Chicago style hot dogs are legendary! From the Vienna frankfurters and neon green relish, to the squishy steamed poppy seed buns and pickled green tomatoes, they're absolutely unique and delicious! I'll show you how to easily make authentic Chicago dogs at home!
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This 4th of July, skip the grill and make these boiled Chicago dogs instead! They are guaranteed to put a smile on the face of any hot dog fan you may know!
Often described as "dragged through the garden," these hot dogs are loaded with goodness! What makes Chicago dogs the best hot dogs ever? It's so many things! From the boiled Vienna beef frankfurters nestled in poppy seed buns, to the bright green relish. It's mustard (NEVER ketchup), sliced tomatoes, and diced onions.
And let's not forget the finishing touches, a pickle spear, spicy sport peppers, and a sprinkle of celery salt! Chicago style hot dogs are an edible work of art and I'm about to share all the juicy details!
So when you're in the south, you can enjoy your chow chow relish on your hot dog, but don't even think about adding it to a Chicago dog!
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😍 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- For those of us who are Chicago transplants, this recipe hits the spot whenever we're in the mood for a "Chicago dawg" but don't want to get on an airplane and head to Chicago to get one!
- Making Chicago-style hot dogs is fun, easy, and so delicious! Plan a party around it, then don't let your guests pick what they want on their hot dog; everyone gets the same 9 ingredients. Trust me, it'll be a hit!
- Once you have the fixings, you can make these hot dogs anytime you want to elevate your hot dog experience in under 30 minutes!
🔖 Ingredients & Substitutions
Although I usually offer ingredient substitutions, don't expect that in this recipe. After all, you're here for an AUTHENTIC Chicago-style hot dogs recipe, aren't you? You will need the following 9 ingredients:
- Hot Dog Buns: Poppy seed buns to be exact. You can make your own with plain hot dog buns, an egg, and poppy seeds (see detailed instructions in the post).
- Hot Dogs: Vienna beef frankfurters or Hebrew National Beef Franks
- Onion: Diced white onion
- Relish: Neon green relish
- Mustard: Plain yellow mustard
- Pickles: Dill pickle spears
- Tomatoes: Pickled tomato wedges or ripe Roma tomatoes
- Chili Peppers: Pickled sport peppers. No, you can't substitute pepperoncini peppers!
- Celery Salt: A dash of celery salt to top off your perfect Chicago hot dog!
If you can't find Chicago-style relish and sport peppers, you can buy them as a set here.
🔪 Helpful Tools
🌭 How To Make Chicago Style Hot Dogs
Step 1: Fill a 6-quart pot halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then turn down to low. Add hot dogs and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Chop white onion and slice tomato into thin wedges. If using pickled green tomatoes, slice each tomato into 4 wedges.
Step 3: During the last 5 minutes of cooking time, line the steamer basket with a paper towel and top with hot dog buns. Place the steamer basket over the hot dogs and cover with the lid. Steam for 3 to 5 minutes or until buns are soft and squishy.
Pro Tip: Another option is to steam the buns in the microwave. Add a damp paper towel with the hot dog buns in the bag and microwave them in the unsealed bag for 30 to 60 seconds.
🍽 How to Assemble Chicago Style Hot Dogs
Step 4: Add one hot dog in each hot dog bun and top with diced onion, relish, mustard, pickled green tomato wedges or ripe tomato slices, 1 dill pickle spear, and 3 sport peppers. Sprinkle with a dash of celery salt.
🍟 Serving Suggestions
Chicago style hot dogs are always served with a generous helping of either crinkle fries or hand-cut fries.
Yes, you may dip your French fries in ketchup, but don't even think about adding it to your Chicago style hot dog! I got my eyes on you! 👀
🥖 How to Make Poppy Seed Hot Dog Buns
If you can't find poppy seed buns, don't worry, they're really easy to make! Just follow the instructions below to make DIY poppy seed buns.
Step 1: Place plain hot dog buns on a baking sheet. Next, brush the tops with an egg wash made with one egg whisked with one tablespoon of water. Finally, sprinkle with poppy seeds and bake in a preheated 325°F oven for 5 minutes.
Pro Tip: Steam poppy seed buns before filling with hot dogs and adding the toppings!
🤷🏻♀️ Recipe FAQs
What makes a Chicago hot dog unique is the unique blend of ingredients, 9 to be exact! Every Chicago dog includes poppy-seed buns, all-beef (kosher) hot dogs, neon green relish, diced onion, mustard, tomato wedges, dill pickle spear, pickled sport peppers, and a sprinkling of celery salt!
