Ketchup and mustard are no longer the staples for dressing up this all-American classic. These 25 hot dog toppings are major game-changers!
From ballparks and campgrounds to cookouts and holidays, the humble hot dog has ingrained itself in American tradition.
Create Your Own Hot Dog Bar
A summer day isn’t complete without sharing burgers and hot dogs with friends and family.
Whether you’re cheering on your favorite team or feeding the cul-de-sac, these 25 topping ideas will take your hot dogs to the next level.
1. Caramel Corn and Cheese Sauce
Take me out to the ball game! If you have ever struggled to pick a game day treat, hit a home run with this three-in-one.
Top your dog with caramel corn and cheese sauce to get the best of hot dogs, nachos, and Cracker Jacks, too!
2. Peanut Butter, Hot Chili Sauce, Bean Sprouts, and Crispy Egg
This Thai-inspired combo is sure to please!
The sweetness from the peanut butter perfectly complements the zing of the chili sauce with the bean sprouts and egg, offering some incredible texture.
Add this to your hot dog, and you’ll have one well-rounded palate pleaser.
3. Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Kalamata Olives, Tzatziki, and Feta.
Think tzatziki is just for gyros? Think again! These Mediterranean staples transform your hot dog from common to gourmet.
Refreshing cherry tomatoes and cucumber combine with earthy olives, creamy sauce, and feta. Mmm!
4. Fried Egg, Cheese, Bacon, Potato Hash, Chimichurri, and Red Relish.
Top your hot dogs with these delights and call it brunch. All of your favorite breakfast classics complete this savory dog to be enjoyed at any time of the day.
5. Pineapple, Bacon, and Teriyaki Sauce.
Does pineapple belong on pizza? Maybe, but it also belongs on a hot dog!
This sweet-and-salty combination takes you on a Hawaiian adventure. It’s spiced with tangy barbecue sauce, salty bacon, and ever-sweet pineapple.
Say aloha to your new favorite toppings!
6. Baked Beans and Chips
Any good cookout has baked beans and chips as sides, but have you ever thought to use them as toppings?
You should! Pile them on for a sweet and crunchy hot dog experience.
7. Buffalo Sauce, Blue Cheese, and Celery
Who said buffalo sauce is just for wings? Fuel your game day with this twist on a tailgate favorite.
Paired with crisp celery and cooling blue cheese, it’s a whole new way to enjoy this familiar flavor combination.
8. BBQ Sauce and Onion Rings
If they’re good enough for a burger, why not your hot dog? Upgrade chopped onions for onion rings and then sweeten the experience with BBQ sauce. What’s not to love?
9. Doritos, Pulled Pork, BBQ Sauce, and Bacon
Are you trying to decide between a BBQ sandwich or a hot dog on July 4th? Never again! Get the best of both worlds by topping your hot dog with all the goodness of both.
Pulled pork and bacon are already some of your favorites. Add them to your hot dog for fireworks of flavor.
10. Chili and Coleslaw
No one likes leftovers, so why not repurpose them? Turn yesterday’s chili into today’s feast. Add some coleslaw for the perfect finishing touch.
11. Pickles, Tomatoes, and Onions
These fresh foods perfectly top the humble hot dog and give it a nice crunch.
12. Sun-Dried Tomato, Goat Cheese, and Avocado
Head to Napa with this combo! Delicate sun-dried tomatoes paired with earthy goat cheese and smooth avocado make a hot dog fit for wine country.
Pair with your favorite pinot to complete the experience.
13. Caramelized Onions and Cream Cheese
Is there anything can’t you put caramelized onions on? These savory classics paired with smooth cream cheese elevate your hot dog to gold status.
14. Pineapple, Mango, and Avocado
Who doesn’t love fresh mango? Paired with sweet pineapple and creamy avocado, these fresh ingredients give your hot dog a facelift.
15. Sweet Pork and Tomatillo
Should you hit the taco truck or hot dog cart? You can have both with these toppings! Pair these two bi-coastal favorites for a true Tex-Mex flavor fusion.
16. Avocado and Salsa
Fly to the west coast with these toppings! Fresh avocado and salsa come together beautifully for remarkable flavor.
17. Sauerkraut, Mustard and Cheese
For those wishing to stick to a savory experience, this is the perfect topping combination!
Tart mustard, tangy kraut, and creamy cheese are the perfect blend of flavors to complement your hot dog.
18. Pickled Onion and Mango Salsa
Sweet and savory are two magic words. These chilled toppings complement the warmth of the hot dog and bring a merry blend of multiple flavors to your bun.
19. Mac & Cheese and Bacon
Creamy mac-n-cheese and crispy bacon truly elevate any hot dog. Have them grace your bun for the ultimate hot dog experience.
20. Peppers, Onions, and Cheese
Let’s call this one the Philly-dog. It’s all the classic flavors of a Philly cheesesteak piled high on a hot dog!
Saute the peppers and onions beforehand for an elevated gourmet experience.
21. Swiss Cheese, Ham, Mayo, Mustard, and Crisp Dill Pickles
Is a hot dog a sandwich? It is with these toppings. Upgrade your hot dog cart lunch to a warm deli-style delight inspired by this New York favorite.
22. Gravy and Fries
Take notes from our neighbors upstairs and try topping your hot dog with gravy and french fries. Add some cheese curds, and it’s just like a boat of Canadian poutine.
23. Jalapenos, Cheese, and Refried Beans
Nachos have always been a crowd-pleaser and for good reason! With toppings like these, what’s not to love?
Give your hot dog the same treatment and you won’t be disappointed!
24. Caramelized Mushrooms and Onions
This is another burger classic reimagined for a longer bun. Caramelized onions and mushrooms have long topped the swiss burger, now you have to try it on your hot dog!
25. PB&J and Cap’n Crunch
Can one bun handle three childhood favorites? You bet! These sweet pantry staples bring much-needed flavor and crunch to your hot dog.
For even more texture, try using crunchy peanut butter!
25 Best Hot Dog Toppings
Ingredients
Caramel Corn and Cheese Sauce
Peanut Butter, Hot Chili Sauce, Bean Sprouts, and Crispy Egg
Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Kalamata Olives, Tzatziki, and Feta.
Fried Egg, Cheese, Bacon, Potato Hash, Chimichurri, and Red Relish.
Pineapple, Bacon, and Teriyaki Sauce.
Baked Beans and Chips
Buffalo Sauce, Blue Cheese, and Celery
BBQ Sauce and Onion Rings
Doritos, Pulled Pork, BBQ Sauce, and Bacon
Chili and Coleslaw
Pickles, Tomatoes, and Onions.
Sun Dried Tomato, Goat Cheese and Avocado
Caramalized Onions and Cream Cheese
Pineapple, Mango, and Avocado
Sweet Pork and Tomatillo
Avocado and Salsa
Saurkruat, Mustard and Cheese
Pickled Onion and Mango Salsa
Mac & Cheese and Bacon
Peppers, Onions, and Cheese
Swiss Cheese, Ham, Mayo, Mustard, and Crisp Dill Pickles
Gravy and Fries
Jalapenos, Cheese and Refried Beans
Caramalized Mushrooms and Onions
PB&J and Cap’n Crunch
Instructions
- Pick and choose your favorite hot dog toppings.
