Smoked Hot Dogs
By smoking hot dogs you can enjoy a delicious twist on the basic Frank. We are excited to share a tasty Smoked Hot Dogs recipe with you, that will help you to make a very easy meal, that tastes fabulous. Check out the step-by-step instructions below for how you can make this yummy dish!
Seriously Good Smoked Hot Dogs
Smoked hot dogs are the perfect dish to make when you’re looking for an easy and delicious smoked meal. Smoked hot dogs are surprisingly delicious, very easy to make, and low in cost. We are excited to share with you this tasty recipe for smoked hot dogs that you can easily make and enjoy.
Why This Works
This recipe works because your hot dogs turn out tasting fabulous after they have been smoked, it’s a very easy dish to make, and it won’t hurt your budget. This recipe is perfect no matter what time of year, your smoked hot dogs are going to make an amazing meal.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Before we jump right into the recipe, let’s first look at some tips and tricks that will help you make amazing smoked hot dogs everyone will enjoy.
Best Kinds of Hot Dogs for Smoking
Although you can smoke any kind of hot dog, not all hot dogs are equal and should be smoked. Depending on how each kind of hot dog is made, some will turn out better than others when smoked. The best kinds of hot dogs for smoking include:
Hebrew National Beef Franks
Applegate Natural Stadium Franks
Applegate Naturals Turkey Dogs
Ball Park Franks
Kirkland Signature Beef Franks
Oscar Mayer Classic Beef Franks
Oscar Mayer Classic Uncured chicken, turkey, and pork
Oscar Meyer Turkey Uncured
Niman Ranch Fearless Uncured Franks
Trader Joe’s All Natural Uncured Franks
Nathan’s Skinless Beef Franks
Choosing your Hot Dogs for Smoking
Choosing a good brand and meat filled hot dog is important when making smoked hot dogs. Not all kinds and brands of hot dogs taste delicious when smoked. Be sure to choose from our recommended list at least the first few times until you get a hang of what flavors you like.
Best Wood for Smoking Hot Dogs
Choosing the kind of wood to use for smoking your hot dogs will also determine how your hot dogs turn out and their overall taste. The best kinds of wood to start off with are apple, cherry, or oak wood. Although other kinds can be used, these are the best kind to give a delicious flavor.
Time & Temperature
To smoke hot dogs completely, you will want to plan 60 to 90 minutes time to fully smoke your hot dogs. We recommend using a temperature of 225°F to smoke your hot dogs and have them turn out amazing.
How to Spiral Slice Hots Dogs for the Grill or Smoker
Another tip to have your hot dogs turn out gourmet is to spiral sliced the hot dogs before they are smoked. To do this you can take a knife, and cut whatever design you desire into the hot dogs, then smoke.
To spiral sliced hot dogs for smoking, take your hot dog, and a knife and place even slashes across the top of your hot dog. Repeat the process going the opposite way at a 45° angle so that you have a diamond pattern on top.
Now, let’s look at how you can smoke your hot dogs and have them turn out delicious! Let’s begin by looking at the equipment you will need in order to make smoked hot dogs.
Equipment and Tools
Smoker
Instant Read Thermomotor
Tongs
Pellets or Woodchips
Water pan
Ingredients
Hot dogs, thawed
Hot dog buns
Desired condiments
Dry Rub
Salt
Pepper
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Paprika
How to Smoke Hot Dogs
How To Prepare Hot Dogs Before Smoking
1. Make Sure That They Are Not Frozen
Before you begin, it’s important to make sure your hot dogs are completely thawed out. You don’t want to smoke frozen hot dogs. Once your hot dogs are thawed, if desired take a knife and add your spiral slices.
2. Season Them With Some Dry Rub
In a small mixing bowl, mix together your dry rub ingredients. After your hot dogs have their decorative cuts in them, began rolling them in your dry rub mixture. Now your hot dogs are ready to smoke.
Ultimate Guide To Smoke Hot Dogs Like A Pro
Step 1: Prepare Your Wood Chips
Choose what kind of wood chips or wood pellet you want to use. Wood such as Apple, cherry, or oak provide a nice mellow flavor, and add coloring to your hot dogs as a smoke.
Step 2: Prepare Your Smoker
Prepare your smoker by cleaning it, and making sure you are in a ventilated area.
Step 3: Add The Wood Chips
Add your wood chips, or pellets to your hopper, then preheat your smoker to 225°F.
