How to Cook Hot Dogs? - The Ultimate Guide

You can cook hot dogs in many different ways. And what is even better, you can prepare them with different dressings to your liking, from salsa, sauerkraut or chili.

But the way they’re cooked can ultimately make or break your hot dog experience. Nobody likes a soft, burnt, or chewy hot dog.

So how do you cook hot dogs?

You can cook the hot dogs on the grill, in a skillet, in the oven, and even in the microwave. You can even boil them. These methods are easy, but there are a few important things to keep in mind so you don’t undercook or overcook your hot dogs.

In this guide, we will explain how to cook hot dogs in all ways. No matter which way you prefer them, we have a solution for you.

We’ll share the detailed steps that will take you through each part of the process to make your hot dog the best it can be.

The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Hot Dogs

If you’re a fan of hot dogs, you probably already know quite a bit about them. You know you can make them in so many different ways and use lots of different toppings.

Maybe you like yours with a good splash of ketchup, or maybe you prefer everything else.

Then of course there are options that add sauerkraut or you can ask for chili and cheese. The options are endless. We could spend a day covering the different types and styles of hot dogs alone, but that’s not why we’re here today.

Hot dogs were created in Germany. Just like you can enjoy sausages or bratwursts, which were also traditionally German dishes. It’s the same kind of concept.

The hot dogs we experience and enjoy today are from American cuisine. You’ll find them as street food, and they’re popular at baseball games and concession stands.

We don’t need to go into the detailed history of hot dogs or what they’re made of. Most people either like a good hot dog or they don’t. If you are here, we assume that you fall into the first category.

Let’s get to the point, okay?

1. Cook hot dogs in a skillet

Have you ever cooked your hot dogs on the stove? When there is no grill available, this is the best. You can brown them just like on the grill.

It is true that they do not taste exactly the same as grilled, but it is a good alternative.

When you cook them this way, you’ll probably only cook a few at a time. You can try to cook a whole package at once, but it can be challenging.

We recommend that you space each hot dog about an inch apart so you have plenty of room to work. If you use a large frying pan, you can fit quite a few.

It takes no time to cook them this way. It is very possible that it is one of the fastest methods and with the best results, in terms of texture and flavor.

Of course, we all have our own preferences when it comes to hot dogs, so we’ll leave it to you to judge what really is the best method at home.

Pan-frying a hot dog crisps and browns the skin. Whether you use regular store-bought hot dogs or prefer beef sausages, this method works quite well.

It’s very simple and a great way to change up the process of grilling hot dogs.

How to cook hot dogs in a skillet

Cooking a hot dog in a skillet is super fast. From start to finish, you can probably finish the process in only about 5 minutes per hot dog, possibly less. The process is very easy, and you really can’t go wrong.

You will need to stay close to the pan to be able to monitor the progress of the cooking. Also grab a good pair of tongs to work with so you can flip the hot dogs during the process.

If you don’t have kitchen tongs, a small fork or spatula will also work. These are the steps to cook a hot dog in a skillet. We have 2 different methods for you.

Cooking hot dogs with water:

1. Start by covering the surface of the pan with a layer of water. You just have to cover the surface. You can skip this step, but it really helps to prepare the pan for the cooking process.
2. Set the heat to medium-high and let the pan heat up until the water in the pan starts to boil.
3. Add the hot dogs carefully so as not to splash the hot water. Separate the hot dogs and add only a few at a time.
4. Flip the hot dogs in the pan frequently to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.
5. Cook this way until the hot dogs are fully browned and cooked through. This will take several minutes.

Cooking the hot dogs dry:

1. Start by making a few small diagonal cuts in the hot dogs. Make the cuts on both sides with a separation of about two centimeters. The cuts should be shallow and not large. This is just a way to release internal air so the hot dogs don’t puff up or split when you’re cooking them.
2. Heat a skillet on a burner over medium heat. No need for water, oil or butter. Place the hot dogs directly on the hot skillet. With this method, you can cook more at once, just space them out so they don’t touch.
3. Flip the hot dogs using a fork or tong regularly. This will allow them to brown and cook evenly on all sides.
4. Cook this way until the hot dogs are as golden as you like. Normally it takes about 5 minutes for them to be well browned and cooked.

