How Long Grill Hot Dogs

Preheat The Grills For Grilling

How To Grill Hot Dogs

If you grilled on the charcoal grill, burn charcoal with a chimneys help, but if you are using the briquettes because it will spend more time than the charcoals, so use the briquettes and preheat your charcoal grill with a two-zone cooking area for best cooking.

If you are using a gas burner grill so start over the half burner of the grill and setting two-zone fires, now you have two working areas indirect or direct heat cooking areas.

The two-zone cooking method means to cook your hot dogs without the burn, and the indirect heats will help you to the finishing touch for already cooking hot dogs.

Dont Miss: How To Clean Grill Grease Off Concrete

How To Cook Or Grill A Hot Dog Perfectly Every Time

First things first. In case you didnt know, a hot dog is a sausage. Its produced, cured, and stored the same way as bologna, frankfurters, and Vienna Sausages. Its a quick and easy meal that has so many options for toppings.

No, ketchup shouldnt go on your dog. Mustard definitely. Sauerkraut, absolutely. Chili beans and cheddar cheese? Absolutely. No matter what you like to put on your hot dog, we have put together this little guide so you can make the perfect hot dog.

How To Grill A Natural Casing Hot Dog

For cased dogs, I take a different approach. When cooked whole over direct heat, they fared better than the skinless, with the casing generally helping to protect the meat from drying and shriveling. But a small percentage of them burst and let essential juices leak out.

I wouldnt slash cased dogs, though, because those slits can further expand and tear during cooking. So, to make the absolute best hot dog I could, I turned to an old article from my editor over at Serious Eats, Kenji, on the science of grilling sausages.

In that article, the best method was laid out as first simmering the sausages in a flavorful liquid over indirect heat until cooked through, then quickly searing them over direct heat. I totally get how this is best for fresh, uncooked sausages, but hadnt considered whether it would work for hot dogs as well.

I finally gave it try, setting up a small disposable aluminum roasting pan filled with Sabretts Onions in Sauce mixed with a can of beer. I brought that mixture to a simmer over direct heat on the grill, then slid it over to the cool side, added natural-casing Nathans hot dogs, covered the grill, and let them cook until heated through. I then plucked the hot dogs from the liquid and grilled them over a hot fire where they charred super fast, without a single casing splitting.

Dont Miss: How To Clean Traeger Grill

Read Also: What Cheese Can You Grill

Best Kinds Of Hot Dogs For Smoking

Not all hot dogs are the same. Different brands come with different flavors and textures, and not all hot dogs are suitable for smoking.

The best kind of hot dogs best for smoking are the following:

  • Hebrew National Beef Franks: Most popular for smoking, with excellent flavor and grill marks
  • Nathans Skinless Beef Franks: Second favor amongst smoked hot dog enthusiasts, as these franks are plump and juicy
  • Ball Park Franks: Favorites amongst crowds, such as baseball games
  • Kirkland Signature Beef Hot Dogs: Costcos juicy hot dogs for smoking and grilling
  • Applegate Natural Uncured Beef: An organic choice with no nitrates the most expensive
  • Oscar Mayer Classic Beef Franks: Soft and slightly smoky
  • Trader Joes All Natural Uncured All Beef Hot Dogs: Dense and meaty that packs a punch
  • Niman Ranch Fearless Uncured Franks: Mixture of beef and pork, with a mild, sweet, and juicy flavor
  • A few alternatives include:

    • Trader Joes Uncured Turkey: A solid choice for those who want turkey with no nitrates, although these are not as juicy as other hot dogs
    • Lightlife Veggie Hot Dogs: Tastes like a hot dog, but with a much softer texture

    In general, aim for high quality with little to no artificial flavors.

    How Long Grill Hot Dogs

    A Guide to America

    Grilled hot dogs are delicious and taste great, but how long does it take to cook a hot dog on a grill? The answer is that it depends on the size of your grill and the temperature of the grill. Different grills can vary in size and also require different levels of heat in order to cook the food to the right consistency. To find the best way to grill hot dogs, you need to consider these three factors.

    Read Also: What To Cook On Grill For Dinner

    How Long Do You Grill Burgers At 400

    After that, preheat the grill over medium high heat . Close the cover of the grill after placing the burger patties on it. Sear for 2-3 minutes, or until you notice browning and grill marks on the surface of the meat. To finish the burgers, gently turn them over and cook for another 2-3 minutes for rare, 4-5 minutes for medium-rare, or 6-7 minutes for medium-well doneness.

    Can You Grill Hot Dogs

    Yes. And here are some of the most popular ways. You can grill them in a skillet or fry pan on a stovetop burner on medium to medium-high heat while frequently turning them for about 5 minutes. You can grill them on an electric grill in a similar fashion. Probably the most popular method is on an outdoors grill with a heat source such as charcoal, gas, pellets, wood, and electric. The recipe in this blog article addresses how to cook hot dogs using an outdoor grill.

