Full of flavor, this Crockpot Hot Dog Chili makes an ordinary hot dog extra delicious. Made in the slow cooker, it is the perfect addition to a hot dog bar with toppings, or serving on top of fries or burgers!
Crockpot Hot Dog Chili
I have a confession – I don’t like hot dogs (persnickety, remember?) but I do like this chili. It is hearty, flavorful and honestly great on a bun even without a hot dog. Filled with ground beef, ketchup, mustard, and seasonings (it reminds me of my cheeseburger pasta skillet), it is plenty on its own.
Being from Detroit, we are kinda known for our coney dogs (Detroiters – do you prefer American or Lafayette?). The dogs are grilled and then topped with a thin, beef filled chili (no beans!).
This crockpot hot dog chili will do a Detroit coney dog justice – just make sure you grill the hot dogs! If it is too thick for your liking, you can thin it out with additional water or even more ketchup.
Ingredient Notes
Below is a list of the ingredients you’ll need to gather to make this recipe, why you need them, and possible substitutions. Scroll all the way down for the full recipe card with measurements.
Jump- GROUND BEEF – Use a lean cut of beef for the best flavor and the least amount of grease. I always use sirloin (93/7%).
- TOMATO SAUCE – Make sure you grab sauce and not paste.
- KETCHUP & MUSTARD – Use your favorites but these add great flavor to the chili.
- WORCESTERSHIRE SAUCE – Worcestershire sauce is a bit sour, sweet, and spicy at the same time. If you don’t have any, you could sub balsamic vinegar.
- CHILI POWDER – You’ll add chili powder, along with salt and pepper, to give a little kick and season the chili.
- ONION – You can use minced onion or onion powder.
Helpful Tools
- Skillet – You’ll start of browning the meat in a skillet on the stove. I’ve had this one for years & have been happy with it. I like that it has a lid.
- Hamburger Chopper – When you’re browning the meat, you want it to be really small, no large chunks in the chili (unless that’s what you’re into). This little tool is great at breaking the meat apart.
- Slow Cooker – You’ll need a 6 qt (or larger) slow cooker for the chili. I have had this one for years.
How to make Crockpot Hot Dog Chili
This section shows you how to make this recipe, with process photos showing the steps to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
Jump- STEP ONE – BROWN THE MEAT: Over medium heat, brown the ground beef with water in a large skillet, making sure to break the meat up into small pieces (unless you want chunky chili).
- STEP TWO – MAKE THE CHILI: Add the cooked beef to the bottom of the slow cooker, top with all additional ingredients, and stir until combined.
- STEP THREE – SLOW COOK: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours.
- STEP FOUR – SERVE: Once the chili is done, you can spoon it over hot dogs, fries, or even a burger. Top with diced onions, shredded cheese, diced jalapenos, and/or more ketchup and mustard.
What’s the difference between hot dog sauce & chili?
Hot dog sauce is made with ketchup and is slightly sweeter while chili is thicker with a spicier flavor.
Serving Suggestions
I think setting up a hot dog bar would be a great idea. In addition to the chili, add various toppings like shredded cheese (cheddar sounds delish), diced onions, diced jalapenos, and more condiments like ketchup and mustard.
Alongside the hot dogs, I would serve potato salad, coleslaw, potato chips, macaroni salad, and traditional or sweet potato fries. And brownies, because of course.
How to store it
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. If the chili thickens too much, you can thin it out while reheating with water or additional ketchup.
How long do you cook hot dogs in a crockpot?
If you have two crockpots, you can easily make the hot dogs in one and the chili in another. Per Delish, you’ll stand the hot dogs upright in the slow cooker (however many will fit), turn it to HIGH, and let them cook for 1-2 hours. That would be a great way to serve them at a party or barbecue – feeding hot dogs to a crowd doesn’t get easier.
Stovetop Instructions
If you’re short on time and don’t want to let the chili come together in the slow cooker, you can also make this in a skillet on the stovetop. After browning the meat, add all ingredients to the skillet, stir, and simmer over medium heat for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Here is another version of stovetop chili sauce for hot dogs.
Need more crockpot recipes? Try these:
Crock Pot Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken
Slow Cooker Lasagna
Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Click here for my entire collection of crockpot recipes.
Did You Make This?
If you made this recipe, I’d love to know how it went in the comments section below.
You can also tag me on Instagram – @melissa_ppplates or share a pic in the Persnickety Plates Community Facebook group. I love seeing what you’ve tried!
Crockpot Hot Dog Chili
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef use a lean cut like 90/10
- ⅓ cup water
- 5 ounces tomato sauce
- ½ cup ketchup
- 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon onion powder or minced onion
Instructions
- In a medium skillet over medium heat combine the ground beef and water.1 pound ground beef, ⅓ cup water
- Make sure to constantly break up the ground beef while it is cooking. You want it as fine as possible.