As you can see, the cooking processes on the stove are quite easy and simple. We prefer the stovetop dry method only because you can cook more hot dogs at once and it’s an overall easier process.

No matter the season, once your pan-fried hot dog is golden brown and crispy, you can put it on a toasted bun and enjoy it like it’s fresh off the grill.

2. Cook hot dogs on the grill

Grilling hot dogs is one of the most popular summer cooking methods. It’s not hard to make and there’s something about that charred flavor that you can’t recreate in any other cooking method.

Grilling is one of the most unique cooking methods. The only problem with grilling hot dogs is that it’s not always convenient.

Not everyone has a grill or knows how to operate a grill. At the same time, it is also difficult to use a grill during certain times of the year or weather.

But there’s something special about grilled hot dogs, and it’s a topic we have to discuss!

How to cook hot dogs on the grill

Cooking can easily vary depending on your grill and grill settings. By sharing specific instructions for cooking hot dogs on the grill, we’ll provide you with an estimate.

Just know that you may need to adjust it slightly depending on your grill and grilling practices.

Every grill is different and the results can also be different depending on the type of grill you use. For example, is your grill powered by charcoal, pellets, propane, or natural gas? How much do the temperature settings vary?

You could also be using a ceramic egg-type grill, which could also affect the process slightly. To understand the grilling process you need to be familiar with your grill.

Ultimately, we would say that you should allow for a cooking time on the grill of about 7-15 minutes, depending on the size of the hot dog.

Here are the steps for cooking hot dogs on the grill:

1. Turn on the grill to get it hot. We like to have a colder side and a hotter side in terms of temperature to really make the best hot dogs made on the grill. If you use charcoal, you can do this by placing more charcoal on one side than the other.
2. Start by cooking the hot dogs on the cooler side of the grill. This gives them a chance to get fully heated without burning too quickly. In this step, you are looking for the red-brown color change that occurs when they are heated.
3. You probably only need to cook them for about 1 minute on each side.
4. Transfer the hot dogs to the hotter side of the grill. As they cook, flip or rotate them regularly so they cook evenly.
5. Cook the hot dogs this way until they reach the desired doneness. We estimate about 5-7 minutes for standard hot dogs, 7-10 minutes for jumbo, and about 15 minutes for quarter pounders.

Grilling doesn’t take long, even with the largest hot dogs. You can skip the precooking step if you think it’s too much effort. We have simply found that it is the best cooking method and overall taste.

If you want some professional advice on getting those char marks that really stand out, here it is! Angle the hot dogs as they cook. This will give you the perfect, diagonal mark that screams delicious grilled hot dogs.

3. Cook the hot dogs in the oven

Another great way to cook your hot dogs is in the oven. Cooking them in the oven is easy. Using the oven may take a few more minutes total for the cooking process, but you’re still looking at a quick cooking solution.

The oven is convenient when you are going to cook a large number of hot dogs at once. Perhaps you are planning a party or have a house full of children.

Whatever the situation, the oven is great for a hands-free method of cooking a large number of hot dogs in one go.

You will want to make sure not to use a flat pan because your hot dogs may produce some juice in the cooking process.

We recommend using any type of baking pan or even a broiler pan, as long as it has some kind of rim for the hot dog juice.

How to cook hot dogs in the oven

Cooking hot dogs in the oven may take a few minutes longer than on the grill, microwave, or skillet, but it’s not a terribly long process. By cooking them in the oven, you don’t have to keep an eye on them constantly.

Only the cooking time lasts about 15 minutes. Remember that you will need to preheat the oven and prepare the hot dogs, so we recommend another 5-10 minutes for that process as well.

Preheat time may vary depending on your oven.

Here are the steps for cooking hot dogs in the oven:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Line a tray with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
3. Start by cutting some diagonal slits in your hot dogs. Cut them the same way you would with the pan frying method. Cut small, shallow slits diagonally, about an inch apart over the hot dog. This helps prevent them from splitting open.
4. Place the hot dogs in the oven and cook them for 15 minutes. You should anticipate the possibility of flipping the hot dogs halfway through the process.
5. Typically, you can tell the hot dogs are done when they start to brown and possibly even curl slightly. You’ll probably hear the sweet sizzle too.

