These Gourmet Hot Dogs take regular franks and upgrade them with simple, easy ingredients for a fancy bite with minimal effort! Try serving grilled hot dogs, brats, and sausages at your next party with a crowd-pleasing toppings bar.
I grew up eating beanie weenies on dad's night to cook, cold hot dogs straight from the fridge for a quick snack with my siblings, and of course, good ol' fire-charred hot dogs at summer camp.
The humble hot dog symbolizes food, fun, family, and friends. And, although I'll never turn down a classic campfire hot dog, these days my tastes have become more refined.
In this article you'll learn:
- Creative gourmet topping ideas and global flavor combinations for a customizable hot dog bar.
- How to choose the best quality all-beef franks, bratwursts, and specialty sausages like bison or wild game.
- That using more than a standard bun is a great way to make your sausages seem gourmet! Use artisan bun options like brioche, pretzel, and sweet Hawaiian rolls.
- Learn Tara's professional grilling tips and alternative cooking methods like oven-broiling for a crowd.
- How to organize a successful party with a curated toppings menu and easy prep-ahead strategies.
Generated with AI and experts from the Tara Teaspoon team.
A fun and flavorful way to entertain
I'm a fan of eating fancy hot dogs and sausages loaded with gourmet hot dog toppings. It's the ultimate mash-up of nostalgic summer gatherings with modern, bold flavors from around the world.
I’m excited to give you the tools to host your own gourmet hot dog party—complete with a customizable toppings bar. I'll share some of my favorite curated recipes to get you started. Here is why this approach is a total game-changer:
- Easy entertaining: Whether you're planning a backyard BBQ, game day, or tailgating extravaganza, a toppings bar with grilled hot dogs allows you to serve a fancy meal without a lot of complex cooking.
- Sophisticated flavors: We’re turning a childhood classic into a grown-up experience. By moving beyond basic ketchup and mustard, you introduce new flavor combinations that appeal to a more refined palate.
- Creative ingredients: Upgrading a hot dog is a brilliant way to use up fridge and pantry staples. You can get creative with what you have on hand while keeping prep time minimal.
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I'm a sucker for a good hot dog, and these ones just elevated the game! Such fun and delicious variations!
- Britney
Choosing the best hot dogs, sausages, and buns
There are loads of fun specialty hot dogs, brats, and sausages to try:
- Hot dogs: From inexpensive ballpark franks to high quality varieties, there are a lot of hot dog options. I highly recommend using a quality all-beef hot dog, as most cheaper varieties contain fillers and additives. I like Nathan's, Hebrew Nationals, and Sabrett brands. You might also consider a veggie-dog for vegan friends.
- Bratwurst: This specific type of sausage originated in Germany and is usually made from a blend of pork and veal with warm spices. I love a good beer brat and you can't go wrong if you find top quality Niman Ranch brats at the store. Also try Marketside Brats from Walmart, and Johnsonville Brats for other top-rated sausages.
- Sausages: Although hot dogs and brats are technically sausages, for the purpose of this article, sausage refers to other meat products in natural casings that focus on specific types of meat like all pork, bison, chicken, or wild game. Here are some of my favorites to try:
- Snake River Farms and Pat LaFrieda pork sausages are top quality and have some fun varieties to try.
- Buck Wild Bison sausages come in a variety of flavors and are worth the cost of shipping if you love amazing bison sausage.
- Aidells is one of the most popular chicken sausage brands and widely available in stores. I really like the taste, and love being able to find them in my local markets.
- D'Artagnan wild game sausages are some of the best. I've been using that brand for years. You'll also find absolutely unique wild game sausages from House of Smoke.
It's also a good idea to have a selection of buns available for your guests to mix and match with their sausages and toppings:
- Standard white
- Pretzel
- Sweet Hawaiian
- Baguette or hoagie rolls
- Poppyseed
- Brioche
- Gluten-free
Customizable hot dog toppings bar ideas
Depending on what you have in your refrigerator and pantry, you can create a toppings bar full of classic and unique flavors. Check out this list of ideas to help you brainstorm:
- Classic toppings: chopped onions, pickles or pickle relish, ketchup, mustard
- BLT: bacon, lettuce, tomato, cheese
- Buffalo dog: blue cheese, buffalo sauce, honey, caramelized onions
- Chicago dog: yellow mustard (no ketchup), relish, white onion, tomato, pickle, pickled peppers, celery salt
- Chili dog: homemade chili, lots of cheese or nacho cheese sauce, crumbled bacon, French fries or onion rings
- Asian: sriracha mayo, sweet chili sauce, teriyaki sauce, pickled ginger, tobiko, kimchi, green onions, sesame seeds, pickled carrots
- Italian or Mediterranean: sun dried tomatoes, marinated mushrooms, marinara sauce, feta cheese, Parmesan, kalamata olives, goat cheese, lemon, spinach, balsamic vinegar
- German: curried ketchup or mayo, sauerkraut, sautéed peppers and onions
- Latin: salsa, jalapeños, cotija cheese, avocado, cilantro, pickled onions, guacamole, grilled corn, lime, chimichurri
- Southern USA: coleslaw, pulled pork, bbq sauce, crispy onions, hot sauce
- Tropical: grilled pineapple, toasted coconut, sliced red onion, teriyaki sauce, mango salsa, fried Spam cubes
My favorite fancy hot dog recipes
Now that you have a few gourmet hot dog topping ideas tucked up your sleeve, you're ready to fire up the grill and get cooking! These are my most requested flavor combos:
- Beer brat with sauerkraut, bacon, and grainy mustard.