Step 4: Place The Hot Dogs In
When your smoker is preheated, add your prepared hot dogs on top of smoker grates. Also, place a water pan on the lower level of your smoker beneath the hot dogs.
Step 5: Let Them Smoke
Allow your hot dogs to smoke at 225°F for approximately 60 to 90 minutes or until they are completely warmed all the way through. Once warmed, remove and serve, enjoy!
Smoked Hot Dog Toppings
There are all kinds of toppings you can add to your hot dogs if desired. A few of the hot dog toppings include:
Onions
Relish
Chili
Mustard
Ketchup
Mayo
Cheese
Cheese sauce
Jalapenos
Coleslaw
Bacon
Avocado
BBQ sauce
French fried onions
Peppers
Salsa
Baked beans
What to Serve Hot Dogs With
Hot dogs make a delicious, simple, and low-cost main dish. There are several things you can serve alongside your smoked hot dogs, that can easily be cooked on your smoker while smoking your hot dogs.
Storage and Reheating
Room Temp. Any leftover smoked hot dogs should be stored at room temperature for no more than two hours and then refrigerated. As long as the temperature is between 90°F and 40°F they should be safe for approximately two hours. If the temperature is above 90°F, then be sure to refrigerate your hot dogs after one hour.
Fridge. To store your leftover smoked hot dogs, transfer them to an airtight container, or seal them in a plastic storage bag. Place in the refrigerator at 40°F or below for approximately 3 to 5 days.
How To Reheat. Leftovers may be reheated in the microwave, on the stovetop, in the oven, or on the grill. To reheat them, simply reheat until warm. In the microwave, they should take approximately 1 to 2 minutes, and in other methods, at 350°F, anywhere between 15 and 30 minutes until warmed through.
Leftover Uses. Any leftover hot dogs may be enjoyed simply as hot dogs, or added to macaroni and cheese, or casseroles to enjoy in a different form.
Variations + Substitutions
There are several different variations for how your smoked hot dogs may be prepared. Not only can your hot dogs be smoked, but you can also cook them on a gas grill, or charcoal grill. You can also mix things up and make hot dogs that are like burnt ends.
Using A Gas Grill
Step 1: Prepare Your Grill
Preheat your gas grill to approximately 350°F or slightly warmer. Make sure your grill is cleaned and warmed before adding your hot dogs.
Step 2: Place The Hot Dogs In
And you prepared hot dogs to your grill grates, and grill until your hot dogs are completely warmed through. Then remove from the grill, serve right away, and enjoy!
Using A Charcoal Grill
Step 1: Add A Tray Of Water
When grilling hot dogs on a charcoal grill, you can add a small tray of water, then prepare your grill.
Step 2: Prepare The Grill
Prepare your grill by making sure it is located in a ventilated area, and clean your grill grates.
Step 3: Add Your Wood Chips
Add your desired charcoal to your charcoal grill, and allow your grill to preheat.
Step 4: Grill The Hot Dogs
Add your hot dogs to the preheated charcoal grill, and cook until they are warmed all the way through. Once cooked, remove from the grill, and serve right away, enjoy!
Hot Dog Burnt Ends
Burnt ends are an easy, and low-cost way to mix things up, but still enjoy a delicious barbecue. Making these will help you to enjoy hot dogs in a whole new way.
What are Hot Dog Burnt Ends?
Hot dog burnt ends are prepared in a similar manner as brisket burnt ends, but with a much lower cost. This fun recipe can allow you to make a delicious treat or meal that mixes things up from a normal hot dog.
Hot Dog Burnt Ends Recipe
How to Make Hot Dog Burnt Ends
Step 1: Preheat the smoker
Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
Step 2: Prepare Hot Dogs
Brush your hot dogs with yellow mustard, and then sprinkle with seasonings so that they are entirely coated.
Step 3: Smoke your hot dogs
Place your hot dogs on the grill grate, and smoke for about 60 minutes.
Step 4: Cut your hot dogs
Remove your hot dogs from the grill, and cut them in sections approximately an inch and a half to 2 inches long.
Place them into a disposable aluminum pan, and add a topping of melted butter, barbecue sauce, and brown sugar. Place back on your grill, at 400°F and allow the butter to melt and the mixture to caramelize. Stir consistently until caramelized, approximately 15 minutes.
Step 5: Serve
Remove mixture from your grill, serve and enjoy!
Do Burnt Ends taste Burned?
No, they taste like caramelized barbecue.
