Emilie Meyer
Hot dogs are a versatile food that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including boiling, steaming, grilling, and pan-frying. While some people may prefer the convenience of boiling or steaming, others argue that grilling imparts a unique smoky flavour that is perfect for summer barbeques. Grilling also produces a superior texture, with a noticeable snap of the casing and a juicy interior. For those without access to an outdoor grill, pan-frying hot dogs is a simple and effective method that can deliver similar results. This involves filling a skillet or frying pan with a small amount of water, butter, or oil, and cooking the hot dogs over medium-high heat until browned.
How to Grill Hot Dogs in a Pan
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pan type | Grill pan, skillet, roasting pan, sheet pan |
| Pan preparation | Preheat the pan, add butter or oil, or fill with shallow water |
| Hot dog preparation | Score the hot dogs with incisions |
| Cooking time | 4-5 minutes on each side, until browned |
| Hot dog temperature | Internal temperature of 160 degrees |
| Bun preparation | Toast in the pan, face down, for 45 seconds |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the pan
Grilling hot dogs gives them a smoky, summer flavour that cannot be replicated by other cooking methods. To grill hot dogs in a pan, you must first preheat the pan.
To preheat a grill pan, place it on a stovetop burner and turn the burner on, adjusting the heat to medium-high. You can also preheat a grill pan in the oven. To do this, first adjust your oven rack to the uppermost position and preheat the oven to broil on high.
If you are using a charcoal grill, stack more coals on one side of the grill than the other to create a two-zone fire. If you are using a gas grill, adjust the knob settings to create a similar effect, with one side cranked up to high and the other towards medium-low.
Once your grill pan is hot, you can add the hot dogs. If you are cooking hot dogs from frozen, you may want to ""steam" them in very shallow water first, for a few minutes. If you are cooking hot dogs from room temperature, this step is not necessary.
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Score the hot dogs
Scoring the hot dogs is an optional step when grilling hot dogs in a pan. Scoring involves making small incisions with a knife on the surface of the hot dogs before placing them in the pan. You can score the hot dogs in any way you like—some people suggest four scores on one side and three on the other. Scoring the hot dogs can create a natural split look that some people prefer.
Scoring the hot dogs is not necessary for cooking them, as they are fully cooked straight out of the package. The purpose of grilling or pan-frying hot dogs is to heat them through and colour the exterior, which can be done without scoring them first. However, some people choose to score their hot dogs before cooking for aesthetic reasons or personal preference.
If you decide to score your hot dogs, use a sharp knife to make shallow incisions on the surface of the hot dog. You can make the incisions as deep or as shallow as you like, depending on the look you are going for. There is no right or wrong way to score a hot dog, so you can get creative and experiment with different scoring patterns.
Scoring the hot dogs can also help them cook more evenly in the pan. The incisions can allow heat to penetrate the hot dog more effectively, ensuring that it is heated through by the time the exterior is coloured and cooked to your liking. This can help prevent the hot dogs from drying out or becoming leathery, as they may do if cooked for too long in the pan.
Overall, whether or not to score your hot dogs before grilling them in a pan is a matter of personal preference. Scoring can add a unique look to your hot dogs and may help them cook more evenly, but it is not essential, and you can also choose to grill them without scoring.
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Cook to your liking
The cooking time for hot dogs depends on your desired level of doneness. If you want your hot dogs to be browned and cooked through, you should grill them for about 2 to 3 minutes in total. Rotate the hot dogs every 30 seconds or so to ensure even cooking.
When grilling hot dogs in a pan, you can also "'steam'" them in very shallow water first, especially if they are frozen or barely thawed. Place the hot dogs in a skillet or frying pan with about 1/2 inch of water and heat over medium-high heat. Use tongs to roll the hot dogs frequently until all sides are browned.
If you prefer your hot dogs with a bit of char, you can try a two-zone heating method. Start the hot dogs on the cooler side of the grill, cooking for about 1 to 1.5 minutes per side. Then, move them to the hotter side of the grill, turning them frequently until they develop an even brown colour and a few spots of char.
If you're using a grill pan, preheat the pan and score the hot dogs before cooking. Put the scored hot dogs into the preheated pan and turn and cook them to your desired level of doneness. When the ends of the hot dogs open up, you'll know they're fully cooked.
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Browning the buns
There are a few ways to brown hot dog buns in a pan. One method is to lightly butter both sides of the bun, place it butter-side down in a pan, and cook over medium heat until golden brown. This adds a toasted butter flavour to the bun. You can also brush the bun with melted butter after removing it from the heat.
Another method is to place the buns face down in the pan after cooking the hot dogs, turning off the heat, and letting them simmer in the leftover juices for about 45 seconds. For a more decadent flavour, you can swap out the water for butter or a few tablespoons of oil.
If you're making your own hot dog buns, you can bake them in the oven until they're golden brown. Homemade buns can be frozen and stored in airtight containers, then baked until golden brown when needed. You can also par-bake the buns, removing them from the oven about 5-10 minutes before they're fully baked, and then browning them in a pan.
No matter which method you choose, browning the buns adds a delicious layer of flavour and texture to your grilled hot dogs.
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Condiments and toppings
When it comes to hot dogs, you can't go wrong with the classic combination of ketchup and mustard. If you want to spice things up, there are endless possibilities for toppings and condiments.
For a rich and toasty bun, you can place the bun face down in the leftover juices from the pan. If you want to add more flavour, you can use butter or oil instead of water.
If you're cooking for a crowd, you can set up a hot dog toppings bar and let your guests get creative. Here are some topping ideas to get you started:
- Avocado
- Sun-dried tomatoes and basil
- Cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, and green onion
- BBQ sauce
- Chili (especially good with beef hot dogs)
- Nacho cheese (great for veggie dogs)
- Coleslaw (try avocado-lime coleslaw for something special)
- Bacon, lettuce, and tomato (don't forget the mayo!)
- Pulled pork
- Chimichurri
- Pineapple salsa
- Tomato chutney
- Caramelised onions
- Fried green peppers with smoked cheddar slices and crispy onions
- Zucchini relish
- Cowboy candy (candied jalapeños)
- Korean-style mayo
- Mac sauce
- Sloppy Joes
- Guacamole
Grilled hot dogs are a versatile dish that can be customised to suit any taste, so feel free to experiment with different combinations of toppings and condiments!
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