I’ve realized that my idea of heaven might just include a hot dog bar.
If I’m being honest, I usually have only one or two hot dogs each summer—but they have to be really good ones. For the longest time I only ate hot dogs with yellow mustard. Then about ten years ago Lacy ordered a fully loaded hot dog at Five Guys, and I realized you can put so many other things on a dog. That revelation changed everything.
Really. How did I not know this?
Before that, mustard was the peak of hot dog sophistication in my family. The fanciest thing we ever made were crescent-wrapped hot dogs. Now look: there are jalapeño pretzel dogs with cheddar beer sauce and plenty of other over-the-top ideas that are amazing—but for a hot dog bar you want toppings that are low maintenance. Choose things that can sit in bowls without losing quality and that don’t require constant attention.
Hot dogs get a lot of criticism, but I never pass one up at a cookout. In the last decade there have been better options—turkey dogs, vegetarian dogs, grass-fed or organic varieties—so I feel kinder about making a big hot dog bar at home.
P.S. This is SO fun.
Load up your hot dogs with every topping and enjoy. We spent weeks testing favorite combos, creating new ones, and making sure everything we suggested would stand up on a buffet without needing fussing over.
Below is the complete toppings list and a rundown of seven hot dog builds that made my “obsessed” list.
My Favorite Fancy Hot Dogs for Your Hot Dog Bar
Our Chicago Dog
dill pickle spear / sweet pickle relish / campari tomatoes / sport peppers / yellow mustard / poppy seed sprinkle
Lacy has loved Chicago dogs forever. As a pickle lover myself, I’ve been slowly converted—this one is all about bright, tangy contrasts.
The Buffalo Dog
celery leaves / buffalo wing sauce / ranch drizzle / crumbled blue cheese / chives
This is a favorite—if you don’t mind celery, dice it small for a bit of crunch. The buffalo sauce and blue cheese make it bold and addictive.
The BLT Dog
shredded lettuce / chopped tomatoes / crispy bacon / ranch drizzle
I love this one, partly because the shredded lettuce (or finely sliced green cabbage for extra crunch) creates a perfect bed for the other toppings.
Grilled Mexican Street Corn Dog
guacamole / quick Mexican corn salad
I piped guacamole onto the dog and sprinkled a quick elote-style salad made from grilled corn, lime, cilantro, chili powder and cotija cheese. Bright, smoky, creamy—so good.
Caramelized Onion and Cheddar Dog
white cheddar / caramelized onions / ketchup
Simple but full of flavor. The sweetness of the onions with sharp cheddar is a crowd-pleaser and often a top pick.
The BBQ Pineapple Dog
grilled pineapple / BBQ sauce / diced shallot
Caramelized pineapple and tangy BBQ sauce pair beautifully, and the diced shallot adds a crisp bite. A sweet-savory winner.
Jalapeño Apple Slaw Dog
jalapeño apple slaw / spicy brown mustard
This slaw is crunchy, sweet and spicy—fantastic on hot dogs and great on other sandwiches too. I love it topped with spicy brown mustard.
A Classic Dog
whatever you love
My classic is ketchup and mustard, but everyone has their version. Tell me yours!
I hope this inspires your next summer cookout. Even offering one or two fancy hot dogs can be a fun twist—pair with rosé or a cold summer beer and you’re set.
How to Make a Hot Dog Bar
How to Make a Hot Dog Bar
Ingredients
- Grilled hot dogs
- Grilled brioche buns
Toppings:
- White cheddar cheese
- Caramelized onions
- Grilled corn or Mexican corn salad
- Pickled green beans
- Diced shallot
- Grilled pineapple
- Baked beans (try it!)
- Crumbled gorgonzola
- Scallions
- Chives
- Pickle spears
- Bacon
- Tomato
- Shredded lettuce
- Jalapeño apple slaw
Condiments
- Ketchup
- Yellow mustard
- Spicy brown mustard
- Ranch dressing
- Buffalo wing sauce
- BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Make a list of toppings and prep anything you can the night before. Chop, grate and portion toppings into separate bowls or jars, then cover and refrigerate until ready. This keeps the hot dog bar easy and stress-free.
- For cookouts, estimate about 1.5 hot dogs per person. For toppings, use your judgment—aim for about a cup of popular items like cheese and tomatoes so everyone can help themselves.
- Don’t be afraid to get creative—baked beans or mac and cheese are surprisingly delicious on hot dogs.
- Quick grilled corn salad: stir together about 1 1/2 cups corn kernels with 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, a pinch of salt and pepper, 1/4 teaspoon chili powder, juice from 1/2 a lime and 2–3 tablespoons crumbled cotija cheese. Make it a few hours ahead for best flavor.
- Jalapeño apple slaw: toss 2 cups shredded green cabbage with 1 grated apple, 1 thinly sliced jalapeño, a pinch of salt and pepper, a drizzle of olive oil and juice from 1/2 a lime. This can be made the night before and mellows in the fridge.
Cuisine: American ·
Author: How Sweet Eats
Did you make this?
Tag your photos with #howsweeteats if you try these ideas. I appreciate you so much!
Please, create a hot dog bar for your next summer gathering—you’ll thank me later.