    Don’t Miss: Genesis Ii S-335 3-burner Propane Gas Grill

    How Do You Know When A Hotdog Is Done On The Grill

    On a charcoal grill, this entails moving the embers to one side on a gas grill, it entails turning on half of the burners to cook the food. Place the hot dogs on the grill and dont take your eyes off them! Continue to flip them to create grill marks all over them, and keep a close eye on them. The moment they begin to expand but before they begin to splutter, they are over.

    How Long Should Burgers Cook On Grill

    HOW TO GRILL HOT DOGS – W CHARCOAL ON A WEBER KETTLE | BBQiT

    IF USING A GRILL: Heat a gas grill to high or heat coals in a charcoal grill until they glow bright orange and ash over. Brush the burgers with the oil. Grill the burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the first side, about 3 minutes for beef and 5 minutes for turkey. Flip over the burgers.

    Don’t Miss: What Are The Best Pellets For Pellet Grills

    How To Keep Hot Dogs Warm For A Picnic

    If you need to keep some hot dogs warm for a picnic, a cooler bag will be more convenient than others. Its easily portable and keeps your food warm for up to twelve hours. The Jumbo Insulated Reusable Cooler Bag is a perfect choice if youre considering getting one. It has a large capacity, so you can easily load food for all of your friends and family inside it.

    To What Internal Temperature Should A Hot Dog Be Cooked

    I set out to heat up hot dogs using every cooking method I could think of, including poaching, roasting, steaming, deep frying, sautéing, broiling, microwaving, and, of course, grilling. But before I started, I needed to figure out just how hot to go.

    If you listen to the USDA, you should reheat hot dogs and luncheon meat until steaming hot before eating, which, if you ask me, is a bit vague. Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn, in their seminal cookbook, Charcuterie, get a little more specific. Sausage may be the most commonly overcooked protein in America, after the chicken breast, they write. They recommend cooking sausages to a final temperature of 155°F.

    To accurately measure, I got extremely comfortable with my meat thermometer and probed every hot dog I could get my hands on. The testing confirmed a window between 150 and 160 is ideal. Below 140, hot dogs have a spongy, muted flavor. Above 165, they start to burst and dry out. This logic applied to both skinless hot dogs and natural-casing hot dogs . I know the latter sound less than ideal, but trust me, natural casing hot dogs beat skinless ones, for one very good reason: the casings snappy texture.

    Don’t Miss: How To Barbecue Chicken On The Grill

    Should I Boil Hot Dogs Before Grilling

    Boiling the heck out of a hot dog before grilling is just wrong, but giving it a little moisture bath isnt a bad idea for several reasons. We always suggest simmering hot dogs in water for roughly 3-5 minutes before grilling, Elias Cairo, owner and meat master salumist of Olympia Provisions, said.

    You May Like: What Is The Best Gas Grill Brand

    The Hot Dogs Aren’t Totally Defrosted

    Bacon

    People think of hot dogs as a quick-cook meat but that doesn’t mean they can just go from freezer to fire and be OK.

    Never cook your dogs if they are still frozen and make sure that they are room temperature to ensure even cooking, said Trish Hoss of the Missouri-based rotisserie and meat purveyor Hosss Market.

    Even if your hot dogs are already cooked, putting a frozen piece of meat on a grill is never a good idea because the outside will likely burn before the inside gets warm.

    You May Like: Gas Grill For Built In

    How Do I Grill The Perfect Hot Dog

    • The first step is cleaning your grill grate and making sure you have plenty of charcoal or propane.
    • Next, use a non-stick grill spray on the grates. That way your wieners wont stick to the surface, making it easier to turn your dogs and clean your grill when youre done.
    • Now its time to preheat the grill. For a propane grill, preheat it on high for 10 to 15 minutes. For a charcoal grill, wait until theres a coating of white ash on the charcoal. For a gas grill, youll want to lower the temp down to medium heat for regular hot dogs and low-medium heat for hot dogs that have less fat.
    • Place the beef hot dogs perpendicular to the grill grates so that you get some tasty grill marks. Use tongs so that you dont burn your fingers, or risk breaking the frank with a fork.
    • Grill each side of your frank until the ends begin to split. The amount of time you grill the dogs will depend on the size of the dogs. Heres how long to grill hot dogs depending on its size:
    • 5 to 7 minutes for regular-sized dogs.
    • 7 to 10 minutes for jumbo-sized dogs.
    • 15 minutes for quarter-pound dogs.
    • Apply the fat or oil of your choice to your buns. Place the buns on the grill and let them toast and warm up for a minute. Dont toast them for too long or the bread will dry out. Do this 2 to 3 minutes before your dogs are ready and youll have a warm, grilled hot dog bun good to go!
    • Serve your dogs, and top them to your hearts content! Consider some a fun hot dog recipe.

