Marinated Grilled Hot Dogs
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Hot dogs are a classic summer staple, especially when they’re cooked on the grill. There’s just something about that smoky flavor that makes them so good. But I have to admit, I never would have thought to marinate hot dogs before… that is, until I tried these marinated grilled hot dogs. Now I’m hooked!
To help the marinade really soak in, you’ll want to make a few small cuts in each hot dog. I like to make shallow diagonal angle slices on both sides—one set on the top and another on the bottom. This allows all that flavor to get down into the hot dog instead of just sitting on the outside.
The hot dogs are then placed in a flavorful marinade that almost acts like a sauce. It’s simple to make but packed with bold flavor. The base is chili sauce, which is similar to ketchup but with a little extra tang and spice. From there, you add in garlic powder, onion powder, brown sugar, and pepper, along with a touch of mustard and Worcestershire sauce for even more depth.
You can marinate the hot dogs for as little as 20 minutes or let them sit all day if you plan ahead. I tried them with about an hour of marinating time and they were delicious, but I definitely want to let them go longer next time to really deepen the flavor. If you want to take it one step further, you could even make a little extra marinade to brush on or drizzle over the hot dogs after grilling for an extra boost of flavor. Try these for your next cookout!
Ingredients for Marinated Grilled Hot Dogs
- CHILI SAUCE
- ONION POWDER
- GARLIC POWDER
- WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE
- MUSTARD
- BROWN SUGAR
- PEPPER
- HOT DOGS
- HOT DOG BUNS
Instructions for Marinated Grilled Hot Dogs
Start by preparing the marinade. In a medium bowl, combine the chili sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, and pepper. Stir everything together until the mixture is smooth and well-blended.
Next, use a small, sharp knife to make shallow diagonal cuts in each hot dog. Space the cuts about ½ inch apart, making them on both the top and bottom. Be careful to only cut partway through—these small slits will allow the marinade to soak in and add extra flavor as they cook.
Place the hot dogs in a gallon-sized zip-top bag and pour the marinade over the top. Seal the bag and gently move the hot dogs around to make sure they’re fully coated. Place the bag in the refrigerator and let them marinate for at least 20 minutes, or up to all day if you have the time.
When you’re ready to cook, preheat your grill to medium heat. Place the hot dogs on the grill and cook for about 4–5 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are heated through, nicely charred, and the cuts begin to open up.
Serve warm on buns with your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need to cut the hot dogs before marinating?
Yes, making small cuts in the hot dogs helps the marinade soak in and adds much more flavor. It also helps the hot dogs get those nice crispy edges when grilled.
How long should I marinate the hot dogs?
You can marinate them for as little as 20 minutes, but for the best flavor, aim for at least 1–2 hours. If you have the time, letting them marinate all day will give you even better results.
Can I cook these without a grill?
Yes! You can cook them in a skillet on the stovetop or under the broiler in your oven. Just cook until they are heated through and slightly charred.
What is chili sauce?
Chili sauce is similar to ketchup but has a slightly tangy, spiced flavor. It’s commonly found near the ketchup in most grocery stores and works as the base for the marinade.
Can I freeze marinated hot dogs?
It’s best to freeze the hot dogs before marinating. If you do freeze them with marinade, thaw them completely in the fridge before cooking.
What toppings go well with these hot dogs?
These are great with classic toppings like mustard, ketchup, and relish, but also pair well with grilled onions, cheese, or even coleslaw.
Tips and Tricks
- Don’t Skip the Cuts – Those small diagonal cuts make a big difference! They allow the marinade to soak into the hot dogs and create those crispy, flavorful edges when grilled.
- Marinate Longer for More Flavor – While 20 minutes works, letting the hot dogs marinate for 1–2 hours (or even all day) will give you much deeper flavor.
- Use a Zip-Top Bag– A zip-top bag makes it easy to fully coat the hot dogs in the marinade and keeps cleanup simple.
- Turn Frequently on the Grill – Rotate the hot dogs every minute or so while grilling to get even charring on all sides and prevent burning.
- Watch for the Cuts to Open – You’ll know they’re ready when the cuts open up slightly, and the edges get a little crispy—this is where a lot of flavor develops.
- Don’t Overcook– Hot dogs cook quickly, so keep an eye on them. Overcooking can dry them out, especially with the cuts.
- Toast the Buns – For even more flavor and texture, lightly toast the buns on the grill before serving.
For more recipes like this, try:
Marinated Grilled Hot Dogs
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup chili sauce
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1½ Tbsp mustard
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- ⅛ tsp pepper
- 8 hot dogs
- 8 hot dog buns
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the chili sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, brown sugar, and pepper together.
- With a small knife, make small diagonal cuts on the top and bottom of each hot dog, about 1/2 inch apart, cutting part way into the hot dog. The cuts should look like rounded half circle.
- Add the marinate to a gallon sized zip-loc bag along with the hot dogs. Place in the fridge to marinate for 20 minutes or up to all day.
- Cook the hot dogs on the grill until nicely charred and the cuts open up, about 4-5 minutes total.
Nutrition
Recipe is adapted from Plain Chicken.
