I’ve come to realize that my idea of heaven might include a hot dog bar.
If I’m being honest, I usually have only one or two hot dogs each summer — but I want them to be really good ones.
I lived in a hot dog bubble for years. About ten years ago I watched Lacy order a fully loaded hot dog at Five Guys (which inspired a version I once made) and realized I could put all sorts of different things on a hot dog.
Really — how did I not know this?
For the longest time I was strictly a yellow mustard person. Before that, the fanciest option in my family was a crescent-wrapped hot dog. Then I discovered things like jalapeño pretzel dogs with cheddar beer sauce and my hot dog world expanded.
Hot dogs have a reputation, but I can’t resist one at a cookout. In the past decade better-for-you options have become easier to find — turkey dogs, vegetarian dogs, grass-fed beef and organic choices — which makes building a big hot dog bar at home feel more acceptable.
There are countless fancy, elaborate ways to top a hot dog, but if you’re setting up a hot dog bar keep toppings low maintenance. Choose items that can sit in bowls without getting soggy or needing constant attention. Skip toppings that require last-minute hands-on work.
P.S. This is so fun.
Load on the toppings and celebrate. We spent weeks testing favorite hot dog combinations, inventing new flavor mixes, and making sure everything could be prepped ahead of time and left in containers until guests arrived.
Below is a full toppings list and the top seven hot dog combinations 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. I’ve always been unsure about all the components together, but I’m open to trying one in Chicago to understand the appeal.
The Buffalo Dog
celery leaves / buffalo wing sauce / ranch drizzle / crumbled blue cheese / chives / scallions
This is a favorite — if you don’t hate celery, dice it for extra crunch. Bold, tangy, and packed with flavor.
The BLT Dog
shredded lettuce / chopped tomatoes / crispy bacon / ranch drizzle
I love this one, especially served on a bed of finely shredded lettuce — we used thinly sliced green cabbage for extra crunch.
Grilled Mexican Street Corn Dog
guacamole / quick Mexican corn salad
I piped guacamole onto the dog and topped it with a quick elote-style salad: grilled corn, lime juice, cilantro, chili powder and crumbled cotija cheese. Bright and addictive.
Caramelized Onion and Cheddar Dog
white cheddar / caramelized onions / ketchup
Simple but full of depth. The sweet caramelized onions and sharp cheddar elevate this straightforward combo.
The BBQ Pineapple Dog
grilled pineapple / BBQ sauce / diced shallot
Caramelized pineapple, tangy BBQ sauce and crunchy shallot make a sweet-savory winner.
Jalapeño Apple Slaw Dog
jalapeño apple slaw / spicy brown mustard
This slaw is crunchy, sweet and spicy — phenomenal on hot dogs and great on other sandwiches too. I always top it with mustard.
A Classic Dog
whatever you love!
What’s your classic dog? For me, ketchup and mustard still hit the spot. Everyone’s classic is different — I’d love to hear yours.
I hope this sparks some inspiration for your summer cookouts. Even serving one or two elevated hot dogs at a gathering gives things a fun twist. Stock the rosé and the summer beers and you’re good to go.
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
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To make the hot dog bar easy, list the toppings you want and prep them ahead. Chop, slice and grate the night before, place in separate bowls or jars, cover and refrigerate until serving time. For cookouts, estimate about 1.5 hot dogs per person. For toppings, aim for roughly 1 cup of most items (cheese, tomatoes, etc.) and adjust based on your crowd.
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For the grilled corn salad: stir together 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 lime and 2 to 3 tablespoons crumbled cotija cheese. This can be made the night before, but is best 2 to 3 hours ahead.
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For the 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 lime. This can be made the night before and develops more flavor after chilling.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag your photos with #howsweeteats and share your hot dog creations. I appreciate you so much!
Please, create a hot dog bar for all your summer activities — it’s an easy, festive way to feed a crowd and have fun with flavor.