Who does not like a hot dog on a summer afternoon cookout? Or when you are watching your favorite sports? Either way, hot dogs do not have to be just a quick snack, and they can be a whole meal!
Stay tuned to find out all the best side dishes for hot dogs! You can make these recipes quickly and without a problem.
What Are Hot Dogs?
A hot dog consists of a grilled or steamed sausage placed in a split bun. The term “hot dog” is often used when talking about the frank by itself. For the most part, the sausage is a wiener or frankfurter.
While condiments vary across regions, hot dogs come with ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, and sometimes, cheese sauce. It might also include onions, jalapeños, sauerkraut, and crinkled potato chips. Common variations of hot dogs include corn dogs and pigs in a blanket.
History tells that German immigrants brought the idea of hot dogs to America in the 1800s. Still, the story of adding a bun to a cooked sausage is not known. Hot dogs soon became a staple of sports games, especially spectators eating them every time they went to a baseball game.
Since they are relatively inexpensive and easy to make, hot dogs are always part of events, such as cookouts, birthday parties, and quick dinners. You can make them within minutes, simply by cooking the sausage by grilling, roasting, or steaming, and placing it on the pre-cut bun.
Nutrition Facts
One hot dog (102 g) has the following nutritional content (*):
303 calories
11.2 g protein
18.1 g fat
23.6 g carbohydrate
0.816 g fiber
3.27 g sugar
76.5 mg calcium
2.36 mg iron
12.2 mg magnesium
92.8 mg phosphorus
145 mg potassium
391 mg sodium
34.7 mg cholesterol
As you can see, hot dogs can be high in protein, but they can also be relatively high in carbohydrates, sodium, and fat. The sausage you choose for hot dogs might contain excess sodium because of its cooking method, so choosing a lean protein like turkey or chicken is a good alternative. You can also save calories and sugar by choosing fewer condiments or more nutritious ones.
What Goes With Hot Dogs?
Below are some options for side dishes that you can serve with hot dogs at any time!
#1. Red Potato Salad
A potato salad is always a good idea for a summer cookout, party, or just a get-together. This red potato salad is no exception and goes very well with your hot dogs.
Ingredients:
8 to 10 red potatoes
1 red onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your red potato salad:
Place your potatoes in a pot with water and salt. Allow the water to boil and cook the potatoes for 10 to 15 minutes or until they are soft.
In the meantime, wash, clean, and chop your vegetables.
Place the veggies in a large bowl.
Drain your potatoes and set them aside to cool down. Chop them into cubes and place them in the bowl.
Stir in the Dijon mustard, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Toss well.
Finish off by sprinkling your parsley and tossing once again.
Cover your potato salad and place it in the fridge for at least one hour.
Serve your red potato salad cold on the side of your hot dogs.
#2. Summer Pasta Salad
Nothing says hot dogs like a delicious pasta salad served on the side. This summer pasta salad is refreshing, but you can also prepare it at any time.
Ingredients:
1 box of elbow pasta
⅔ cup olive oil
1 large cucumber, diced
2 cups cherry tomatoes, chopped
1 lime, juiced
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 ½ tablespoon Dijon mustard
½ can of sweet corn, drained
½ teaspoon sugar
¼ cup parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your summer pasta salad:
Cook the pasta according to instructions in a pot with water and salt.
In the meantime, wash, clean, chop your vegetables, and place them in a large bowl.
Drain the pasta and rinse in cold water. Allow it to cool down, and then add it to the bowl.
Stir in the lime juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Sprinkle your parsley on top and toss again.
Cover your bowl and place it in the fridge for at least two hours.
Serve your summer pasta salad cold with hot dogs on the side.
#3. Grilled Vegetables
If you are planning on grilling hot dogs, why not add vegetables to the mix? This recipe is easy to make and just as flexible, so you can add any veggies you love.
Ingredients:
2 bell peppers, seeded and cut in juliennes
2 yellow squash, cut lengthwise
2 zucchini, cut lengthwise
10 whole mushrooms, halved
1 red onion, sliced
4 large tomatoes, halved
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
½ teaspoon fresh rosemary
1 teaspoon fresh parsley
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your grilled vegetables:
Wash, clean, and chop your vegetables.
Set the vegetables aside on a tray or serving platter.
Prepare your grill or grill pan over medium heat and brush half of the olive oil on top.
Place the bell peppers first, and grill them for about 10 minutes, turning them halfway.
While your bell peppers cook, add the yellow squash and zucchini. Cook them for 7 to 8 minutes, turning them halfway too.