This process is the best way to achieve a more grill-like flavor. It’s also a great way to cook hot dogs in bulk, but you don’t need to cook in bulk to enjoy this method of cooking.

If you haven’t tried it yet, do it!

4. Cooking hot dogs in the microwave

Microwaving isn’t one of our top recommendations for cooking hot dogs, but it’s certainly an option. You just have to be careful in the microwave, because it’s easy for hot dogs to overcook and end up a mess.

However, if you’re looking for something super quick and easy, this is the way to go! It hardly takes time to cook hot dogs in the microwave. However, this method is not really cooking, but rather reheating.

Despite our references to other, better options, we want you to know that this is a viable option and one that works great when you need a quick fix or just heat up a few hot dogs.

How to cook hot dogs in the microwave

When you cook a hot dog in the microwave, it hardly takes any time. You don’t have to prepare a pan or grill and you don’t have to preheat anything either.

The cooking time in the microwave will take you so little time that you won’t even be able to get out.

Most of the time, cooking a hot dog in the microwave takes less than a minute. If you have frozen hot dogs, it may take a little longer.

Here are the steps to cook hot dogs in the microwave:

1. Wrap your hot dog(s) in a paper towel. You can then microwave them as is or you can also place them on a plate. It totally depends on you. The paper towel does the trick to retain moisture and keep the hot dog juicy.
2. Microwave the hot dogs and start with 25 seconds. If it’s not hot enough, you can microwave it for an additional 10-15 seconds until it reaches your preferred heat.

There are a few things to keep in mind. For starters, you don’t need to pierce your hot dog before you microwave it. People tell you to do it so it doesn’t explode, but it really just lets the juices out. If you don’t overcook it, it won’t explode.

Finally, if you cook several hot dogs, you do not need to wrap them in their own kitchen paper. You can put them all on a plate, not touching, and cover them with a paper towel.

5. Cook hot dogs by boiling them

A story as old as time is that of boiling hot dogs to cook them. Some people prefer them this way, while others find it not a tasty option.

It’s true that you won’t get the nice flavor you get from browning hot dogs with other cooking methods, but it’s still a viable option.

Boiling hot dogs is an option that works, but it’s not everyone’s favorite. However, it is still an important process that needs to be known and understood. Boiling is quite easy, but keep in mind that it may take a little longer.

There’s also a sweet spot for time, to prevent hot dogs from becoming rubbery or tough when boiling.

How to cook boiling hot dogs

You’ll only boil for about 5 minutes, but remember that it takes time to reach boiling temperature.

Here are our recommended steps for boiling hot dogs:

1. We recommend that you use a fork and poke a few sporadic holes in each hot dog to prevent them from puffing up and splitting during the cooking process.
2. Start by filling a pan or pot with water. Make sure it’s deep enough to submerge the hot dogs. The best way to do this is to place the hot dogs in the pan and cover them with water.
3. Turn the burner heat to full under the pot and bring the water to a boil. When it comes to a boil, lower the heat so that the hot dogs simmer in the hot water. At this point, you just want them to simmer.
4. Boil or simmer the hot dogs for 5 minutes. Keep an eye on the time.
5. Strain the hot dogs and serve as you like.

This process is another easy way to cook hot dogs. As long as you’re careful not to overcook them, they should be flavorful and juicy.

Related questions

We hope you find this guide to cooking hot dogs a useful resource with all the relevant information you need to be successful. There are many ways to get the job done!

We invite you to review the following Q&A section for some additional details that might be helpful to you.

Are hot dogs bad for you?

The answer is: it depends. The type of hot dog you use makes a big difference.

They’re not necessarily high in calories, with an average of 151 calories per hot dog, but most hot dogs are high in added preservatives and nitrates.

However, you can find lean meat hot dogs, and all-natural uncured hot dogs, that may be a healthier solution for you.

What is a Chicago-style hot dog?

A Chicago-style hot dog is usually served on a poppy seed bun and topped with mustard, diced onions, sweet gherkin relish, tomato, a gherkin spear, and perhaps a few slices of pickled pepper. This type of hot dog originated in Chicago, hence its name.