Absolute Best Tests
The Absolute Best Way to Cook a Hot Dog, According to So Many Tests
Spiral-cut? Boiled in beer? Microwaved? Columnist Ella Quittner sets out to find the ultimate hot dog.
Photo by Julia Gartland. Prop Stylist: Ali Slagle. Food Stylist: Pearl Jones.
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238 Comments
WilliamNiver
September 25, 2023
I am late to the party, but nonetheless, my thoughts and preferences follow.
BEST DOG: Nathan's is my everyday go-to. Locally stuffed sausages from the butcher are usually better, but you have to taste before committing. BEST COOKING METHOD: A combination of techniques. Having tried all mentioned on this site, I return to the method I learned as a kid: Don't puncture the skin. I prefer beer boiling (2 cans of a good German or Czech Pilsner beer for four minutes followed by a soak in the cooling liquid.). Then remove the sausages, wipe them to remove all external liquids, and gently roll them back and forth in hot butter. Once they take on a universal color of brown and tan, it's time to start planning toppings. I say this: your food, your dime, your preferences, your choice. The attempted imposition of the party line on adventurous eaters is as stupid and evil as are the party members themselves enforcing food edicts on aberant eaters. If you are aware of what you do and the effects of what you advocate, you can't go wrong.
BEST DOG: Nathan's is my everyday go-to. Locally stuffed sausages from the butcher are usually better, but you have to taste before committing. BEST COOKING METHOD: A combination of techniques. Having tried all mentioned on this site, I return to the method I learned as a kid: Don't puncture the skin. I prefer beer boiling (2 cans of a good German or Czech Pilsner beer for four minutes followed by a soak in the cooling liquid.). Then remove the sausages, wipe them to remove all external liquids, and gently roll them back and forth in hot butter. Once they take on a universal color of brown and tan, it's time to start planning toppings. I say this: your food, your dime, your preferences, your choice. The attempted imposition of the party line on adventurous eaters is as stupid and evil as are the party members themselves enforcing food edicts on aberant eaters. If you are aware of what you do and the effects of what you advocate, you can't go wrong.
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June 21, 2023
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Austin B.
June 19, 2023
Your steam-sear method is poor, which is why you're missing the best way to cook them. 1/4 cup of water in a pot just bigger than the hot-dog. Medium heat for 7-10 minutes until the water boils off. 1 minute of caramelization in the pan. Absolute perfection.
vlones
May 26, 2023
Air. Fryer.
Add THAT to your testing. It makes everything better.
Add THAT to your testing. It makes everything better.
Nora R.
May 29, 2023
Deep fried is best. There used to be a Chicago hot dog trailer in Austin and it was the best option.
Chas373
May 29, 2023
In Connecticut that was the way most places made Hot Dogs. Fried in the fryer and then rolled around on the griddle for a few seconds to remove excess oil then plopped on the bun. Excellent way to cook them.
Nora R.
May 29, 2023
That's awesome. You can also get a "francheezie" in Chicago. They take a hot dog, stuff it with cheese, wrap it with bacon and deep fry it.
Chas373
May 29, 2023
I'm not very fond of cheese on a hot dog but I'd give it a try. Maybe I'd like them.
JeffBuckley
May 24, 2023
Oh where to begin? Let me get the bun out of the way, first. Martin's supported right wing nut job Doug Mastriano, so they are not getting my cash, and a "New England style" bun with flat sides that can be toasted in a pan with butter is in this chef's estimation, a way better option. I mean, butter, come on.
Secondly, if you grab a cast iron pan, put a few tablespoons of butter in it, turn it up to medium and toss in the dogs and buns, flip after sufficient browning/toasting and you will have perfection in about 5 minutes. That's it. Top it with whatever you like, I don't care.
Secondly, if you grab a cast iron pan, put a few tablespoons of butter in it, turn it up to medium and toss in the dogs and buns, flip after sufficient browning/toasting and you will have perfection in about 5 minutes. That's it. Top it with whatever you like, I don't care.
Judith M.
June 24, 2023
Thank you for pointing out the Doug Mastriano connection. I was sorry to abandon Martin's delicious buns, but in no way could my $$$ go to help a company finance election-deniers and racists like Mastriano.
Beth G.
May 24, 2023
My favorite way to eat a hot dog is to smother it in ketchup and eat it while staring directly into the eyes of someone pontificating about the "correct" condiments to use on a hot dog. Something about their displeasure juxtaposed with my obvious enjoyment just sends it over the top.
Chas373
May 24, 2023
😂😂 In the Dictionary, next to the term Passive-Aggressive is a picture of YOU. For that matter you might as well go the whole way and say you also add relish too; thus ensuring their quick demise instead a of a long drawn out journey to eternity. 😂😂
Smaug
May 24, 2023
They used to have- and for all I know still do- TV shows all about people eating various disgusting things, which evidently many found entertaining. You're probably going to have to go past ketchup to get the audience's attention, though- have you tried them with maggots?
Smaug
May 5, 2023
Fried in butter? Ketchup? Raw buns? Why should a hot dog be "juicy"? (presumably meaning dripping in grease).
Nikita
September 6, 2022
I'd love to read—or even write, for that matter—a follow-up to this, ranking the best prep for hot dog buns. You mention the untoasted bun, but I feel the exact opposite way: I'd be very disappointed if someone gave me a hot dog in a raw, cold bun. In fact, I hardly ever eat hot dogs except at home, when I can make sure it's 100% to my liking.
