There is something about a classic chili covered hot dog that you just can’t beat, and making your own homemade hot dog chili is easier than you might think. My chili recipe is flavorful, thick, and the perfect thing to take your hot dogs to the next level.

I like serving this on top of air fryer hot dogs, grilled hot dogs, or boiled hot dogs.

My dad taught me how to make this chili growing up, and I’ve been making it ever since. A hot dog just doesn’t seem complete without this easy chili.

It’s similar to what you might get at a ballpark. A great balance of saucy and savory with no beans. You don’t need any fancy ingredients and it can be made in about 20 minutes from start to finish.

If you’ve never made hot dog chili before, don’t worry. This recipe is super forgiving and I’ve got some tips and tricks to help it come out perfect every time. So skip the canned stuff, once you have made this recipe, there is no going back.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No beans – This is a classic, easy hot dog chili recipe that is made just for hot dogs.
• Full of flavor –
• Make-ahead friendly – Perfect for game day, parties, and more. You can keep it warm in a slow cooker.
• So much tastier than canned chili –

Ingredients

• Ground beef – I prefer using a lean ground beef so the chili isn’t too greasy.
• Beef broth – This adds extra rich, beefy flavor to the chili. You can substitute with water but I recommend using the beef broth for the best taste. It’s worth it!
• Worcestershire sauce – Gives a nice depth of flavor to the chili recipe.
• Onions – Sweet onions are my go-to because they add flavor without overpowering. The key is to dice them very small.
• Olive oil – Used to cook the onions.
• Ketchup – A tangy tomato base for the hot dog chili.
• Brown sugar – Adds just a hint of sweetness to balance out the flavors.
• Seasonings – Chili powder, ground mustard, garlic powder, salt, and ground black pepper.

Variations

• Make it spicy. Add hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the chili.
• Add vegetables. Stir in some finely diced bell pepper or mushrooms.
• Cheesy chili. Stir in 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese just after cooking for a cheesy chili topping.

Make This Hot Dog Chili Recipe

Begin by cooking the onions in the olive oil over medium heat. Cook until they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Next add in the ground beef. Start to break it up with a spoon or spatula. Pour in the beef broth.

Next add in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, and seasonings. Stir really well to continue breaking up the ground beef.

Let the chili cook for 25-30 minutes over medium-low heat. Be sure to stir occasionally.

Serve the chili hot on things like hot dogs, sausage, fries, and more.

Heather’s Recipe Tips

• Dice the onion small. Try and dice your onion finely so that it blends in with the chili.
• Use lean ground beef. This will help cut back on the grease.
• Serve at a party. If you have a hot dog bar or serving this at a party, keep it in a slow cooker on the warm setting.
• Double the recipe. If you are feeding a crowd, you can easily double the recipe.

Serving Suggestions

I like serving this homemade chili on hot dogs, sausages, even loaded french fries.

There are many great sided dishes to serve it with like root beer baked beans, red cabbage slaw, or broccoli salad.

Storage And Make Ahead

Make – Ahead: You can prepare this chili ahead of time. Let it cool and then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to a day ahead.

Store: Keep any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Reheat: Reheat the chili on the stove, in the microwave, or in a slow cooker on warm.

Freeze: You can freeze this chili in a freezer safe bag or container for up to 3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you make this recipe and love it, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and star rating. Follow along with me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Be sure to tag @foodlovinfamily and #foodlovinfamily so that I can see what you make! Enjoy!