New York Hot Dogs

Cranberry Walk
Jul 2
3 min read

I'm thinking about July 4th fun and, of course, the food! In my book, these New York Hot Dogs are a must. Juicy, plump hot dogs are grilled and loaded with classic onion sauce. Total deliciousness!

Growing up, these NYC-style onions were always part of the deal whenever we had hot dogs. You know, the sweet and tangy onions you’d get from the hot dog carts all over the city. That bold, unmistakable flavor was a staple in my house. This is my version, my interpretation of those iconic onions. It’s the recipe I grew up with; now, it’s the one I make for my family.

Whether it’s a backyard cookout or a quick weeknight dinner, these onions instantly turn simple hot dogs into something special.

New York Hot Dogs

Ingredients

Yields about 4 cups of onion sauce

3 Vidalia onions, halved and sliced thin

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup Heinz Chili Sauce

1/2 cup ketchup

1 1/2 cups water

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon paprika

Kosher salt, to taste

Black pepper, to taste

6–8 hot dogs

6–8 hot dog buns

To serve: Spoon the onion sauce over steamed or grilled hot dogs in toasted buns.

Time-Saving Tip: The onion sauce can be made a couple of days ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Just warm it up before serving.

Let's see what we need.

We're ready to cook.

In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and add the sliced onions. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Sauté the onions for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft and wilted. Be careful not to brown the onions; you want them to be tender and sweet, rather than caramelized.

Once the onions are wilted, add the chili sauce, ketchup, water, oregano, and paprika. Stir until everything is well combined.

Loosely cover the pan with foil, leaving a small section uncovered to allow steam to escape. Simmer for about 25 to 30 minutes, or until the liquid has thickened and the sauce has a rich, smooth texture.

They’re ready! These hot dogs look awesome and taste even better. The sweet and tangy onions take me right back to childhood, and I know my dad would have absolutely approved. There was never a hot dog without these in our house. Any New Yorker will tell you this is the only way to eat a hot dog. Whether you are firing up the grill for a holiday or just making a quick weeknight dinner, this classic is always a hit.

Enjoy!