There are just a few rules you need to follow to make an authentic Chicago style hot dog. A poppy seed bun, beef franks, celery salt, sport peppers, lots of mustard, and absolutely NO KETCHUP!
The most popular Chicago hot dog brand is Vienna all-beef frankfurters. If you can't find them locally, Hebrew National hot dogs are a great substitute.
There are approximately 278 calories in one Chicago style hot dog and 31 grams of carbs. This does not include the fries or any other sides, but does include the typical Chicago dog toppings!
👩🏼🍳 Pro Tips
- Serve your Chicago dogs in these adorable baskets lined with red and white checkered paper for the full restaurant experience!
- Chicago style dogs are best fresh, so I don't recommend making them ahead of time or storing them as leftovers.
- If you can't round up all the ingredients, you can purchase a hot dog kit with almost everything you need at TasteofChicago.com!
If you're ever in Chicago, be sure to plan a trip to Superdawg for the full experience. They're my personal favorite!
A few other popular restaurants and hot dog stands that Chicagoans frequent include Wiener's Circle (where verbal abuse and insults come with every hot dog), Wolfy's, Gene & Jude's, Poochie's Hot Dogs, and Portillo's!
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Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Fill a 6 quart pot half way with water. Bring to a boil over high heat then turn down to low. Add hot dogs and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
- Finely chop white onion and slice tomatoes into thin wedges. If using pickled green tomatoes, slice each tomato into 4 wedges.
- During the last 5 minutes of cooking the hot dogs, line the steamer basket with a paper towel and add hot dog buns. Place steamer basket over hot dogs and cover with the lid. Steam for 3 to 5 minutes or until buns are soft and squishy.
- Add one hot dog in each hot dog bun and top with diced onion, relish, mustard, pickled green tomato wedges or ripe tomato slices, 1 dill pickle spear, and 3 sport peppers. Sprinkle with a dash of celery salt.
Nutrition
Notes
- Another option is to steam the buns in the microwave. Add a damp paper towel with the hot dog buns in the bag and microwave them in the unsealed bag for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Serve your Chicago dogs in these adorable baskets lined with red and white checkered paper for the full restaurant experience!
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- Check out the post to learn how to make poppy seed buns with plain buns, an egg wash, and poppy seeds!
- If you can't round up all the ingredients, you can purchase a hot dog kit with almost everything you need at TasteofChicago.com!
Moriah says
Thank you for sharing this great recipe, we loved it! I have some food allergies, and I was able to alter the recipe to accommodate me and it was delicious! Thank you so much!! Also, thank you for the food recommendations! Definitely going to try them out when I return to Chicago.
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you so much, Moriah, I'm so glad they were enjoyed. I just restocked my sport peppers supply. I buy 4 at a time so I don't run out. 😬 Thank you so much for the thoughtful review!
Terry Smith says
Love these dogs
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Terry, the Chicagoan in me loves hearing that! Thanks for the review!
Liz says
I'm from the Midwest, but I live in the South now, so I was excited to make these for some friends! They were so good and everyone enjoyed them!
Hilda Sterner says
That's awesome to hear, thanks, Liz!
Gwen says
I'm from Chicago. This didn't disappoint!
Hilda Sterner says
Thank you!
Glenda says
A whole meal on a bun! We loved these hotdogs. Thanks!
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Glenda! I appreciate the review.
Amanda says
One of my favorites for summer! Love all those fun toppings.
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Amanda! I appreciate the review!
Katie says
I grew up south of Chicago and I can vouch that this recipe is spot on! Love your tip for making poppyseed buns!
Hilda Sterner says
Thanks, Katie, I'm glad you can relate!
jc says
Catsup is perfectly ok. Modern Waahoo's try to make a thing about no catsup. They are fibbing.
Hilda Sterner says
JC, C'mon now, you don't sound like a Chicagoan, haha!
Terry Smith says
Just made your wonderful dogs for dinner tonight. I didn’t have poppyseed buns so I topped them myself with egg white and poppyseeds and put them in the oven for a few minutes to warm.
Loved your idea and served it with potato salad. Thanks Terry
Hilda Sterner says
Hey Terry, So happy that you guys enjoyed the Chicago dogs, thank you for coming back and letting me know your thoughts!