Slow-Cooked Hot Dog Weenies: The Crock-Pot Method

Cooking hot dogs in a crock pot is a great way to feed a crowd. Whether you're hosting a Super Bowl party, a summer BBQ, or a family reunion, this method will ensure your hot dogs stay warm and are ready to serve when you need them. Crock pots can fit a lot of hot dogs—up to 60 in larger slow cookers—and the cooking process is simple. Place the hot dogs in the crock pot, either vertically or horizontally, and cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 3-4 hours. There's no need to add water, as the hot dogs will release enough moisture to create steam and cook themselves to perfection. Once they're done, switch your crock pot to the 'warm' setting, and serve with your favorite toppings and condiments.

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 gatherings. The slow cooker does all the work and keeps the hot dogs warm and moist. Here is a guide on how long to cook them for.

How Long to Cook

The cooking time will depend on the number of hot dogs you are cooking and the heat setting you use. As a general rule, cooking hot dogs in a crock pot will take between 1 to 4 hours.

For a large number of hot dogs (around 20 to 60), cooking on high heat is recommended. This will take 2 to 3 hours. If you are cooking a smaller batch, you can cook them on low heat for 3 to 4 hours.

Tips

• There is no need to add water to the crock pot as the hot dogs will release enough moisture to create steam and cook themselves.
• You can place the hot dogs horizontally or vertically in the crock pot. Placing them vertically allows for more hot dogs to fit and makes them easier to grab with tongs when they are cooked.
• To keep the hot dogs warm after cooking, switch the crock pot to the "'warm' setting. They will stay warm for up to 3 hours.
• Serve the hot dogs with a variety of toppings and condiments such as ketchup, mustard, relish, onions, cheese, and chili.

Cooking hot dogs in a crock pot is a convenient and easy way to feed a crowd. With a few simple steps, you can have juicy and tender hot dogs that your guests will love. The cooking time will depend on the number of hot dogs and the heat setting, but generally, it will take between 1 to 4 hours. Enjoy your crock pot hot dogs!

How to serve crock pot hot dogs

Crock Pot hot dogs are a great way to feed a crowd and are perfect for summer parties, backyard BBQs, and family reunions. Here's a guide on how to serve them:

Choose Your Hot Dogs and Crock Pot:

Select your favorite brand of hot dogs, aiming for the regular-sized ones. If you have a taller crock pot, you can opt for longer hot dogs like Hebrew National or bun-length ones. A 6-quart Crock Pot can typically hold around 48 hot dogs, while a 2.5-quart crock pot can hold about 20.

Prepare the Hot Dogs:

Remove the hot dogs from their packaging and place them in the crock pot. You can stand them upright or lay them on their sides, depending on their length and the crock pot's size. There's no need to add any water as the hot dogs will release enough moisture to create steam.

Cooking Instructions:

Place the lid on the crock pot and set it to cook. You can cook the hot dogs on low for 2-3 hours or high for 1-2 hours. Stir them occasionally with tongs to prevent burning.

Serving Tips:

After cooking, you can switch your crock pot to the "warm" setting to keep the hot dogs ready for serving for up to 3-4 hours. Serve the hot dogs with a variety of toppings and condiments to let your guests customize their dogs. Here are some topping suggestions:

• Traditional condiments: ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise.
• BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and chicken dipping sauce.
• Chicago-style toppings: pickle relish, sliced tomatoes, pepperoncini, and minced white onions.
• Sauerkraut (you can also cook it with the hot dogs in the Crock Pot).
• Homemade chili with ground beef, minced red onions, and shredded cheddar cheese for chili dogs.
• Black beans, pinto beans, shredded Mexican cheese, salsa, pickled jalapeño slices, taco sauce, and Queso cheese sauce for taco dogs.
• BLT hot dogs: quartered cherry tomatoes, bacon bits, and finely shredded iceberg lettuce.
• Thinly sliced avocados, guacamole, corn salsa, salsa verde, and creamy coleslaw.

Remember to provide tongs, buns, and a variety of toppings and condiments for a fun and interactive hot dog bar that your guests will love!

How to store leftover hot dogs

When storing leftover hot dogs, it's important to note that they are already highly processed and designed to not easily go bad. Here are some detailed steps to ensure your leftover hot dogs stay fresh:

Storing in the Refrigerator:

• Place leftover hot dogs in an airtight container: Transfer the hot dogs to a container with a tight-fitting lid, such as a GladWare® food protection container, or a resealable bag, like a Glad® Food Storage Zipper Bag.
• Remove as much air as possible: Air is the enemy of food freshness. You can use a handheld vacuum sealer or squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing the bag.
• Store in the refrigerator: Keep the sealed container or bag of hot dogs in the coldest part of your fridge, where the temperature is consistently cold.
• Consume within 3-4 days: While hot dogs can last a couple of weeks in the refrigerator, it's best to consume them within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.

Storing in the Freezer for Long-Term Storage:

• Wrap individual hot dogs: Take each hot dog and wrap it separately in freezer wrap or plastic wrap. This will help prevent freezer burn and make it easier to thaw only what you need.
• Place wrapped hot dogs in a freezer bag: Put the wrapped hot dogs into a freezer-safe zipper bag, like a Glad® Freezer Zipper Bag, or a freezer-safe container.
• Label and date the bag or container: Use a permanent marker to label the bag or container with the contents and date of freezing.
• Store in the freezer: Keep the hot dogs in the freezer until you're ready to use them. They will last for about 1-2 months in the freezer.
• Thaw and reheat: When you're ready to enjoy your leftover hot dogs, take out as many as you need and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight. You can also thaw them in the microwave if you're in a hurry. Reheat them on the stovetop, grill, or in the oven until heated through.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your leftover hot dogs remain fresh and safe to eat, whether you're storing them in the refrigerator for a few days or in the freezer for longer periods.

Crock pot hot dog toppings

There are endless possibilities when it comes to topping your Crock Pot hot dogs. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Condiments

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayonnaise
• BBQ sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Chicken dipping sauce
• Relish (including pickle relish)

Vegetables

• Sliced tomatoes
• White onions (minced)
• Minced red onions
• Jalapeño slices
• Avocado slices
• Lettuce (iceberg)
• Corn salsa
• Salsa verde
• Coleslaw
• Pepperoncini

Cheese

• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Queso cheese sauce
• Shredded Mexican cheese

Beans

• Black beans
• Pinto beans

Other

• Beef broth
• Red wine vinegar
• Cumin
• Garlic powder
• Chili powder
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Brown sugar
• Chili
• Sauerkraut

Crock pot size and hot dog length

The size of your crock pot and the length of your hot dogs will determine how many hot dogs you can cook at once, and whether they can be cooked standing up or will need to be laid on their sides.

If you have a tall, round crock pot, you can cook longer hot dogs such as Hebrew national or bun-length hot dogs, as well as regular-sized ones. If you have an oval crock pot, it's recommended to use standard-size hot dogs, as longer ones won't fit standing up.

If you buy hot dogs that are too long for your crock pot, you can still cook them by laying them on their sides. If you're worried about them fitting, measure the inside of your crock pot from the lip down, and take a measuring tape to the store to measure the hot dogs.

The number of hot dogs you can cook at once will also depend on the size of your crock pot. For example, one source says that they were able to fit 52 hot dogs in a 6-quart slow cooker, while another source says they put 20 hot dogs in each of their 2.5-qt crocks.

Frequently asked questions