If you're planning a party and need to feed a crowd, cooking hot dogs in a crockpot is a great option. It's easy, efficient, and means you don't have to spend all day cooking or manning the grill. Depending on the size of your crockpot, you can fit anywhere from 20 to 60 hot dogs! You can cook them on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours, and then switch to the warm setting to keep them hot and ready to serve. No need to add water—the hot dogs will release enough moisture to cook themselves to perfection.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Number of hot dogs that can fit in a crock pot | 20-60, depending on the size of the crock pot and the hot dogs |
Crock pot size | 2.5-quart, 4-quart, 6-quart |
Hot dog size | Regular, Hebrew national, bun length |
Hot dog arrangement | Standing up, on their sides, or laid down |
Amount of water needed | None |
Cooking time | 2-4 hours on high, 3-4 hours on low |
Warm setting duration | Up to 3 hours |
What You'll Learn
How to cook hot dogs in a crock pot
Prepping the Hot Dogs
To start, you'll want to unwrap all the hot dogs and throw the wrappers in a plastic bag. You can stand the hot dogs on end if you're trying to fit in a large number (like 60) in a big crock pot. If you're cooking fewer hot dogs, you can just dump them in.
There's no need to add water to the crock pot as the hot dogs will release moisture on their own.
Cooking the Hot Dogs
Cover the crock pot and cook the hot dogs on low for 3-4 hours or on high for about 2 hours. Check that the hot dogs in the middle are fully heated before serving.
Serving the Hot Dogs
Use tongs to serve the hot dogs in buns with your desired toppings and fixings. The hot dogs can stay on the “warm” setting for a long time. If your crock pot has a hot spot, the hot dogs on the edge may get crispy and blackened, which can be good for tricking kids into thinking you learned how to barbecue!
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cooked hot dogs can be refrigerated for up to 4-5 days in an airtight container or bag. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
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How long to cook hot dogs in a crock pot
Cooking hot dogs in a crock pot is a great way to feed a crowd and is perfect for parties and potlucks. The cooking time will depend on the number of hot dogs you are cooking, the size of your crock pot, and the temperature setting you use.
If you are cooking a large number of hot dogs (up to 60), it will take longer than if you are cooking a smaller batch. For example, if you are cooking 60 hot dogs in a 6-quart slow cooker, it will take about 4 hours on low or 2 hours on high. However, if you are cooking a smaller batch of hot dogs, it may only take 1-2 hours on high or 3-4 hours on low.
It is important to note that hot dogs are already fully cooked, so when you are cooking them in a crock pot, you are simply heating them through. The crock pot method is a convenient way to cook hot dogs without boiling or barbecuing them.
- Unwrap all the hot dogs and discard the wrappers.
- Stand the hot dogs on end in the crock pot if you are trying to fit a large number of hot dogs. If you are cooking a smaller batch, you can just dump them in.
- There is no need to add water to the crock pot. The hot dogs will release moisture on their own.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.
- Check to make sure the hot dogs in the middle are fully heated before serving.
- Serve the hot dogs in buns with your desired toppings and fixings.
- The crock pot can be kept on the warm setting to keep the hot dogs warm for an extended period of time.
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How many hot dogs can fit in a crock pot
If you're planning a party or a cookout, cooking hot dogs in a crockpot is a great way to feed a crowd with minimal effort. The number of hot dogs you can fit in a crockpot depends on the size of the crockpot and the length of the hot dogs.
A 2.5-quart crockpot can fit about 20 hot dogs, a 4-quart crockpot can fit about 48, and a 6-quart crockpot can fit about 60. If you have a taller crockpot, you can use longer hot dogs such as Hebrew National or bun-length hot dogs. If your crockpot is oval-shaped, standard-size hot dogs are recommended as longer ones may not fit standing up.
To cook the hot dogs, simply place them in the crockpot vertically if they fit with the lid on, or lay them down if they don't. There is no need to add water as the hot dogs will release enough moisture to cook themselves. Cover the crockpot and cook the hot dogs on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 3-4 hours. Once they are cooked, switch the crockpot to the "warm" setting to keep them hot for up to 3 hours.
You can serve the hot dogs with a variety of toppings and condiments such as mustard, ketchup, relish, onions, cheese, chili, and sauerkraut. You can also get creative and make different types of hot dogs such as chili cheese dogs, Chicago dogs, taco dogs, Reuben dogs, and more.
So, if you're looking for an easy way to feed a crowd, crockpot hot dogs are a perfect solution. They are simple to make, stay warm for hours, and allow you to enjoy your gathering without having to stand over a grill.
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What size hot dogs to use in a crock pot
The size of hot dogs you can fit in your crock pot depends on the shape of your crock pot. If you have a tall, round slow cooker, you can use longer hot dogs such as Hebrew National or bun-length hot dogs. However, if you have an oval-shaped crock pot, it is best to use standard-size hot dogs, as the longer ones may not fit standing up.
If you buy hot dogs that are too long for your crock pot, you can lay them on their sides. To determine whether the hot dogs will fit, measure the inside of your crock pot from the lip down, and bring a measuring tape to the store to measure the hot dogs.
If you are cooking a large number of hot dogs, it is recommended to cook them on high for 2.5 to 3 hours or until the hot dogs in the centre are hot. If you are cooking a smaller batch, you can cook them on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.
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How to serve hot dogs from a crock pot
Once your hot dogs are cooked, it's time to serve them. Here are some tips on how to serve hot dogs from a crockpot:
Checking They're Cooked
Before serving, check that the hot dogs in the middle of the crockpot are fully hot. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check that they've reached an internal temperature of 165 F.
Serving
You can serve the hot dogs straight from the crockpot using tongs. Keep the crockpot on the "warm" setting and your hot dogs will stay warm for a long time. If your crockpot has a hot spot, the hot dogs on the edge may get crispy and blackened, but these will still be edible.
Buns and Toppings
Provide a selection of buns and toppings for your guests to help themselves to. Here are some topping ideas:
- Shredded cheese
- Onions
- Ketchup
- Relish
- Mustard
- Hot sauce
- Mayonnaise
- Sauerkraut
- Thinly sliced tomatoes
- Hot dog chili
- Coleslaw
- Pickle relish
- Bacon
- Avocado
- Pico de gallo
- BBQ sauce
- French fried onions
- And many more!
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Frequently asked questions
You can fit about 60 hot dogs in a 6-quart crock pot.
You can fit about 48 hot dogs in a 4-quart crock pot.
You can fit about 20 hot dogs in a 2.5-quart crock pot.
It is recommended to cook the hot dogs on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 3-4 hours.