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hot dog chili sauce
Isla Marie

Hot Dog Chili Sauce

Classic Southern hot dog chili no beans, super-fine ground beef, slightly sweet and tangy, clings perfectly to every hot dog. The iconic drive-in and backyard grill sauce everyone goes crazy for.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: BBQ, Game Day Recipe, Sauce, Topping
Cuisine: American, Dinner, Southern
Calories: 110
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Meat Base
  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20 or 85/15
  • ½ cup water
Sauce Ingredients
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • 1 tbsp yellow mustard
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp sugar
  • ¼ tsp cayenne or hot sauce optional
  • Pinch of cinnamon or allspice secret ingredient

Equipment

  • Large skillet (cast iron preferred)
  • Wooden spoon or potato masher
  • Measuring spoons

Method
 

  1. Place raw ground beef + ½ cup water in cold skillet → break up with spoon.
  2. Turn heat to medium → cook 8–10 min while constantly mashing beef until super fine (no chunks).
  3. Drain excess fat if desired (traditional recipes keep it).
  4. Add all remaining ingredients → stir well.
  5. Simmer on low 10–15 min, stirring often → sauce thickens and flavors deepen.
  6. Taste → adjust salt/sugar/heat.
  7. Spoon generously over hot dogs → top with onions, mustard, or slaw.

Notes

Super-fine texture is the #1 secret — use potato masher
Water + constant stirring = silky smooth sauce
Make double batch → freezes 3–4 months
Reheat with a splash of water → stays perfect
Naturally gluten-free (check Worcestershire brand)