Are burnt ends soft?
In this case, burnt ends are soft on the inside but caramelized on the outside.
Awesome Tips To Elevate Your Hot Dogs
1. Spiral Slice Your Hot Dogs
To add a fancy touch to your hot dogs, be sure to spiral slice, or cut and design into your hot dogs before smoking. This takes your average hot dog and turns it into a glamorous meal.
2. Wrap Them With Bacon
Another thing you could do to spice up your average smoked hot dog is to wrap it in bacon before smoking. This is another way to give your hot dogs an elegant, and tasty effect.
3. Be Creative With Your Toppings
If you want, you can get creative with the toppings you add to your smoked hot dogs. You can also create a buffet of toppings if you are having a large gathering, that way people can serve themselves and get whatever topping combination they really want.
Recipe FAQ
How Long Does It Take To Smoke Hot Dogs?
Typically, it takes between 60 and 90 minutes to fully smoke hot dogs.
Which Hot Dog Is The Best For Smoking?
There are several brands that work well for smoking hot dogs. Those include Hebrew National beef franks, Oscar Meyer, and others. Please see the full list above.
How Long Does It Take To Make Smoked Hot Dogs?
From start to finish, it can take between 70 and 100 minutes to make smoked hot dogs including preparation and grilling time.
Is Smoked Sausage The Same As a Smoked Hot Dog?
No, smoked sausage is made from different ingredients than hot dogs therefore it is not the same.
Is It Better To Boil Or Smoke Hot Dogs?
Hands down, smoked hot dogs are much better.
How Long Are Smoked Hot Dogs Good For In The Fridge?
Smoked hot dogs may last between three and five days when stored in the fridge at 40°F or below in an airtight container.
Why Use an All-Beef Hot Dog?
We highly recommend that you use all beef hot dogs, as they have a much better flavor after they have been smoked than other hot dogs do.
What is the Best Temperature to Smoke Hot Dogs?
We recommend smoking hot dogs at 225°F for best results.
What Condiments Work Best On Hot Dogs?
The basic condiments of ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, and mayonnaise are classic standbys for smoked dogs.
Types of Smokers
There are several different kinds of smokers available on the market today. A few of the types include charcoal, electrical, propane, wood, and pellet smokers.
The smoker that we use for our recipes is a Weber electric pellet smoker. So far, we have been very happy with it.
Smoked Grilled Hot Dog
Smoked hot dogs on your grill are easy to make and allow you to enjoy a delicious twist on a low-cost meal. Smoked hot dogs are a tasty meal that you can enjoy any time of year. Plus, there is very little hands-on time required for this recipe which makes it even better.
Perfect Smoked Hot Dogs
Give these perfect smoked hot dogs a try, with only a few ingredients needed to make amazing smoked hot dogs. This is a fun, and delicious meal that the whole family will enjoy. Give it a try today!
Now, Enjoy Your Perfectly Smoked Hot Dogs!
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More Smoked Recipes To Try:
Smoked Hot Dogs
Equipment
- Smoker
- Instant Read Thermomotor
- tongs
- Pellets or Woodchips
- Water pan
Ingredients
- 6 Hot dogs thawed
- 6 Hot dog buns
- Desired condiments
Dry Rub
- ½ tbsp Salt
- ¼ tbsp Pepper
- 1 tbsp Onion powder
- 1 tbsp Garlic powder
- 1 tbsp Paprika
Instructions
- Before you begin, it’s important to make sure your hot dogs are completely thawed out. You don’t want to smoke frozen hot dogs. Once your hot dogs are thawed, if desired take a knife and add your spiral slices.
- In a small mixing bowl, mix together your dry rub ingredients. After your hot dogs have their decorative cuts in them, began rolling them in your dry rub mixture. Now your hot dogs are ready to smoke.
- Choose what kind of wood chips or wood pellet you want to use. Would such as Apple, cherry, or oak provide a nice mellow flavor, and add coloring to your hot dogs as a smoke.
- Prepare your smoker by cleaning it, and making sure you are in a ventilated area.
- Add your wood chips, or pellets to your hopper, then preheat your smoker to 225°F.
- When your smoker is preheated, add your prepared hot dogs to your top smoker grates. Also, place a water pan on the lower level of your smoker beneath the hot dogs.
- Allow your high dogs to smoke at 225°F for approximately 60 to 90 minutes or until they are completely warmed all the way through. Once warmed, remove and serve, enjoy!
