spread. Or, for a twist, serve your hot dogs with sloppy joes.

Can I Use Ground Turkey Instead of Beef?

Yes, you can! If you prefer, you can substitute ground turkey for the ground beef in this recipe. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time as needed, as turkey may cook a little faster than beef.

How to Make a Big Batch of Sauce?

This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you’re feeding a crowd. Just use a large enough skillet or Dutch oven to accommodate the extra ingredients.

What’s the Best Way to Heat the Sauce?

The best way to heat your meat sauce is in a slow cooker. This allows the sauce to heat evenly without burning. Plus, it keeps the sauce warm throughout your gathering, so your guests can help themselves whenever they’re ready.

Here’s a slow cooker that’s specifically made for camping, tailgating and traveling:

How to Store Leftover Sauce?

If you have leftover sauce, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

You can also freeze the sauce for up to three months.

To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight and heat in a saucepan over medium heat.

Hot Dog Chili Sauce Recipe

Here’s an easy recipe for a homemade hot dog chili sauce:

Ingredients:

1 pound of lean ground beef
⅓ cup of water
1 can of tomato sauce
1 cup of ketchup
1 tablespoon of chili powder
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon of onion powder
A dash of Worcestershire sauce
A pinch of sugar
Optional: A teaspoon or two of crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper sauce to bring on the heat!

Tip: Be sure to add these ingredients to your camping food list now before you get busy and forget.

Instructions:

Cook the beef in water in a large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Stir in the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to low and simmer until the beef is cooked and the chili is thick.

Final Thoughts

With this simple hot dog chili recipe, you’re well on your way to creating a delicious, homemade hot dog sauce that will impress on your next camping trip.

It’s quick and easy to prepare, and it can be stored in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to three months, making it an easy camping meal for the family to enjoy.

Happy cooking!

Tip: Download a copy of our Free Camping Food List PDF and learn How to Use a Dutch Oven Camping.