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Hot Dog Chili Recipe
5 from 15 votes

Hot Dog Chili Recipe

The Hot Dog Chili Recipe produces a rich, seasoned chili topping made from ground beef, spices, and tomatoes, ideal for chili dogs. The chili seasoning blends chili powder, cumin, oregano, and other spices that infuse a balanced, mildly smoky flavor. Slow simmering thickens the chili, enhancing its texture for spooning over hot dogs and buns.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 45 mins
Total Time
1 hr 55 mins
Servings: 8 servings (1/2 cup each)
Calories: 180 kcal
Course: Soup
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the chili seasoning:
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin ground
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons oregano dried
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder or less (see note 1)
  • 1 teaspoon thyme dried
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
  • salt freshly ground
  • black pepper freshly ground
For the chili:
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped (about 1 cup)
  • 1 small red bell pepper finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained (see note 2, fire-roasted with green chiles
  • 1 (15 -ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 bay leaf
To serve:
  • hotdog
  • hot dog buns split
  • cheddar cheese shredded
  • red onion minced

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. To make the homemade chili seasoning, in a small bowl, whisk together chili powder, cumin, oregano, chipotle chili powder (if using), thyme, coriander, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
  2. In a Dutch oven or stock pot, heat oil in over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions, bell pepper, and chili seasoning. Cook until vegetables have softened, about 7 to 10 minutes.
  3. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add beef and cook, breaking up the clumps with a spoon, until the beef is no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 30 minutes. Remove lid and continue to simmer until the chili has thickened, about 1 hour longer (if chili sticks to the bottom of the pot, stir in ½ cup water and continue to simmer).
  5. Remove bay leaf and season to taste with salt and pepper. To make Chili Dogs, serve over hot dogs in buns and top with shredded cheese and minced red onion or your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • Adjust chipotle chili powder starting with ½ teaspoon to control spiciness, or substitute cayenne pepper or omit.
  • Fire-roasted canned tomatoes with green chiles enhance flavor but can be replaced with regular canned tomatoes plus diced green chiles or Ro*tel tomatoes.
  • This recipe makes 4 cups of chili, suitable for topping 8 hot dogs with ½ cup each or 16 hot dogs with ¼ cup each.
  • Store leftover chili covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition Information

Serving 0.5cup Calories 180kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 4g (1%) Protein 11g (22%) Fat 14g (22%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Trans Fat 1g (50%) Cholesterol 40mg (13%) Sodium 78mg (3%) Potassium 263mg (6%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 979IU (20%) Vitamin C 13mg (14%) Calcium 40mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8 servings (1/2 cup each)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 180

% Daily Value*

Serving 0.5cup
Calories 180kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 4g 1%
Protein 11g 22%
Fat 14g 22%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 40mg 13%
Sodium 78mg 3%
Potassium 263mg 6%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 979IU 20%
Vitamin C 13mg 14%
Calcium 40mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.