I love a flavorful brat, and beer brats are a classic. In Wisconsin and other states that want to do it up right, they're soaked in beer before or after grilling. I never do the additional soaking, but you can try it for extra flavor. Try Saag's, Hillshire Farm, or Johnsonville brands for authentic flavor.
- Chicken sausage topped with spicy peppers, onions, and Asiago.
This gourmet chicken sausage from Al Fresco is flavored with Asiago cheese and roasted red pepper. The suggested toppings really intensify those savory flavors.
If you love a good kick, try these Andouille chicken sausages with the same toppings.
- Bison sausage with charred onions and yellow mustard.
If you're looking for that refined taste I mentioned earlier, this is the one. Bison sausage is packed with meaty flavor and pairs well with just about any hot dog topping.
They're incredible with a simple dressing of charred onions and yellow mustard. I also love topping them with a little cheese. Try these Bison sausages from High Plains Bison.
- Wild game sausage with chimichurri and grilled avocado.
Sausages made from wild game are earthy and lean with rich flavor. They are delicious with acidic toppings like chimichurri. I also loved the addition of grilled avocado for smoky, buttery flavor.
Dartagnan has a game sausage sampler that is pretty out of this world with duck, rabbit, veal, and wild boar. They really get your taste buds going!
Tara's top tips
Grill like a pro: I don't spray the grill or grill pan with non-stick cooking spray, I actually brush my sausages with oil or spray them, because oiling grill grates just causes the oil to burn, and the food still sticks! Handle the sausages with tongs to rotate them on the grill so that all the delicious juices stay tucked inside. They'll get amazing charred, smoky flavor.
Other cooking options: If grilling isn't for you, cook the hot dogs under your oven broiler, pan fry them on the stovetop in a cast iron skillet, or boil them. You can also roast them over an open fire or place them in a Dutch oven in the fire.
Use quality sausages: For the best tasting gourmet hot dogs, buy brands that use quality ingredients that you can pronounce.
Prep the buns: To make your hot dog topping party a success, steam or toast the buns in advance, and store them in a covered container to keep them warm.
Safety first: Grilled sausages need to be kept at 140°F or warmer to be considered safe to eat. If they will not be eaten, place them in the refrigerator within an hour of cooking.
Create a menu: If your guests haven't experienced the wonder of a hot dog topping party, they might feel overwhelmed by all the options. Use a simple toppings bar menu to give your guests some ideas of how to pair things together based on the list above and the toppings you plan to have available.
Equipment
Grilling and cooking hot dogs and sausages can be fun! Check out some of this great equipment, so you're the expert!
Storage
Refrigerate: Grilled hot dogs can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It's best to store toppings and buns separately in their own containers or bags.
Reheat: You can microwave cooked and chilled sausages on low power. Wrap them in wet paper towel and microwave until just heated through. Watch them carefully because overheated hot dogs will explode.
FAQ
A gourmet hot dog is a combination of a high-quality protein (like all-beef, bison, or game sausage) and sophisticated toppings that go beyond the basic ketchup and mustard. It’s about creating a balanced flavor profile with creamy, crunchy, sweet, and acidic elements.
The best way to keep hot dogs at a safe temperature (140°F or higher) without drying them out is to use a slow cooker on the warm setting. Add a tiny bit of water or beer to the bottom to create a steam environment, or wrap the dogs in foil before placing them in the crock.
For a large party, grilling is the gold standard for flavor, but oven-broiling on a large sheet pan is the most efficient way to cook 20+ franks at once. Simply place them on a rack over a pan and broil for 3 to 5 minutes until charred and heated through to 140°F.
You can definitely prep your toppings bar up to 24 hours in advance! Chop your onions, make the chimichurri, and shred your cheeses so you aren't stuck in the kitchen. However, for the best taste and texture, wait to grill the hot dogs and toast the buns until just before serving.
What to serve with loaded hot dogs
Make a hot dog meal complete with these go-to side dish recipes:
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📖 Full Recipe
Gourmet Hot Dogs
Ingredients
Beer Brats
- Cooked bacon
- Sauerkraut
- Grainy mustard
Chicken Sausage
- Swiss or Asiago cheese
- Roasted peppers and onions
- Pickled peperoncini
Bison Sausage
- Grilled onions
- Mustard
Wild Game Sausage
- Chimichurri
- Grilled avocado
Instructions
- Top your grilled hot dogs or sausages with a variety of toppings using the recipes guide above. Get creative and make your own as well.
Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!
Mary says
Such fun toppings! Great ideas!
Britney F says
I'm a sucker for a good hot dog, and these ones just elevated the game! Such fun and delicious variations!
Julie says
I'm co-hosting a b-day party today and plan on using a few of these suggestions to make our dogs & brats special. Can't wait - let the grilling begin!
Beck and Bulow says
So yummy and easy! Will make again and please visit us: https://www.beckandbulow.com