Frankfurters Hot Dog
The Best Loaded Hot Dog
We LOVE this ultimate Frankfurters Hot Dog; a snappy frank in a sandwich, loaded with the tastiest toppings!

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Why We Love It!
- Yum! This dish is pure craving material - delicious and oh-so-satisfying...
- Budget Friendly: These dogs are affordable, easy to make and always a hit!
- Easy To Find Ingredients: Just pop out to your local store and you’ll find everything you need.
- Versatile: Firing up your grill for a backyard barbecue? Hosting a game day or a simple family get-together? Enjoying a cozy week evening? Frankfurters Hot Dog is perfect for any occasion!
What Is a Frankfurters Hot Dog?
Frankfurters Hot Dog is our tribute and a delicious twist on the American classic: grilled franks nestled in a soft bun and piled high with bald, flavorful, all-American toppings.
So, what’s the difference between a regular and a Frankfurters Hot Dog? Frankfurters, or ‘franks’ are sausages originally from Frankfurt – what’s in a name – in Germany. While regular dogs tend to be softer and milder in taste, frankfurters are smokier, spicier and have a firmer bite. Typically, made with a mix of pork and beef, or sometimes just one of the two, they’re packed with spices, like garlic, paprika and pepper, giving them their rich taste. And with a good grill, the smoky char takes them to the next level… and that iconic snap when you bite into them. Franks are a New York deli staple and have earned their place as an all-time favorite.
While inspired by the Chicago-style dog, our Frankfurters Hot Dog has its own personality. We’ve kept some of the classics; like fresh tomatoes, pickles, yellow mustard and relish. But we added some extra toppings we love; crispy fried onions, thinly sliced red onions and pickled jalapeños for a kick of heat. And yes – sorry, Chicago purists – we’ve added ketchup 😅!
Ingredients
Frankfurters Hot Dog
left to right – top to bottom – check our ‘Recipe’ card below for quantity info
- Relish: We add standard sweet, pickled relish.
- Crispy Onions: Crispy fried onions add texture and flavor.
- Pickles: Pickles add an extra tangy crunch.
- Tomato: We use tasty fresh tomatoes.
- Hot Dog Buns: The sandwiches should be soft yet sturdy to hold all the toppings.
- Mustard: Yellow American mustard or a standard good mustard will do.
- Red Onion: Gives a bit of sharpness.
- Frankfurters: Choose good quality pork and beef franks in a natural casing.
- Jalapeños: Pickled jalapeño slices add a spicy touch.
- Ketchup
How To Make Frankfurters Hot Dog
Heat
First, pre-heat a grill pan - we use a cast iron skillet - over medium heat.
At the same time pre-heat your oven to 400°F (200°C) .
Slice
In the meantime, peel and thinly slice the red onion. Slice the pickle lengthwise into thin strips and thinly slice the tomato as well.
Warm the Buns
Now warm the hot dog buns in the pre-heated oven for about 1 minute.
Grill
Cut
Take the heated buns out of the oven and slice them lengthwise, about halfway through. They should not be fully cut, just open enough to hold the toppings.
Assemble
Finally, place a grilled frankfurter sausage in the bun, add a dollop of relish, and top with pickles on both sides. Layer on the tomato slices, then splash on some ketchup and mustard. Sprinkle with crispy onions, pickled jalapeños, and finish with the red onion slices.
Enjoy immediately!

Serving Tips & Pairings
- Classic Sides: Serve your Frankfurters Hot Dog with a side of crispy fries, onion rings or potato chips for that true all-American vibe.
- Fresh Salads: Pair them with a light coleslaw or a tangy cucumber salad to balance the richness of these frankfurters.
- BBQ Favourites: Hot dogs go perfectly with smoky grilled corn on the cob or satisfying baked beans – classic sides that never disappoint at a barbecue.
- DIY Bar: Set up a topping station with all our fantastic toppings, so everyone can build their own Frankfurters Hot Dog.
- Drinks:
- If you’re after something non-alcoholic, our refreshing Limonata is the perfect pick.
- The obvious choice is an ice-cold beer or lager…
Substitutions & Variations
- Sausage Swap: Try bratwurst or kielbasa instead of frankfurter – we’ve tried them both and they are delicious.
- Veggie: Plant-based sausages work great as well if you prefer it veggie-friendly.
- Bun Options: If you want to switch things up from the classic bun, go for a buttery brioche, salty pretzel rolls or rustic ciabatta rolls.
- No Grill? No Problem! Simply heat the sausages in salted water or their own package juices, to maintain their flavor and juiciness.
- Cheese it Up: Add a layer of melty cheddar, Swiss, or even spicy pepper jack for a extra creamy topping.
- NYC Style: Swap all toppings for sauerkraut and spicy deli mustard!
FAQs
19th-century German immigrants in the U.S. imported ‘dachshund sausages’, named after the long-bodied dog. In no time, this snack became popular in the U.S.; street vendors sold them hot and served them in buns for convenience. The playful comparison to the dachshund’s shape led to a shorter nickname: ‘hot dog’.
The natural casing, often made from animal intestines, gives a frankfurter its signature snap when you bit into it.
Recipe
Frankfurters Hot Dog
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp relish
- 2 tbsp crispy onion
- 60 g pickle
- 2 pieces Frankfurter - 100gr/piece
- 3 pieces tomato - medium size
- 2 pieces hot dog bun
- 4 tbsp mustard
- 30 g red onion - about a quarter
- 15 g pickled jalapeño
- 4 tbsp ketchup
Instructions
- First, pre-heat a grill pan - we use a cast iron skillet - over medium heat.At the same time pre-heat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In the meantime, peel and thinly slice the red onion. Slice the pickle lengthwise into thin strips and thinly slice the tomato as well.
- Now warm the hot dog buns in the pre-heated oven for about 1 minute.
- In the hot skillet, grill the frankfurters for about 2 minutes on each side, until cooked through. We don't use oil and make sure to get nice grill marks for a perfectly grilled look.
- Take the heated buns out of the oven and slice them lengthwise, about halfway through. They should not be fully cut, just open enough to hold the toppings.
- Finally, place a grilled frankfurter sausage in the bun, add a dollop of relish, and top with pickles on both sides. Layer on the tomato slices, then splash on some ketchup and mustard. Sprinkle with crispy onions, pickled jalapeños, and finish with the red onion slices.Enjoy immediately!
Notes
- Relish: We add standard sweet, pickled relish.
- Crispy Onions: Crispy fried onions add texture and flavor.
- Pickles: Pickles add an extra tangy crunch.
- Tomato: We use tasty fresh tomatoes.
- Hot Dog Buns: The sandwiches should be soft yet sturdy to hold all the toppings.
- Mustard: Yellow American mustard or a standard good mustard will do.
- Red Onion: Gives a bit of sharpness.
- Frankfurters: Choose good quality pork and beef franks in a natural casing.
- Jalapeños: Pickled jalapeño slices add a spicy touch.
- Ketchup
Nutrition
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