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Savory Grilled Hot Dogs with Homemade Chili

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A quick and easy game day recipe featuring smoky grilled hot dogs topped with a rich, homemade chili that’s flavorful and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb ground beef (85% lean recommended)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (15 oz) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 can (15 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup beef broth or water
  • 8 all-beef hot dogs
  • 8 soft hot dog buns
  • Optional toppings: shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions, yellow mustard, jalapeño slices

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chili base: Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add a splash of oil and sauté the finely chopped onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Cook the beef: Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it up with your spoon. Cook until browned and no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat if needed.
  3. Add tomatoes and spices: Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne (if using), brown sugar, and salt and pepper. Mix well.
  4. Simmer the chili: Pour in the beef broth or water, bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low. Cook uncovered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Add beans (optional): Stir in kidney beans during the last 5 minutes of cooking to heat through.
  6. Grill the hot dogs: Preheat grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill hot dogs, turning occasionally, for 8-10 minutes until evenly charred and heated through.
  7. Toast the buns (optional): Lightly butter buns and toast on the grill for 1-2 minutes until golden and crisp.
  8. Assemble the hot dogs: Place grilled hot dogs in buns, spoon a generous amount of chili on top, and add preferred toppings like shredded cheddar or diced onions.

Notes

If chili gets too thick, add more broth or water to loosen. Let chili simmer slowly to develop flavors. Drain excess fat after browning beef to keep chili rich but not greasy. For thicker chili, add a spoonful of masa harina or cornmeal during simmering. Prepare chili a day ahead for better flavor. Rotate hot dogs on grill for even cooking and grill marks. Avoid overloading hot dogs with chili to prevent soggy buns.

Nutrition

Keywords: grilled hot dogs, homemade chili, game day recipe, easy chili recipe, backyard barbecue, crowd-pleaser, smoky hot dogs

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/savory-grilled-hot-dogs-with-homemade-chili-easy-game-day-recipe/