Finally, stir in the mushrooms, tomatoes, and red onion. Cook all of these for about 5 minutes, also turning them halfway.
While the vegetables cook, mix the remaining olive oil, garlic, rosemary, parsley, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.
Remove your vegetables from the grill and place them on a serving platter.
Pour the oil and herbs mixture over the vegetables.
Serve your grilled vegetables hot with hot dogs on the side.
#4. Baked Sweet Potatoes
If you are in the mood for sweet and savory, baked potatoes are a good option. However, sweet potatoes are healthier and contain more fiber.
Ingredients:
3 sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your baked sweet potatoes:
Preheat the oven to 400 °F.
Wash, and clean your sweet potatoes.
Line a baking sheet and place the potatoes on top.
Using a fork, prick your sweet potatoes all over the surface. Bake them for 45 to 55 minutes or until softened.
Remove the sweet potatoes and let them sit while they cool down.
Split the top of the sweet potatoes open with a knife and pour some olive oil on the opening.
Sprinkle the garlic powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper over your potatoes.
Serve your baked sweet potatoes hot with sour cream on top.
#5. Watermelon Salad
A watermelon salad is both sweet and tart. It is perfect for a hot afternoon or when you need a change of pace.
Ingredients:
3 cups watermelon, cubed
1 cucumber, cubed
⅓ cup queso Blanco
2 tablespoons mint
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your watermelon salad:
Cut, seed, cube your watermelon, and place it in a large bowl.
Wash, clean, cube your cucumber and place it with the watermelon.
Separately, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
Drizzle your vinaigrette over the watermelon and toss well.
Add the mint and toss again.
Finally, stir in the queso Blanco and toss the salad one final time.
Serve your watermelon salad cold and fresh on the side of your hot dogs.
#6. Chili
If you like hot dogs accompanied with more protein, then chili is the perfect side dish. You can even serve it on top of the hot dog itself.
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 yellow onion, diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 can of tomatoes
1 can of red kidney or pinto beans, drained
1 ½ teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your chili:
Add the vegetable oil and garlic to a large saucepan.
Stir in the onion and cook for 5 minutes.
Add the beef and continue cooking for 10 minutes.
Stir in the tomatoes, then the chili powder, cumin, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
Allow the liquid to boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook for 20 to 30 minutes.
Finish by adding the beans and cook over low heat for another 20 minutes.
Serve your chili hot with shredded cheddar cheese on top.
You can always freeze chili leftovers and save them for later.
#7. Broccoli Slaw
This broccoli slaw will be a winner for those that like coleslaw. You can expect more crunch and fiber, but it is equally tasty.
Ingredients:
2 carrots
1 stalk of broccoli
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
½ teaspoon celery salt
½ cup dried cranberries
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Follow these steps to prepare your broccoli slaw:
Wash and clean your carrots and broccoli. Remove the stem of the broccoli.
Place the broccoli and carrots in a food processor or blender. Blend until both vegetables are chopped into smaller pieces.
Place the chopped veggies in a large bowl.
Mix the mayonnaise, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sugar, celery salt, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Stir in the vinaigrette over your vegetables and toss well.
Add the dried cranberries and toss once more.
Cover your bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour.
Serve your broccoli slaw cold on the side of hot dogs.
Tip: you can keep your broccoli slaw for a couple of days in the refrigerator.
How Can I Pick The Perfect Side Dish?
Since making hot dogs is relatively easy, you can choose any side dish that goes along well. These recipes are all delicious but also quick to make. Serve them at your next birthday party, cookout, or get-together.
When you want something healthy yet filling, a side dish of vegetables can be good. You choose the grilled vegetables, which are very easy to make. The watermelon salad is also fresh and tasty.
If you want to serve something denser and rich, go with a starchy recipe. Try the red potato salad, which is a classic with a twist. You can also make baked sweet potatoes that add fiber and sweetness.
If you are not sure what else to do, try a side dish that everyone knows and loves. The chili is a dense yet flavorful choice full of protein. The summer pasta salad is something you can serve at any time.
Finally, the broccoli slaw is a new take on coleslaw. You can make it easy and add more crunch to your meal.
Conclusion
Since hot dogs are a staple in many family households, why not make the meal more complete? These recipes are all special and unique. Try some of these together or on their own to elevate your hot dogs next time.
Juliana has a BA in Journalism and Creative Writing as well as a M.S. in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Sensory Sciences. She loves traveling, trying new foods, and cooking. When she isn’t busy working, you can find her running with her dog Milo or reading a book in the sun.