I like a steamed bun, I enjoy a griddled one from time to time, but my go-to is wrapping the bun in foil and popping it into the oven while I cook the dog. That ensures that the whole package stays nice and hot.
I like a steamed bun, I enjoy a griddled one from time to time, but my go-to is wrapping the bun in foil and popping it into the oven while I cook the dog. That ensures that the whole package stays nice and hot.
Chas373
September 6, 2022
For me the absolute best bun is a Martin's Potato Long Roll (hot dog bun) What I prefer doing is to lightly butter them on both sides. then on a griddle or fry pan place butter side down. Cook over medium heat till they are a nice golden brown but not dark brown. Then place hot dog in the bun and if you are living dangerously a few crispy bacon bits. Add mustard and some chopped raw white onion as it's sweet to eat raw rather tyhsan yellow onions. The bun is still very soft, moist and warm plus you have some extra flavor of the toasted butter It's a winner Oh and I also use Dijon mustard. If you like chili dogs this is a great way to have them just add Chili instead of the mustard and you can still use the chopped onion. If you like spicy then instead of regular mustard you could use a liberal amount of a fiery Caribbean style mustard based sauce made with habaneros. No matter what the Martins bun with a good quality frank will add to your hot dog experience.
joanna
September 4, 2022
I prefer boiled or steamed. A hot dog that is well grilled or browned in a cast iron pan screams its saltiness.
Carmen
September 2, 2022
Air Fryer, 4 minutes. Wrap buns in foil and place in bottom to heat perfectly at the same time.
Please don’t start aluminum foil shaming…you can clean and reuse the same piece several times before adding it to recycling.
Please don’t start aluminum foil shaming…you can clean and reuse the same piece several times before adding it to recycling.
Nikita
September 6, 2022
We almost always have a stack of gently used foil sheets on top of the air fryer. Wrapping a bread product in one barely dirties it, so why not reuse?
Andrew S.
June 26, 2022
Start on the grill to brown, then finish in the oven in a pan of sauerkraut which keeps them moist.
Beverly
June 26, 2022
I would like to add a tweak to the microwave method, which comes from Tappan’s Microwave Cooking cookbook, which came with my very first microwave (I thought it was a TV when I opened the box, having never seen a microwave before). Unless I’m cooking for a bunch, I have used this method ever since, because it’s quick, simple and works great: after giving it a couple of slashes across the top, put your dog in a good, soft bun. Wrap it in a paper towel. Pop it in the microwave for 30-40 seconds (a minute if you’re doing two). Taking hot, steamy, perfectly cooked hot dog out and dress with condiments of choice. No better way if you are just making a quick lunch, or even if you gussy it up for a casual dinner.
Bonnie M.
June 26, 2022
This is what I do (minus the slashes), and it works very well, just as Beverly described. I think the paper towel keeps the bun from becoming tough, as bready things tend to do in microwaves.
Nikita
September 6, 2022
I was about to ask about the bun and toughness issue. TY for answering it in your comment!
AndrewYVR
May 29, 2023
100% the best way. If I may add one little suggestion, I wet my paper towel first, ring it out and then roll up the dog and bun and fold down the ends. 20 seconds on high and then wait another 20 seconds while it steams. Done. The best steamed dog and bun in 60 seconds tops.
Richard L.
May 31, 2022
We like them grilled over oak coals. Sometimes due to weather on a very hot cast iron skillet. Hot dogs vary drastically. Our favorites are Stemple Ranch, Porter, Primal Pastures and Nathan's among the mass produced products.
#1 reason: Flavor
#2 reason: Scorching*
#3 reason: Ripping
All our favorites have skins that don't scorch on high heat. Stemple, Porter Rd and Nathan's rip. Primal doesn't rip. Their flavors are different but excellent. Ripping is just an aesthetic touch I look for in a good hot dog.
*Omaha Steaks & Hebrew National scorch terribly. Omaha's looks terrible but still tastes good. Hebrew National's are ruined if scorched. They're extremely difficult to grill properly over live coals.
#1 reason: Flavor
#2 reason: Scorching*
#3 reason: Ripping
All our favorites have skins that don't scorch on high heat. Stemple, Porter Rd and Nathan's rip. Primal doesn't rip. Their flavors are different but excellent. Ripping is just an aesthetic touch I look for in a good hot dog.
*Omaha Steaks & Hebrew National scorch terribly. Omaha's looks terrible but still tastes good. Hebrew National's are ruined if scorched. They're extremely difficult to grill properly over live coals.
Dawn B.
May 27, 2022
Best hotdogs for me come from my butcher. It's an all beef hotdog. The SNAP alone instantly makes you happy. I love my spiral cut but not to deep, grilled with onions and mustard. If it's raining outside I pan fry. Occasionally we top with chilli too. The flavor of these hotdogs is incredible and they are large enough to fit and cover the entire Martins 🌭 Bun. This brand of buns is a MUST for me. I hate when the dog is so small and your eating mostly bread and toppings......... Happy hotdog 🌭 eating 😁
Rita K.
May 27, 2022
Who cooks One hot dog at a time?
Robert H.
May 27, 2022
I do! My wife is a vegetarian and our kids have families of their own. I pop a deli-sourced 1/4 lb. frank or brat in the sous vide at 160° and a half hour later I enjoy a sausage that is moist with an incredible “snap” to it. Of course you can do as many as you like that way.
Nikita
September 6, 2022
I almost always eat two at a time, so not me! But I was wondering about the use of "a few cans of beer" for one hot dog. That seems wasteful. I mean, at least cook the whole pack in those few cans' worth of beer, and then reheat them in the microwave later.
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