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Hot dogs are the ultimate no-fuss food! You can grill them, air fry them, or heat them up in minutes flat. That's what makes them a summer staple! But here's where things get really fun: the hot dog toppings. Hosting a backyard BBQ? Skip the usual spread and wow your guests with a full-blown hot dog bar. Set the scene with a lineup of toppings both classic and creative, and let everyone build their perfect bite. Of course, ketchup and mustard are welcome, but why stop there? Think beyond the bun with tangy pickles, spicy relishes, creamy cheese sauces, and even crunchy french fries. All you need are a few bowls, a platter or two, and a little imagination. It's laid-back, customizable, and guaranteed to be the most talked-about table at your party!
Then again, you can always dress up your hot dog based on classic regional combinations. Street-cart hot dogs in New York City are often served with yellow mustard and cooked onions. If you're in Chicago, you might like your dogs "dragged through the garden," which means they're topped with a pile of tomatoes and onions along with some pickles, relish, mustard, and celery salt (ketchup is majorly frowned upon out there). Sonoran-style hot dogs in the Southwest are wrapped in bacon, then topped with beans, onions, peppers, tomatoes, salsa, and cheese. And in West Virginia, Cincinnati, and Texas, they all go big on chili. But there's no need to stick to your usual regional hot dog toppings—the possibilities are endless!
Refrigerator Pickles
Crunchy, tangy pickles aren't just for burgers! They also make a tasty addition to hot dogs. Keep a jar of these homemade pickles in your refrigerator for the next time you want to switch up your hot dog topping routine!
Get Ree's Refrigerator Pickles recipe.
Classic Burger Sauce
Get the best of all your favorite condiments in one with this creamy special sauce made from relish, ketchup, mustard, and mayo. It's perfect for dipping veggies or fries, and it makes a delicious finishing touch on burgers and hot dogs.
Get the Classic Burger Sauce recipe.
Chicago-Style Toppings
Chicago takes its hot dogs seriously, with a signature style that calls for seven specific toppings (and absolutely no ketchup!). To build an authentic Chicago dog, you'll need yellow mustard, bright green relish, chopped raw onions, dill pickle spears, fresh tomato slices, spicy sport peppers, and a sprinkle of celery salt, all tucked into a soft poppy seed bun.
Get the Chicago-Style Hot Dogs recipe.
Esquites
Looking for a hot dog inspired by your favorite Mexican recipes? Just top them off with this classic street food snack. Esquites are a combination of charred corn, poblano pepper, cilantro, Cotija cheese, and a creamy chili-lime mayo.
Get the Esquites recipe.
Tzatziki
Tzatziki is a popular topping for both falafel and gyros, but it's just as delicious on your hot dogs, too! The yogurt-based sauce is cool and creamy with pops of fresh cucumber, lemon, dill, and mint.
Get the Tzatziki recipe.
Cheese Whiz
Take cheese dogs to the next level with this smooth and gooey homemade cheez whiz! You can simply slather it onto your hot dogs or pair it with chili and bacon for an even more decadent topping combo.
Get the Homemade Cheez Whiz recipe.
Onions
Sweet and meltingly tender onions are delicious on both hot dogs and beer brats, alike. Here, the onions are cooked with beer, garlic, seasoned salt, caraway seeds, and paprika until they're perfectly soft.
Get the Beer Brats recipe.
Bacon
You can simply add a strip of crispy bacon to your hot dogs or you can go the extra mile to wrap your dogs in bacon—it's worth it!
Get the Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs recipe.
Cowboy Candy
These candied jalapeños will add a sweet and spicy kick to your hot dog topping bar. Make a batch to store in the fridge this summer. The peppers will remain preserved in the simple syrup for about a month.
Get the Cowboy Candy recipe.
Homemade Ranch
Once you make ranch dressing from scratch, you'll realize just how easy and delicious it is! Drizzle it onto your dogs for a refreshing ranch-filled flavor.
Get Ree's Homemade Ranch recipe.
Cowboy Beans
If you love chili dogs as much as Ladd Drummond, then you'll want to give cowboy beans a try. They're made with sweet and tangy barbecue sauce, beef, and bacon.
Get the Cowboy Beans recipe.
Guacamole
This might not be your typical hot dog topping, but it's a fun one to try! Especially if you add some salsa or hot sauce, too.
Get the Guacamole recipe.
Air Fryer French Fries
You might think to serve fries alongside your hot dogs, but how about on top? Add a handful to your buns along with ketchup or mustard.
Get the Air Fryer French Fries recipe.
Chipotle Chili Dogs
This one is for meat lovers and spice lovers alike. Don't forget your favorite chili toppings.
Get Ree's Chipotle Chili Dogs recipe.
Barbecue Sauce + Cilantro Coleslaw
Dress up your dogs with one of Ree's all-time favorite toppings: a crunchy, creamy slaw.
Get Ree's BBQ Hot Dogs with Cilantro Slaw recipe.
Grilled Corn and Avocado Salad
Cookout Sides Beyond Potato Salad and Coleslaw
Chipotle Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Blackberry Cheesecake Bars
