Crock Pot Conundrum: Mastering The Art Of Slow-Cooked Hot Dogs

Cooking hot dogs in a crock pot is a great way to feed a crowd. It's perfect for summer potlucks, BBQs, birthday parties, and more. The best part? It's so easy! All you need to do is place the desired amount of hot dogs in your crock pot, put the lid on, and let them cook for 2-4 hours, depending on the heat setting. You can even leave the hot dogs in the crock pot on the warm setting for up to 3 hours after they're done cooking. This ensures that your guests can enjoy hot dogs throughout the party.

There's no need to add water to the crock pot as the hot dogs will release enough moisture on their own. Depending on the size of your crock pot and the length of the hot dogs, you can fit about 48 regular-length hot dogs in a 4-quart crock pot and about 64 in a 6-quart crock pot. If you're using bun-length hot dogs, simply place them horizontally in the crock pot if they don't fit vertically.

Once the hot dogs are cooked, you can serve them with a variety of toppings and condiments. Some popular options include ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, relish, sliced tomatoes, onions, sauerkraut, and cheese. You can even set up a hot dog bar with all the toppings and let your guests build their own dogs!

How to cook hot dogs in a crock pot

Cooking hot dogs in a crock pot is a great way to prepare food for a large group of people. It's easy, quick, and convenient. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Hot Dogs

Remove all the hot dogs from their packaging. If they are frozen, it is recommended to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. You can use any type of bun-length hot dogs, but beef hot dogs are preferred for their texture and flavour.

Step 2: Arrange the Hot Dogs in the Crock Pot

Place the hot dogs in the crock pot. You can stand them upright if your crock pot is tall enough, or lay them on their sides. A 6-quart crock pot can typically hold around 48 to 60 regular-length hot dogs.

Step 3: Cook the Hot Dogs

Place the lid on the crock pot and set it to cook. The cooking time will depend on the number of hot dogs and your crock pot's settings. For a large number of hot dogs, cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for about 2 hours. Stir the hot dogs occasionally to prevent burning. Since most hot dogs are pre-cooked, you only need to heat them through.

Step 4: Serve the Hot Dogs

After the hot dogs are cooked, you can serve them with your favourite condiments and toppings. Crock pot hot dogs go well with traditional toppings like ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise, as well as other options like BBQ sauce, relish, sliced tomatoes, onions, and sauerkraut.

Tips:

• There is no need to add water to the crock pot as the hot dogs will release enough moisture to create steam.
• If your crock pot has a "keep warm" function, you can use it to keep the hot dogs warm for up to 3-4 hours before serving.
• Leftover hot dogs can be stored in an airtight container or zip-lock bag in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 3-4 months.

How long to cook hot dogs in a crock pot

The amount of time it takes to cook hot dogs in a crock pot depends on the number of hot dogs you are cooking, the heat setting, and the size of your crock pot.

If you are cooking a large number of hot dogs (e.g., 48 to 60 hot dogs), it will take longer to cook them than if you are cooking a smaller batch. In general, cooking hot dogs in a crock pot can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours on a low heat setting, or 1 to 2 hours on a high heat setting.

It is recommended to stir the hot dogs occasionally with a pair of tongs or a wooden spatula to prevent them from burning on the bottom of the crock pot. Most hot dogs are precooked, so you only need to heat them through.

You can place the hot dogs standing up or lay them on their side in the crock pot. There is no need to add any water, as the hot dogs will release enough moisture to create steam and cook through.

Once the hot dogs are cooked, you can keep them warm in the crock pot for up to 3 to 4 hours on the warm setting. This is especially useful when serving a large group of people or at a party.

How many hot dogs can fit in a crock pot

The number of hot dogs that can fit in a crock pot depends on the size of the crock pot and the length of the hot dogs. For example, a 6-quart slow cooker can fit up to 60 hot dogs, while a 2.5-quart crock pot can fit around 20 hot dogs. If you are using a tall, round slow cooker, you can use longer hot dogs such as Hebrew National or bun-length hot dogs. However, if you are using an oval slow cooker, it is recommended to use standard-size hot dogs as the longer ones may not fit standing up.

To maximize the number of hot dogs in your crock pot, you can stand them on end. If you are cooking a smaller number of hot dogs, you can simply place them in the crock pot horizontally. Additionally, there is no need to add water to the crock pot as the hot dogs will release moisture during cooking.

How to Cook Hot Dogs in a Crock Pot

• Remove the hot dogs from their packaging and place them in the crock pot. You can stand them up or lay them on their sides, depending on what fits best.
• Close the lid of the crock pot and set it to cook on low for 2-4 hours or on high for about 2 hours. Stir the hot dogs occasionally to prevent burning.
• Serve the hot dogs with your favorite toppings and condiments.
• If your crock pot has a warm setting, you can keep the hot dogs warm for up to 3-4 hours after cooking.

What toppings to serve with crock pot hot dogs

There are a variety of toppings that you can serve with crock pot hot dogs. Here are some ideas:

• Traditional condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise
• BBQ sauce or Worcestershire sauce
• Relish, sliced tomatoes, pepperoncini, and minced white onions for a classic Chicago-style hot dog
• Sauerkraut, which can be cooked in the Crock Pot with the hot dogs
• Homemade dirty water dogs with beef broth, red wine vinegar, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, sea salt, and black pepper
• Chili with ground beef, minced red onions, and shredded cheddar cheese
• Black beans, pinto beans, shredded Mexican cheese, salsa, pickled jalapeño slices, taco sauce, and Queso cheese sauce for taco dogs
• Bacon bits, quartered cherry tomatoes, and finely shredded iceberg lettuce for BLT hot dogs
• Avocado slices or guacamole, corn salsa, salsa verde, and creamy coleslaw
• Shredded cheese
• Sweet relish
• Sauerkraut
• Chili
• Shredded cheese
• Fruit such as watermelon
• Chips

How to store leftover hot dogs

Storing leftover hot dogs is easy. You can keep them in an airtight container or a zip-loc bag in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3-4 months.

To reheat your leftover hot dogs, simply use the same method you used to cook them, whether that's in the slow cooker, microwave, or a pot of boiling water on the stovetop. Remember, most hot dogs are already pre-cooked, so you're just heating them to your desired temperature.

If you're storing a package of hot dogs that hasn't been opened yet, you can keep them in the refrigerator in their original packaging for up to one week or two weeks if unopened. Once opened, transfer them to a zipper bag or airtight container and use within 3-4 days.

Frequently asked questions