Slow-Cooked Hot Dogs: A Tasty Twist On A Classic

How to Cook Hot Dogs in a Crock Pot

Cooking hot dogs in a crock pot is a great way to feed a crowd. Whether you're hosting a birthday party, a summer BBQ, or a potluck, this method will ensure that your hot dogs are cooked to perfection and kept warm until serving.

The best part? It's super easy! Simply place the desired number of hot dogs in your crock pot, ensuring they fit with the lid on. There's no need to add water, as the hot dogs will release enough moisture on their own. Then, cook on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 3-4 hours, depending on your desired temperature setting.

During your party, you can keep the hot dogs warm for up to 3 hours by switching your crock pot to the low or warm setting. This will ensure that your guests can enjoy their hot dogs at their leisure, without having to worry about cold food.

When it comes to toppings, the options are endless! Traditional ketchup and mustard are always a hit, but you can also offer minced onions, sauerkraut, sliced tomatoes, jalapenos, or hot peppers. Don't forget the hot dog buns!

So, the next time you need to cook hot dogs for a crowd, give the crock pot method a try. It's sure to be a game-changer for your summer gatherings!

How to prep the hot dogs for cooking

To prep your hot dogs for cooking in a crock pot, you'll want to start by unwrapping them and discarding the plastic packaging. You can fit anywhere from 20 to 60 hot dogs in a crock pot, depending on the size of your crock pot and the length and thickness of the hot dogs. If you're using a 4-quart crock pot, you can fit about 48 regular-length hot dogs, or 52 if you're using a 6-quart crock pot. If you have a taller crock pot, you can use Hebrew National or bun-length hot dogs. If your crock pot isn't tall enough for the longer hot dogs, you can place them horizontally. If your hot dogs don't fit lengthwise in your crock pot, you can also lay them down.

Once you've determined how many hot dogs you can fit in your crock pot, it's time to start loading them in. You can place them vertically or horizontally, depending on what works best for your crock pot and the number of hot dogs you're cooking. If you're cooking a large number of hot dogs, you may need to stand them up to fit more in.

There's no need to add water to the crock pot when cooking hot dogs. The moisture released by the hot dogs will be enough to cook them thoroughly.

Now that your hot dogs are prepped and loaded into the crock pot, you're ready to start cooking!

How long to cook the hot dogs for

The cooking time for your hot dogs will depend on the number of hot dogs you are cooking, the size of your crock pot, and the heat setting you use.

If you are cooking 60 hot dogs in a 6-quart slow cooker, you can cook them on low for 4 hours or on high for about 2 hours. If you are cooking fewer hot dogs, you may need less time. For example, if you are cooking 20 hot dogs in a 2.5-quart crock pot, you can cook them on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.

If you are cooking 56 hot dogs in a 5-quart or larger crock pot, cook them on high for 2.5 to 3 hours or until the hot dogs in the center are hot.

If you are cooking 52 hot dogs in a 6-quart crock pot, cook them on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 3-4 hours.

If you are cooking hot dogs in bulk, say 60 hot dogs, in a slow cooker, you can cook them on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 1-2 hours.

In general, it is recommended that you cook hot dogs in a crock pot on high for 2 hours or on low for 3-4 hours, depending on the number of hot dogs and the size of your crock pot. Once the hot dogs are cooked, you can keep them warm in the crock pot for up to 3 hours.

How to serve the hot dogs

Once your hot dogs are cooked, it's time to serve them. You can keep them warm in the crockpot for up to 3 hours. Set up a hot dog bar with a variety of toppings and condiments to let your guests build their own hot dogs. Here are some ideas:

Toppings:

• Shredded cheese
• Onions (raw or caramelized)
• Relish (sweet or dill pickle)
• Chili
• Coleslaw
• Sauteed bell peppers and onions
• Avocado or guacamole
• Crushed Fritos or tortilla chips
• Bacon
• Pineapple
• Bell peppers
• Tomatoes
• Sauerkraut
• Jalapenos
• Cilantro
• Corn
• Cotija cheese
• Curry powder
• Bagel seasoning
• Sriracha mayo
• Pickled carrots
• Basil
• Bacon
• Lettuce
• Mayo
• BBQ sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Dijon mustard
• Honey mustard
• Spicy brown mustard
• Pepperoncinis
• Pepper jack cheese
• Smoked gouda

Condiments:

• Ketchup
• Mustard
• Mayo
• BBQ sauce
• Ranch dressing
• Honey mustard

Sides:

• Chips
• Fruit (e.g. watermelon, grilled pineapple)
• Potato salad
• Baked beans
• Salads (e.g. watermelon cucumber salad, avocado-lime coleslaw)

What toppings to use

There are many different toppings you can use to elevate your crockpot hot dogs. Here are some ideas:

• Classic condiments like ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise. You could also add BBQ sauce or Worcestershire sauce.
• Chicago-style hot dog toppings, such as pickle relish, sliced tomatoes, pepperoncini, and minced white onions.
• Sauerkraut, especially if you have Germanic roots like the guys in the above recipe! You can even cook the sauerkraut and the hot dogs together in the crockpot.
• Homemade dirty water dogs: add beef broth and red wine vinegar to the crockpot, along with various spices like cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, sea salt, and black pepper. You could also add a pinch of brown sugar.
• Chili with ground beef, minced red onions, and shredded cheddar cheese for chili dogs or coney dogs.
• Taco dogs with black beans, pinto beans, shredded Mexican cheese, salsa, pickled jalapeño slices, taco sauce, and Queso cheese sauce.
• BLT hot dogs with quartered cherry tomatoes, bacon bits, and finely shredded iceberg lettuce.
• Thinly sliced avocados or guacamole, corn salsa, salsa verde, and creamy homemade coleslaw.

How to store leftovers

When storing leftovers, it's important to refrigerate the hot dogs within two hours of cooking to maximise their shelf life. You can store them in shallow airtight containers or wrap them tightly in heavy-duty aluminium foil or plastic wrap.

Properly stored, cooked hot dogs will last for three to four days in the refrigerator. If you want to extend their shelf life, you can freeze them in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags, or wrap them tightly in foil or freezer wrap. Frozen hot dogs will maintain their best quality for about one to two months but will remain safe to consume beyond that.

To thaw frozen hot dogs, you can either let them defrost in the refrigerator, which will allow them to keep for an additional three to four days before cooking, or you can use the microwave or cold water to defrost them, but they should be eaten immediately after.

It's important to note that bacteria grow rapidly at room temperature, so cooked hot dogs should be discarded if left out for more than two hours. Signs of spoilage include a sour smell and a slimy texture.

Frequently asked questions