- Drain off any remaining water/grease.
- Add the beef to your slow cooker.
- Next, add all the remaining ingredients and stir together.5 ounces tomato sauce, ½ cup ketchup, 1 Tablespoon yellow mustard, 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 teaspoons chili powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon onion powder or minced onion
- Let cook on LOW 2 to 2-1/2 hours.
- Serve on hot dogs, french fries, or burgers!
Notes
- Use a low fat ground beef both for flavor & to keep grease at a minimum (I like sirloin).
- Serve with toppings like shredded cheese, minced onion, jalapenos, or mustard.
- If you prefer to cook it stovetop, follow the same directions but leave it in a skillet on the stove over medium heat, simmering for 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If the chili becomes too thick, you can thin with water or additional ketchup.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
Love this
Thank you
OH, MY, GOSH!! This recipe was a God send!! I grew up in Detroit, due to the economy, my husband lost his very lucrative job & as hard as he tried there were no jobs to be found there! So my daughter was living here in Illinois & urged us to come here! I was shocked to learn there was not ONE Coney Island in this town! I’m SOOOO looking forward to making this recipe & finding out how my family likes it!! Stay tuned, I’ll let you know!
My brother found the same when he moved from Metro Detroit to Florida lol
I hope it stands up for you! It is thicker than many coneys but easily thinned.
The best thanks for sharing 100% best food ideas. Thank u
Is that 5oz of tomato sauce or is that 15 ounce can of tomato sauce?
5 ounces
can you freeze leftovers?
I haven’t done it but it should freeze fine in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
Looks great can’t wait to try.
Taste like manwich too me.
That’s a bad thing? I’ve never had Manwich.
I have not made this yet, but growing up on “Flint style” coney islands, I immediately thought to skip the sugar and if you use ketchup make sure it is not heavily sweetened. My Flint style are not sweet at all, and not saucy, so might just skip the ketchup entirely. Detroit style are a bit sweeter and saucier/thinner…yuck.
And yes, Melissa, tasting like Manwich is a bad thing. Michigan folks, consider Koegel Vienna hotdogs. Coney Island dogs always snap!
What a easy, simple recipe to make. What is your favorite hot dog to use for this? I struggle picking a good one from so many to choose from. Thanks
I’ll be honest – I don’t like hot dogs (persnickety, right? lol). My husband likes the ones from GFS.
Try using Nathan’s Franks.
Where does the beef broth come in to play and how much does this make
Did you read the recipe card? There is no beef broth & it makes approximately 8 servings.
We added beans to ours. Had a hot dog and nachos bar set up on our outdoor movie night. Sauce was a big hit. Thank you
Love that idea, thanks for letting me know, Carla!
Just because I can’t find tomato SAUCE in a 5 oz can, is it supposed to be paste, instead? Sounds delicious!
No, you need sauce. It usually comes in an 8 oz can, you just need 5 🙂
I have not made this yet, but growing up on “Flint style” coney islands, I immediately thought to skip the sugar and if you use ketchup make sure it is not heavily sweetened. My Flint style are not sweet at all, and not saucy, so might just skip the ketchup entirely. Detroit style are a bit sweeter and saucier/thinner…yuck.
And yes, Melissa, tasting like Manwich is a bad thing. Michigan folks, consider Koegel Vienna hotdogs. Coney Island dogs always snap!
This isn’t thin so I think you’ll be ok.
I have not tried this yet. I am a Illinois lady and alway got good chili dogs in there. My husband is a southern man and he love chili on his hot dogs but everyone is grease or wet as he calls it. This recipe sound great please email and let me know if there is much liquid or is pretty dry as he calls it.
It’s not overly liquidy (& I always use sirloin so it’s not greasy). Hopefully you can tell the texture from the pics and video.
Just made this. Good consistency, but definitely smelt like Sloppy Joe’s. I added cumin and it helped a little. I’d use less ketchup and no sugar next time.
I think this chili is delicious
Why thank you 🙂
This looks amazing!! Do you know if ground turkey turns out as good??? Thank you for posting!!
I haven’t tested with turkey but it should be very similar!
This is delicious hotdog chili! I made it tonight for our July 4th cookout tomorrow night and followed the cooktop directions. The only thing I did different was not adding the sugar. Can’t wait to serve it tomorrow night🇺🇸
Yay, thanks, Pam! Happy 4th!
Best chili sauce ever , diffently will use this again.
That makes me happy. Thanks, Candy! 🙂
I made this today for a hot dog bar. It was a big hit. My husband ate a plateful of just the chili with shredded cheese after eating three chili dogs.
Yay 🙂 Thanks, Cindy!
I fix a meal on Wednesday nights at our church for the youth and a handful of adults. Will definitely be trying this recipe and making a hot dog bar soon! Love the tip on the hot dogs in the crockpot too!
Thanks Debbie, I hope it’s a hit!