    What Are Some Common Mistakes To Avoid When Grilling Hot Dogs

    • Dont boil hot dogs before grilling them. Doing so may zap some of the flavor out of them. If you want to make sure your dogs are cooked all the way through, you can poach your dogs for a minute or two in a covered saucepan of hot water.
    • Dont grill your hot dogs over an open flame or high heat. Most hot dogs are small, so improper placement on the grill can burn and ruin them. Instead, cook them over indirect heat and turn them regularly so that every side gets grilled.
    • Dont poke or cut holes into your hot dog before or during grilling. If you do, the delicious juices will spill out! You dont need to poke holes into your dog to check for doneness because most hot dogs come pre-cooked. Instead, focus on grilling hot dogs to your liking.

    Recommended Reading: Where Do I Find Weber Grill Model Number

    What To Serve Hot Dogs With

    Smoked hot dogs taste delicious by themselves, but adding condiments can give it an extra kick. Some simple condiments to serve with hot dogs are:

    • Baked beans, bacon, or mac and cheese

    Overall, let your imagination run wild to get the best out of your smoked hot dog. You can even try making smoked hot dog burnt ends for something really imaginative.

    Use A Properly Preheated Charcoal Grill

    How to cook hotdogs on the grill

    Are you using a gas or charcoal grill? Rizzas preference is the latter. The charcoal method gives grilled food so much more flavor, he says.

    If you are using charcoal, use a chimney starter.

    When are the coals “are all ashed over, spread the charcoals flat using long tongs and replace the top grate. Let that heat up for a few minutes and then begin to grill,” Rizza says.

    If you’re cooking just a few hot dogs, bank the coals to one side of the grill for greatest cooking efficiency. If you’re cooking a whole bunch, spread the charcoal evenly and consider shaking on a few more if it looks like you’re going to need them.

    Using a gas grill? Fine. Preheat it to the highest possible temperature and then, just before putting the dogs on the grill, turn it down to medium heat, he says.

    You May Like: What Is The Best Smoker Grill

    Myth Busting: Dont Pierce Hot Dogs With A Fork Before Cooking

    Especially for grilling and steaming there is a school of thought to pierce the hot dogs with a fork before cooking. This allows venting of any steam from the juices heating up.

    The goal is to prevent the hot dog case from bursting when cooked over high heat. Mainly on the grill or in a microwave.

    DONT PIERCE HOT DOGS!This allows the juices to come out and the hot dog to become dry and less flavorful.

    The cooking methods Im sharing here are successful WITHOUT piercing the hot dog.

    How To Cook A Grill Hot Dog

    To cook a grill hot dog, you need a grill or outdoor cooking equipment, a grill hot dog, and a cooking utensil. For this method, you can use a grill hot dog made of a natural casing. Natural casing hot dogs are made from the intestines of red meats such as beef, pork, and lamb. In addition to these, you can also make a grilled hot dog with a casing made from one of the following: cow, chicken, turkey, or lamb. You can also use a synthetic casing, which comes from a plastic/rubber material. If you make a sausage with a natural casing, youll want to begin the cooking process by adding it to a grill or outdoor cooking equipment that is preheated to 500 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. You can cook a grill hot dog on a grill or other outdoor cooking equipment. Make sure that the grill is completely clean before placing it on the grill, and make sure that the grill is not damaged. If you are using a grill that is made from porcelain or steel, you may have to clean it beforehand to ensure that it is grease-resistant. To cook the hot dog, you should first heat it in a grill or on the grill that is not covered. If you are using a grill that is covered, you can begin the cooking process by adding the hot dog to the grill, and then cover it. Once the hot dog has been heated, you should take it out of the

    Read Also: How To Cook Bacon On The Grill

    Here’s How Long It Takes To Grill Hot Dogs

    Humphrey Bogart famously quipped, “A hot dog at the ballgame beats roast beef at the Ritz.” Americans seem to agree. And while we eat about 9 percent of hot dogs kicking back watching our favorite baseball teams in action, we don’t just like them at ballgames. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, the governing body of all things related to the hot dog and its cousin the sausage, says Americans eat approximately 20 billion hot dogs a year which comes out to roughly 70 hot dogs per person per year. But if you can’t make it to a ballgame, the next best place to score a home run with a hot dog is by grilling some up in your own backyard.

    How do you get a perfectly grilled hot dog that makes you want to hum the refrain of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” as you eat it? Achieving that smokey flavor with just the right symmetry of seared grate marks might all come down to finding the optimal grilling time for this favored meal. To get things started, per Men’s Health, you want to make certain you start with hot dogs that have been completely thawed and brought to room temperature before you throw them on the grill. The reasoning behind this is so they cook evenly.

    Are Hot Dogs And Sausages The Same

    Photo Gallery

    A hot dog is a sausage but a sausage is not always a hot dog. What this means is that a hot dog is an American adoption of the German sausage, frankfurter, and wiener, and is a huge part of American culture.

    A sausage, on the other hand, is a generic term used for a combination of processed meat, spices, seasonings, fat, and preservatives shaped like a tube.

    Some of the common types of sausages include American hot dogs, kielbasa , Italian sausage , mortadella, and blood sausages.

    Recommended Reading: Mcdonalds Grilled Chicken Discontinued

    Recommended Reading: Do I Need An Infrared Burner On My Grill

    Popular Articles

    More Recipes Like This